公开(公告)号：US11973996B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-30

申请号：US17129547

申请日：2020-12-21

申请人： NETFLIX, INC.

发明人： Aditya Mavlankar ,  Ioannis Katsavounidis ,  Mark Watson

IPC分类号： H04N21/234 ,  H04N19/114 ,  H04N19/172 ,  H04N21/233 ,  H04N21/2343 ,  H04N21/2365 ,  H04N21/2387 ,  H04N21/262 ,  H04N21/438 ,  H04N21/845

CPC分类号： H04N21/2387 ,  H04N19/114 ,  H04N19/172 ,  H04N21/233 ,  H04N21/234 ,  H04N21/23439 ,  H04N21/2365 ,  H04N21/26275 ,  H04N21/4383 ,  H04N21/4384 ,  H04N21/8456

摘要： One embodiment of the invention sets forth a mechanism for encoding video streams associated with the same digital content such that switch points staggered across two video streams occur at every offset temporal distance. The offset temporal distance is less than the distance between two consecutive key frames in a given video stream. This enables a content player to switch to a video stream having a playback quality up or down one level from a current video stream at the offset temporal distance from the most recently played key frame. In effect, the content player does not wait the entire key frame temporal distance before switching.

公开(公告)号：US11388472B2

公开(公告)日：2022-07-12

申请号：US17243389

申请日：2021-04-28

申请人： Netflix, Inc.

发明人： Ioannis Katsavounidis ,  Mark Watson ,  Aaron Hipple ,  Will Wolcott

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

摘要： 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：US11336947B2

公开(公告)日：2022-05-17

申请号：US16570880

申请日：2019-09-13

申请人： NETFLIX, INC.

发明人： Mark Watson

IPC分类号： H04N21/43 ,  G06F16/783 ,  G06K9/00 ,  H04N21/439

摘要： 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：US10425500B2

公开(公告)日：2019-09-24

申请号：US15130679

申请日：2016-04-15

申请人： Netflix, Inc.

发明人： John Funge ,  Mark Watson

IPC分类号： H04L29/08 ,  H04L12/807 ,  H04L12/813 ,  H04L29/06 ,  H04L12/803 ,  H04L12/801

摘要： 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：US20190057195A1

公开(公告)日：2019-02-21

申请号：US16167176

申请日：2018-10-22

申请人： NETFLIX, INC.

发明人： Mark Watson ,  Anthony Neal Park ,  Mitch Zollinger

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

摘要： 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：US09319458B2

公开(公告)日：2016-04-19

申请号：US13735827

申请日：2013-01-07

申请人： Netflix, Inc.

发明人： Mark Watson ,  Wei Wei

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

CPC分类号： H04L65/604 ,  H04L65/4092 ,  H04L65/80 ,  H04L67/1002

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 在一个实施例中，一种方法包括：接收在第一站点从第一服务器计算机流传输的第一数据; 至少部分地基于从第一服务器计算机流传输的第一数据的第一吞吐量来收集第一站点的第一吞吐量数据; 在第二站点接收从第二服务器计算机流传输的第二数据; 至少部分地基于从第二服务器计算机流传输的第二数据的第二吞吐量来收集第二站点的第二吞吐量数据; 至少部分地基于第一吞吐量数据和第二吞吐量数据之间的比较，将第二站点处的第二服务器计算机切换到第一站点处的第三服务器计算机; 其中所述方法由一个或多个专用计算设备执行。

公开(公告)号：US20140195646A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-10

申请号：US13735827

申请日：2013-01-07

申请人： Netflix, Inc.

发明人： Mark Watson ,  Wei Wei

IPC分类号： H04L29/06

CPC分类号： H04L65/604 ,  H04L65/4092 ,  H04L65/80 ,  H04L67/1002

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 在一个实施例中，一种方法包括：接收在第一站点从第一服务器计算机流传输的第一数据; 至少部分地基于从第一服务器计算机流传输的第一数据的第一吞吐量来收集第一站点的第一吞吐量数据; 在第二站点接收从第二服务器计算机流传输的第二数据; 至少部分地基于从第二服务器计算机流传输的第二数据的第二吞吐量来收集第二站点的第二吞吐量数据; 至少部分地基于第一吞吐量数据和第二吞吐量数据之间的比较，将第二站点处的第二服务器计算机切换到第一站点处的第三服务器计算机; 其中所述方法由一个或多个专用计算设备执行。

公开(公告)号：US11770565B2

公开(公告)日：2023-09-26

申请号：US17466950

申请日：2021-09-03

申请人： NETFLIX, INC.

发明人： Mark Watson

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

CPC分类号： H04N21/23406 ,  H04N21/231 ,  H04N21/2387 ,  H04N21/24

摘要： 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：US11700415B2

公开(公告)日：2023-07-11

申请号：US17746823

申请日：2022-05-17

申请人： NETFLIX, INC.

发明人： Mark Watson

IPC分类号： H04N21/43 ,  G06F16/783 ,  H04N21/439 ,  G06V20/40

CPC分类号： H04N21/4307 ,  G06F16/7834 ,  G06V20/46 ,  G06V20/49 ,  H04N21/4394

摘要： 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：US11593459B2

公开(公告)日：2023-02-28

申请号：US16167176

申请日：2018-10-22

申请人： NETFLIX, INC.

发明人： Mark Watson ,  Anthony Neal Park ,  Mitch Zollinger

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

摘要： 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.