VIDEO SESSION SHIFTING USING A PROVIDER NETWORK

• US 20130111529A1
• Filed: 10/28/2011
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Hao, Jack Jianxiu, Qian, Yuhui, Jin, Zhiying, Yao, Xuefeng
• Granted Patent: US 8,914,833 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/93
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4728 for selecting a Region Of Interest [ROI], e.g. for requesting a higher resolution version of a selected region

Abstract

A method includes receiving a request for a video program from a user device. A user account associated with the user device is identified. The method may also include identifying a latest viewing point for the video program based on the user account. A video segment playlist may be generated based on the latest viewing point. The video segment playlist identifies one or more video segments of the video program. The video segment playlist may be provided to the user device. The user device is operable to request the one or more video segments.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a request for a video program from a user device;

identifying a user account associated with the user device;

identifying a latest viewing point for the video program based on the user account;

generating a video segment playlist based on the latest viewing point, wherein the video segment playlist identifies a predetermined number of video segments of the video program and includes a last viewed video segment and subsequent video segments of the predetermined number of video segments; and

providing the video segment playlist to the user device, wherein the user device is operable to request the last viewed video segment and the subsequent video segments.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request for a video segment from the user device based on the video segment playlist;

recording an identification for the requested video segment, wherein the recorded identification for the requested video segment indicates a current viewing point; and

providing the requested video segment to the user device.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein providing the requested video segment comprises relaying the request for the video segment to a streaming server.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining that the user has suspended viewing of the video program; and

identifying the current viewing point as the latest viewing point.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a pause indication from the user device, wherein the pause indication indicates a viewing point that the user may begin the video program;

identifying the current viewing point;

recording the pause indication and the current viewing point; and

providing an option to begin updating the video segment playlist based on the pause indication and the current viewing point.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining one or more of a number of the video segments in the video segment playlist and an average duration of the video segments in the video segment playlist to limit buffering in the user device.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein identifying the latest viewing point for the video program based on the user account further comprises:

identifying a recorded viewing point associated with the user account at a provider network;

determining an estimated buffering differential between a current viewing point at the user device and the recorded viewing point; and

identifying the latest viewing point based on the recorded viewing point and the estimated buffering differential.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user is associated with at least one other device and the latest viewing point was viewed using the at least one other device.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the video segment playlist is a current video segment playlist and wherein providing the video segment playlist to the user device further comprises:

determining a next video segment playlist based on the current video segment playlist; and

providing the next video segment playlist to the user device in a repeating cycle at predetermined intervals until the video program is complete.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the video segments are provided using hypertext transfer protocol live streaming.

11. A device, comprising:

a memory to store a plurality of instructions; and

a processor configured to execute instructions in the memory to;

receive a request for a video program from a user device;

identify a user account associated with the user device;

identify a latest viewing point for the video program based on the user account;

generate a video segment playlist based on the latest viewing point, wherein the video segment playlist identifies a predetermined number of video segments of the video program; and

providing the video segment playlist to the user device.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a request for a video segment from the user device based on the video segment playlist;

record an identification for the requested video segment, wherein the recorded identification for the requested video segment indicates a current viewing point; and

provide the requested video segment to the user device.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein, when providing the requested video segment the processor is further configured to:

relay the request for the video segment to a streaming server.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine that a user of the user device has suspended viewing of the video program; and

identify the current viewing point as the latest viewing point.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a pause indication from the user device, wherein the pause indication indicates a viewing point that a user of the user device may begin the video program;

identify the current viewing point;

record the pause indication and the current viewing point; and

provide an option to begin the video program based on the pause indication and the current viewing point.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to:

determine one or more of a number of the video segments in the video segment playlist and an average duration of the video segments in the video segment playlist to limit buffering in the user device.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein, identifying the latest viewing point for the video program based on the user account, the processor is further configured to:

identify a recorded viewing point associated with the user account at a provider network;

determine an estimated buffering differential between a current viewing point at the user device and the recorded viewing point; and

identify the latest viewing point based on the recorded viewing point and the estimated buffering differential.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions to be executed by a processor, the instructions including one or more instructions, when executed by the processor, for causing the processor to:

receive a request for a video program from a user device;

identify a user account associated with the user device;

identify a latest viewing point for the video program based on the user account;

generate a video segment playlist based on the latest viewing point, wherein the video segment playlist identifies a predetermined number of video segments of the video program; and

providing the video segment playlist to the user device.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, where the one or more instructions further includes instructions for causing the processor to:

receive a request for a video segment from the user device based on the video segment playlist;

record an identification for the requested video segment, wherein the recorded identification for the requested video segment includes a current viewing point; and

provide the requested video segment to the user device.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, where when providing the requested video segment, the one or more instructions further includes instructions for causing the processor to:

relay the request for the video segment to a streaming server.