Patent ID: 9374406
Filing Date: 2016-06-21
CPC Classification: H04L,H04N,H04W

Claim Text:
1. A method of estimating a download rate at a receiver coupled to data sources by a network path having a finite bandwidth, wherein the download rate is a rate at which data is received over the network path at the receiver, the method comprising: monitoring a presentation buffer of the receiver, wherein the presentation buffer stores media data at least between a time the media data is received and a time the media data is consumed by a presentation element associated with the receiver; determining a buffer level of the presentation buffer; determining, as a function of the determined buffer level, a duration of a nonzero estimation period over which an estimate of the download rate is to be based, wherein the duration of the estimation period is decreased when the determined buffer level is below a low threshold, and wherein the duration of the estimation period is increased when the determined buffer level is above a high threshold; storing indications of buffer levels over the estimation period, wherein a buffer level at a given time corresponds to an amount of the presentation buffer occupied at the given time by the media data received and not yet consumed by the presentation element; and using the stored indications as part of a measure of the estimated download rate.