Patent ID: 9648385
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: H04N

Claim:
1. A method for avoiding buffer under-run when downloading content for playback, the method comprising: estimating, via a processor, a download time associated with downloading a first unit of digital content included in a first encoded sequence related to a content title and stored on a content server based on the size of the first unit of digital content and an available download bandwidth, wherein the first unit of digital content has a first bit rate; computing, via the processor, a playback time associated with playing back all digital content stored in a content buffer; computing, via the processor, an excess buffer time by subtracting the download time from the playback time; and based on determining that the excess buffer time is less than or equal to zero, requesting, via the processor, a second unit of the digital content having a second bit rate that is lower than the first bit rate in order to avoid buffer under-run.