Abstract:
A computer system generates a first decompressed media stream based on a first compressed media stream. While providing the first decompressed media stream to the presentation device, the computer system receives a content-transition indication to switch to a second decompressed media stream. In response to receiving the content-transition indication, the computer system selects a first transition point in first content corresponding to the first compressed media stream and selects a second transition point in second content corresponding to the second compressed media stream. The second transition point is selected in accordance with a bandwidth available for receiving the second compressed media stream and the first transition point is selected based on the second transition point. The computer system requests the second compressed media stream starting at the second transition point and ceases to provide the first decompressed media stream at the first transition point in the first content.
Abstract:
An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display obtains information that enables distribution of content to a plurality of clients having different file format processing capabilities. The device provides, to a first client, first information that enables access to respective content in a first file format and provides, to a second client, second information that enables access to the respective content in a second file format different from the first file format. The first information identifies a first set of file portions that can be combined to generate the respective content in the first file format. The second information identifies a second set of file portions that can be combined to generate the respective content in the second file format. The second set of file portions includes one or more shared file portions that are included in the first set of file portions.
Abstract:
An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display receives a first request to display a first video stream and, in response, displays the first video stream. After receiving the first request, the device preloads a second video stream that corresponds to live content, including caching a cached portion of the second video stream. While displaying the first video stream, the device receives a second request to display the second video stream. In response to receiving the second request, the device determines whether the second request meets recency criteria. When the second request meets recency criteria, the device starts to play the second video stream using the cached portion. When the second request does not meet the recency criteria, the device requests, from a content source for the second video stream, data corresponding to a portion of the second video stream other than the cached portion.
Abstract:
In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for providing commercial (advertisement) detection in digital media environments. A media stream, for example, a video stream of television shows or movies, can be analyzed either in advance or in realtime, to determine commercial segments or blocks within the media stream, and to distinguish them from (non-commercial) content segments or blocks. In accordance with an embodiment, frame features, black spaces, cue points, or other segment or block information can be used to improve the accuracy and precision with which commercials are identified. Particular commercials can be identified, together with information as to the location of those commercials within the media stream. In accordance with an embodiment, the media streams can be used within an on-demand cloud-based media environment, which allows a user to select within a plurality of media channels, or to locate or skip particular commercials.
Abstract:
An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display obtains a file header for a file that corresponds to a plurality of separately indexed clusters. The file is divided into segments one or more of which include multiple sequential clusters. The file header includes a segment index that enables identification of a segment that includes requested content. The device receives a request to seek to a respective position within the file. In response, the device identifies a first segment that includes content that corresponds to the respective position based on the segment index, obtains the first segment, and obtains a content index for a respective cluster within the first segment. After obtaining the first segment and the content index, the device identifies respective content within the respective cluster that corresponds to the respective position based on a content index and provides the respective content to a user.
Abstract:
An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display receives a first request to display a first video stream on the display. In response to receiving the first request, the electronic device displays the first video stream on the display. While displaying the first video stream on the display, the electronic device receives a second request to display a second video stream on the display. In response to receiving the second request, the electronic device displays at least a portion of the first video stream on the display concurrently with at least a portion of the second video stream, where the second video stream was received, at least in part, from a content source in response to a request from the electronic device to the content source for delivery of the second video stream from the content source.
Abstract:
An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display receives a first request to display a first video stream that corresponds to a first channel. In response to receiving the first request, the device starts to download the first video stream from a content source for the first video stream. After starting to download the first video stream, the device displays the first video stream and starts to preload one or more video streams including a second video stream that corresponds to a second channel that is adjacent to the first channel. While displaying the first video stream, the device receives a second request to display the second video stream. In response to receiving the second request, the device displays at least a portion of the second video stream using a preloaded portion of the second video stream.
Abstract:
An electronic device obtains a file header for a file that corresponds to a plurality of clusters. The file header includes a cluster index that enables coarse searching within the file. At least one of the file header and the file omits information that is known to or calculable by the device for extracting content from the file. In response to receiving a request to seek to a position within the file, the device identifies a cluster that includes content that corresponds to the position based on the cluster index and obtains a cluster header that enables fine searching within the cluster. After obtaining the cluster header, the device identifies, within the cluster, the content that corresponds to the position based on the content index and provides at least a portion of content corresponding to the file to a presentation device, starting with the content that corresponds to the position.
Abstract:
An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display obtains a file header for a file corresponding to a plurality of clusters, where the file header includes a cluster index. The device receives a request to seek to a respective position within the file and, in response to receiving the request: identifies a cluster of the plurality of clusters that includes content that corresponds to the respective position based on the cluster index; obtains a cluster header associated with the cluster based on information retrieved from the cluster index, where the cluster header includes a content index; and after obtaining the cluster header, identifies respective content within the cluster corresponding to the respective position based on the content index. The device provides at least a portion of content corresponding to the file to a presentation device for presentation to a user, starting with the respective content.
Abstract:
A computer system generates a first decompressed media stream based on a first compressed media stream. While providing the first decompressed media stream to a presentation device, the computer system receives a content-transition indication for providing a second decompressed media stream to the presentation device instead of the first decompressed media stream. The content-transition indication corresponds to a request to display the second decompressed media stream starting at a respective point within a predefined portion of the second decompressed media stream. The computer system receives a second compressed media stream corresponding to the second decompressed media stream. In response to receiving the content-transition indication, the computer system generates the predefined portion of the second decompressed media stream and provides a subset of the predefined portion, that does not include content prior to the respective point, to the presentation device instead of the first decompressed media stream.