System and method for effectuating fast channel change in an adpative streaming environment

Abstract

A system and method for effectuating fast channel changes in an adaptive streaming environment. When a new stream of media content is started, a client device is adapted for sending a request for transmission of media content encoded at a select bit rate. Upon receipt of the encoded media content, the client device is operative to decode and render the media content immediately regardless of a buffer state associated with the client device's video buffer. The client device is further operative to send a request for streaming media content encoded at higher bit rates upon expiration of a specific period of time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method operative at a streaming server system disposed in an adaptive streaming environment, the method comprising:
 when a new stream of media content is requested by a client device, commencing streaming of the requested media content at a stream access point (SAP);   for a select period of time, disabling error correction for transmission of the new stream to the client device; and   initially transmitting the requested media content encoded at a select bit rate and segmented into shortest segments possible by a segmenter.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 responsive to receiving a request from the client device, transmitting the requested media content encoded at a higher bit rate.   
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the request comprises a Universal Resource Locator (URL). 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 responsive to receiving a request from the client device, transmitting the requested media content segmented into longer segments by the segmenter.   
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 responsive to receiving a request from the client device, enabling the error correction for transmission of the new stream to the client device.   
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the new stream of media content is transmitted responsive to a channel change by a user of the client device. 
     
     
         7 . A streaming server system, comprising:
 one or more processors;   an encoder coupled to the one or more processors and operative to encode media content using multiple bit rates;   a segmenter coupled to the one or more processors and operative to segment the encoded media content into segments of different size;   a component configured for commencing, under control of the one or more processors, streaming of a media content at a stream access point (SAP) when a new stream of media content is requested by a client device disposed in an adaptive streaming environment;   an error correction mechanism configured to be selectively disabled, under control of the one or more processors, for a period of time during initial transmission of the new stream to the client device; and   a component configured for initially transmitting, under control of the one or more processors, the requested media content encoded at a select bit rate and segmented into shortest segments possible by the segmenter.   
     
     
         8 . The streaming server system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the one or more processors are further operative, responsive to receiving a request from the client device, to facilitate transmission of the media content encoded by the encoder in a higher bit rate. 
     
     
         9 . The streaming server system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the request comprises a Universal Resource Locator (URL). 
     
     
         10 . The streaming server system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more processors are further operative, responsive to receiving a request from the client device, to facilitate transmission of the requested media content segmented into longer segments by the segmenter. 
     
     
         11 . The streaming server system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more processors are further operative, responsive to receiving a request from the client device, to enable the error correction mechanism for transmission of the new stream to the client device. 
     
     
         12 . The streaming server system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the new stream of media content is transmitted responsive to a channel change by a user of the client device. 
     
     
         13 . A method operative in a client device disposed in an adaptive streaming environment, the method comprising:
 when a new stream of media content is started, sending a request for transmission of media content encoded at a select bit rate;   decoding and rendering the encoded media content immediately regardless of a buffer state associated with a video buffer of the client device that is operative for storing the encoded media content; and   sending a request for streaming media content encoded at higher bit rates upon expiration of a specific period of time.   
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the request comprises a Universal Resource Locator (URL). 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 sending a request for initially streaming media content segmented into shorter segments.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 buffering the media content while the bit rates of the streaming media content are ramped up gradually; and   sending a request for streaming media content segmented into larger segments.   
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the new stream of media content is started responsive to a channel change by a user of the client device. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising preventing the video buffer from flushing while the encoded media content is being decoded and rendered immediately. 
     
     
         19 . A client device, comprising:
 one or more processors;   a channel change controller; and   a streaming client module coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the streaming client module and the channel change controller include instructions executable by one or more processors and configured to:
 send a request for transmission of media content encoded at a select bit rate when a new stream of media content is started; 
 decode and render the encoded media content immediately regardless of a buffer state associated with a video buffer of the client device that is operative for storing the encoded media content; and 
 send a request for streaming media content encoded at higher bit rates upon expiration of a specific period of time. 
   
     
     
         20 . The client device as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the request for streaming media content at higher bit rates comprises a Universal Resource Locator (URL). 
     
     
         21 . The client device as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the channel change controller and the streaming client module are further operative to send a request for initially streaming media content segmented into shorter segments. 
     
     
         22 . The client device as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the channel change controller and the streaming client module are further operative to:
 buffer the media content while the bit rates of the streaming media content are ramped up gradually; and   send a request for streaming media content segmented into larger segments.   
     
     
         23 . The client device as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the new stream of media content is started responsive to a channel change by a user of the client device. 
     
     
         24 . The client device as recited in  claim 19 , the channel change controller and the streaming client module are further operative to prevent the video buffer from flushing while the encoded media content is being decoded and rendered immediately.