Patent ID: 9280540
Filing Date: 2016-03-08
CPC Classification: G06F,H04N

Claim Text:
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: determining, at a network device, resolution and time aliasing requirements for each content segment of a media content based on an amount of media detail occurring in each frame of a set of frames in the content segment and an amount of change occurring in the media detail from one frame to another; applying, by the network device and based on the resolution and time aliasing requirements, a variable bit rate encoding scheme to the media content at a number of variable bit rates to generate sets of data streams comprised of variable bit rate encoded content segments; storing, by the network device, each data stream set in a media directory corresponding to a potential download speed from a plurality of different potential download speeds; receiving, at the network device, a request for a transmission of the media content to a client device, wherein the request indicates client device characteristics associated with the client device; determining, by the network device, a bandwidth of a communication link between the client device and the network device; identifying, by the network device, two or more download speeds, from the different potential download speeds, which are less than the determined bandwidth; determining, by the network device, a bit rate requirement based on the client device characteristics indicated in the request, wherein the client device characteristics include processor speed, memory capability, graphics capability, audio capability, and display resolution; choosing, for the transmission of the media content by the network device to the client device, a variable bit rate encoded content segment among the variable bit rate encoded content segments in a first media directory associated with one of the identified two or more download speeds based on the determined bit rate requirement; and streaming, by the network device via the communication link, the chosen variable bit rate encoded content segment from the network device to the client device.