公开(公告)号：US20210289258A1

公开(公告)日：2021-09-16

申请号：US17243389

申请日：2021-04-28

Applicant: Netflix, Inc.

Inventor： Ioannis Katsavounidis ,  Mark Watson ,  Aaron Hipple ,  Will Wolcott

IPC: H04N21/44 ,  H04N21/234 ,  H04N21/433 ,  H04N21/432 ,  G06F16/783 ,  H04N21/61

Abstract: A method includes receiving, with a computing system, data representing a video item into a buffer. The method further includes outputting the video item from the buffer to a display system. The method further includes determining that utilization of the buffer falls below a predetermined threshold. The method further includes, in response to determining that the utilization of the buffer falls below the predetermined threshold, determining that there is a specified rebuffering point within a predetermined time frame. The method further includes pausing with the computing system, the video item at the specified rebuffering point in response to determining that there is the specified rebuffering point within the predetermined time frame.

公开(公告)号：US11115688B2

公开(公告)日：2021-09-07

申请号：US16716405

申请日：2019-12-16

Applicant: NETFLIX, INC.

Inventor： Mark Watson

IPC: H04N21/234 ,  H04N21/24 ,  H04N21/231 ,  H04N21/2387

Abstract: In various embodiments, a graph streaming application computes a first distance along a first potential playback path between a first playback position and a first media content block. The graph streaming application then computes a first score for the first media content block based on the first distance and a first probability associated with the first potential playback path. Similarly, the graph streaming application computes a second score for a second media content block based on a second playback position, a second potential playback path, and a second probability associated with the second potential playback path. The graph streaming application compares the first score and the second score to determine that the first media content block should be buffered by a client device. The graph streaming application then causes the first media content block to be stored in a playback buffer for subsequent playback on the client device.

公开(公告)号：US10523732B2

公开(公告)日：2019-12-31

申请号：US14942084

申请日：2015-11-16

Applicant: Netflix, Inc.

Inventor： Mark Watson ,  Bin Wang ,  Wei Wei

IPC: H04L29/06

Abstract: Techniques for transmitting a digital content stream through a network between a plurality of content servers and a content player. Network performance information for the plurality of content servers is retrieved. Embodiments then determine a mapping of the plurality of content servers to a plurality of portions of a content buffer on the content player, based on the retrieved network performance information. A request is transmitted to each of the plurality of content servers to transmit digital content associated with the corresponding portion of the content buffer.

公开(公告)号：US09699519B2

公开(公告)日：2017-07-04

申请号：US13654301

申请日：2012-10-17

Applicant: NETFLIX, Inc.

Inventor： Mark Watson ,  Neil D. Hunt ,  John Funge ,  Anthony N. Park

IPC: G06F15/16 ,  G06F15/173 ,  G06F13/00 ,  H04N21/658 ,  H04L29/06 ,  H04N21/231 ,  H04N21/442 ,  H04N21/262 ,  H04L29/08

CPC classification number: H04N21/6581 ,  H04L65/4084 ,  H04L67/10 ,  H04L67/322 ,  H04N21/23106 ,  H04N21/23116 ,  H04N21/26258 ,  H04N21/44209

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating preference rankings in response to requests for streaming media content received from client devices. The preference rankings are used to indirectly partition streaming media content across different content distribution networks (CDNs). Such partitions may be referred to as a “soft” partition, as all of the streaming media content remains available from each CDN. That is, the partitioning of content across CDNs is not absolute, and any content item may be requested from any CDN. Doing so ensures that content remains available even where the preferred CDN for a given content item fails, while at the same time increasing the probability of a cache hit at the CDNs, without increasing the cost or the actual cache sizes of the content caches of different CDNs.

公开(公告)号：US09191465B2

公开(公告)日：2015-11-17

申请号：US13683883

申请日：2012-11-21

Applicant: Netflix, Inc.

Inventor： Mark Watson ,  Bin Wang ,  Wei Wei

IPC: H04L29/06

CPC classification number: H04L65/80 ,  H04L65/4084 ,  H04L65/60 ,  H04L69/14

Abstract: Techniques for transmitting a digital content stream through a network between a plurality of content servers and a content player. Network performance information for the plurality of content servers is retrieved. Embodiments then determine a mapping of the plurality of content servers to a plurality of portions of a content buffer on the content player, based on the retrieved network performance information. A request is transmitted to each of the plurality of content servers to transmit digital content associated with the corresponding portion of the content buffer.

Abstract translation: 用于通过多个内容服务器和内容播放器之间的网络发送数字内容流的技术。 检索多个内容服务器的网络性能信息。 然后，实施例基于所检索的网络性能信息来确定多个内容服务器与内容播放器上的内容缓冲区的多个部分的映射。 向多个内容服务器中的每一个发送请求以发送与内容缓冲器的相应部分相关联的数字内容。

公开(公告)号：US20140143431A1

公开(公告)日：2014-05-22

申请号：US13683578

申请日：2012-11-21

Applicant: NETFLIX, INC.

Inventor： Mark Watson ,  Bin Wang ,  Wei Wei

IPC: H04L29/06

CPC classification number: H04L67/101 ,  H04L65/4084 ,  H04L65/80 ,  H04L67/1002 ,  H04L67/1004 ,  H04L67/1008 ,  H04L67/148

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing a plurality of parallel network connections for a digital content stream through a network between a plurality of content servers and a content player. Embodiments determine an indication of network performance for each of the plurality of parallel network connections. Additionally, upon determining that a first one the plurality of parallel network connections is underperforming, based on whether the indication of network performance associated with the first parallel network connection satisfies a threshold level of performance, the first parallel network connection is dropped. Upon determining that a total throughput for the digital content stream is less than a minimum threshold of network performance, embodiments select a content server with which to establish a new parallel network connection, based on historical network performance data associated with the selected content server, and also establishing the new parallel network connection to the selected content server.

Abstract translation: 用于通过多个内容服务器和内容播放器之间的网络优化用于数字内容流的多个并行网络连接的技术。 实施例确定多个并行网络连接中的每一个的网络性能的指示。 另外，在确定多个并行网络连接中的第一个并行网络连接是否表现不佳时，基于与第一并行网络连接相关联的网络性能的指示是否满足阈值性能水平，第一并联网络连接被丢弃。 在确定数字内容流的总吞吐量小于网络性能的最小阈值的情况下，实施例基于与所选择的内容服务器相关联的历史网络性能数据选择与其建立新的并行网络连接的内容服务器，以及 还建立到所选择的内容服务器的新的并行网络连接。

公开(公告)号：US20250024098A1

公开(公告)日：2025-01-16

申请号：US18351432

申请日：2023-07-12

Applicant: Netflix, Inc.

Inventor： Flavio Ribeiro Nogueira Barbosa ,  Mark Watson ,  Wei Wei

IPC: H04N21/44 ,  H04N21/2187 ,  H04N21/845

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented methods and systems can splice targeted content such as advertisements into a live stream of a real-time event. For example, the methods and systems discussed herein determine targeted content items for splicing into a live stream by generating a computing model of targeted content recommendations. In one or more examples, the computing model generates targeted content recommendations that are specific to a length of a targeted content break, the viewer of the live stream, and the player where the live stream is being viewed. The systems and methods discussed herein further determine the placement and duration of targeted content breaks based on signals and markers that are inserted into the live stream. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US20240089530A1

公开(公告)日：2024-03-14

申请号：US18518040

申请日：2023-11-22

Applicant: Netflix, Inc.

Inventor： Ioannis Katsavounidis ,  Mark Watson ,  Aaron Hipple ,  Will Wolcott

IPC: H04N21/44 ,  G06F16/783 ,  H04N21/234 ,  H04N21/432 ,  H04N21/433

CPC classification number: H04N21/44004 ,  G06F16/783 ,  H04N21/23418 ,  H04N21/432 ,  H04N21/433 ,  H04N21/44008 ,  H04N21/23406 ,  H04N21/6125

Abstract: A method includes receiving, with a computing system, data representing a video item into a buffer. The method further includes outputting the video item from the buffer to a display system. The method further includes determining that utilization of the buffer falls below a predetermined threshold. The method further includes, in response to determining that the utilization of the buffer falls below the predetermined threshold, determining that there is a specified rebuffering point within a predetermined time frame. The method further includes pausing with the computing system, the video item at the specified rebuffering point in response to determining that there is the specified rebuffering point within the predetermined time frame.

公开(公告)号：US11503264B2

公开(公告)日：2022-11-15

申请号：US16570940

申请日：2019-09-13

Applicant: NETFLIX, INC.

Inventor： Mark Watson

IPC: H04N9/87 ,  G11B27/10 ,  G10L21/055 ,  G10L19/00

Abstract: A playback application is configured to analyze audio frames associated with transitions between segments within a media title to identify one or more portions of extraneous audio. The playback application is configured to analyze the one or more portions of extraneous audio and then determine which of the one or more corresponding audio frames should be dropped. In doing so, the playback application can analyze a topology associated with the media title to determine whether any specific portions of extraneous audio are to be played outside of a logical ordering of audio samples set forth in the topology. These specific portions of extraneous audio are preferentially removed.

公开(公告)号：US10320874B2

公开(公告)日：2019-06-11

申请号：US15132016

申请日：2016-04-18

Applicant: Netflix, Inc.

Inventor： Mark Watson ,  Wei Wei

IPC: G06F15/16 ,  H04L29/06 ,  H04L29/08

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving a first data streamed from a first server computer at a first site; collecting a first throughput data for the first site based, at least in part, on a first throughput of the first data streamed from the first server computer; receiving a second data streamed from a second server computer at a second site; collecting a second throughput data for the second site based, at least in part, on a second throughput of the second data streamed from the second server computer; switching from the second server computer at the second site, to a third server computer at the first site, based, at least in part, on a comparison between the first throughput data and the second throughput data; wherein the method is performed by one or more special-purpose computing devices.