System, server, and method for variable bit rate multimedia streaming

Abstract

System, method, and computer program products for implementing techniques for efficient delivery of variable bit rate streaming media assets having a variety of data formats. An embodiment provides delivery system for use in client server computer architecture in which server provides streaming media assets to at least one client over computer network, wherein media assets can have plurality of data formats, including a packet producer that acquires a streaming media asset in packetized form and places time stamps on packets that specify delivery time for each packet, a time stamp packet queue containing the packets with time stamps in a first in, first out order; and a feeder module that removes packets from the time stamp packet queue and transmits the removed packets to a client via the computer network, transmission for each packet concluded at least by the specified delivery time in each packet.

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       4 . In a client server computer architecture, a method of resolving delivery conflicts between at least two streaming media assets delivered simultaneously by a server to at least one client, wherein the at least one client has a pre read size value that indicates a capability of the client to pre read data, the streaming media assets comprising data packets having delivery time stamps, the method comprising the steps of
 detecting a delivery conflict between the at least two streaming media assets;   adjusting at least one of the time stamps to indicate an early delivery for at least one of the packets, wherein the adjusted time stamp is adjusted in accordance with the pre read size value; and   delivering the packets at least by times specified by the time stamps.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of the client communicating the pre read size value to the server when the client requests delivery of a streaming media asset. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of
 the server communicating to the client an optimum value for the pre read size value; and   the client allocating sufficient resources to accommodate the optimum value for the pre read size value.   
   
   
       7 . In a client server computer architecture, a method of resolving delivery conflicts between at least two streaming media assets delivered simultaneously by a server to at least one client, wherein the at least one client has a max buffer size value that indicates a capability of the client to accept delayed data, the streaming media assets comprising data packets having delivery time stamps, the method comprising the steps of
 detecting a delivery conflict between the at least two streaming media assets;   adjusting at least one of the time stamps to indicate a delayed delivery for at least one of the packets, wherein the adjusted time stamp is adjusted in accordance with the max buffer size value; and   delivering the packets at least by times specified by the time stamps.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of the client communicating the max buffer size value to the server when the client requests delivery of a streaming media asset. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the steps of
 the server communicating to the client an optimum value for the max buffer size value; and   the client allocating sufficient resources to accommodate the max buffer size value having the optimum value.   
   
   
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       11 . A computer program product, which, when executed on a computer, resolves delivery conflicts between at least two streaming media assets delivered simultaneously by a server to at least one client, wherein the at least one client has a pre read size value that indicates a capability of the client to pre read data, the streaming media assets comprising data packets having delivery time stamps, by executing the steps of
 detecting a delivery conflict between the at least two streaming media assets;   adjusting at least one of the time stamps to indicate an early delivery for at least one of the packets, wherein the adjusted time stamp is adjusted in accordance with the pre read size value; and   delivering the packets at least by times specified by the time stamps.   
   
   
       12 . A computer program product, which, when executed on a computer, resolves delivery conflicts between at least two streaming media assets delivered simultaneously by a server to at least one client, wherein the at least one client has a max buffer size value that indicates a capability of the client to accept delayed data, the streaming media assets comprising data packets having delivery time stamps, by executing the steps of:
 detecting a delivery conflict between the at least two streaming media assets;   adjusting at least one of the time stamps to indicate a delayed delivery for at least one of the packets, wherein the adjusted time stamp is adjusted in accordance with the max buffer size value; and   delivering the packets at least by times specified by the time stamps.   
   
   
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