System and methods for buffering of real-time data streams
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- transmitting a request, at a user device, to a content server for an initial content quality type associated with a content stream, the initial content quality type corresponding to an initial speed at which the user device is able to consume the content stream;
receiving, at the user device, the content stream with the initial content quality type directly from a content feed, the content stream not being stored at the content server, the content feed being located at a site different from the content server;
detecting, at the user device, a low watermark condition as the content stream is played on the user device;
discovering, at the user device, an available bandwidth associated with the content feed;
transmitting a request, at the user device, to the content server, based on the discovered available bandwidth of the content feed, for a modified content quality type associated with the content stream while receipt of the content stream is in progress; and
receiving, at the user device, the content stream with the modified content quality type from the content feed, the modified content quality type corresponding to a different speed at which the user device is able to consume the content stream.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-implemented system and methods for buffering of real-time data streams are disclosed. The apparatus and method in an example embodiment includes: configuring a content server for an initial content quality type associated with a content stream; receiving the content stream with the initial content quality type from a content feed; detecting a low watermark condition as the content stream is played on a playback device; reconfiguring the content server for a modified content quality type associated with the content stream while receipt of the content stream is in progress; and receiving the content stream with the modified content quality type from the content feed.
150 Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
-
transmitting a request, at a user device, to a content server for an initial content quality type associated with a content stream, the initial content quality type corresponding to an initial speed at which the user device is able to consume the content stream; receiving, at the user device, the content stream with the initial content quality type directly from a content feed, the content stream not being stored at the content server, the content feed being located at a site different from the content server; detecting, at the user device, a low watermark condition as the content stream is played on the user device; discovering, at the user device, an available bandwidth associated with the content feed; transmitting a request, at the user device, to the content server, based on the discovered available bandwidth of the content feed, for a modified content quality type associated with the content stream while receipt of the content stream is in progress; and receiving, at the user device, the content stream with the modified content quality type from the content feed, the modified content quality type corresponding to a different speed at which the user device is able to consume the content stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. An apparatus comprising:
-
a user device; and a buffer manager, at the user device, the buffer manager being configured to; transmit a request to a content server for an initial content quality type associated with a content stream, the initial content quality type corresponding to an initial speed at which the user device is able to consume the content stream; receive the content stream with the initial content quality type directly from a content feed, the content stream not being stored at the content server, the content feed being located at a site different from the content server; detect a low watermark condition as the content stream is played on the user device; discover an available bandwidth associated with the content feed; transmit a request to the content server, based on the discovered available bandwidth of the content feed, for a modified content quality type associated with the content stream while receipt of the content stream is in progress; and receive the content stream with the modified content quality type from the content feed, the modified content quality type corresponding to a different speed at which the user device is able to consume the content stream. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory machine readable storage medium having machine executable instructions embedded thereon, which when executed by a user device, cause the user device machine to:
-
transmit a request to a content server for an initial content quality type associated with a content stream, the initial content quality type corresponding to an initial speed at which the user device is able to consume the content stream; receive the content stream with the initial content quality type directly from a content feed, the content stream not being stored at the content server, the content feed being located at a site different from the content server; detect a low watermark condition as the content stream is played on the user device; discover an available bandwidth associated with the content feed; transmit a request to the content server, based on the discovered available bandwidth of the content feed, for a modified content quality type associated with the content stream while receipt of the content stream is in progress; and receive the content stream with the modified content quality type from the content feed, the modified content quality type corresponding to a different speed at which the user device is able to consume the content stream.
-
Specification