System and methods for buffering of real-time data streams

Abstract

A computer-implemented system, and methods for buffering of real-time data streams are disclosed. The apparatus and method in an example embodiment includes: configuring a content server for an initial content quality type associated with a content stream; receiving the content stream with the initial content quality type from a content feed; detecting a low watermark condition, as the content stream is played on a playback device; reconfiguring the content server for a modified content quality type associated with the content stream while receipt of the content stream is in progress; and receiving the content stream with the modified content quality type from the content feed.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method comprising:
 transmitting a first request, from a user device, to a content server for a content stream with an initial content quality type;   in response to the first request, receiving, at the user device, the content stream from a content feed located remotely from the content server;   determining, at the user device, an available bandwidth associated with the content feed;   transmitting a second request, from the user device, to the content server for a modified content quality type based on the determined available bandwidth; and   receiving, at the user device, the content stream with the modified content quality type from the content feed.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising receiving a user selection of the initial content quality type. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising storing data from the content stream in a content stream buffer. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising generating for display data from the content stream. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein determining, at the user device, the available bandwidth associated with the content feed further comprises monitoring, at the user device, for a low watermark condition as data from the content stream is consumed by the user device. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising determining a low watermark condition, wherein the low watermark condition relates to data from the content stream being consumed faster than the data is received. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising adjusting the consummation rate of data from the content stream in response to detecting the low watermark condition. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein determining, at the user device, the available bandwidth associated with the content feed further comprises monitoring, at the user device, for a high watermark condition as data from the content stream is consumed on the user device. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the initial content quality type corresponds to a first resolution and the modified content quality type corresponds to a second resolution. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising selecting the modified content quality type based on a determination that receiving the content stream with the modified content quality type from the content feed will prevent interruptions while consuming data from the content stream. 
     
     
         33 . A system comprising, control circuitry configured to:
 transmit a first request, from a user device, to a content server for a content stream with an initial content quality type;   in response to the first request, receive, at the user device, the content stream from a content feed located remotely from the content server;   determine, at the user device, an available bandwidth associated with the content feed;   transmit a second request, from the user device, to the content server for a modified content quality type based on the determined available bandwidth; and   receive, at the user device, the content stream with the modified content quality type from the content feed.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to receive a user selection of the initial content quality type. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to store data from the content stream in a content stream buffer. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to generate for display data from the content stream. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine, at the user device, the available bandwidth associated with the content feed further comprises monitoring, at the user device, for a low watermark condition as data from the content stream is consumed by the user device. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine a low watermark condition, wherein the low watermark condition relates to data from the content stream being consumed faster than the data is received. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to adjust the consummation rate of data from the content stream in response to detecting the low watermark condition. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine, at the user device, the available bandwidth associated with the content feed further comprises monitoring, at the user device, for a high watermark condition as data from the content stream is consumed on the user device. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the initial content quality type corresponds to a first resolution and the modified content quality type corresponds to a second resolution. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to select the modified content quality type based on a determination that receiving the content stream with the modified content quality type from the content feed will prevent interruptions while consuming data from the content stream.