Personal media broadcasting system with output buffer
DCFirst Claim
1. A device that transmits a media stream to a media player via a network, the device comprising:
- an input interface for receiving an audio/video signal;
a buffer configured to store the media stream prior to transmission via the network;
a processor configured to receive the audio/video signal and to construct the media stream from the audio/video signal in a format suitable for storage in the buffer prior to transmission over the network, wherein the media stream is constructed using an adjustable encoding parameter having a value determined at least in part based upon an amount of free space remaining in the buffer; and
a network interface for transmitting the media stream stored in the buffer to a client over a network.
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Abstract
A personal media broadcasting system enables video distribution over a computer network and allows a user to view and control media sources over a computer network from a remote location. A personal broadcaster receives an input from one or more types of media sources, digitizes and compresses the content, and streams the compressed media over a computer network to a media player running on any of a wide range of client devices for viewing the media. The system may allow the user to issue control commands (e.g., “channel up”) from the media player to the broadcaster, causing the source device to execute the commands. The broadcaster and the media player may employ several techniques for buffering, transmitting, and viewing the content to improve the user'"'"'s experience.
280 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device that transmits a media stream to a media player via a network, the device comprising:
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an input interface for receiving an audio/video signal; a buffer configured to store the media stream prior to transmission via the network; a processor configured to receive the audio/video signal and to construct the media stream from the audio/video signal in a format suitable for storage in the buffer prior to transmission over the network, wherein the media stream is constructed using an adjustable encoding parameter having a value determined at least in part based upon an amount of free space remaining in the buffer; and a network interface for transmitting the media stream stored in the buffer to a client over a network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A placeshifting system comprising:
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a placeshifting device having an input interface for receiving audio/video source content, the placeshifting device configured to construct a media stream suitable for transmission over a network from the received audio/video source content, the media stream constructed by encoding the signal using an encoding parameter selected at least in part based on an amount of free space remaining in an intermediate output buffer, the placeshifting device further including a network interface configured to transmit the media stream from the intermediate output buffer; and a client module configured to receive the media stream from the placeshifting device over a network connection and to play the media stream for a user. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for providing access to audio/visual content from a remotely located media client, the method comprising:
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receiving an input signal that contains the audio/visual content; constructing a media stream suitable for transmission over a network by encoding the input signal using an encoding parameter selected at least in part based on an amount of free space remaining in a transmit buffer; storing the media stream in the transmit buffer prior to transmission; and sending the media stream from the transmit buffer to the remotely located media client over the network. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification