MEDIATING CONTENT DELIVERY VIA ONE OR MORE SERVICES

• US 20140372624A1
• Filed: 06/16/2014
• Published: 12/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Wang, Jun, Pazos, Carlos Marcelo Dias, Lo, Charles Nung, Naik, Nagaraju, Stockhammer, Thomas, Walker, Gordon Kent
• Granted Patent: US 9,674,251 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/75 Media network packet handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/40 for selective distribution or broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A device for receiving streaming data includes a broadcast or multicast middleware unit configured to receive the streaming data via a second service and a proxy unit configured to be disposed between the middleware unit and a client application, the proxy unit further configured to receive an indication of whether the streaming data is to be received via a first service or the second service, when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the first service: disable the middleware unit; and receive the streaming data via the first service, and when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the second service: activate the middleware unit to receive the streaming data via the second service, wherein the second service comprises at least one of a broadcast service or a multicast service; and receive the streaming data from the middleware unit.

Claims

1. A method of receiving streaming data, the method comprising:

receiving, by a proxy unit of a client device, an indication of whether the streaming data is to be received via a first service or a second service, wherein the indication was sent from a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) of a service provider network, wherein the client device further comprises a broadcast or multicast middleware unit, and wherein the proxy unit is disposed in a communication path between the middleware unit and a client application executed by at least one processor of the client device; and

when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the second service;

activating the middleware unit to receive the streaming data via the second service, wherein the second service comprises at least one of;

a broadcast service or a multicast service, and

receiving, by the proxy unit, the streaming data from the middleware unit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the middleware unit comprises a multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) or evolved MBMS (eMBMS) middleware unit.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to receiving the indication:

obtaining, by the client device, a manifest file that maps an identifier for the streaming data to at least one resource location based on the first service; and

sending, by the client device and in accordance with the first service, a request for at least a portion of the streaming data to the at least one resource location to obtain at least the portion of the streaming data via the first service,

wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving a response to the request for at least the portion of the streaming data.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the request for at least the portion of the streaming data comprises a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) GET request, and wherein the response to the request comprises at least one of a 3xx-type HTTP redirection message or a 200-type HTTP OK message.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one of the 3xx-type HTTP redirection message or the 200-type HTTP OK message comprises a third generation partnership project (3GPP) extension header that includes the indication.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the response to the request comprises the 3xx-type HTTP redirection message, and wherein the 3xx-type HTTP redirection message comprises an entity body that includes a redirection location from which to obtain at least the portion of the streaming data.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the streaming data from the middleware unit comprises:

obtaining, by the proxy unit and from the middleware unit, at least one new resource location, wherein the at least one new resource location is based on the second service.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

subsequent to obtaining the at least one new resource location, receiving, by the proxy unit and from the client application, a client request for at least a second portion of the streaming data, wherein the client request is based on the at least one resource location;

determining whether data specified in the client request matches data specified by the at least one new resource location; and

when the data specified in the client request matches the data specified by the at least one new resource location, sending, by the proxy unit and to the middleware unit, a proxy request for at least the second portion of the streaming data, wherein the proxy request is based on the at least one new resource location.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one resource location includes a first base portion of a uniform resource locator (URL), the first base portion corresponding to the first service, and wherein the at least one new resource location includes a second base portion of a URL, the second base portion corresponding to the second service.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second service comprises a service available via at least a broadcast delivery mode, wherein the middleware unit comprises a multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) or evolved MBMS (eMBMS) middleware unit, and wherein receiving the streaming data from the middleware unit comprises:

retrieving, by the proxy unit, the streaming data from the middleware unit; and

sending, by the proxy unit, the streaming data to the client application.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the middleware unit comprises activating the middleware unit by the proxy unit.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises a message sent in accordance with a push mechanism.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first service comprises a unicast service.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first service comprises a service available via unicast delivery mode.

15. A method of receiving streaming data, the method comprising:

receiving, by a proxy unit of a client device, an indication of whether the streaming data is to be received via a first service or a second service, wherein the indication was sent from a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) of a service provider network, wherein the client device further comprises a multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) or evolved MBMS (eMBMS) middleware unit, and wherein the proxy unit is disposed in a communication path between the middleware unit and a client application executed by at least one processor of the client device; and

when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the first service;

disabling the middleware unit, the middleware unit having received at least a portion of the streaming data via the second service, wherein the second service comprises at least one of;

a broadcast service or a multicast service, and

receiving, by the proxy unit, the streaming data via the first service, wherein the first service comprises a unicast service.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, prior to receiving the indication:

obtaining, by the client device, a manifest file that maps an identifier for the streaming data to at least one resource location based on the first service; and

sending, by the client device and in accordance with the first service, a request for at least a portion of the streaming data to the at least one resource location to obtain at least the portion of the streaming data via the first service,

wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving a response to the request for at least the portion of the streaming data.

17. A device for receiving streaming data, the device comprising:

a broadcast or multicast middleware unit configured to receive the streaming data via a second service; and

a proxy unit configured to be disposed in a communication path between the middleware unit and a client application executed by at least one processor of the device, the proxy unit further configured to;

receive, from a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) of a service provider network, an indication of whether the streaming data is to be received via a first service or the second service,

when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the first service;

disable the middleware unit; and

receive the streaming data via the first service, wherein the first service comprises a unicast service, and

when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the second service;

activate the middleware unit to receive the streaming data via the second service, wherein the second service comprises at least one of;

a broadcast service or a multicast service; and

receive the streaming data from the middleware unit.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the middleware unit comprises a multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) or evolved MBMS (eMBMS) middleware unit.

19. The device of claim 17,

wherein, prior to receiving the indication, at least one of the proxy unit or the at least one processor is further configured to:

obtain a manifest file that maps an identifier for the streaming data to at least one resource location based on the first service; and

send, in accordance with the first service, a request for at least a portion of the streaming data to the at least one resource location to obtain at least the portion of the streaming data via the first service, and

wherein the proxy unity configured to receive the indication is configured to receive a response to the request for at least the portion of the streaming data.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the at least one of the proxy unit or the at least one processor configured to send the request for at least the portion of the streaming data is configured to send a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) GET request, and wherein the proxy unit configured to receive the response to the request is configured to receive at least one of a 3xx-type HTTP redirection message or a 200-type HTTP OK message.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the at least one of the 3xx-type HTTP redirection message or the 200-type HTTP OK message comprises a third generation partnership project (3GPP) extension header that includes the indication.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the response to the request comprises the 3xx-type HTTP redirection message, and wherein the 3xx-type HTTP redirection message comprises an entity body that includes a redirection location from which to obtain at least the portion of the streaming data.

23. The device of claim 19, wherein the proxy unit configured to receive the streaming data from the middleware unit is configured to:

obtain, from the middleware unit, at least one new resource location, wherein the at least one new resource location is based on the second service.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the proxy unit is further configured to:

receive, subsequent to obtaining the at least one new resource location, from the client application, a client request for at least a second portion of the streaming data, wherein the client request is based on the at least one resource location;

determine whether data specified in the client request matches data specified by the at least one new resource location; and

when the data specified in the client request matches the data specified by the at least one new resource location, send, to the middleware unit, a proxy request for at least the second portion of the streaming data, wherein the proxy request is based on the at least one new resource location.

25. The device of claim 23, wherein the at least one resource location includes a first base portion of a uniform resource locator (URL), the first base portion corresponding to the first service, and wherein the at least one new resource location includes a second base portion of a URL, the second base portion corresponding to the second service.

26. The device of claim 17,

wherein the middleware unit comprises a multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) or evolved MBMS (eMBMS) middleware unit, and

wherein the proxy unit configured to receive the streaming data from the middleware unit is configured to:

retrieve the streaming data from the middleware unit; and

send the data to the client application.

27. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions for receiving streaming data that, when executed, cause at least one processor of a client device to:

cause a proxy unit of the client device to receive an indication of whether the streaming data is to be received via a first service or a second service, the indication sent from a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) of a service provider network, wherein the client device comprises a broadcast or multicast middleware unit, and wherein the proxy unit is disposed in a communication path between the broadcast or multicast middleware unit and a client application executed by at least one processor of the client device;

when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the first service;

disable the middleware unit, and

receive the streaming data via the first service, wherein the first service comprises a unicast service; and

when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the second service;

activate the middleware unit to receive the streaming data via the second service, wherein the second service comprises at least one of;

a broadcast service or a multicast service, and

receive the streaming data from the middleware unit.

28. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein the middleware unit comprises a multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) or evolved MBMS (eMBMS) middleware unit.

29. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, further having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to, prior to receiving the indication:

obtain a manifest file that maps an identifier for the streaming data to at least one resource location based on the first service; and

send, in accordance with the first service, a request for at least a portion of the streaming data to the at least one resource location to obtain at least the portion of the streaming data via the first service,

wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving a response to the request for at least the portion of the streaming data.

30. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 29, wherein the request for at least the portion of the streaming data comprises a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) GET request, and wherein the response to the request comprises at least one of a 3xx-type HTTP redirection message or a 200-type HTTP OK message.

31. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the at least one of the 3xx-type HTTP redirection message or the 200-type HTTP OK message comprises a third generation partnership project (3GPP) extension header that includes the indication.

32. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the response to the request comprises the 3xx-type HTTP redirection message, and wherein the 3xx-type HTTP redirection message comprises an entity body that includes a redirection location from which to obtain at least the portion of the streaming data.

33. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 29, wherein the instructions that cause the at least one processor to receive the streaming data from the middleware unit comprise instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:

obtain, from the middleware unit, at least one new resource location, wherein the at least one new resource location is based on the second service.

34. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 33, further having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:

subsequent to obtaining the at least one new resource location, receive, from a client application, a client request for at least a second portion of the streaming data, wherein the client request is based on the at least one resource location;

determine whether data specified in the client request matches data specified by the at least one new resource location; and

when the data specified in the client request matches the data specified by the at least one new resource location, sending, to the middleware unit, a proxy request for at least the second portion of the streaming data, wherein the proxy request is based on the at least one new resource location.

35. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein the at least one resource location includes a first base portion of a uniform resource locator (URL), the first base portion corresponding to the first service, and wherein the at least one new resource location includes a second base portion of a URL, the second base portion corresponding to the second service.

36. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein the second service comprises a service available via at least a broadcast delivery mode, wherein the middleware unit comprises a multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) or evolved MBMS (eMBMS) middleware unit, and wherein the instructions that cause the at least one processor to receive the streaming data from the middleware unit comprise instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:

retrieve the streaming data from the middleware unit; and

send the streaming data to a client application.

37. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein the instructions that cause the at least one processor to receive the indication comprise instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to receive the indication from a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) of a service provider network.

38. A device for receiving streaming data, the device comprising:

means for causing a proxy unit of the device to receive an indication of whether the streaming data is to be received via a first service or a second service, the indication sent from a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) of a service provider network, wherein the device further comprises a broadcast or multicast middleware unit, wherein the proxy unit is disposed in a communication path between the broadcast or multicast middleware unit and a client application executed by at least one processor of the client device;

means for disabling the middleware unit when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the first service;

means for receiving, by the proxy unit, the streaming data via the first service when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the first service, wherein the first service comprises a unicast service; and

means for activating the middleware unit to receive the streaming data via the second service when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the second service, wherein the second service comprises at least one of;

a broadcast service or a multicast service; and

means for receiving the streaming data from the middleware unit when the indication indicates that the streaming data is to be received via the second service.