MANAGING STREAMING BANDWIDTH FOR MULTIPLE CLIENTS

• US 20110314130A1
• Filed: 05/17/2011
• Published: 12/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vasona Networks, Inc. (ZephyrTel, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vasona Networks, Inc. (ZephyrTel, Inc.)
• Inventors: STRASMAN, Nery
• Granted Patent: US 9,137,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2402 Monitoring of the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. bandwidth available traffic monitoring in data switching networks H04L43/00; monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26258 for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2662 Controlling the complexity of the video stream, e.g. by scaling the resolution or bitrate of the video stream based on the client capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments

Abstract

A method, system and a computer program product. The method may include: selecting, for each requested media file, a selected version of the media file based on (a) bit rates of the different versions of the requested media file, and (b) a bit rate allocated for a transmission of the requested media file to the client; generating a modified manifest file for each requested media file by removing retrieval information associated with all non-selected versions of requested media files; wherein each modified manifest file comprises retrieval information required only for a retrieval of a selected version of a requested media file associated with the modified manifest file; and sending to clients the modified manifest files.

Claims

1. A method for controlling at least one media file, the method comprising:

allocating or receiving allocated bit rates to a media file that comprises a plurality of chunks and is expected to be streamed over a last mile channel that is bandwidth limited;

receiving, from a media streamer, a manifest file for multiple versions of the media file;

wherein different version of the media file differ from each other by bit rate;

wherein a manifest file associated the media file comprises retrieval information required for retrieving different versions of the media file;

receiving a manifest file request from a client that is hosted on a user device, wherein the manifest file request is received from a client and comprises a request to receive retrieval information required for a retrieval of a manifest file associated with a requested media file that is requested by the client;

selecting a selected version of the media file based on (a) bit rates of the different versions of the requested media file, and (b) a bit rate allocated for a transmission of the requested media file to the client;

generating a modified manifest file for the requested media file by removing retrieval information associated with all non-selected versions of the requested media file;

wherein the modified manifest file comprises retrieval information required only for a retrieval of a selected version of the requested media file; and

sending to the client the modified manifest file.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising:

allocating or receiving allocated bit rates to a plurality of media files, each media file comprises a plurality of chunks and is expected to be streamed over a last mile channel that is bandwidth limited;

receiving, from a media streamer, a manifest file for multiple versions of each of the plurality of media files;

wherein different version of a same media file differ from each other by bit rate;

wherein a manifest file associated with a media file comprises retrieval information required for retrieving different versions of the media file;

receiving a plurality of manifest file requests from a plurality of clients that are hosted on user devices, wherein each manifest file request received from a client comprises a request to receive retrieval information required for a retrieval of a manifest file associated with a requested media file that is requested by the client;

selecting, for each requested media file, a selected version of the media file based on (a) bit rates of the different versions of the requested media file, and (b) a bit rate allocated for a transmission of the requested media file to the client;

generating a modified manifest file for each requested media file by removing retrieval information associated with all non-selected versions of requested media files;

wherein each modified manifest file comprises retrieval information required only for a retrieval of a selected version of a requested media file associated with the modified manifest file; and

sending to the clients the modified manifest files.

3. The method according to claim 2 comprising selecting a selected version of the media file that has a bit rate that best matches the bit rate allocated to the transmission of the media file to the client.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the allocating of bit rates to the plurality of media files is responsive to bit rates of different versions of the plurality of media files.

5. The method according to claim 2, comprising:

receiving a plurality of chunk requests from a plurality of clients, wherein each chunk request requests at least one chunk that belongs to a selected version of a requested media file; and

sending the plurality of chunk requests to the media streamer.

6. The method according to claim 5, comprising:

sending to the media streamer the plurality of chunk requests;

receiving from the media streamer chunks requested by the plurality of chunk requests; and

sending to the plurality of clients the chunks.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the generating of a modified manifest file for each requested media file further comprises removing retrieval information associated with a selected version of a part of a requested media file associated with the modified manifest file.

9. The method according to claim 2, comprising generating at least one modified manifest file even at an absence of a manifest file request from a client to retrieve the at least one modified manifest file.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein the media streamer is unaware of a stage of the last mile channel.

11. The method according to claim 2, comprising allocating the allocated bit rate to each of the media files by a system that is coupled to last mile channel.

8. The method according to claim 8, comprising generating a new modified manifest file for each requested media file, wherein the new modified manifest file comprises retrieval information previously removed from the modified manifest file and is associated with the selected version of the part of the requested media file associated with the modified manifest file.

12. A system comprising:

an input interface arranged to receive;

allocated bit rates to a plurality of media files, each media file comprises a plurality of chunks and is expected to be streamed over a last mile channel that is bandwidth limited;

a manifest file for multiple versions of each of the plurality of media files;

wherein different version of a same media file differ from each other by bit rate;

wherein a manifest file associated with a media file comprises retrieval information required for retrieving different versions of the media file;

a plurality of manifest file requests from a plurality of clients that are hosted on user devices, wherein each manifest file request received from a client comprises a request to receive retrieval information required

a processing module that is arranged to;

select, for each requested media file, a selected version of the media file based on (a) bit rates of the different versions of the requested media file, and (b) a bit rate allocated for a transmission of the requested media file to the client;

generate a modified manifest file for each requested media file by removing retrieval information associated with all non-selected versions of requested media files;

wherein each modified manifest file comprises retrieval information required only for a retrieval of a selected version of a requested media file associated with the modified manifest file; and

an output interface arranged to send to the clients the modified manifest files.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the input interface is arranged to receive (i) allocated bit rates to a plurality of media files, each media file comprises a plurality of chunks and is expected to be streamed over a last mile channel that is bandwidth limited;

and (ii) a manifest file for multiple versions of each of the plurality of media files;

wherein different version of a same media file differ from each other by bit rate;

wherein a manifest file associated with a media file comprises retrieval information required for retrieving different versions of the media file;

(iii) a plurality of manifest file requests from a plurality of clients that are hosted on user devices, wherein each manifest file request received from a client comprises a request to receive retrieval information required for a retrieval of a manifest file associated with a requested media file that is requested by the client;

wherein the processing module is arranged to (i) select, for each requested media file, a selected version of the media file based on (a) bit rates of the different versions of the requested media file, and (b) a bit rate allocated for a transmission of the requested media file to the client; and

(ii) generate a modified manifest file for each requested media file by removing retrieval information associated with all non-selected versions of requested media files;

wherein each modified manifest file comprises retrieval information required only for a retrieval of a selected version of a requested media file associated with the modified manifest file; and

wherein the output interface is arranged to send to the clients the modified manifest files.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the processing module is arranged to select a selected version of the media file that has a bit rate that best matches the bit rate allocated to the transmission of the media file to the client.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the processing module is arranged to allocate bit rates to the plurality of media files is responsive to bit rates of different versions of the plurality of media files.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the input interface is arranged to receive a plurality of chunk requests from a plurality of clients, wherein each chunk request requests at least one chunk that belongs to a selected version of a requested media file;

and wherein the output interface is arranged to send the plurality of chunk requests to the media streamer.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the output interface is arranged to send to the media streamer the plurality of chunk requests;

wherein the input interface is arranged to receive from the media streamer chunks requested by the plurality of chunk requests; and

wherein the output interface is arranged to send to the plurality of clients the chunks.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein the processing module is arranged to generate a modified manifest file for each requested media file by removing retrieval information associated with a selected version of a part of a requested media file associated with the modified manifest file.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the processing module is arranged to generate a new modified manifest file for each requested media file, wherein the new modified manifest file comprises retrieval information previously removed from the modified manifest file and is associated with the selected version of the part of the requested media file associated with the modified manifest file.

20. The system according to claim 13, wherein the processing module is arranged to generate at least one modified manifest file even at an absence of a manifest file request from a client to retrieve the at least one modified manifest file.

21. The system according to claim 13, wherein the media streamer is unaware of a stage of the last mile channel.

22. The system according to claim 13, wherein the processing module is arranged to allocate the allocated bit rate to each of the media files by a system that is coupled to last mile channel.

23. A computer program product that comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions for:

allocating or receiving allocated bit rates to a plurality of media files, each media file comprises a plurality of chunks and is expected to be streamed over a last mile channel that is bandwidth limited;

receiving, from a media streamer, a manifest file for multiple versions of each of the plurality of media files;

wherein different version of a same media file differ from each other by bit rate;

wherein a manifest file associated with a media file comprises retrieval information required for retrieving different versions of the media file;

receiving a plurality of manifest file requests from a plurality of clients that are hosted on user devices, wherein each manifest file request received from a client comprises a request to receive retrieval information required for a retrieval of a manifest file associated with a requested media file that is requested by the client;

selecting, for each requested media file, a selected version of the media file based on (a) bit rates of the different versions of the requested media file, and (b) a bit rate allocated for a transmission of the requested media file to the client;

generating a modified manifest file for each requested media file by removing retrieval information associated with all non-selected versions of requested media files;

wherein each modified manifest file comprises retrieval information required only for a retrieval of a selected version of a requested media file associated with the modified manifest file; and

sending to the clients the modified manifest files.

24. The computer program product according to claim 23, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium stores instructions for:

allocating or receiving allocated bit rates to a plurality of media files, each media file comprises a plurality of chunks and is expected to be streamed over a last mile channel that is bandwidth limited;

receiving, from a media streamer, a manifest file for multiple versions of each of the plurality of media files;

wherein different version of a same media file differ from each other by bit rate;

wherein a manifest file associated with a media file comprises retrieval information required for retrieving different versions of the media file;

receiving a plurality of manifest file requests from a plurality of clients that are hosted on user devices, wherein each manifest file request received from a client comprises a request to receive retrieval information required for a retrieval of a manifest file associated with a requested media file that is requested by the client;

selecting, for each requested media file, a selected version of the media file based on (a) bit rates of the different versions of the requested media file, and (b) a bit rate allocated for a transmission of the requested media file to the client;

generating a modified manifest file for each requested media file by removing retrieval information associated with all non-selected versions of requested media files;

wherein each modified manifest file comprises retrieval information required only for a retrieval of a selected version of a requested media file associated with the modified manifest file; and

sending to the clients the modified manifest files.

25. The computer program product according to claim 24, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium stores instructions for selecting a selected version of the media file that has a bit rate that best matches the bit rate allocated to the transmission of the media file to the client.

26. The computer program product according to claim 24, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium stores instructions for allocating of bit rates to the plurality of media files in response to bit rates of different versions of the plurality of media files.

27. The computer program product according to claim 24, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium stores instructions for receiving a plurality of chunk requests from a plurality of clients, wherein each chunk request requests at least one chunk that belongs to a selected version of a requested media file;

and

sending the plurality of chunk requests to the media streamer.

28. The computer program product according to claim 27, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium stores instructions for:

sending to the media streamer the plurality of chunk requests;

receiving from the media streamer chunks requested by the plurality of chunk requests; and

sending to the plurality of clients the chunks.

29. The computer program product according to claim 24 wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium stores instructions for generating of a modified manifest file for each requested media file by removing retrieval information associated with a selected version of a part of a requested media file associated with the modified manifest file.

30. The computer program product according to claim 29 wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium stores instructions for generating a new modified manifest file for each requested media file, wherein the new modified manifest file comprises retrieval information previously removed from the modified manifest file and is associated with the selected version of the part of the requested media file associated with the modified manifest file.

31. The computer program product according to claim 24 wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium stores instructions for generating at least one modified manifest file even at an absence of a manifest file request from a client to retrieve the at least one modified manifest file.

32. The computer program product according to claim 24 wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium stores instructions for allocating the allocated bit rate to each of the media files by a system that is coupled to last mile channel.

36. The computer program product according to claim 24 wherein the first retrieval information exposes a first group of versions of the at least one media file and the second retrieval information exposes a second group of versions of the at least one media file, wherein the first group differs from the second group.

33. A method comprising:

receiving a first manifest file and information about a communication network condition;

wherein the manifest is associated with at least one media file and comprises first retrieval information required for retrieving the at least one media file; and

generating, in response to the information about the communication network condition a second manifest file that comprises second retrieval information that differs from the first retrieval information.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the first retrieval information exposes a first group of versions of the at least one media file and the second retrieval information exposes a second group of versions of the at least one media file, wherein the first group differs from the second group.

35. A computer program product that comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions for:

receiving a first manifest file and information about a communication network condition;

wherein the manifest is associated with at least one media file and comprises first retrieval information required for retrieving the at least one media file; and

generating, in response to the information about the communication network condition a second manifest file that comprises second retrieval information that differs from the first retrieval information.

37. A system comprising an input interface for receiving a first manifest file and information about a communication network condition;

wherein the manifest is associated with at least one media file and comprises first retrieval information required for retrieving the at least one media file; and

a manifest file module for generating, in response to the information about the communication network condition a second manifest file that comprises second retrieval information that differs from the first retrieval information.

38. The system according to claim 37 wherein the first retrieval information exposes a first group of versions of the at least one media file and the second retrieval information exposes a second group of versions of the at least one media file, wherein the first group differs from the second group.