| MOBITV, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20130067108 | FRAGMENT SERVER DIRECTED DEVICE FRAGMENT CACHING - The media stream delivery system encodes and fragments media streams into numerous media stream fragments maintained on fragment servers. Devices obtain fragments to reconstruct media streams including live real-time media streams for playback on the devices. A device may perform caching of media stream fragments so that particular fragments need not be accessed again from a fragment server. A fragment server or even a content provider can analyze and monitor characteristics of media streams, viewing behavior, content popularity, etc., to identify fragments for caching at the playback devices. Caching indicators along with time period indicators may be included in the media stream fragments. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130067036 | INTELLIGENT DEVICE MEDIA STREAM CACHING - A media stream delivery system encodes numerous media streams into media stream fragments. The media stream delivery system may encode each media stream into a number of variants each having different resolutions, frame rates, audio quality levels, etc. Devices access the media stream fragments from a fragment server in order to reconstruct a particular media stream for playback. A device may perform caching of media stream fragments so that particular fragments need not be accessed from a fragment server. The device monitors and analyzes media streams and viewing characteristics to intelligently select fragments that will likely be needed again, such as fragments associated with repeated advertisements, introduction sequences, and end sequences. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130064305 | LOCALIZED REDUNDANCY FOR FRAGMENT PROCESSING - A live media stream encoding system encodes live media streams into numerous variants of the live media streams each including multiple fragments. Live media streams are delineated, dispatched as jobs, and converted using distributed and dynamically scalable encoder and fragmenter resources without using any centralized encoding management system. Encoded fragments are maintained in shared storage and accessed as needed by devices during playback. Localized redundancy and/or geographic redundancy is provided throughout the system to prevent disruption upon failure of a particular node. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130064287 | MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES FOR LIVE STREAM VARIANT PROCESSING - Live media streams variants are encoded in real-time in a dynamically scalable distributed resource system. In some examples, each live MPEG- | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130064286 | WEIGHTED ENCODER FRAGMENT SCHEDULING - Live media streams are encoded and fragmented to generate encoded fragments appropriate for different devices and networks. Different encoded fragments may correspond to different resolutions, audio bit rates, quality levels, and even codecs, etc. Devices request encoded fragments as needed to reconstitute a live media stream for playback. In many instances, encoding and fragmentation jobs are provided to numerous distributed and scalable encoder and fragmenter systems. Encoding and fragmentation jobs are intelligently weighted and scheduled to prevent any disruption or delay in playback of any particular live stream. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130064285 | DISTRIBUTED SCALABLE ENCODER RESOURCES FOR LIVE STREAMS - Live media streams are delineated for distributed encoding and fragmentation in a dynamically scalable distributed resource system. In some examples, live MPEG-2 media streams are separated into groups of pictures (GOPs) and converted into jobs for encoding and fragmentation systems. Multiple jobs may be created for the same live media stream to provide for different quality levels for each fragment of each channel. Shared resources such as a pool of dynamically scalable virtual machines can be used to process the individual jobs. Encoded fragments may be H.264 fragments maintained on shared storage. A particular live stream corresponding to a particular quality level can be reconstructed using the encoded fragments. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130059601 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MEDIA ON MOBILE DEVICES - Techniques and mechanisms are provided for sending targeted content and data to mobile devices. Location information associated with a device is determined. In some instances, the location information is manually entered. In other instances, the location information is determined automatically from characteristics associated with the device. Location information can be obtained from global positioning system (GPS) data, cell-site triangulation, Internet Protocol (IP) address detection, etc. Content and advertising can be provided in a location relevant manner to the mobile device. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20120297081 | CONTEXTUALLY AWARE CLIENT BUFFER THRESHOLDS - Client buffer thresholds are dynamically adjusted to provide quick start up and smooth playback in a variety of network conditions. In some examples, multiple buffer configurations are available. An initial buffer configuration may be used in typical circumstances and will yield good behavior in most cases. A modified buffer configuration can be used when limited available network resources prevent smooth playback. In some embodiments, a client buffer configuration is continuously adapted based on network throughput and data transfer rates. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120290393 | USER CONTROLLED ADVERTISING PREFERENCES - Mechanisms provide content consumers with the ability to select types of advertising. Advertising types may include commercials for a particular brand or company, product placement type advertising, commercials interspersed between clips of content, advertising having a particular rating, or no advertising in exchange for payment of a fee or completion of a questionnaire. The advertisement type selections may also apply to different devices the user accesses to consume content, whether content is a movie played using a set top box, a banner advertisement shown alongside an article, or a product placed in a video game. The selections may be applied to a variety of devices associated with a user in a uniform or varying manner. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120289767 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DEVICE BASED PREVENTION OF KINETOSIS - Mechanisms are provided for alleviating kinetosis using a mobile device. Motion sensors, gyroscopes, cameras, inertial modules, proximity detectors, global position system (GPS) receivers, orientation sensors, etc., are used to monitor motion that a mobile device user feels through the vestibular system but may not observe. A kinetosis alleviation system generates activity on a mobile device display that simulates the detected motion. In some examples, the activity may be a frame around video or text that shows movement congruent or more congruent with detected motion. In other examples, the activity may be a video or text window itself that moves in a manner congruent with detected motion. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120271920 | REAL-TIME PROCESSING CAPABILITY BASED QUALITY ADAPTATION - The quality of a media stream transmitted to a client device is dynamically adapted based on real-time availability of resources on the client device. Central processing unit resources, memory availability, buffer usage, graphics processing unit usage, etc., are continuously monitored to evaluate the ability of a device to handle media streams of particular quality levels. When it is determined that resources at a client device temporarily can not handle a high quality media stream, a lower quality stream is selected and provided to the client device without having to establish a new session. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120269075 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR BROADCAST AND MULTICAST/UNICAST TRANSITION - Mechanisms are provided for efficient transition between broadcast media reception and multicast/unicast media reception. Broadcast media quality is dynamically analyzed to determine when transition is appropriate. Broadcast services are mapped to multicast/unicast delivered services. Transition occurs smoothly by acquiring both broadcast and multicast/unicast media during transition and analyzing timing data to allow for media stream alignment and switchover. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120263438 | SEARCH SYSTEM USING MEDIA METADATA TRACKS - Real-time metadata tracks recorded to media streams allow search and analysis operations in a variety of contexts. Search queries can be performed using information in real-time metadata tracks such as closed captioning, sub-title, statistical tracks, miscellaneous data tracks. Media streams can also be augmented with additional tracks. The metadata tracks not only allow efficient searching and indexing, but also allow insertion of content specific advertising during appropriate portions of a media stream based on the content of the metadata tracks. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120255036 | PROPRIETARY ACCESS CONTROL ALGORITHMS IN CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORKS - Mechanisms are provided to allow application of proprietary access control algorithms during requests for resources obtained using a content delivery network (CDN). Requests to a CDN are augmented with a content provider specific token. The content provider can maintain strict control over access to restricted content at the time of request with a proprietary authorization algorithm and maintains real-time usage information for restricted content. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120254432 | LOCATION BASED ACCESS CONTROL FOR CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK RESOURCES - Mechanisms are provided to allow efficient delivery of content through a content delivery network (CDN) without taxing an origin server while maintaining fine grained location based access control. Requests to a CDN are augmented with quantized and non-quantized versions of location information. A CDN can use quantized location information in a URI to identify and return content if content corresponding to the URI is available in cache. If the content is not available in cache, the CDN can contact an origin server to obtain a result for the request using non-quantized location information. The origin server examines the non-quantized location information to determine whether to respond to the client request with content. The origin server examines the area corresponding to the quantized location information to determine whether the content should be cached at the CDN. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120239787 | FAST SETUP RESPONSE PREDICTION - Mechanisms are provided to accelerate Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) setup messages. A client transmits an RTSP request to a server. The server responds to the request and preemptively responds with acknowledgements for messages not yet received. For example, a server responds to an RTSP describe message with an RTSP describe acknowledgement, an RTSP setup acknowledgement, and an RTSP play response before setup and play messages are received by the server or even transmitted by the client. The client processes the anticipatory responses and transmits setup and play responses when the anticipatory responses are processed. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120198497 | LIVE MEDIA CONTENT DISCOVERY AND MANAGEMENT - Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to linearly or non-linearly discover and navigate media content including live events. A smart timeline includes panels of event information, previews, images, etc. Moving ahead allows discovery of future live media content and events and uncovers mechanisms for setting notifications and reminders. Moving back in time allows discovery of past events and mechanisms for replaying past video and audio content. Event navigation mechanisms can be integrated with calendaring applications to post and select events discovered using event navigation mechanisms. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120180089 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MEDIA ON MOBILE DEVICES - Techniques and mechanisms are provided for sending targeted content and data to mobile devices. Location information associated with a device is determined. In some instances, the location information is manually entered. In other instances, the location information is determined automatically from characteristics associated with the device. Location information can be obtained from global positioning system (GPS) data, cell-site triangulation, Internet Protocol (IP) address detection, etc. Content and advertising can be provided in a location relevant manner to the mobile device. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120143980 | LOCATION AWARE TRAVEL MEDIA - Mechanisms are provided for identifying, selecting, presenting travel media to users of a mobile device. User location information and directional information is received and travel media including images, video, and audio relevant to an attraction within visual range of a user is presented. A user turning toward a particular monument may be presented with an audio or video tour of the monument that progresses as the user moves about the monument. A user approaching a particular district may be presented with video commercials about fine dining in the area. Presentations may be adjusted as the user changes location or changes viewing direction and selections may be tailored to user interests and preferences. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120116881 | NON-INTRUSIVE ADVERTISEMENT PRESENTATION - Advertisements are often presented in the context of a media content viewing experience. Advertisement presentation may be intrusive or subtle. In many instances, users may be interested in particular advertisements but may not want to disrupt a media content viewing experience by launching an advertisement window, opening an advertisement application, or otherwise being redirected to another piece of content. Consequently, mechanisms are provided to allow a user to identify advertisements or save advertisement interests for presentation at a later time. Saved advertisement interests can be used to inform future advertisement and/or content suggestions, and the user can be presented with selected advertisements within an application or through external mechanisms. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120084803 | MEDIA CONVERGENCE PLATFORM - Device capabilities, media rights, and content are managed using a convergence platform to allow seamless consumption of content across disparate devices. Media content can be paused on one device having a particular set of capabilities and rights and resumed on a different device having another set of capabilities and rights. A user can play media on a mobile device, continue playing the media on a desktop computer, and subsequently move to a large screen television and capabilities and rights are automatically identified to seamlessly provide the most appropriate authorized content. Personalized media content information can be provided based on maintained information for user playback stoppage events and the user can resume playback of any number of media streams. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120062794 | REAL-TIME KEY FRAME SYNCHRONIZATION - Mechanisms are provided for performing real-time synchronization of key frames across multiple streams. A streaming server samples frames from variant media streams corresponding to different quality levels of encoding for a piece of media content. The streaming server identifiers key frames in the media streams and points in time to sample for key frames that increase the chances of detecting key frames from the same group of pictures (GOPs). In some examples, the sampling point is substantially in the middle between two GOPs. When a connection request is received from a client device for an alternative stream, a measured delay is used to calculate an improved start time. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120060180 | USER BASED ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDES - Electronic program guides are generated using device information, content authorization, service levels, and/or interest levels, etc., for a particular user. A viewer can access a user specific electronic program guide on a mobile device, continue accessing the user specific electronic program guide on a computer system, and subsequently move to a large screen television the same electronic program guide. The same user specific electronic program guide may be provided or adjustments to the electronic program guide can be made to account for varying service levels and device capabilities of the different devices. A user may be authorized to view a particular channel on a mobile device but not on a large screen television. In particular examples, a user can seamlessly access a user specific electronic program guide across a variety of authenticated devices associated with a variety of service levels. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20110302618 | FRAGMENTED FILE STRUCTURE FOR LIVE MEDIA STREAM DELIVERY - Media files such as MPEG-4 files are fragmented to allow for media and live media creation and delivery. A MPEG-4 standard description box includes synchronization information, end of file information, and chapter information to provide signaling information for near live playback of fragments. Playback can begin upon receiving a first MPEG-4 file fragment. A second MPEG-4 file fragment can be requested using information included in the first MPEG-4 file fragment. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299586 | QUALITY ADJUSTMENT USING A FRAGMENTED MEDIA STREAM - Media files such as MPEG- | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110231878 | TILE BASED MEDIA CONTENT SELECTION - Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically manage rich media content in an efficient and effective manner. Tiles including media content, personalized video selections, content pack upgrades, and promotions for featured content are presented to a user. Each tile may include calls to view, purchase, discuss, rate, review, or read about associated content. Tiles may be presented as still images, logos, text, or live video. Multiple tiles may be manipulated using keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and/or touchscreen movements, motions, and gestures. In particular examples, an overlay provided on top of a tile mechanism provides a user with additional navigation and management options. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110231521 | MEDIA CONVERGENCE PLATFORM - A media convergence platform allows time-shifting and place-shifting of live, video on demand, and recorded content across multiple devices, displays, etc. Users are able to pause content on one device and resume where they left off on another device. The media convergence platform allows users to record, select, consume, add, delete, manage, and manipulate media content including live programming across user authorized devices such as set top boxes, computer systems, mobile devices, etc. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110231486 | FAST SETUP RESPONSE PREDICTION - Mechanisms are provided to accelerate Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) setup messages. A client transmits an RTSP request to a server. The server responds to the request and preemptively responds with acknowledgements for messages not yet received. For example, a server responds to an RTSP describe message with an RTSP describe acknowledgement, an RTSP setup acknowledgement, and an RTSP play response before setup and play messages are received by the server or even transmitted by the client. The client processes the anticipatory responses and transmits setup and play responses when the anticipatory responses are processed. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110202559 | AUTOMATED CATEGORIZATION OF SEMI-STRUCTURED DATA - Mechanisms are provided for generating an inverse vector space search engine to automatically categorize and/or tag semi-structured data. In particular examples, an inverse vector space search engine includes multiple genres each associated with multiple keywords. Metadata such as media content description, caption information, review information, etc., are identified to determine distance between the media content and the various genres. Genres having a closer distance to media content are determined to be genres more closely describing the media content. Post filtering, alternate category determination, and user profiling may also be applied to the results. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110202515 | RETRIEVAL AND DISPLAY OF RELATED CONTENT USING TEXT STREAM DATA FEEDS - Mechanisms are provided for retrieving and presenting related content using text stream data feeds. Text stream data feeds such as caption information associated with media content or conversations associated with social networking applications are aggregated and used to retrieve related media content, text documents, and advertisements. Text stream data feeds that a user is exposed to may indicate that the user is interested or at least primed for particular types of related content. In particular examples, an inverse vector space search engine is used to determine particular pieces of related content and categories of interest. Post filtering may also be applied to the results. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110161813 | DATA MEASUREMENT AND FEEDBACK MECHANISM USING AN APPLICATION FRAMEWORK - Techniques and apparatuses are provided for conditioning media content based on user input. In one implementation, a barker screen is displayed on an output interface of the user device when a request to switch media channels is received. The barker screen may include a request for user input and at least partially block the output interface. As such, the content of the new channel may be at least partially unavailable until user input is received. Furthermore, techniques and apparatuses are provided for transmitting a request for user input to the user device switched to a unidirectional broadcast channel. Information contained in responses generated based on user inputs is then used to adjust media content. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110145848 | DISTRIBUTED CONTRIBUTION OF DISPARATE INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS - Mechanisms are provided for collecting user response information corresponding to a request transmitted as a part of unidirectional media broadcast. Mobile devices used to display media broadcast containing the request, such a survey, are also configured to send information using other communication networks, such as cellular networks. Mobile devices collect users' responses to the request and send information corresponding to these responses to a response processing server. The response processing server in turn processes the information, generate a report, and transmit this report to the broadcasting service. These reports may be used for a variety of purposes. In one example, reports are used to update broadcasted content such that mobile device user can view results of their responses as a part of the updated broadcast. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110099585 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING DYNAMIC PROGRAM GUIDES ON MOBILE DEVICES - Mechanisms are provided for allowing a mobile device to dynamically obtain program guide data. A mobile device having the capability of playing media streams is configurable to dynamically request program guide structure information followed by program guide content information. In one example, the program guide structure information allows a user to begin navigating the program guide data in an active and dynamic manner. Program guide content information including data such as program titles, times, icons, and links are then downloaded and displayed as needed. Potentially limitless amounts of program guide data can be provided on a mobile device. Program guide content information can be provided in a generic manner while allowing user layout customization. Program guide information can also be preemptively provided to a mobile device based on a variety of criteria. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110072448 | IMPLICIT MECHANISM FOR DETERMINING USER RESPONSE TO MEDIA - Mechanisms are provided for implicitly determining user response to media content. User response may include satisfaction, interest, and engagement levels. User response is determined implicitly by measuring channel switching, channel switching frequency, duration of viewing time, content duration, etc. in a linear or non-linear manner. In one example, the viewing duration evaluated with the media content duration to generate an interest factor. A relative interest factor for the media content is generated by referencing interest factors for the user for other pieces of media content for the user. User responses can be analyzed to determine user attention span, make content recommendations, deliver selected versions of content, customize advertising for a user, etc. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20100287589 | REAL-TIME GROUP DRIVEN AUTOMATED MEDIA CONTENT SELECTION - Mechanisms are provided for automatically selecting media content for presentation on a device such as a mobile device. An application and content provider compiles real-time most watched program information by determining viewing patterns associated with various individuals and groups. Channels and video clips requested most frequently are automatically displayed to a user. In some examples, the most popular programming associated with a particular group of friends, a particular user location, an interest set, or a demographic profile is automatically displayed to a user. In another example, the content with the largest rate of increase in viewership is automatically displayed to the user. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100261485 | PERSONALIZATION BASED ON USER LOCATION AND HISTORICAL USAGE DATA - Location information and historical usage data such as historical location data associated with a mobile device is tracked to provide a user with a personalized and location relevant experience. Not only are applications tailored to a particular mobile device location, but applications can be tailored based on user historical location patterns such as commute and travel patterns. Content and applications including content lineup, advertising, mashups, and search are intelligently personalized based on user location and historical location data. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100211941 | SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC MANAGEMENT OF APPLICATIONS ON REMOTE DEVICES - Management of applications on remote devices is performed independently of managing platform software. A per platform player using a common protocol to communicate and receive applications is installed on a device. The player is developed and installed independently of applications which run using commands supported by the player. On player startup, the player obtains boot instructions, fetches an application manifest, and obtains player and application resources using the application manifest from a content and application server. The content and application server determines application resources to send to the player and tracks applications and application versions installed on a per user/per platform basis. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100211627 | REPROGRAMMABLE CLIENT USING A UNIFORM BYTECODE MODEL - Device independent bytecode is used to provide and manage applications on reprogrammable clients. The same uniform bytecode is used for scripting, presentation, and messaging. For presentation, bytecode is used to create and manipulate a scene graph of objects. To make system calls or perform application logic, bytecode is executed directly in response to user events, timer events, etc. To perform messaging, messages between a client and a server are prepared as bytecode that produce the structured data of a message when executed. A client does not require any compiler, parsers, or other tools to allow execution of rich applications. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100207946 | FUNCTIONAL PRESENTATION LAYER IN A LIGHTWEIGHT CLIENT ARCHITECTURE - A device generates an immutable display graph with leaves of the display graph representing low-level graphical operations such as drawings lines or a bitmap and nodes of the display graph representing translation and clipping. Because the display graph is immutable, it can be cached, shared, and rendered quickly. The structure of the display remains fixed, but elements such as rectangle fill, text position, clipping area, translation, and image location, remain time varying and can change without affecting the structure of the display. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100178030 | DISTRIBUTED SCHEDULING OF MEDIA CHANNEL PLAYOUT - Multiple scheduling producers such as content management systems, advertisement systems, and emergency broadcast systems can independently send scheduling events to scheduling consumers such as streaming servers, guide generators, and playlogs. The scheduling consumers maintain state machines with persistent storage to process scheduling events from scheduling producers and output media channel playlists, channel guides, and/or content. Scheduling producers can contribute independently to define a channel playout while information at scheduling consumers remains synchronized. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100149188 | EVENT BASED INTERACTIVE ANIMATION - A client device receives a user interface event corresponding to a spline curve associated with an object displayed on a mobile device. The user interface triggers creation of a new spline curve based on computation of a new spline tangent associated with the spline curve and phase space-based dynamics of a new state. A scene graph having state information associated with the new state is maintained. A rendering event triggers repainting of the object associated with the spline curve suing the scene graph. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100064054 | REMOTE FAST FORWARD AND REWIND FUNCTIONALITY FOR CLIENT DEVICES - A client device receiving a media stream from a remote content server can fast forward and rewind the media stream without storing the media stream on the client device. In some examples, the client sends index, direction, and speed information to the content server based on desired fast forward and rewind operation. The content server transmits selected sets of frames to the client devices based on the index, direction, and speed information to allow a client to play a fast forward or rewind media stream that provides a user with discernible portions of content. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20090276402 | SEARCH SYSTEM USING MEDIA METADATA TRACKS - Real-time metadata tracks recorded to media streams allow search and analysis operations in a variety of contexts. Search queries can be performed using information in real-time metadata tracks such as closed captioning, sub-title, statistical tracks, miscellaneous data tracks. Media streams can also be augmented with additional tracks. The metadata tracks not only allow efficient searching and indexing, but also allow insertion of content specific advertising during appropriate portions of a media stream based on the content of the metadata tracks. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090274437 | EMBEDDING DATA IN MEDIA METADATA TRACKS DURING PLAYBACK - Data is embedded onto new or existing media metadata tracks during playback of a media stream. A content server provides a media stream to a mobile device. Data associated with the playback of the media stream on the mobile device is obtained by the content server and saved to the media stream itself. Data may include playback statistics, viewing characteristics, channel changes, comment logs, etc. The information can be stored in a time-correlated manner to allow extraction and analysis of data. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090260045 | NETWORK OPTIMIZED DISTRIBUTION - A content server is configured to buffer and transmit numerous live media streams to individual devices. The content server analyzes characteristics associated with the live media streams to determine timing and sequence number information. Other characteristics such as network congestion metrics, device buffer usage metrics, etc., can also be evaluated. Combined peak transmission times are determined to allow packets designated for transmission at a bandwidth usage peak to be transmitted earlier in time. Earlier packets are shifted even earlier as sequence numbers allow. This evens out bandwidth usage rates and allows improved live media stream transmission. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090260030 | DYNAMIC ADVERTISEMENT STREAM REPLACEMENT - Mechanisms are provided for replacing default advertisement streams in a media stream with replacement advertisement streams. User profile information is obtained for a particular user and/or device. A default advertisement stream is identified and replaced with advertisement streams selected using the user profile information. Timestamp information and sequence number information is maintained to allow uninterrupted delivery of the modified media stream while customizing media streams for particular users. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090259767 | CONTENT SERVER MEDIA STREAM MANAGEMENT - Mechanisms are provided to manage media stream transmissions at a content server. A content server detects that a user on a device such as a mobile device has stopped playing a live media stream. The content server maintains information associating the user with the media stream and time information. When the content server detects that a user wishes to resume playing a media stream, the user can continue viewing the media stream from where stoppage occurred. In many instances, the content server stores many hours of live media stream data and allows a user to select a particular starting point. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090259766 | CLIENT CAPABILITY ADJUSTMENT - Mechanisms are provided to detect device client capabilities associated with screen size, video and audio codec support, bandwidth limitations, and memory limitations. A content server can intelligently select a media stream for transmission to the device using the client capability information for the device. In some instances, the content server presents prioritized selections to a user and the user can choose the optimal media stream. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090259765 | CONTENT SERVER MEDIA STREAM MANAGEMENT - Mechanisms are provided to manage media stream transmissions at a content server. A content server detects that a user on a device such as a mobile device has stopped playing a live media stream. The content server maintains information associating the user with the media stream and time information. When the content server detects that a user wishes to resume playing a media stream, the user can continue viewing the media stream from where stoppage occurred. In many instances, the content server stores many hours of live media stream data and allows a user to select a particular starting point. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090259764 | INTRO OUTRO MERGER WITH BIT RATE VARIATION SUPPORT - Mechanisms are provided to support intro stream merger and outro stream merger into a live stream without disrupting application operation. An intro merger stream corresponding to a requested live stream including multiple packets is obtained. The intro merger stream is transmitted to a device. Time and sequence number information is maintained during transmission of the intro merger stream to allow modification of the live stream using time and sequence number information. The device receives both the intro merger stream and the live stream in a single session. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090259763 | FAST SETUP RESPONSE PREDICTION - Mechanisms are provided to accelerate Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) setup messages. A client transmits an RTSP request to a server. The server responds to the request and preemptively responds with acknowledgements for messages not yet received. For example, a server responds to an RTSP describe message with an RTSP describe acknowledgement, an RTSP setup acknowledgement, and an RTSP play response before setup and play messages are received by the server or even transmitted by the client. The client processes the anticipatory responses and transmits setup and play responses when the anticipatory responses are processed. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090259762 | DISTRIBUTED AND SCALABLE CONTENT STREAMING ARCHITECTURE - A distributed and scalable content streaming architecture includes a plurality of controllers and a plurality of servers. The controllers are operable to establish Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) sessions with individual devices. A controller selects a server to provide a requested media stream to a device. The server may be selected based on its proximity to the device, bandwidth availability, or latency characteristics. The server transmits the media stream using a Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) and/or a Real-Time Control Protocol (RTCP). A controller can manage a number of sessions many times greater than the number of streams a server can provide, so a controller typically has access to multiple servers. Additional servers can be added to a system without disrupting system operation. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090259756 | TRANSMITTING MEDIA STREAM BURSTS - Mechanisms are provided to transmit media stream bursts upon recognizing that a device buffer is low or empty. In particular examples, a content server transmits 6 seconds of video in 2 seconds in order to quickly replenish a device buffer so that the device can start playback sooner. Content server buffers for particular channels can be prefilled even before any stream is requested for that channel. The content server can transmit at a higher bit rate for a short period of time or alternatively can switch to transmitting a lower quality stream for a short period of time. A media stream burst can be provided without disrupting system operation or requiring client rebuffering. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090257447 | BIT RATE CONTROL - Mechanisms are provided to smooth bandwidth usage rates associated with a media stream. A content server analyzes a buffered media stream to determine timing and sequence number information. Packets designated for transmission at a bandwidth usage peak are transmitted earlier in time, with earlier packets shifted even earlier as sequence numbers allow. This evens out bandwidth usage rates and allows improved transmission to devices without requiring modified device operation. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090257435 | MODIFICATION OF LIVE STREAMS - Mechanisms are provided for generating and modifying live media streams. A device establishes a session and requests a media stream from a content server. The content server provides the media stream to the device. The content server also obtains an insertion stream for inclusion in the media stream. Packets are removed from the media stream to allow inclusion of the insertion stream. Timestamp information and sequence number information is maintained to allow uninterrupted delivery of the modified media stream. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090158337 | MOSAIC VIDEO CONTENT SELECTION MECHANISM - Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically obtain program guide data and select video content in an efficient and effective manner. A guide generator is configured to obtain program guide information from multiple sources including content providers. The guide generator compiles a real-time most watched program guide by determining viewing patterns associated with various channels and video clips. Channels and video clips requested most frequently are listed first. A real-time most watched program guide including data such as program titles, times, icons, and links is then provided and displayed as needed on client devices. Potentially limitless amounts of program guide data can be provided on a client device while still allowing a user to efficiently and effectively select video content. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090144777 | REAL-TIME MOST WATCHED GUIDE ORDERING AND GENERATION - Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically obtain program guide data and select video content in an efficient and effective manner. A guide generator is configured to obtain program guide information from multiple sources including content providers. The guide generator compiles a real-time most watched program guide by determining viewing patterns associated with various channels and video clips. Channels and video clips requested most frequently are listed first. A real-time most watched program guide including data such as program titles, times, icons, and links is then provided and displayed as needed on client devices. Potentially limitless amounts of program guide data can be provided on a client device while still allowing a user to efficiently and effectively select video content. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20080270567 | Customizing and Distributing Data in Network Environments - Various techniques and mechanisms allow customization of data for delivery to different end users. The data can be provided as a series of chunks. In some instances, a server has a number of modules used to customize and select chunks of data using a variety of factors such as user preferences, network bandwidth, subscription levels, etc. The chunks are distributed in and across a variety of network architectures such as client server, mesh, point-to-point, peer-to-peer, etc. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080248782 | Providing Devices With Command Functionality in Content Streams - Mechanisms are provided for delivering command functionality such as out-of-band data to a mobile device in a media stream. A media stream may be divided into multiple portions. One or more portions are modified to include command functionality. The command functionality associated with the media stream is extracted at a mobile device. In particular instances, the command functionality provides notification of an event. The command functionality may be executed using one or more virtual machines associated with the mobile device. | 10-09-2008 |
