Multiple bitrate format-agnostic streaming architecture

Abstract

Delivering a content stream within a content delivery network (CDN) includes recording the stream using a recording tier, and playing the stream using a player tier. For a live stream, recording the stream 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 comprises a stream manifest, a set of one or more fragment indexes (FI), and a set of IF fragments. A 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, the HTTP proxy retrieves 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. Preferably, fragments are accessed, cached and served by the HTTP proxy via HTTP.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Technical Field[0002]This application relates generally to delivery online of high definition (HD) video at broadcast audience scale to popular runtime environments and mobile devices.[0003]Brief Description of the Related Art[0004]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” means the storage, caching, or transmission of content, streaming media and applications on behalf of content providers, inclu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method for delivering video-on-demand (VOD) using a translation layer instead of a recording layer. This allows for seamless streaming from customer and CDN-based storage, regardless of the format of the original content. The approach also provides single and multiple bitrate streaming, supports different types of file formats, and minimizes downloading of content. Overall, the method improves the efficiency and flexibility of video delivery.

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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