- Number
- 20220086207
- Published
- 2022-03-17
- Filed
- 2020-09-15
- Assignee
- Disney Enterprises, Inc.
- Inventors
- KLEIN; Eric R., MAY, JR.; William B., GRUBB; Jeffrey Edwin, SHAH; Aashish J., FRIEDRICH; Eric C., RICE; Joseph S., INZERILLO; Joseph A., ZUCKER; Christopher J., HART; Joseph C.
- CPC
- H04L65/612; H04L65/613; H04L65/70; H04L65/765; H04L65/80
- Verdict
- Set aside streaming bitrate management, codec plumbing
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
Abstract
Techniques for improved media streaming are provided. A request for a variant list for streaming media content is received from a requesting entity, where the request includes a predefined flag. A set of predefined rules corresponding to the predefined flag is identified. The variant list is pruned based on the set of predefined rules, and the pruned variant list is transmitted to the requesting entity.
Background
BACKGROUND
Streaming services (e.g., video streams, audio streams, or multimedia streams) have become increasingly common and desired by a wide variety of users. Streaming content enables users to receive the multimedia they desire at the time they desire/need it, rather than downloading it ahead of time. That is, rather than force users to wait long periods of time for large downloads (e.g., an entire movie), which also forces users to store large amounts of data, streaming enables the user to fetch smaller segments of a larger video on an as-needed basis (e.g., just before the segment begins).
To improve streaming services, Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR) has been developed. ABR is predicated on providing multiple streams (often referred to as variants) at varying bitrates, enabling clients to dynamically select variants based on network conditions and other factors. These variants are encoded using various techniques to produce a set of target output bitrates, allowing client devices to select the target bitrate they prefer. Although allowing clients to adapt from one variant to another as network conditions change can improve the experience, clients are typically able to select whatever variant they desire, without restriction. This can lead to reduced performance and unnecessary harm to the streaming system or the broader network.
Claims
1. A method, comprising: receiving a first request, from a requesting entity, for a variant list for streaming media content, wherein the first request includes a first predefined flag corresponding to a keyword included in a path, specified in the first request, for the variant list; removing the first predefined flag from the first request; retrieving the variant list by transmitting the first request, without the first predefined flag, to an upstream component; identifying a first set of predefined rules corresponding to the first predefined flag; generating a pruned variant list by pruning the variant list based on the first set of predefined rules; and transmitting the pruned variant list, rather than the variant list, to the requesting entity. ||
9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer program code that, when executed by operation of one or more computer processors, performs an operation comprising: receiving a first request, from a requesting entity, for a variant list for streaming media content, wherein the first request includes a first predefined flag corresponding to a keyword included in a path, specified in the first request, for the variant list; removing the first predefined flag from the first request; retrieving the variant list by transmitting the first request, without the first predefined flag, to an upstream component; identifying a first set of predefined rules corresponding to the first predefined flag; generating a pruned variant list by pruning the variant list based on the first set of predefined rules; and transmitting the pruned variant list, rather than the variant list, to the requesting entity. ||
15. A system, comprising: one or more computer processors; and a memory containing a program which when executed by the one or more computer processors performs an operation, the operation comprising: receiving a first request, from a requesting entity, for a variant list for streaming media content, wherein the first request includes a first predefined flag corresponding to a keyword included in a path, specified in the first request, for the variant list; removing the first predefined flag from the first request; retrieving the variant list by transmitting the first request, without the first predefined flag, to an upstream component; identifying a first set of predefined rules corresponding to the first predefined flag; generating a pruned variant list by pruning the variant list based on the first set of predefined rules; and transmitting the pruned variant list, rather than the variant list, to the requesting entity.