Patent ID: 7464172
Filing Date: 2008-12-09
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. In a network including a server and a plurality of clients, a method for achieving simultaneous media playout, the method comprising: from a server, supplying a media stream data as media packets with a timestamp as a broadcast, to a plurality of clients at a first bitrate (R determining the network delivery requirement, including the first minimum client buffering capacity (C polling the clients for their respective buffering capacities; determining which client has the smallest buffering capacity; and, selecting the first minimum buffering capacity (C in response to the network delivery requirements, modifying the supply of the media stream to enable simultaneous playout of media packets at the plurality of clients; at each client, scheduling media playout to be at a time equal to a first time interval (t at each client, reordering out-of-order media packets; at each client, handling any lost media packets; and at each client, scheduling the playout of the media packets at a uniform rate in response to the media type and the first bitrate (R