Method and system for selecting a delivery method for media on demand

Abstract

A method includes determining, at a receiving device, a first connection speed of a data connection from host equipment. The method includes selecting a media content delivery method based on the first connection speed and user preference information. The media content delivery method is one of streaming and download. The method includes requesting delivery of media content from the host equipment using the media content delivery method. The method also includes determining, during delivery of the media content to the receiving device, whether to modify the media content delivery method based on a change of the first connection speed to a second connection speed and based on the user preference information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 determining, at a receiving device, a first connection speed of a data connection from host equipment;   selecting, with the receiving device, a media content delivery method based on the first connection speed and user preference information, wherein the media content delivery method is one of streaming content or downloading content;   requesting, from the receiving device, delivery of media content from the host equipment using the media content delivery method; and   determining, with the receiving device during delivery of the media content to the receiving device, whether to modify the media content delivery method based on a change of the first connection speed to a second connection speed and based on the user preference information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 collecting a plurality of connection speed measurements during delivery of the media content;   computing an average connection speed of the plurality of connection speed measurements; and   determining the second connection speed based on the average connection speed.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a user interface at the receiving device, wherein the user preference information is received via the user interface, and wherein the user interface displays information related to the media content delivery method. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the user preference information identifies a delay value, a playback stoppage value, or both, wherein the delay value corresponds to a delay before playback of the media content, and wherein the playback stoppage value corresponds to a likelihood that playback stoppages will occur after playback of the media content begins. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the receiving device is a computer, a media player, a set-top box, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising changing the media content delivery method to a second media content delivery method in response to a determination to modify the delivery method. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the media content delivery method is streaming content and wherein the second media content delivery method is downloading content. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a buffer fill size based on the user preference information. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a buffer fill size corresponding to an amount of the media content to be stored at the receiving device prior to initiating playback of the media content, wherein the buffer fill size is determined based on the media content delivery method, based on the first connection speed, and based on the user preference information. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising determining whether to modify the buffer fill size after a determination indicates not to modify the delivery method based on the change. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising modifying the buffer fill size based on the second connection speed and based on the user preference information. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a first portion of the media content using the media content delivery method, the media content delivery method comprising delivering the media content at a first bit rate associated with a high-definition format; and   in response to determining to modify the media content delivery method, receiving a second portion of the media content using a second media content delivery method, the second media content delivery method comprising delivering the media content at a second bit rate associated with a non-high-definition format.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first bit rate is higher than the second bit rate. 
     
     
         14 . A computer-readable storage device storing instructions executable by a computer system to perform operations comprising:
 determining a first connection speed of a data communication channel from host equipment;   selecting a media content delivery method based on the first connection speed and user preference information, wherein the delivery method is one of streaming content or downloading content;   determining a buffer fill size based on the first connection speed and the user preference information;   requesting delivery of the media content using the delivery method;   receiving delivery of the media content using the delivery method;   determining, during delivery of the media content, a second connection speed of the data communication channel from the host equipment; and   selecting, during delivery of the media content, a second method of delivery based on the second connection speed and the user preference information.   
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 14 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 computing an average connection speed; and   determining the second connection speed based on the average connection speed.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 14 , wherein the operations include automatically executing a media playback command in response to determining that the second connection speed falls below a speed threshold, the media playback command including a command to postpone playback of the media content until after a download of the media content is complete. 
     
     
         17 . A system comprising:
 a communications interface;   a memory to store instructions; and   a processor coupled to the communications interface and to the memory, wherein, responsive to executing the instructions, the processor performs operations comprising:
 receiving a selection of media content to be received from host equipment; 
 determining a first connection speed of a connection from the host equipment; 
 selecting a first method of delivery for the media content based on the first connection speed and user preference information, wherein the first method of delivery includes:
 streaming content, when the first connection speed satisfies a first speed threshold, wherein streaming content includes:
 streaming the media content at a first bit rate when the first connection speed satisfies a second speed threshold; and 
 streaming the media content at a second bit rate when the first connection speed does not satisfy the second speed threshold; or 
 
 downloading content, when the first connection speed does not satisfy the first speed threshold, wherein downloading content includes downloading all of the media content before beginning playback; 
 
 receiving delivery of the media content using the first method of delivery; 
 determining, during delivery of the media content, a second connection speed of the connection; and 
 selecting, during delivery of the media content, a second method of delivery based on the second connection speed and the user preference information. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein a buffer fill size is specified such that the media content is to reach the buffer fill size before the system commences playback of the media content. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the buffer fill size is changed in response to changes in the connection speed. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first method of delivery comprises streaming content, and wherein the media content is streamed at a bit rate associated with a high definition format.