Illustration supported P2P media content streaming
First Claim
1. A method of operating a peer playback device of a plurality of peer playback devices forming a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network, comprising:
- downloading an illustration media content item derived from a desired original media content item where the illustration media content item is distinct from the desired original media content item;
storing the illustration media content at the peer playback device;
initiating streaming of the desired original media content item to the peer playback device from at least one second peer playback device of the plurality of peer playback devices hosting the desired original media content item after storing the illustration media content at the peer playback device;
effecting playback of the desired original media content item as the desired original media content item is streamed to the peer playback device;
monitoring a quality of a network connection over which the desired media content item is streamed to the peer playback device; and
switching playback from the desired original media content item streamed from the at least one second peer playback device to the illustration media content item stored at the peer playback device if the quality of the network connection falls below a defined level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for Peer-to-Peer (P2P) media content streaming are provided. In one embodiment, prior to streaming desired original media content, a playback agent of a first peer playback device downloads illustration media content, which is a derivate light-weight version of the original media content. The playback agent then initiates streaming of the original media content from one or more other peer playback devices hosting the original media content or a segment thereof. The playback agent monitors a quality of the network connection to the other peer playback devices streaming the original media content to the playback agent. If the quality of the network connection falls below a defined threshold, the playback agent switches playback to the illustration media content. Once the quality of the network connection improves or a new connection is established, the playback agent switches playback back to the streaming original media content.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of operating a peer playback device of a plurality of peer playback devices forming a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network, comprising:
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downloading an illustration media content item derived from a desired original media content item where the illustration media content item is distinct from the desired original media content item; storing the illustration media content at the peer playback device; initiating streaming of the desired original media content item to the peer playback device from at least one second peer playback device of the plurality of peer playback devices hosting the desired original media content item after storing the illustration media content at the peer playback device; effecting playback of the desired original media content item as the desired original media content item is streamed to the peer playback device; monitoring a quality of a network connection over which the desired media content item is streamed to the peer playback device; and switching playback from the desired original media content item streamed from the at least one second peer playback device to the illustration media content item stored at the peer playback device if the quality of the network connection falls below a defined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 25)
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17. A peer playback device in a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network formed by a plurality of peer playback devices including the peer playback device, comprising:
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a communication interface of the peer playback device communicatively coupling the peer playback device to the P2P network; and a control system associated with the communication interface and adapted to; download and store an illustration media content item derived from a desired original media content item where the illustration media content item is distinct from the desired original media content item; storing the illustration media content; initiate streaming of the desired original media content item to the peer playback device from at least one second peer playback device of the plurality of peer playback devices after storing the illustration media content; effect playback of the desired original media content item at the peer playback device as the desired original media content item is streamed to the peer playback device; monitor a quality of a network connection over which the desired original media content item is streamed to the peer playback device; and switch playback from the desired original media content item streamed from the at least one second peer playback device to the illustration media content item stored at the peer playback device if the quality of the network connection falls below a defined level. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification