公开(公告)号：US20180352292A1

公开(公告)日：2018-12-06

申请号：US15610053

申请日：2017-05-31

Applicant: NETFLIX, Inc.

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

IPC: H04N21/44 ,  G06F17/30 ,  H04N21/433 ,  H04N21/432

CPC classification number: H04N21/44004 ,  G06F16/783 ,  H04N21/23406 ,  H04N21/23418 ,  H04N21/432 ,  H04N21/433 ,  H04N21/44008 ,  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：US20160234339A1

公开(公告)日：2016-08-11

申请号：US15130679

申请日：2016-04-15

Applicant: Netflix, Inc.

Inventor： John Funge ,  Mark Watson

IPC: H04L29/08 ,  H04L29/06 ,  H04L12/803

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for a web server to support constraints specified by a client. In one embodiment, the web server receives, from the client, a request for one or more blocks of data. The request includes one or more constraints provided by the client. The web server may perform an action responsive to an increase in network congestion, based on the one or more constraints. Accordingly, the web server may handle the request in a manner that more closely meets the needs of the client.

公开(公告)号：US09300734B2

公开(公告)日：2016-03-29

申请号：US13683578

申请日：2012-11-21

Applicant: Netflix, Inc.

Inventor： Mark Watson ,  Bin Wang ,  Wei Wei

IPC: G06F15/16 ,  H04L29/08 ,  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：US12231723B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-18

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：US12061676B2

公开(公告)日：2024-08-13

申请号：US18175291

申请日：2023-02-27

Applicant: NETFLIX, INC.

Inventor： Mark Watson ,  Anthony Neal Park ,  Mitch Zollinger

IPC: G06F21/10 ,  H04N21/4405 ,  H04N21/466 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/6334 ,  H04N21/8355 ,  H04N21/84

CPC classification number: G06F21/105 ,  H04N21/4405 ,  H04N21/4668 ,  H04N21/4826 ,  H04N21/6334 ,  H04N21/8355 ,  H04N21/84

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving user experience of multimedia streaming over computer networks. More specifically, techniques presented herein reduce (or eliminate) latency in playback start time for streaming digital media content resulting from digital rights management (DRM) authorizations. A streaming media client (e.g., a browser, set-top box, mobile telephone or tablet “app”) may request a “fast-expiring” license for titles the streaming media client predicts a user is likely to begin streaming. A fast-expiring license is a DRM license (and associated decryption key) which is valid for only a very limited time after being used for playback. During the validity period of such a license, the client device requests a “normal” or “regular” license to continue accessing the title after the fast-expiring license expires.

公开(公告)号：US20220345776A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-27

申请号：US17811385

申请日：2022-07-08

Applicant: Netflix, Inc.

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

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

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：US11265623B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-01

申请号：US17008429

申请日：2020-08-31

Applicant: NETFLIX, INC.

Inventor： Mark Watson

IPC: H04N21/8541 ,  H04N21/6587 ,  H04N21/845 ,  H04N21/8545

Abstract: A playback application seamlessly advances playback of and interactive media title in response to user selections in a manner that minimizes latency and preserves user immersion in a narrative. The playback application buffers an interstitial segment included in the interactive media title and feeds portions of the interstitial segment to a media player only when those portions are needed for display. When the user selects an option displayed during the interstitial segment, the playback application begins buffering a subsequent media segment and stops feeding portions of the interstitial segment to the media player. The playback application starts feeding blocks of the subsequent media segment to the media player and then seamlessly advances playback to the subsequent media segment.

公开(公告)号：US11223884B2

公开(公告)日：2022-01-11

申请号：US16048174

申请日：2018-07-27

Applicant: NETFLIX, INC.

Inventor： Maxine Cheung ,  Mark Watson ,  Carla Christine Fisher ,  Kevin Pei-Wen Lee ,  Yves Raimond

IPC: H04N21/8541 ,  H04N21/234 ,  H04N21/442 ,  H04N21/475 ,  H04N21/8545

Abstract: A playback application is configured to dynamically generate topology for an interactive media title. The playback application obtains an initial topology and also collects various data associated with a user interacting with the feature. The playback application then modifies the initial topology, based on the collected data, to generate a dynamic topology tailored to the user. The dynamic topology describes the set of choices available to the user during playback as well as which options can be selected by the user when making a given choice. In addition, the playback application also selectively buffers different portions of the interactive media title, based on the collected data, in anticipation of the user selecting particular options for available choices.

公开(公告)号：US20210400318A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-23

申请号：US17466950

申请日：2021-09-03

Applicant: NETFLIX, INC.

Inventor： Mark Watson

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

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：US20210185369A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-17

申请号：US16716405

申请日：2019-12-16

Applicant: NETFLIX, INC.

Inventor： Mark Watson

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

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.