ADAPTIVE VIDEO SWITCHING FOR VARIABLE NETWORK CONDITIONS
First Claim
1. A method for video playback switching, comprising:
- accessing a server to retrieve respective index files for a low bit rate version of a video file and a high bit rate version of the video file;
instantiating a low bit rate media player for the low bit rate version and a high bit rate media player for the high bit rate version;
beginning playback of the video file by the high bit rate media player streaming the high bit rate version from the server;
upon an indication of impeded network conditions, selecting a transition point within the high bit rate version, wherein the transition point indicates where downloading of the high bit rate version stops and where downloading of the low bit rate version begins;
positioning the low bit rate media player to begin playback at the transition point; and
switching playback of the video file from the high bit rate player to the low bit rate player upon encountering the transition point, where after the low bit rate player streams the low bit rate version from the server.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for video playback switching in response to changing network conditions. The method includes accessing a server to retrieve respective index files for a low bit rate version and a high bit rate version of the video file, and instantiating a low bit rate media player and a high bit rate media. Playback of the video file is begun by the high bit rate media player streaming the high bit rate version from the server. Upon an indication of impeded network conditions, a transition point is selected, wherein the transition point indicates where downloading of the high bit rate version stops and where downloading of the low bit rate version begins. The low bit rate media player is then positioned to begin playback at the transition point. Playback of the video file is then switched to the low bit rate player upon encountering the transition point.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for video playback switching, comprising:
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accessing a server to retrieve respective index files for a low bit rate version of a video file and a high bit rate version of the video file; instantiating a low bit rate media player for the low bit rate version and a high bit rate media player for the high bit rate version; beginning playback of the video file by the high bit rate media player streaming the high bit rate version from the server; upon an indication of impeded network conditions, selecting a transition point within the high bit rate version, wherein the transition point indicates where downloading of the high bit rate version stops and where downloading of the low bit rate version begins; positioning the low bit rate media player to begin playback at the transition point; and switching playback of the video file from the high bit rate player to the low bit rate player upon encountering the transition point, where after the low bit rate player streams the low bit rate version from the server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for adaptive video switching to respond to varying conditions, comprising:
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receiving a request to playback a video file stored on a server; in response to the request, accessing the server to determine how many different versions of the video file are stored on the server, where at least two of the different versions have a different bit rate; instantiating a respective media player for each of the different versions of the video file; beginning playback of a default one of the different versions using its corresponding media player; monitoring a contention indicator within the corresponding media player; when the contention indicator indicates impeded playback, selecting a transition point within default one of the different versions, wherein the transition point indicates where downloading of the default one of the different versions stops and where downloading of a subsequent one of the different versions begins; positioning a subsequent media player to begin playback of the subsequent one of the different versions at the transition point; and switching playback of the video file from the default one of the different versions to the subsequent one of the different versions upon encountering the transition point, where after the subsequent media player streams the subsequent one of the different versions from the server. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer readable media having computer executable code which, when executed by a processor of a computer system, causes the computer system to implement a method for adaptive video switching, comprising:
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instantiating a first media player for a first version of a video file stored on a server; instantiating a second media player for a second version of the video file stored on the server; beginning playback of the first version by first media player streaming the first version from the server; upon an indication of changed network conditions, selecting a transition point within the first version, wherein the transition point indicates where downloading of the first version stops and where downloading of the second version begins; positioning the second media player to begin playback at the transition point; and switching playback of the video file from the first player to the second player upon encountering the transition point, where after the second e player streams the second version from the server. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification