Aspects of media content rendering
First Claim
1. A method for playing media content using a presentation system, the media content arranged into a plurality of sets of media samples, each set of media samples receivable from a media source, the method comprising:
- at a first time, commencing play of a first set of media samples received from a first media source;
identifying a second set of media samples receivable from a second media source, commencement of play of the second set of media samples scheduled at a second time occurring a predetermined amount of time from the first time;
ascertaining a static characteristic associated with the second media source;
during play of the first set of media samples, ascertaining a dynamic characteristic of the presentation system;
based on the static characteristic and the dynamic characteristic, determining a time offset value; and
pre-rendering at least a portion of the second set of media samples at a pre-rendering time, the pre-rendering time offset from the second time by an amount based on the time offset value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Media content is arranged into a number of sets of video, audio, or data samples, referred to as clips, which are rendered by a media content manager. A playlist, which is handled by a presentation manager, specifies the time-ordered sequence of clips playable to a user. Certain actions are taken during media content play to minimize glitches perceived by the user, including determining a time offset value that is used to decide how far in advance of a scheduled play time to begin pre-rendering an upcoming clip. The time offset value is determined using one or more static characteristics associated with a media source for the upcoming clip, such as the location of the media source, codec parameters, or encryption complexity, and one or more dynamic characteristics of the presentation system, such as retrieval states, (including play speeds) of media clips, processing loads, or clock frequencies.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for playing media content using a presentation system, the media content arranged into a plurality of sets of media samples, each set of media samples receivable from a media source, the method comprising:
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at a first time, commencing play of a first set of media samples received from a first media source;
identifying a second set of media samples receivable from a second media source, commencement of play of the second set of media samples scheduled at a second time occurring a predetermined amount of time from the first time;
ascertaining a static characteristic associated with the second media source;
during play of the first set of media samples, ascertaining a dynamic characteristic of the presentation system;
based on the static characteristic and the dynamic characteristic, determining a time offset value; and
pre-rendering at least a portion of the second set of media samples at a pre-rendering time, the pre-rendering time offset from the second time by an amount based on the time offset value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for playing media content, the media content arranged into a plurality of sets of media samples, each set of media samples receivable from a media source, the system comprising:
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a media content manager operable to play a first set of samples from a first media source and to play a second set of samples from a second media source; and
a presentation manager having access to a playlist and configured for communication with the media content manager, the presentation manager operable to ascertain an identity of the second set of media samples from the playlist, ascertain a static characteristic associated with the second media source, ascertain a dynamic characteristic during play of the first set of media samples, determine a time offset value based on the static characteristic and the dynamic characteristic, and arrange for pre-rendering of at least a portion of the second set of media samples at a pre-rendering time, the pre-rendering time offset from the second time by an amount based on the time offset value, wherein when the portion of the second set of media samples has been pre-rendered, the media content manager plays the pre-rendered portion of the second set of samples at the second time. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification