Method and system for stream handling using an intermediate format

Abstract

A method of delivering a live stream is implemented within a content delivery network (CDN) and includes the high level functions of recording the stream using a recording tier, and playing the stream using a player tier. The step of recording the stream includes a set of sub-steps that begins when the stream is received at a CDN entry point in a source format. The stream is then converted into an intermediate format (IF), which is an internal format for delivering the stream within the CDN and comprises a stream manifest, a set of one or more fragment indexes (FI), and a set of IF fragments. The player process begins when a requesting client is associated with a CDN HTTP proxy. In response to receipt at the HTTP proxy of a request for the stream or a portion thereof, the HTTP proxy retrieves (either from the archive or the data store) the stream manifest and at least one fragment index. Using the fragment index, the IF fragments are retrieved to the HTTP proxy, converted to a target format, and then served in response to the client request. The source format may be the same or different from the target format. Preferably, all fragments are accessed, cached and served by the HTTP proxy via HTTP.

Description

[0001]This application is based on and claims priority to Ser. No. 61 / 290,263, filed Dec. 28, 2009.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]This application relates generally to delivery online of high definition (H)) video at broadcast audience scale to popular runtime environments and mobile devices.[0004]2. Brief Description of the Related Art[0005]Distributed computer systems are well-known in the prior art. One such distributed computer system is a “content delivery network” or “CDN” that is operated and managed by a service provider. The service provider typically provides the content delivery service on behalf of third parties. A “distributed system” of this type typically refers to a collection of autonomous computers linked by a network or networks, together with the software, systems, protocols and techniques designed to facilitate various services, such as content delivery or the support of outsourced site infrastructure. Typically, “content delivery” mean...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In another embodiment, a method of delivering a stream on-demand (VOD) uses a translation tier to manage the creation and / or handling of the IF components, i.e., the stream manifest, the fragment indexes (FI), and the IF fragments. The translation tier is used in lieu of the recording tier (in the live delivery network). In one VOD embodiment, the translation tier is implemented using an HTTP proxy and a translation process. The approach enables VOD streaming from customer and CDN-based storage origins, provides single and multiple bitrate (SBR and MBR) streaming, provides support for origin content stored in multiple different types of file format containers (supported mp4 / flv codes include, among others, AAC, MP3, PCM for audio, and H.264 for video), and minimizes download of content beyond what is directly requested by the end user.

Problems solved by technology

These distinct platforms are costly to implement and to maintain, especially globally and at scale as the number of end users increases.

A further complication is that Internet-based content delivery is no longer limited to fixed line environments such as the desktop, as more and more end users now use mobile devices such as the Apple® iPhone® to receive and view content over mobile environments.

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