System and method for media stream playback and buffer management

摘要

A media stream playback and buffer management system includes: a server; a wireless router being connected with the server through a network cable; at least a media stream receiver being connected to the wireless router through a network cable, including a buffer, and configured to download media stream frames from the server at a time varying download rate, to buffer the downloaded frames with the buffer, and to play the buffered content at a constant display frame rate; and at least a mobile terminal being configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless router and remotely control the media stream receiver. The media stream receiver is configured to determine when to play or to buffer the downloaded content based on the download rate and the display frame rate. A method for media stream playback and buffer management is also provided.

主权项

1. A media stream playback and buffer management system comprising:
a server; a wireless router being connected with the server through a network cable; at least a media stream receiver being connected to the wireless router through a network cable, comprising a buffer, and configured to download media stream frames from the server at a time varying download rate (DR), to buffer the downloaded frames with the buffer, and to play the buffered content at a constant display frame rate (DFR); and at least a mobile terminal being configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless router and remotely control the media stream receiver; wherein: the media stream receiver is configured to determine when to play or to buffer the downloaded content based on the download rate and the display frame rate; the download rate (DR) starts to increase from zero and by an equation DR=a×T before reaching the display frame rate (DFR), a being a slope constant, and T being time; and the media stream receiver is configured to start to play the buffered content when Ro×To/2 is equal to (DFR−Ro)×(Tmp−To)/2, Tmp being the time it takes for the DR to increase to DFR, To being the time when it is determined whether to play the buffered content, Ro being the DR corresponding to To.