Apparatus and method for providing streaming content

Abstract

A method and apparatus for an adaptive Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) streaming service using metadata of content are provided. The metadata may include a minBufferTime attribute indicating a minimum amount of initially buffered media content. A terminal may receive content from a server before playback of the content, and may buffer the content by at least the minimum amount. The metadata may include a range attribute that designates a range of a target indicated by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The terminal may receive bytes designated by the range attribute from the URL, and may play back the content using the received bytes.

1 . A method for providing a media content performed by a server or multiple servers, comprising:
 receiving a request for a segment of the media content based on a Media Presentation Description (MPD), from a client, wherein the MPD includes a minBufferTime; and   transmitting the media content to the client,   wherein the MPD is a formalized description of a media presentation related to the media content, wherein the media presentation includes (i) one or more periods, (ii) one or more representations and (iii) one or more segments, and   wherein the client can be assured of having enough data for continuous playout provided that playout begins after the minBufferTime.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the minBufferTime is an attribute to provide a minimum amount of initially buffered media at a beginning of a media presentation. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the minBufferTime is an attribute to provide a minimum amount of initially buffered media at a beginning of the one or more periods of the media presentation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the minBufferTime is an attribute to provide a minimum amount of initially buffered media at any random access point of the media presentation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the MPD includes a bandwidth attribute related to a bandwidth for a hypothetical constant bitrate channel in bits per second (bps). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the MPD includes at least one of (i) a frame rate and (ii) a timescale describing the number of time units in one second. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the segment includes sub-segments indexed by a segment index. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the MPD includes an attribute related to quality for the representation of the media content. 
     
     
         9 . A method for providing a media content performed by a client, comprising:
 transmitting a request for a segment of the media content based on a Media Presentation Description (MPD), to a server, wherein the MPD includes a minBufferTime; and   receiving the media content from the server,   wherein the MPD is a formalized description of a media presentation related to the media content, wherein the media presentation includes (i) one or more periods, (ii) one or more representations and (iii) one or more segments,   wherein the client can be assured of having enough data for continuous playout provided that playout begins after the minBufferTime.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the minBufferTime is an attribute to provide a minimum amount of initially buffered media at a beginning of a media presentation. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the minBufferTime is an attribute to provide a minimum amount of initially buffered media at a beginning of the one or more periods of the media presentation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the minBufferTime is an attribute to provide a minimum amount of initially buffered media at any random access point of the media presentation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the MPD includes a bandwidth attribute related to a bandwidth for a hypothetical constant bitrate channel in bits per second (bps). 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the MPD includes at least one of (i) a frame rate and (ii) a timescale describing the number of time units in one second. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the segment includes sub-segments indexed by a segment index. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the MPD includes an attribute related to quality for the representation of the media content. 
     
     
         17 . A method by which a client provides media content, the method comprising:
 transmitting a request for a segment of the media content based on a Media Presentation Description (MPD), to a server, wherein the MPD includes a minBufferSize; and;   receiving the media content from the server; and   wherein the MPD is a formalized description of a media presentation related to the media content, wherein the media presentation includes (i) one or more periods, (ii) one or more representations and (iii) one or more segments,   wherein the client can be assured of having enough data for continuous playout provided that playout begins after the minBufferSize.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the minBufferSize is an attribute to provide a minimum amount of initially buffered media at any random access point of the media presentation. 
     
     
         19 . A method for providing media content performed by a server or multiple servers, the method comprising:
 receiving a request for a segment of the media content based on a Media Presentation Description (MPD), from a client, wherein the MPD includes a minBufferSize; and   transmitting the media content to the client,   wherein the MPD is a formalized description of a media presentation related to the media content, wherein the media presentation includes (i) one or more periods, (ii) one or more representations and (iii) one or more segments, and   wherein the client can be assured of having enough data for continuous playout provided that playout begins after the minBufferSize.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the minBufferSize is an attribute to provide a minimum amount of initially buffered media at any random access point of the media presentation.