Stream control failover utilizing an attribute-dependent protection mechanism
First Claim
1. A method for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients, the method comprising:
- identifying an attribute of a content element that is streamed to a client from a stream server; and
selecting a protection mechanism for the content element as a function of the attribute, wherein the protection mechanism enables streaming of the content element to the client from another stream server in the event of a resource failure;
wherein selecting a protection mechanism for the content element comprises;
mapping attributes of content elements to a set to categories such that an attribute falls within a category of the set of categories; and
mapping each category of the set of categories to a protection mechanism;
wherein the combination of the two mappings creates an indirect mapping between attributes of content elements and the protection mechanisms.
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Abstract
A technique for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients involves identifying an attribute of a content element that is streamed to a client and selecting a protection mechanism for the content element as a function of the attribute, wherein the protection mechanism enables streaming of the content element to the clients in the event of a resource failure. In an example, the identified attribute is an indication of the popularity of the content element (e.g., as measured by the number of active streams), such that the protection mechanism is selected as a function of the popularity of the content element. In an embodiment, protection mechanisms that offer a higher level of protection are selected for the more popular content elements and protection mechanisms that offer a lower level of protection are selected for the less popular content elements.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients, the method comprising:
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identifying an attribute of a content element that is streamed to a client from a stream server; and selecting a protection mechanism for the content element as a function of the attribute, wherein the protection mechanism enables streaming of the content element to the client from another stream server in the event of a resource failure; wherein selecting a protection mechanism for the content element comprises; mapping attributes of content elements to a set to categories such that an attribute falls within a category of the set of categories; and mapping each category of the set of categories to a protection mechanism; wherein the combination of the two mappings creates an indirect mapping between attributes of content elements and the protection mechanisms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 21)
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13. A system for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients, the system comprising:
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a processor; and memory for storing processor executable instructions, which when executed by the processor perform the functions of; an attribute engine configured to identify an attribute of a content element that is streamed to a client; and a protection mechanism selector configured to select a protection mechanism for the content element as a function of the attribute, wherein the protection mechanism enables streaming of the content element to the client in the event of a resource failure; wherein selecting a protection mechanism for the content element comprises; mapping attributes of content elements to a set to categories such that an attribute falls within a category of the set of categories; and mapping each category of the set of categories to a protection mechanism; wherein the combination of the two mappings creates an indirect mapping between attributes of content elements and the protection mechanisms. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A system for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients, the system comprising:
multiple stream servers that are logically connected into a logical group, wherein at least one of the stream servers in the logical group comprises; an attribute engine configured to identify an attribute of a content element that is streamed from one of the stream servers in the logical group to a client; and a protection mechanism selector configured to select a protection mechanism for the content element as a function of the attribute, wherein the protection mechanism enables streaming of the content element from one of the stream servers in the logical group to the client in the event of a resource failure; wherein selecting a protection mechanism for the content element comprises; mapping attributes of content elements to a set to categories such that an attribute falls within a category of the set of categories; and mapping each category of the set of categories to a protection mechanism; wherein the combination of the two mappings creates an indirect mapping between attributes of content elements and the protection mechanisms. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
Specification