Streaming Methods and Systems
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- providing a streaming server configured to stream encoded data, the encoded data comprising a plurality of layers of data; and
determining whether portions of a secondary (enhancement) layer are important;
deciding to drop enhancement layer portions based, at least in part, on whether the portions are important,dropping at least portions of the enhancement layer of the streamed encoded data sufficient to forward-shift, relative to a primary layer, the subsequent portions of the enhancement layer by an amount.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments provide methods and systems for streaming data that can facilitate streaming during bandwidth fluctuations in a manner that can enhance the user experience. In one aspect, a forward-shifting technique is utilized to buffer data that is to be streamed, e.g. an enhancement layer in a FGS stream. Various techniques can drop layers actively when bandwidth is constant. The saved bandwidth can then be used to pre-stream enhancement layer portions. In another aspect, a content-aware decision can be made as to how to drop enhancement layers when bandwidth decreases. During periods of decreasing bandwidth, if a video segment does not contain important content, the enhancement layers will be dropped to keep the forward-shifting of the enhancement layer unchanged. If the enhancement layer does contain important content, it will be transmitted later when bandwidth increases.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing a streaming server configured to stream encoded data, the encoded data comprising a plurality of layers of data; and determining whether portions of a secondary (enhancement) layer are important; deciding to drop enhancement layer portions based, at least in part, on whether the portions are important, dropping at least portions of the enhancement layer of the streamed encoded data sufficient to forward-shift, relative to a primary layer, the subsequent portions of the enhancement layer by an amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method comprising:
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dropping portions of an enhancement layer to forward-shift following portions of the enhancement layer by an amount; determining that a decrease in available bandwidth has occurred; responsive to said determining; determining whether the enhancement layer contains important content; if it is determined that the enhancement layer does not contain important content, dropping additional portions of the enhancement layer to preserve a forward-shifted enhancement layer; and is if it is determined that the enhancement layer does contain important content, delaying transmission of portions of the enhancement layer so that the delayed portions can be transmitted when the available bandwidth increases. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A streaming server comprising:
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one or more processors; memory; and software code embodiment in the memory which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to drop at least portions of an enhancement layer sufficient to forward-shift following portions of the enhancement layer by an amount. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification