Streaming Video Data to Mobile Devices

Abstract

The streaming of video data to mobile devices ( 101 to 103 ) is shown in which a support server ( 106 ) and an asset server ( 107, 108 ) are provided. The support server receives a first request ( 303 ) from a mobile device for a selected video asset. The support server relays ( 304, 305 ) the first request to the asset server. The asset server serves ( 306 ) the selected video stream to the requesting mobile device from the start of the asset. The support server is halted ( 307 ) from streaming video and the asset server provides an indication ( 308 ) of the halt position to the support server. The support server records an indication of the mobile device and the halt position of the asset. The support server receives a second request ( 311 ) from the mobile device for the selected asset. The support server relays ( 310 to 313 ) the selected request to the asset server and the asset server serves ( 314 ) the selected asset as a video stream to the requesting mobile device from the previous halt position.

1 . Apparatus for streaming video data to mobile devices comprising a support server and an asset server, wherein:
 said support server receives a first request from a mobile device for a selected video asset;   said support server relays the first request to the asset server;   the asset server serves the selected video stream to the requesting mobile device from the start of the asset;   when the streaming video is halted, the asset server provides an indication of the halt position to the support server;   the support server records an indication of the mobile device and the halt position of the asset;   the support server receives a second request from the mobile device for the selected asset;   the support server relays the second request to the asset server; and   the asset server serves the selected asset as a video stream to the requesting mobile device from the previous halt position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is a mobile cellular telephone. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said mobile cellular telephone is configured to display a resume menu, as a result of the relaying of the second request to the asset server. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support server includes a database and the recording of said indication is recorded in said database. 
     
     
         5 . A method of streaming video data to mobile devices, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a first request at a support server from a mobile device for a selected video asset;   relaying said first request to an asset server;   serving the selected asset as a video stream to the requesting mobile device, from the start of the asset;   halting said video streaming at a halt position and providing an indication of said halt position to the support server;   recording at the support server an indication of the mobile device and the halt position of the asset;   receiving a second request from said mobile device for said selected asset;   relaying said second request and said halt position to an asset server; and   serving the selected asset as a video stream to the requesting mobile device from the previous halt position.   
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the second and subsequent request to the asset server includes data identifying a start location. 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said data identifying a start location is conveyed in accordance with a common gateway interface. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said step of relaying said first request includes issuing a token to said mobile device and to an asset server. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said mobile device issues a request to the asset server and said request includes details of said token. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said asset server compares tokens before streaming asset data. 
     
     
         11 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with program instructions executable by a computer or by a network of computers configured to implement an asset server within a mobile telecommunications environment such that when executing said instructions said asset server will perform the steps of:
 receiving a first request from a mobile device for a selected video asset;   relaying said first request to an asset server;   recording an indication of the mobile device and a halt position for the asset when a halt condition is created;   receiving a second request from said mobile device for the selected asset;   relaying said second request and said halt position through an asset server, so that said server may serve the selected asset as a video stream to the requesting mobile device from the previous halt position.   
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with program instructions executable by a computer as claimed in  claim 11 , such that when executing said instructions a feature length movie is selected as the video asset. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with program instructions executable by a computer as claimed in  claim 11 , such that when executing said instructions the asset server communicates with the support server in accordance with the real time streaming protocol. 
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with program instructions executable by a computer as claimed in  claim 11 , such that when executing said instructions the asset server performs a halting process as a result of an activation made by a user or as a result of a network failure. 
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with program instructions executable by a computer as claimed in  claim 11 , such that when executing said instructions at the support server the recording of the indication is written to a database held at the support server.