Patent ID: 8689267
Filing Date: 2014-04-01
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for adaptively downloading digital video content including a sequence of portions each portion comprising multiple frames of video data, the method comprising: receiving a scene complexity map associated with the digital video content and specifying a complexity level associated with each portion, in the sequence of portions, of the digital video content; identifying a plurality of encoded video streams associated with the digital video content, wherein each encoded video stream is associated with a different bit rate and includes an encoded portion encoded to the different bit rate for each portion of the digital video content; receiving a sequence header index for each of the plurality of encoded video streams, each sequence header index specifying a switch point for each portion in the sequence of portions, each switch point storing a playback offset associated with each portion; determining, based on the scene complexity map, the complexity level associated with a first portion, of the sequence of portions, of the digital video content; dynamically determining during playback of a different portion of the digital video content, based on the complexity level and the switch point associated with the first portion, a first encoded video stream included in the plurality of encoded video streams from which to download a first encoded portion corresponding to the first portion of the digital video content; and downloading for playback the first encoded portion from the first encoded video stream to a content buffer residing within a content player device, wherein one or more encoded video streams included in the plurality of encoded video streams have bitrates lower than a second encoded video stream included in the plurality of encoded video streams, and wherein the second encoded video stream does not include at least one encoded portion having a complexity associated with an encoded portion included in at least one of the one or more encoded video streams.