Switching a client from unicasting to multicasting by increasing the unicast stream rate to the client
First Claim
1. A method for switching a client from displaying digital video content provided via unicasting to displaying digital video content provided via multicasting, the method comprising:
- providing digital video content to a client via unicasting at a first rate;
increasing the rate at which the digital video content is provided to the client via unicasting to a second rate; and
after the digital video content has been provided to the client via unicasting at the second rate for a first time interval, switching to providing the digital video content to the client via multicasting instead of unicasting;
wherein the digital video content provided via unicasting and multicasting is related to the same channel; and
wherein the first time interval is a time interval that allows the client to buffer enough digital video content to switch to multicasting without skipping a frame of the digital video content for the channel.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Switching a client from unicasting back to multicasting involves accumulating enough digital video content at the client to bridge the time it takes to transition from receiving the digital video content via unicasting to receiving the digital video content via multicasting. Digital video content is accumulated at the client by temporarily increasing the stream rate of the unicast stream above the playout rate. While the digital video content is being streamed at the increased rate, the amount of digital video content stored in the client'"'"'s stream buffer grows. The stream rate is held at the increased rate until the client accumulates enough frames in its buffer to be able to bridge the time it takes to transition from receiving the digital video content via unicasting to receiving the digital video content via multicasting.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for switching a client from displaying digital video content provided via unicasting to displaying digital video content provided via multicasting, the method comprising:
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providing digital video content to a client via unicasting at a first rate; increasing the rate at which the digital video content is provided to the client via unicasting to a second rate; and after the digital video content has been provided to the client via unicasting at the second rate for a first time interval, switching to providing the digital video content to the client via multicasting instead of unicasting; wherein the digital video content provided via unicasting and multicasting is related to the same channel; and wherein the first time interval is a time interval that allows the client to buffer enough digital video content to switch to multicasting without skipping a frame of the digital video content for the channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for switching a client from displaying digital video content provided via unicasting to displaying digital video content provided via multicasting, the system comprising:
a multicast return controller configured to; provide digital video content to a client via unicasting at a first rate; increase the rate at which the digital video content is provided to the client via unicasting to a second rate; and after the digital video content has been provided to the client via unicasting at the second rate for a first time interval, switch to providing the digital video content to the client via multicasting instead of unicasting; wherein the digital video content provided via unicasting and multicasting is related to the same channel; and wherein the first time interval is a time interval that allows the client to buffer enough digital video content to switch to multicasting without skipping a frame of the digital video content. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for switching a client from displaying digital video content provided via unicasting to displaying digital video content provided via multicasting, the method comprising:
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receiving digital video content received via unicasting; playing out the buffered digital video content; increasing the rate at which the digital video content is received via unicasting to increase the amount of buffered digital video content; and switching to receiving the digital video content via multicasting instead of unicasting after a first time interval of the increased rate; wherein the digital video content provided via unicasting and multicasting is related to the same channel; and wherein the first time interval is a time interval that allows the client to buffer enough digital video content to switch to multicasting without skipping a frame of the digital video content. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification