DEVICE SWITCHING FOR A STREAMING SERVICE

• US 20160050130A1
• Filed: 08/18/2014
• Published: 02/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Ljung, Rickard, Drincic, Samir
• Application Number:
  US14/461,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20160050130A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/25 with rate being modified by the source upon detecting a change of network conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1073 Registration or de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1083 In-session procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1094 Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25825 involving client display capabilities, e.g. screen resolution of a mobile phone optimising the visualisation of content during browsing in the Internet G06F16/9577; processing of terminal status or physical abilities in wireless networks H04W8/22; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25833 involving client hardware characteristics, e.g. manufacturer, processing or storage capabilities allocation of resources considering hardware capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5044; allocation of resources considering software capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5055
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44227 Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0011 for data sessions of end-to-end connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/008375 based on historical data

Abstract

A method includes receiving registration information for a plurality of user devices associated with a streaming service. The method includes storing information about switching statistics for switching between the plurality of user devices that receive the streaming service. The method includes determining an expected switching scenario when switching between the plurality of user devices is probable to occur. The method also includes monitoring a current user device among the plurality of user devices that currently receives the streaming service to detect the expected switching scenario. The method further includes initiating preparation for handover of streaming service, and performing handover of the streaming service from the current user device to at least one resuming user device among the plurality of user devices.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, the method comprising:

receiving registration information for a plurality of user devices associated with a streaming service;

storing information about switching statistics for switching between the plurality of user devices that receive the streaming service;

determining an expected switching scenario when switching between the plurality of user devices is probable to occur;

monitoring a current user device among the plurality of user devices that currently receives the streaming service to detect the expected switching scenario;

initiating preparation for handover of streaming service; and

performing handover of the streaming service from the current user device to at least one resuming user device among the plurality of user devices.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of user devices include one or more of a smartphone, a tablet, a television, or a gaming console.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein initiating preparation for handover of the streaming service further comprises:

initiating media rate selection associated with the at least one resuming user device.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein initiating preparation for handover of the streaming service further comprises:

initiating pre-buffering associated with the at least one resuming user device.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resuming user device comprises at least two user devices.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving registration information further comprises:

receiving a type of unit, a screen size, a decoding capability of each of the plurality of user devices.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein storing information about switching statistics further comprises:

storing an additional application that the user accessed within a predetermined time window of switching.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein storing information about switching statistics further comprises:

storing an identification of devices that a user switches between for each switching instance.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein storing information about switching statistics further comprises:

storing a time of day at which the switching occurs.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein storing information about switching statistics further comprises:

storing a location of a resuming device at a time the switching occurs.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining the expected switching scenario further comprises:

receiving an indication from a user regarding a scenario in which switching is to occur.

12. A device, comprising:

a memory to store a plurality of instructions; and

a processor configured to execute instructions in the memory to;

receive registration information for a plurality of user devices associated with a streaming service;

store information about switching statistics for switching between the plurality of user devices that receive the streaming service;

determine an expected switching scenario when switching between the plurality of user devices is probable to occur;

monitor a current user device among the plurality of user devices that currently receives the streaming service to detect the expected switching scenario;

initiate preparation for handover of streaming service; and

perform handover of the streaming service from the current user device to at least one resuming user device among the plurality of user devices.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of user devices include one or more of a smartphone, a tablet, a television, or a gaming console.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein, when initiating preparation for handover of the streaming service, the processor is further to:

initiate media rate selection associated with the at least one resuming user device.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein, when initiating preparation for handover of the streaming service, the processor is further to:

initiate pre-buffering associated with the at least one resuming user device.

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

receive feedback from at least one user device regarding a time at which switching is probable to occur; and

predict a switching time for the streaming service associated with a second device based on the feedback.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the at least one resuming user device comprises at least two user devices.

18. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein, when receiving registration information, the processor is further to:

receive a type of unit, a screen size, a decoding capability of each of the plurality of user devices.

19. 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 registration information for a plurality of user devices associated with a streaming service;

store information about switching statistics for switching between the plurality of user devices that receive the streaming service;

determine an expected switching scenario when switching between the plurality of user devices is probable to occur;

monitor a current user device among the plurality of user devices that currently receives the streaming service to detect the expected switching scenario;

initiate preparation for handover of streaming service; and

perform handover of the streaming service from the current user device to at least one resuming user device among the plurality of user devices.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein, when receiving registration information, the instructions further include instructions for causing the processor to:

receive a type of unit, a screen size, a decoding capability of each of the plurality of user devices.