METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING DELAYS DUE TO CHANNEL CHANGES
First Claim
1. A method for providing programs to a client device, comprising:
- providing a first video program stream over a first channel, the first video program stream conveying a first video program having a first quality level; and
providing a plurality of second video program streams over a second channel, each of the second video program streams conveying a second video program having a second quality level below the first quality level;
wherein said first video program stream and said second video program streams are adapted for use by the client device in locally switching from presenting the first video program at the first quality level to presenting a selected one of the second video programs at the second quality level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention includes a method and apparatus for providing programs to a client device. The method includes providing a first video program stream over a first channel where the first video program stream conveys a first video program having a first quality level, and providing a plurality of second video program streams over a second channel where each of the second video program streams conveys a second video program having a second quality level below the first quality level. The first video program stream and second video program streams are adapted for use by the client device in locally switching from presenting the first video program at the first quality level to presenting a selected one of the second video programs at the second quality level.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing programs to a client device, comprising:
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providing a first video program stream over a first channel, the first video program stream conveying a first video program having a first quality level; and providing a plurality of second video program streams over a second channel, each of the second video program streams conveying a second video program having a second quality level below the first quality level; wherein said first video program stream and said second video program streams are adapted for use by the client device in locally switching from presenting the first video program at the first quality level to presenting a selected one of the second video programs at the second quality level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for providing programs to a client device, comprising:
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means for providing a first video program stream over a first channel, the first video program stream conveying a first video program having a first quality level; and means for providing a plurality of second video program streams over a second channel, each of the second video program streams conveying a second video program having a second quality level below the first quality level; wherein said first video program stream and said second video program streams are adapted for use by the client device in locally switching from presenting the first video program at the first quality level to presenting a selected one of the second video programs at the second quality level. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of receiving video programs at a client device, comprising:
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receiving, over a first channel, a first video program stream conveying a first video program at a first quality level; receiving, over a second channel, a plurality of second video program streams conveying a respective plurality of second video programs at a second quality level below the first quality level; in response to a channel change operation by which a user selects one of the second video program streams, locally switching from presenting the first video program at the first quality level to presenting, at the second quality level, the second video program conveyed by the selected one of the second video programs. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification