System and method for fast start-up of live multicast streams transmitted over a packet network
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Abstract
A system for multicast streaming of programs over a packet network includes a node having a processor that conditions a video bitstream such that packets containing an I-frame are located near program specific information (PSI) packets, the processor marking a random join point (RJP) in the video bitstream immediately preceding the I-frame and PSI packets, the node outputting the conditioned and marked video bitstream across the packet network. An edge device of the network includes a buffer that caches packets of the conditioned and marked video bitstream video starting at the RJP, and sends the cached packets to a client receiver.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1-10. -10. (canceled)
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11. In a packet-based network for multicast streaming of digital video programs, a method of fast transmission of a video program to a set-top box (STB) comprising:
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pre-buffering packets associated with a program channel starting at a marked point of a digital video transport stream, the pre-buffered packets immediately following the marked point including an I-frame and program specific information (PSI); receiving a request from the STB to begin viewing the program channel; and bursting the pre-buffered packets to the STB in response to the request. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20-28. -28. (canceled)
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29. Apparatus for fast startup of a multicast digital video transport stream distributed over a Internet Protocol (IP) network to a client device comprising:
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a plurality of buffers, each buffer caching current data packets associated with a distinct program channel starting at a marked point of the multicast digital video transport stream, the current data packets including an I-frame and program specific information (PSI) packets; an output queue coupled to the plurality of buffers, the output queue transmitting to the client device the current data packets of one of the buffers in response to a request received from the client device; a unit coupled to the plurality of buffers and the output queue to control transfer of the current data packets form the one of the buffers to the output queue. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. Apparatus for fast startup of a multicast digital video transport stream distributed over a Internet Protocol (IP) network to a client device comprising:
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means for caching current data packets associated with a distinct program channel starting at a marked point of the multicast digital video transport stream, the current data packets including an I-frame and program specific information (PSI) packets; means for transmitting to the client device the current data packets of the distinct program channel in response to a request received from the client device; means for controlling transfer of the current data packets form the caching means to the transmitting means. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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37. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium and computer readable code embodied on the computer useable medium, execution of the computer readable code causing a network node device to:
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cache current data packets associated with a distinct program channel starting at a marked point of the multicast digital video transport stream, the current data packets including an I-frame and program specific information (PSI) packets; and burst transmit to a client device the current data packets in response to a request received from the client device. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A network device comprising:
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means for receiving and pre-buffering packets of a multicast stream, the packets being pre-buffered starting at a marked point of the stream; means for transmitting to a client device the pre-buffered packets in response to a request received from the client device. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification