Patent ID: 8355433

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for encoding a video stream associated with a content title for adaptive video streaming, the method comprising: applying a video codec to the video stream at a specific playback bit rate to generate a sequence of groups of pictures (GOPs), wherein each GOP is associated with a playback time interval and a different playback offset and includes a key frame and one or more frames of video data; applying an advanced system format to the sequence of GOPs to generate one or more data packets that include the sequence of GOPs; generating a sequence header index for the sequence of GOPs that includes a first switch point corresponding to a first GOP in the sequence of GOPs, wherein the first switch point specifies the playback offset associated with the first GOP and a first data packet that includes a first key frame included in the first GOP; and combining the sequence header index with the one or more data packets to generate an encoded video stream, wherein the sequence header index causes a content player currently playing the encoded video stream to identify the first switch point as an appropriate switching point and request the first data packet specified by the first switch point for playback.