System and method for fast start-up of live multicast streams transmitted over a packet network
First Claim
1. In a packet-based network for multicast streaming of digital video programs, a method of fast transmission of a video program to a set-top box (STB) comprising:
- pre-buffering packets associated with a program channel starting at a marked random join point (RJP) of a digital video transport stream, the digital video transport stream being conditioned such that packets containing an I-frame are located near program specific information (PSI) packets, the pre-buffered packets immediately following the marked RJP;
receiving a request from the STB to begin viewing the program channel, the request associated with a channel change by a user; and
bursting the pre-buffered packets to the STB in response to the request.
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Abstract
A system for multicast streaming of programs over a packet network includes a node having a processor that conditions a video bitstream such that packets containing an I-frame are located near program specific information (PSI) packets, the processor marking a random join point (RJP) in the video bitstream immediately preceding the I-frame and PSI packets, the node outputting the conditioned and marked video bitstream across the packet network. An edge device of the network includes a buffer that caches packets of the conditioned and marked video bitstream video starting at the RJP, and sends the cached packets to a client receiver.
79 Citations
24 Claims
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1. In a packet-based network for multicast streaming of digital video programs, a method of fast transmission of a video program to a set-top box (STB) comprising:
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pre-buffering packets associated with a program channel starting at a marked random join point (RJP) of a digital video transport stream, the digital video transport stream being conditioned such that packets containing an I-frame are located near program specific information (PSI) packets, the pre-buffered packets immediately following the marked RJP; receiving a request from the STB to begin viewing the program channel, the request associated with a channel change by a user; and bursting the pre-buffered packets to the STB in response to the request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for fast startup of a multicast digital video transport stream distributed over an Internet Protocol (IP) network to a client device comprising:
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a plurality of buffers, each buffer caching current data packets associated with a distinct program channel starting at a marked random join point (RJP) of the multicast digital video transport stream, the multicast digital video transport stream being conditioned such that packets containing an I-frame are located near program specific information (PSI) packets, the current data packets including an I-frame and PSI packets; an output queue coupled to the plurality of buffers, the output queue transmitting to the client device the current data packets of one of the buffers in response to a request received from the client device, the request associated with a channel change by a user; unit coupled to the plurality of buffers and the output queue to control transfer of the current data packets form the one of the buffers to the output queue. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for fast startup of a multicast digital video transport stream distributed over an Internet Protocol (IP) network to a client device comprising:
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means for caching current data packets associated with a distinct program channel starting at a marked random join point (RJP) of the multicast digital video transport stream, the multicast digital video transport stream being conditioned such that packets containing an I-frame are located near program specific information (PSI) packets, the current data packets including an I-frame and PSI packets; means for transmitting to the client device the current data packets of the distinct program channel in response to a request received from the client device, the request associated with a channel change by a user; means for controlling transfer of the current data packets form the caching means to the transmitting means. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer program product comprising a computer useable storage device and computer readable code embodied on the computer useable medium, execution of the computer readable code causing a network node device to:
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cache current data packets associated with a distinct program channel starting at a marked random join point (RJP) of the multicast digital video transport stream, the multicast digital video transport stream being conditioned such that packets containing an I-frame are located near program specific information (PSI) packets, the current data packets including an I-frame and PSI packets; and burst transmit to a client device the current data packets in response to a request received from the client device, the request associated with a channel change by a user. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A network device comprising:
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means for receiving and pre-buffering packets of a multicast stream, the packets being pre-buffered starting at a marked random join point (RJP) of the stream, the multicast stream being conditioned such that packets containing an I-frame are located near program specific information (PSI) packets, the RJP immediately preceding an I-frame within the multicast stream; means for transmitting to a client device the pre-buffered packets in response to a request received from the client device, the request associated with a channel change by a user. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification