Managing network traffic using intermediate flow control
First Claim
1. A method for controlling the streaming of content through a network, the method comprising:
- receiving first content chunks at an intermediate network device, the intermediate network device being in a data path between a content source and a client, the first content chunks being encoded at a first bit rate and being sent from the content source to the client using an adaptive bit rate streaming protocol; and
changing a flow rate at which the first content chunks are sent from the intermediate network device from a first flow rate to a second flow rate in order to cause the client, in response to the change of flow rate, to request second content chunks that are encoded at a different bit rate than the first bit rate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A technique for controlling the streaming of content through a network is disclosed. The technique involves changing the rate at which content chunks are sent from an intermediate network device in order to cause a client to request content chunks that are encoded at a different bit rate. For example, an intermediate network device can reduce the rate at which content chunks are sent to a client in order to cause the client to adapt to the reduced flow rate by requesting content chunks that are encoded at a lower bit rate. Causing a client to request content chunks that are encoded at a lower bit rate can reduce the bandwidth demand in a wireless communications network.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for controlling the streaming of content through a network, the method comprising:
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receiving first content chunks at an intermediate network device, the intermediate network device being in a data path between a content source and a client, the first content chunks being encoded at a first bit rate and being sent from the content source to the client using an adaptive bit rate streaming protocol; and changing a flow rate at which the first content chunks are sent from the intermediate network device from a first flow rate to a second flow rate in order to cause the client, in response to the change of flow rate, to request second content chunks that are encoded at a different bit rate than the first bit rate.
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2. A method for controlling the streaming of content through a network, the method comprising:
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receiving first content chunks at an intermediate network device, the intermediate network device being in a data path between a content source and a client, the first content chunks being encoded at a first bit rate and being sent from the content source to the client using an HTTP adaptive bit rate streaming protocol; and reducing a flow rate at which the first content chunks are sent from the intermediate network device from a first flow rate to a second flow rate in order to cause the client, in response to the change of flow rate, to request second content chunks that are encoded at a lower bit rate than the first bit rate. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for controlling the streaming of content through a network, the system comprising:
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an intermediate network device that is configured to receive first content chunks from a content source and to send the first content chunks to a client, wherein the first content chunks are encoded at a first bit rate and are sent from the content source to the client using an HTTP adaptive bit rate streaming protocol, and the intermediate network device having an influencer module configured to reduce a flow rate at which the first content chunks are sent from the intermediate network device from a first flow rate to a second flow rate in order to cause the client, in response to the change of flow rate, to request second content chunks that are encoded at a lower bit rate than the first bit rate. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for controlling the streaming of content through a network, the method comprising:
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receiving first content chunks at an intermediate network device, the intermediate network device being in a data path between a content source and a client, the first content chunks being encoded at a first bit rate and being sent from the content source to the client using an HTTP adaptive bit rate streaming protocol; and throttling a flow rate at which the first content chunks are sent from the intermediate network device from a first flow rate to a second flow rate in order to cause the client, in response to the change of flow rate, to request second content chunks that are encoded at a lower bit rate than the first bit rate.
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Specification