Combined broadcast and backchannel delivery of streaming content

摘要

Streaming content may be delivered through a combination of broadcast and a backchannel. Related apparatus and methods for receiving and distributing streaming content are described. A receiving device may receive a packet of information in the form of a broadcast signal from a broadcast source. The packet of information may contain one or more streamlets and a table of contents associated with the streamlets. A desired streamlet may be selected from the packet of information and presented with a display. A remainder of a data stream associated with the streamlet may be requested and received from via a backchannel while the desired streamlet is being presented. The remaining data stream may then be presented with the display.

主权项

1. A method for receiving streaming content, comprising:
a) receiving a packet of information in the form of a broadcast signal from a broadcast source with a receiving device, wherein the packet of information contains one or more streamlets and a table of contents associated with the streamlets, wherein the table of contents includes information identifying what content is available within the packet of information, wherein each said streamlet is an ordered grouping of multiple data packets that correspond to a presentable portion of a larger unit of streaming data that is associated with the streamlet; b) selecting a desired streamlet from the packet of information; c) presenting the desired streamlet with a display associated with the receiving device; d) requesting a remainder of the larger unit of streaming data associated with the desired streamlet by the receiving device from a data stream source separate from the broadcast source while the desired streamlet is being presented; e) receiving the remainder of the larger unit of streaming data associated with the desired streamlet via a backchannel from the data stream source while the desired streamlet is being presented, wherein the backchannel is implemented by a mode of communication other than a broadcast signal from the broadcast source; and f) presenting the remainder of the larger unit of streaming data associated with the desired streamlet with a display associated with the receiving device.