Playback of media content during dual mode trick play operations

Systems and methods are described herein for playback of streaming media content during a dual mode trick play operation. An I-frame only playlist is generated from a media content stream. The I-frame only playlist includes a plurality of I-frames. A set of I-frames are selected from the plurality of I-frames for scan play back mode based on metadata associated with the media content stream. A curated I-frame only playlist of the selected set of I-frames is generated for display during scan play back mode. In one embodiment, the selected set of I-frames is an I-frame identified at the beginning of each of the segments.

REFERENCE TO “COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX”

A plurality of appendices is attached as part of the specification. Appendix A includes a pseudo code for adaptive track selection algorithm. Appendix B includes a pseudo code for generated I-frame only segment load. Each of the Appendix A, and B is hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to playback of media content and, more particularly, playback of streaming media content during a dual mode trick play operation.

SUMMARY

Many times, during real-time streaming of media content, a user may wish to skip ahead past portions (fast forward) of the media content or go back (rewind) to review an earlier portion of the media content. Such skipping, including fast-forward and rewind operations, is commonly known as “trick play” mode playback. Traditionally, such trick play mode playback is enabled by generating an I-frame only playlist from an original playlist to present a fast playback experience with the media content. Original playlist includes multiple segments each of which contain multiple I-frames and data corresponding to each of the I-frames in the segments. I-frame only playlist includes URLs that refer to only I-frames, also known as instantaneous decoder refresh (IDR), which are intra-coded frames that can be decoded independently of other video frames. I-frame only playlist is desirable since a user can start playback with and display an entire single high resolution frame of video with just one IDR. However, not all service providers provide the I-frame only playlist required for the trick play mode. Also, much of legacy media content may not be digitally converted with the I-frame only playlist and if a user device supports high speed trick play from the I-frame only stream, then the user device depends on the I-frame only playlist to perform trick play mode playback.

The trick play mode playback includes two types of modes. One such mode is called a scrub mode in which a user individually fast forwards/fast reverses one I-frame at a time, which results in individual high resolution frames being displayed at a pace controlled by user's input. Another mode is scan mode in which the system automatically fast forwards/fast reverses by skipping through tons of I-frames, resulting in frames being skipped at a high speed. A decoder processes the I-frames in both the scrub mode and the scan mode to generate high resolution frames. During scrub mode, such high resolution frames are needed in order for the user to identify/comprehend the frames for playback. However, in the scan mode, the user does not need such high resolution since the system automatically sets the number of frames to skip in pre-determined time intervals of which the user has no control. Thus, each of the I-frames is processed by the decoder in the scan mode resulting in a much slower and inefficient overall system.

In some embodiments, systems and methods are described herein for curating the I-frames for processing during the scan-mode. Such selection would generate a set of I-frames that are tuned to high speed playback with a high density of frames. In one embodiment, the system selects the I-frames based on parameters such as scene change detection in the I-frame, start and end of a scene in the I-frame, interval detection in the I-frame, size of the I-frame, random I-frame, etc.

Additionally, the I-frame only playlist includes all the I-frames from each of the multiple segments, which utilizes a lot of unnecessary bandwidth and takes a lot of time fetching for relevant I-frames during trick play mode playback. In some embodiments, systems and methods are described herein for simulating an I-frame only playback from the original playlist by generating an internal I-frame only variant, which selects only the I-frame from the beginning of each segment in the original playlist and discards the rest of the I-frames in each of the segments resulting in a reduction in bandwidth and time required to fetch the relevant I-frames.

In one embodiment, the I-frame only playlist is selected regardless of video speed (frame rate) for each of the I-frames generated in the I-frame only playlist.

In one embodiment, the system determines a switch in the playback from the scan mode to the scrub mode. The system replaces the curated I-frame only playlist with the I-frame only playlist for display in the scrub mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows an illustrative flowchart of a system100for generating an I-frame only playlist and I-frame only curator playlist of media content according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Some examples of media content include audio, video, text, AR, VR, etc. In one embodiment, a media content stream110is received by a source playlist generator120. In one embodiment the media content stream10includes media frames (e.g. video frames). The source playlist generator120generates a source playlist125including a group of pictures (GOPs). Each of the GOPs includes a single I-frame and corresponding B/P frame. As discussed above, I-frame is an intra-coded frame, which is a complete standalone frame that can be decoded independently of other video frames. P-frame is a predicted frame, which includes only the changes in the image in the current frame from the previous frame. B-frame is a bidirectional predicted frame that includes changes in the image between the current frame and the previous frame and changes in the image between the current frame and the following frame. The source playlist125is broadcasted at a normal video speed (a.k.a frame rate) of one frame per one second.

In one embodiment, the source playlist125is sent to a first I-frame only playlist generator130, which functions as a decoder by decoding selected frames in the source playlist. In one embodiment, the I-frame only playlist generator130discards the B-frames and the P-frames to generate an I-frame only playlist135including only the I-frames. As shown, the I-frame only playlist135includes only the I-frames, I1, I2, I3, I4, I5, I6, etc. Such I-frames are high density frames. In one embodiment, the I-frame only playlist135is generated to render video at a speed higher than a normal speed. In one embodiment, the I-frame only playlist135maintains the video speed of trick play in the scrub playback mode. In one example, the video speed in the scrub playback mode is generally at a range of 5-15 frames per second. In one embodiment, the I-frame only playlist is sent to an I-frame only playlist curator140. The I-frame only playlist curator140accesses media content metadata150to select I-frames from the I-frame only playlist135to generate curated I-frame only playlist145. The media content metadata150includes data corresponding to media content. Such metadata includes identification of frames associated with a scene change in media content, identification of frames associated with beginning and end of the scene, identification of frames associated with advertisements in the media content, identification of frame associated with time intervals in the media content, size of the frames of the media content, and random frames of the media content. In one embodiment, the media content metadata150does not include In one embodiment, the I-frame only playlist curator140selects the I-frames from the I-frame only playlist135based on the media content metadata150. In one example, the I2, which is an I-frame between I1 and I3 of the media content includes advertisement, the I-frame only playlist curator140will only select I1 and I3 and discard I2. Thus, the curated I-frame only playlist145includes only I1 and I3 frames. In one embodiment, the curated I-frame only playlist145is generated to render selective high density frames at a high speed playback during scan mode regardless of the frame rate. For example, the I-frame only playlist curator140generates the curated I-frame only playlist145including the selected I-frames, I1 and I3 to be downloaded for display during high speed scan playback mode regardless of the frame rate. In one example, the video speed in the scan playback mode is generally at a rate of 15×-60× normal playback speed.

In some embodiments, source playlist125is sent to a second I-frame only playlist generator160, which also functions as a decoder by decoding selected frames in the source playlist. In one embodiment, the source playlist124accesses source playlist metadata170to select I-frames from the I-frame only playlist135to generate second I-frame only playlist165. The source playlist metadata170includes addresses of all the segments in the source playlist for a time period and an identifier that indicates all segments must begin with an I-Frame. As discussed above, source frame playlist125includes GOPs, each of which includes a single I-frame and corresponding B/P frame. Thus, source frame playlist125includes at least six GOPs. Segments of the source playlist are often divided into an even number of GOPs as long as they begin with the I-frame. In one example, the source frame playlist125includes at least two segments such that a first segment125aamong the two segments includes I1 B/P, I2 B/P and I3 B/P frames and a second segment125bamong the two segments includes I4 B/P, I5 B/P and I6 B/P frames. Thus, I1 is the I-frame identified at the beginning of the first segment125aand I-4 is the I-frame identified at the beginning of the second segment125. In one example, the source playlist metadata170includes addresses of at least two segments125aand125bin the source frame playlist125and an identifier assigned to the I1 and the I4. In one embodiment, the second I-frame only playlist generator160may access the source playlist metadata170to identify each I-frame at beginning of each of the segments125aand125bof the source frame playlist125. In one embodiment, the second I-frame only playlist generator160fetches for all the I-frames assigned with the identifier and discards all the rest of the frames in each of the segments. Thus, the second I-frame only playlist generator160fetches in the source frame playlist125, the I-frames I1 and I4, discards the corresponding B/P frames and also discards all the I2, I3, I5 and I6 frames including their corresponding B/P frames. Thus, the second I-frame only playlist165includes only I1 and I4 frames. In one embodiment, the second I-frame only playlist165is generated to render specific high density frames at a high speed playback during scan mode regardless of the frame rate. For example, the I-frame only playlist curator140generates the second I-frame only playlist165including the specific I-frames, I1 and I4 to be downloaded for display during high speed scan playback mode regardless of the frame rate. In one example, the video speed in the scan playback mode is generally at a rate of 15×-60× normal playback speed.

FIGS.2A and2Bshows an exemplary display200and user interface202for playback of streaming media content during a dual mode trick play operation, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Display200may be any display device, such as a television, a computer monitor, or a touchscreen such as is found on a tablet or smartphone device. A fast forward indicator212of a progress bar210is depicted on the bottom of the display200. Specifically,FIG.2Ashows a user interface for a scrub mode trick play back operation. A video content204for example includes a video playlist of video frames204-1,204-2,204-3,204-5,204-6. As shown, the video playlist is being fast forwarded by a user indicating that the trick play operation is in a scrub playback mode. As discussed above, in the scrub playback mode, the user manually presses and drags (move while holding down) the progress bar210to stepwise forward and rewind the playlist. In one embodiment, the first I-frame only playlist135is utilized to maintain the speed of trick play in the scrub playback mode. In one embodiment, all the I-frames (I1, I2, I3, I4, I5 and I6) from the first I-frame only playlist135are downloaded and displayed as the video frames204-1,204-2,204-3,204-5and204-6respectively at a time when the user fast forwards in the scrub mode. In one embodiment, the trick play operation is switched to a scan mode in which the system automatically fast forwards the video playlist by skipping through many video frames resulting in a high speed playback mode.FIG.2Bshows a user interface for a scan mode trick playback operation. As discussed above, in the scan mode, a user may press the progress bar210only once and the playlist is automatically fast forwarded/fast rewind. In one embodiment, the curated I-frame only playlist135including only the I1 and I3 frames, is utilized for the high speed of the trick play in scan mode. Thus, only the I1 and I3 frames are downloaded and displayed as video frames204-1and204-3respectively in the scan mode.

FIG.3shows an exemplary display300and a user interface302for playback of streaming media content during a scan mode trick playback operation in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The user interface302is similar to the user interface202inFIG.2B. As shown, the source frame playlist125includes all the I-frames I1, I2, I3, I4, I5, I6 and their respective B/P frames. Also, as shown is the first segment125aincluding I-frames I1, I2, I3 and their respective B/P frames and the second segment125bincluding I-frames I4, I5, I6 and their respective B/P frames. In one embodiment, a video content304for example includes a video playlist of video frames304a,304b,304c,304d,304eand304f, each of which includes304-1,304-2,304-3,304-5,304-6I-frames and their respective B/P frames. Each of the frames304-1,304-2,304-3corresponds to I1, I2 and I3 frames respectively in the first segment125aand the B/P frames associated with each of the I-frames304-1,304-2and304-3correspond to the B/P frames associated with each of the I1, I2 and I3 frames respectively. Similarly, each of the frames304-3,304-5,304-6correspond to the I4, I5 and I6 frames respectively in the second segment125band each of the B/P frames associated with each of the frames304-4,304-5and304-6correspond to the B/P frames associated with each of the I4, I5 and I6 frames respectively. In one embodiment, the trick play operation is in a scan mode in which the system automatically fast forwards the video playlist by skipping through many video frames resulting in a high speed playback mode. In one embodiment, the second I-frame only playlist165including only the I1 and I4 frames is utilized for the high speed of the trick play in scan mode. Thus, only the I1 and I4 frames are downloaded and displayed as video frames304-1and304-4respectively in the scan mode.

FIG.4shows an illustrative block diagram of a system400for displaying content item based on content item recommendation, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. In various aspects, system400includes one or more of server402, content item source404, content item guidance data source406, communication network408, and one or more computing devices410, such as user television equipment410a(e.g., a set-top box), user computer equipment410b(e.g., a laptop), and/or wireless user communications device410c(e.g., a smartphone device). AlthoughFIG.4shows one of each component, in various examples, system400may include fewer than the illustrated components and/or multiples of one or more illustrated components. Communication network408may be any type of communication network, such as the Internet, a mobile phone network, mobile voice or data network (e.g., a 4G or LTE network), cable network, public switched telephone network, or any combination of two or more of such communication networks. Communication network408includes one or more communication paths, such as a satellite path, a fiber-optic path, a cable path, a path that supports Internet communications (e.g., IPTV), free-space connections (e.g., for broadcast or other wireless signals), or any other suitable wired or wireless communication path or combination of such paths. Communication network408communicatively couples various components of system400to one another. For instance, server402may be communicatively coupled to content item source404, content item guidance data source406, and/or computing device410via communication network408.

In some examples, content item source404and content item guidance data source406may be integrated as one device. Content item source404may include one or more types of content item distribution equipment including a television distribution facility, cable system headend, satellite distribution facility, programming sources (e.g., television broadcasters, such as NBC, ABC, HBO, etc.), intermediate distribution facilities and/or servers, Internet providers, on-demand media servers, and other content item providers. NBC is a trademark owned by the National Broadcasting Company, Inc.; ABC is a trademark owned by the American Broadcasting Company, Inc.; and HBO is a trademark owned by the Home Box Office, Inc. Content item source404may be the originator of content item (e.g., a television broadcaster, a Webcast provider, etc.) or may not be the originator of content item (e.g., an on-demand content item provider, an Internet provider of content item of broadcast programs for downloading, etc.). Content item source404may include cable sources, satellite providers, on-demand providers, Internet providers, over-the-top content item providers, or other providers of content. Content item source404may also include a remote media server used to store different types of content item (e.g., including video content item selected by a user) in a location remote from computing device410. Systems and methods for remote storage of content item and providing remotely stored content item to user equipment are discussed in greater detail in connection with Ellis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,761,892, issued Jul. 20, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

As described in further detail below, server402manages the communication of a live content item stream (e.g., a live sporting event broadcast, a live news broadcast, or the like) and recorded streams from content item source404to computing device410via communication network408. For instance, in some embodiments, content item from content item source404and/or guidance data from content item guidance data source406may be provided to computing device410using a client/server approach. In such examples, computing device410may pull content item and/or content item guidance data from server402and/or server402may push content item and/or content item guidance data to computing device410. In some embodiments, a client application residing on computing device410may initiate sessions with server402, content item source404, and/or content item guidance data source406to obtain content item and/or guidance data when needed, e.g., when the guidance data is out of date or when computing device410receives a request from the user to receive content item or guidance data. In various aspects, server402may also be configured to detect events within the live content item stream and, based on the detected events, control the display of content item and/or navigation menu options via computing device410. Additionally, althoughFIG.4shows content item source404and content item guidance data source406as separate from server402, in some embodiments, content item source404and/or content item guidance data source406may be integrated as one device with server402.

Content item and/or content item guidance data delivered to computing device410may be over-the-top (OTT) content. OTT content item delivery allows Internet-enabled user devices, such as computing device410, to receive content item that is transferred over the Internet, including any content item described above, in addition to content item received over cable or satellite connections. OTT content item is delivered via an Internet connection provided by an Internet service provider (ISP), but a third party distributes the content. The ISP may not be responsible for the viewing abilities, copyrights, or redistribution of the content, and may transfer only IP packets provided by the OTT content item provider. Examples of OTT content item providers include FACEBOOK, AMAZON, YOUTUBE, NETFLIX, and HULU, which provide audio and video via IP packets. YouTube is a trademark owned by Google LLC; Netflix is a trademark owned by Netflix, Inc.; Hulu is a trademark owned by Hulu, LLC; Facebook is a trademark owned by Facebook, Inc.; and Amazon is a trademark owned by Amazon.com, Inc. OTT content item providers may also include any other OTT content item provider. OTT content item providers may additionally or alternatively provide content item guidance data described above. In addition to content item and/or content item guidance data, providers of OTT content item can distribute applications (e.g., web-based applications or cloud-based applications), or the content item can be displayed by applications stored on computing device410.

FIG.5is an illustrative block diagram showing additional details of the system500, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. In particular, server501(e.g., the same server as server402) includes control circuitry502and an input/output I/O circuitry508, and control circuitry502includes storage505and processing circuitry506. In one embodiment, the storage504includes non-transitory storage instructions that when executed by the processing circuitry506cause dual mode trick play applications as described inFIGS.1,2and3above. Computing device560(e.g., one or more of devices510a,510b, and510c) includes control circuitry510, I/O circuitry516, speaker518, display520, and user input interface522. Control circuitry510includes storage512and processing circuitry514. Control circuitry502and/or510may be based on any suitable processing circuitry such as processing circuitry506and/or514. As referred to herein, processing circuitry should be understood to mean circuitry based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc., and may include a multi-core processor (e.g., dual-core, quad-core, hexa-core, or any suitable number of cores). In some embodiments, processing circuitry may be distributed across multiple separate processors, for example, multiple of the same type of processors (e.g., two Intel Core i9 processors) or multiple different processors (e.g., an Intel Core i7 processor and an Intel Core i9 processor).

Each of storage504, storage512, and/or storages of other components of system500(e.g., storages of content item source554, content item guidance data source556, and/or the like) may be an electronic storage device. In some embodiments, content item source554may be the same as content item source404. In some embodiments, content item guidance data source556may be the same as content item source406. As referred to herein, the phrase “electronic storage device” or “storage device” should be understood to mean any device for storing electronic data, computer software, or firmware, such as random-access memory, read-only memory, hard drives, optical drives, digital video disc (DVD) recorders, compact disc (CD) recorders, BLU-RAY disc (BD) recorders, BLU-RAY 3D disc recorders, digital video recorders (DVRs, sometimes called a personal video recorders, or PVRs), solid state devices, quantum storage devices, gaming consoles, gaming media, or any other suitable fixed or removable storage devices, and/or any combination of the same. Each of storage504, storage512, and/or storages of other components of system500may be used to store various types of content, content item guidance data, and or other types of data. Non-volatile memory may also be used (e.g., to launch a boot-up routine and other instructions). Cloud-based storage may be used to supplement storages504,512or instead of storages504,512. In some embodiments, control circuitry502and/or510executes instructions for a content item recommendation application stored in memory (e.g., storage504and/or512). Specifically, control circuitry502and/or510may be instructed by the content item recommendation application to perform the functions discussed herein. In some implementations, any action performed by control circuitry502and/or510may be based on instructions received from the content item recommendation application. For example, the content item recommendation application may be implemented as software or a set of executable instructions that may be stored in storage504and/or512and executed by control circuitry502and/or510. In some embodiments, the content item recommendation application may be a client/server content item recommendation application where only a client content item recommendation application resides on computing device560, and a server content item recommendation application resides on server501.

The content item recommendation application may be implemented using any suitable architecture. For example, it may be a stand-alone content item recommendation application wholly implemented on computing device560. In such an approach, instructions for the content item recommendation application are stored locally (e.g., in storage512), and data for use by the content item recommendation application is downloaded on a periodic basis (e.g., from an out-of-band feed, from an Internet resource, or using another suitable approach). Control circuitry510may retrieve instructions for the content item recommendation application from storage512and process the instructions to perform the functionality described herein. Based on the processed instructions, control circuitry510may determine what action to perform when input is received from user input interface522.

In client/server-based embodiments, control circuitry510may include communication circuitry suitable for communicating with a content item recommendation application server (e.g., server501) or other networks or servers. The instructions for carrying out the functionality described herein may be stored on the application server. Communication circuitry may include a cable modem, an integrated service digital network (ISDN) modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem, an Ethernet card, a wireless modem for communication with other equipment, or any other suitable communication circuitry. Such communication may involve the Internet or any other suitable communication networks or paths (e.g., communication network558). In some embodiments, communication network558may be the same as network308. In another example of a client/server-based application, control circuitry510runs a web browser that interprets web pages provided by a remote server (e.g., server501). For example, the remote server may store the instructions for the application in a storage device. The remote server may process the stored instructions using circuitry (e.g., control circuitry502) and generate the displays discussed above and below. Computing device560may receive the displays generated by the remote server and may display the content item of the displays locally via display520. This way, the processing of the instructions is performed remotely (e.g., by server501) while the resulting displays, such as the display windows described elsewhere herein, are provided locally on computing device560. For example, computing device560may include display circuitry (e.g., video card circuitry or combination motherboard and video card circuitry) configured to generate for display the display windows. Computing device560may receive inputs from the user via input interface522and transmit those inputs to the remote server for processing and generating the corresponding displays.

A user may send instructions to control circuitry502and/or510using user input interface522. User input interface522may be any suitable user interface, such as a remote control, trackball, keypad, keyboard, touchscreen, touchpad, stylus input, joystick, voice recognition interface, or other user input interfaces. User input interface522may be integrated with or combined with display520, which may be a monitor, television, liquid crystal display (LCD), electronic ink display, or any other equipment suitable for displaying visual images.

Server501and computing device560may receive content item and data via input/output (hereinafter “I/O”) circuitries508and516, respectively. Although, I/O circuitries are shown, some embodiments may include I/O paths coupled to the circuitries (e.g., network cards, transceivers etc.) For instance, I/O circuitry516is a circuitry that includes one or more of communication port configured to receive a live content item stream from server501and/or content item source554via a communication network558. Storage512may be configured to buffer the received live content item stream for playback and display520may be configured to present the buffered content, navigation options, alerts, and/or the like via a primary display window and/or a secondary display window. I/O circuitries508,516may provide content item (e.g., a live stream of content, broadcast programming, on-demand programming, Internet content, content item available over a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), and/or other content) and data to control circuitry502,510. Control circuitry502,510may be used to send and receive commands, requests, and other suitable data using I/O circuitries508,516. I/O circuitries508,516may connect control circuitry502,510(and specifically processing circuitry506,514) to one or more communication circuitries (described below). I/O functions may be provided by one or more of these communication circuitries but are shown as single paths inFIG.5to avoid overcomplicating the drawing.

Having described systems400and500, reference is now made toFIG.6, which depicts an illustrative flowchart of process600for playback of streaming media content during a dual mode trick play operation that may be implemented by using systems400, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. In various embodiments, the individual steps of process600may be implemented by one or more components of systems400and500. Although the present disclosure may describe certain steps of process600(and of other processes described herein) as being implemented by certain components of systems400and500, this is for purposes of illustration only, and it should be understood that other components of systems400and500may implement those steps instead. For example, steps of process600may be executed by server501and/or by computing device560to provide playback of streaming media content during a dual mode trick play operation.

At step602, I/O circuitry (e.g., I/O circuitry508ofFIG.5) receives a media content stream at a device. In one example, the device is Server1as shown inFIG.1. Media content stream may refer to any type of media content constantly received by and presented to a user while being delivered by a provider. Some examples of media include any kind of video, audio, text, or multimedia content, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the I/O circuitry receives the media via an API from a server (e.g., server501) or from a media content item guidance data source (e.g., content item guidance data source556). For example, I/O circuitry may access a screen (e.g., provide input for the algorithms) or database and receive media content via communications network (e.g., network558). In one embodiment, the server501may store the media content locally in storage505.

At step604, control circuitry generates an I-frame only playlist from the media content stream. In one embodiment, the I-frame only playlist comprises a plurality of only I-frames for playback. In one embodiment, the media content stream is a source playlist comprising a plurality of I-frames and corresponding B and P frames. In one embodiment, control circuitry functions as a decoder by decoding selected frames in the source playlist. In one embodiment, the control circuitry discards the B-frames and the P-frames to generate an I-frame only playlist including only the I-frames. At step606, control circuitry selects a set of I-frames among the plurality of I-frames for scan play back mode based on metadata associated with the media content stream. In one embodiment, the metadata includes data corresponding to media content. Some examples of metadata includes identification of frames associated with a scene change in media content, identification of frames associated with advertisements in the media content, identification of frame associated with time intervals in the media content, size of the frames of the media content, and random frames of the media content. At step608, control circuitry generates a curated I-frame only playlist of the selected set of I-frames for display during scan play back mode. In one embodiment, each of the selected set of I-frames are downloaded to be displayed on a user device during scan play back mode.

FIG.7depicts an illustrative flowchart of process700for playback of streaming media content during a dual mode trick play operation that may be implemented by using systems400and500, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. In various embodiments, individual steps of process700may be implemented by one or more components of systems400and500. Although the present disclosure may describe certain steps of process700(and of other processes described herein) as being implemented by certain components of systems400and500, this is for purposes of illustration only, and it should be understood that other components of systems400and500may implement those steps instead. For example, steps of process700may be executed by server501and/or by computing device560. In some embodiments, the control circuitry510may use process700as part of process600ofFIG.6(e.g., in addition to steps602-608).

At step702, control circuitry displays a curated I-frame only playlist during scan play back mode. As discussed above, the curated I-frame only playlist includes selected I-frames among a plurality of I-frames in I-frame only playlist. At step704, the control circuitry determines a switch from the scan play back mode to a scrub play back mode. In one embodiment, the switch is determined when the user releases the progress bar and system automatically fast forwards/fast reverses the video. At step706, the control circuitry retrieves an I-frame only playlist. As discussed above, the I-frame only playlist includes all the I-frames. At step708, the control circuitry replaces the curated I-frame only playlist with the I-frame only playlist for display in the scrub play back mode.

FIG.8depicts an illustrative flowchart of process800for playback of streaming media content during scan mode playback operation that may be implemented by using systems400and500, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. In various embodiments, individual steps of process800may be implemented by one or more components of systems400and500. Although the present disclosure may describe certain steps of process800(and of other processes described herein) as being implemented by certain components of systems400and500, this is for purposes of illustration only, and it should be understood that other components of systems400and500may implement those steps instead. For example, steps of process800may be executed by server501and/or by computing device560.

At step802, control circuitry receives a media content stream including a plurality of I-frames and data frames corresponding to each of the plurality of I-frames, wherein the media content stream including a plurality of segments each of which includes two or more I-frames among the plurality of I-frames. In one embodiment, the media content stream is a source playlist comprising a plurality of I-frames and corresponding B and P frames. The source playlist includes multiple segments each of which include at least two or more I-frames and corresponding B and P frames. At step804, the control circuitry detects an I-frame among the two or more I-frames in the beginning of each of the segment. In one embodiment, the control circuitry accesses source playlist metadata to detect the I-frame in the beginning of each segment. The source playlist metadata includes addressees of each of the segments in the source playlist and an identifier assigned to each of the I-frames that indicates all segments must begin with an I-Frame. In one embodiment, the control circuitry fetches for the identifier in each of the segments. At step806, the control circuitry retrieves each of the detected I-frames from each of the segments in the media stream. At step808, the control circuitry, generates an I-frame only playlist including the retrieved I-frames for display. In one embodiment, the control circuitry discards all the B and P frames corresponding to the detected I-frames. In one embodiment, the control circuitry discards all other I-frames that are not identified at the beginning of the segment and B and P frames corresponding to the other frames.

The systems and processes discussed above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the actions of the processes discussed herein may be omitted, modified, combined, and/or rearranged, and any additional actions may be performed without departing from the scope of the invention. More generally, the above disclosure is meant to be exemplary and not limiting. Only the claims that follow are meant to set bounds as to what the present disclosure includes. Furthermore, it should be noted that the features and limitations described in any one embodiment may be applied to any other embodiment herein, and flowcharts or examples relating to one embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment in a suitable manner, done in different orders, or done in parallel. In addition, the systems and methods described herein may be performed in real time. It should also be noted that the systems and/or methods described above may be applied to, or used in accordance with, other systems and/or methods.