CONTEXTUALLY AWARE CLIENT BUFFER THRESHOLDS

摘要

Client buffer thresholds are dynamically adjusted to provide quick start up and smooth playback in a variety of network conditions. In some examples, multiple buffer configurations are available. An initial buffer configuration may be used in typical circumstances and will yield good behavior in most cases. A modified buffer configuration can be used when limited available network resources prevent smooth playback. In some embodiments, a client buffer configuration is continuously adapted based on network throughput and data transfer rates.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
receiving, at a content server, a first request for a media stream from a client device; transmitting a first quality level media stream to an initial playback buffer established at the client device, the client device configured to begin playback of the first quality level media stream after an initial playback threshold in the initial playback buffer is reached; and receiving, at the content server, a second request for a second quality level media stream after an initial quality threshold in the initial playback buffer is reached at the client device, the client device configured to establish a modified playback buffer if the initial playback buffer depletes, wherein the modified playback buffer has a modified playback threshold higher than the initial playback threshold.