Apple patent involves real-time streaming
TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Apple patent involves real-time streaming

An Apple patent (number 8301725) for variant streams for real-time or near real-time streaming has appeared at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

It involves streaming of content using transfer protocols such as an HTTP compliant protocol. In one embodiment, a method includes dividing a stream of data, representing the contiguous time based content of a program (e.g. a live video broadcast), into a plurality of distinct media files, and generating a playlist file having a plurality of tags and Universal Resource Indicators (URIs) indicating an order of presentation of the plurality of distinct media files. The plurality of media files and the playlist file can be made available for transmission to a client device which can retrieve the media files using the playlist file.

Here's Apple's background and summary of the invention: "Streaming of content generally refers to multimedia content that is constantly transmitted from a server device and received by a client device. The content is usually presented to an end-user while it is being delivered by the streaming server. The name refers to the delivery method of the medium rather than to the medium itself.

"Current streaming services generally require specialized servers to distribute 'live' content to end users. In any large scale deployment, this can lead to great cost, and requires specialized skills to set up and run. This results in a less than desirable library of content available for streaming.

"In one embodiment, a server device stores at least a portion of content to be streamed. The content is typically a time based stream of images or audio (e.g. sounds or music) or both; an example of a time based stream is a movie in which the order and presentation of images is based on time, and hence it can be considered a time based stream. The server includes a segmenter agent to decompose the content to be streamed into segments to be transmitted via packets according to a network protocol and an indexer agent to generate one or more playlist files that can facilitate a client in presenting the segmented user data.

"A client device is coupled with the server device (or another server which stores the segments and playlists and transmits them but does not generate them) via a network. The client device has an assembler agent to receive the one or more playlist files and facilitate retrieval of the segmented media files into the content according to the one or more playlist files. The client device can also have an output generator agent to output the content via one or more output components of the client device.

"In one embodiment, the server device acquires data to be transmitted to the client device. The server device divides the data to be transmitted into multiple media files with a segmenter agent. The server device also stores the multiple segments as individual media files in a memory. The server device further generates one or more playlist files having references to the multiple media files.

"In response to requests for the data from the client device, the server device (or another server device) transmits the one or more playlist files and at least a subset of the multiple media files over a network to the client device. The multiple media files can be transmitted using a non-streaming transfer protocol in response to requests from the client device; this protocol may be, for example, HTTP.

"In one embodiment, the client device can receive and store the one or more playlist files. The client then can request the segmented media files identified in the playlist file(s) and download the linked media files. The client device (or another client device) can then generate an audio and/or video output representing the stream of content.

"In one embodiment, an updated playlist can be dynamically generated by a server and then retrieved by a client. The updated playlist can include ancillary material (e.g. advertisements in a sidebar user interface, related content, alternative versions, etc.) shown in addition to the program in the original playlist or can include additional portions of the program (e.g. the second half of a program which is beyond the first half identified in the original playlist). In one implementation, a server can use a rolling method, described herein, to update the playlist which is then retrieved by the client as an updated playlist.

"In one embodiment, a playlist can specify a plurality of alternative streams representing the same content; these alternative streams may be the same program transmitted at different visual resolutions (and hence transmitted at different bit rates) or with other different attributes. A server can generate multiple playlists, each for one of the alternative streams and can generate a variant playlist which refers to or otherwise specifies the alternative streams.

"The server (or another server) can then transmit the variant playlist to a client device, and the client device can decide, based on current network conditions (e.g. the current throughput rate on a network used to transfer the media files), which playlist to select from the variant playlist, and the client device can download the selected playlist (and further download the media files specified by that selected playlist).

"In one embodiment, a client device can switch from a first playlist in the variant playlist to a second playlist in that variant playlist while receiving and presenting content. For example, a client device can be receiving a program, using the first playlist, and a first bit rate and can determine through measurements of the throughput rate of the network that it can receive content of the same program at a higher, second bit rate, that content being specified by the second playlist. In this case, the client device can request the second playlist, receive the second playlist and begin retrieving the media files specified in the second playlist while continuing to present the content specified by the first playlist.

"The client device can store the media files and the resulting decompressed content in buffers for both playlists, and the client device can perform an automatic operation to determine when and how to switch or transition between the two versions of the content. For example, a client device can use pattern matching of the audio content in the two versions of the content to find a matching point in the two versions and then cause a switch after identifying a transition in the new content from the second playlist."

The inventors are David Biderman, William May Jr., Alan Tseng, Roger Pantos and James David Batson.

Also appearing today at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office are:

° Patent 8300828 for a system and method for a derivation function for key per page;

° Patent 8300809 for a system and method for modulus obfuscation;

° Patent 82969255 for a battery assembly for use in an electronic device;

° Patent 8301941 for a memory controller with loopback test interface.

° Patent D66906 for a battery assembly for use in an electronic device.

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Six fantastic ways to spend National Vid...
As if anyone needed an excuse to play games today, I am about to give you one: it is National Video Games Day. A day for us to play games, like we no doubt do every day. Let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth. Instead, feast your eyes on this... | Read more »
Old School RuneScape players turn out in...
The sheer leap in technological advancements in our lifetime has been mind-blowing. We went from Commodore 64s to VR glasses in what feels like a heartbeat, but more importantly, the internet. It can be a dark mess, but it also brought hundreds of... | Read more »
Today's Best Mobile Game Discounts...
Every day, we pick out a curated list of the best mobile discounts on the App Store and post them here. This list won't be comprehensive, but it every game on it is recommended. Feel free to check out the coverage we did on them in the links below... | Read more »
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's...
Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that Nintendo has been locked in an epic battle with Pocketpair, creator of the obvious Pokémon rip-off Palworld. Nintendo often resorts to legal retaliation at the drop of a hat, but it seems this... | Read more »
Apple exclusive mobile games don’t make...
If you are a gamer on phones, no doubt you have been as distressed as I am on one huge sticking point: exclusivity. For years, Xbox and PlayStation have done battle, and before this was the Sega Genesis and the Nintendo NES. On console, it makes... | Read more »
Regionally exclusive events make no sens...
Last week, over on our sister site AppSpy, I babbled excitedly about the Pokémon GO Safari Days event. You can get nine Eevees with an explorer hat per day. Or, can you? Specifically, you, reader. Do you have the time or funds to possibly fly for... | Read more »
As Jon Bellamy defends his choice to can...
Back in March, Jagex announced the appointment of a new CEO, Jon Bellamy. Mr Bellamy then decided to almost immediately paint a huge target on his back by cancelling the Runescapes Pride event. This led to widespread condemnation about his perceived... | Read more »
Marvel Contest of Champions adds two mor...
When I saw the latest two Marvel Contest of Champions characters, I scoffed. Mr Knight and Silver Samurai, thought I, they are running out of good choices. Then I realised no, I was being far too cynical. This is one of the things that games do best... | Read more »
Grass is green, and water is wet: Pokémo...
It must be a day that ends in Y, because Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has kicked off its Zoroark Drop Event. Here you can get a promo version of another card, and look forward to the next Wonder Pick Event and the next Mass Outbreak that will be... | Read more »
Enter the Gungeon review
It took me a minute to get around to reviewing this game for a couple of very good reasons. The first is that Enter the Gungeon's style of roguelike bullet-hell action is teetering on the edge of being straight-up malicious, which made getting... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Take $150 off every Apple 11-inch M3 iPad Air
Amazon is offering a $150 discount on 11-inch M3 WiFi iPad Airs right now. Shipping is free: – 11″ 128GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $449, $150 off – 11″ 256GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $549, $150 off – 11″ 512GB M3... Read more
Apple iPad minis back on sale for $100 off MS...
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple’s newest 2024 WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for new minis among the Apple retailers we... Read more
Apple’s 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros are on sa...
Amazon has 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale for up to $410 off Apple’s MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party... Read more
Red Pocket Mobile is offering a $150 rebate o...
Red Pocket Mobile has new Apple iPhone 17’s on sale for $150 off MSRP when you switch and open up a new line of service. Red Pocket Mobile is a nationwide MVNO using all the major wireless carrier... Read more
Switch to Verizon, and get any iPhone 16 for...
With yesterday’s introduction of the new iPhone 17 models, Verizon responded by running “on us” promos across much of the iPhone 16 lineup: iPhone 16 and 16 Plus show as $0/mo for 36 months with bill... Read more
Here is a summary of the new features in Appl...
Apple’s September 2025 event introduced major updates across its most popular product lines, focusing on health, performance, and design breakthroughs. The AirPods Pro 3 now feature best-in-class... Read more
Apple’s Smartphone Lineup Could Use A Touch o...
COMMENTARY – Whatever happened to the old adage, “less is more”? Apple’s smartphone lineup. — which is due for its annual refresh either this month or next (possibly at an Apple Event on September 9... Read more
Take $50 off every 11th-generation A16 WiFi i...
Amazon has Apple’s 11th-generation A16 WiFi iPads in stock on sale for $50 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free: – 11″ 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP – 11″ 11th-generation 256GB... Read more
Sunday Sale: 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros for up t...
Don’t pay full price! Amazon has Apple’s 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale for up to $220 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather... Read more
Mac mini with M4 Pro CPU back on sale for $12...
B&H Photo has Apple’s Mac mini with the M4 Pro CPU back on sale for $1259, $140 off MSRP. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – Mac mini M4 Pro CPU (24GB/512GB): $1259, $... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.