Controlled streaming of segmented content

Abstract

Methods and systems for enabling client-controlled streaming of segmented content are described. In one example, the client-controlled streaming is on the basis of a manifest file, the manifest file including one or more segments identifiers and one or more associated segment locators. In one example, a method involves: requesting the delivery of at least one segment on the basis of a first segment identifier selected from the manifest file; on the basis of the first requested segment, selecting a second at least one segment identifier from the manifest file, the second segment identifier being associated with an expected future segment request; and pre-resolving a first segment locator associated with the selected second segment identifier for obtaining network information associated with the first segment locator.

1 . A method for enabling streaming of segmented content on the basis of a manifest file, said manifest file comprising one or more segment identifiers and one or more associated segment locators for locating one or more delivery nodes configured to deliver one or more segments, identified by said segment identifiers, to a client, said method comprising:
 requesting the delivery of at least one segment on the basis of a first segment identifier in said manifest file;   on the basis of said first segment identifier, selecting a second segment identifier from said manifest file, said second segment identifier being associated with at least one expected future segment request; and   pre-resolving at least part of a first segment locator associated with said selected second segment identifier for obtaining network information associated with said first segment locator.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said network information comprises at least one of: information on at least part of a network address associated with at least part of said first segment locator; information indicating whether a first segment locator associated with said selected second segment identifier (i) points to a delivery node for delivery of a segment associated with said expected future segment request, or iii) points to a network node for redirection of said expected future segment request; or at least part of a second segment locator associated with said selected second segment identifier. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 pre-resolving at least part of said first segment locator into at least part of a second segment locator associated with said selected further segment identifier, if said first segment locator points to a network node for redirection.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 modifying said manifest file on the basis of said network information.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 modifying said manifest file on the basis of said at least part of said second segment locator.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pre-resolving comprises:
 sending a request for network information to a network node associated with said first segment locator;   receiving a response message; and   determining on the basis of said response message whether said first segment locator associated with said selected second segment identifier points (i) to a delivery node for delivery of a segment associated with said expected future segment request or (ii) to a network node for redirection of said expected future segment request.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said request for network information comprises at least one of: an HTTP, RTSP or DNS protocol message. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pre-resolving is executed as a background process during at least part of the delivery of said at least one segment. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selecting said second segment identifier on the basis of at least part of: a user profile of a user, a user navigation history, user interaction with the segmented content and/or a geo-location of the client and/or the user.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said manifest file comprises one or more markers for marking one or more further segment identifiers for future segment requests, wherein said marker comprises a ranking value. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pre-resolving comprises:
 transmitting a request for network information to a first content delivery network (CDN), said request comprising at least said selected second segment identifier;   said first CDN transmitting an inter-CDN request message comprising said selected second segment identifier, to a second CDN for negotiating future delivery of said segment identified by said selected second segment identifier; and   said first CDN receiving an inter-CDN response message comprising location information said one or more delivery nodes configured to deliver a segment identified by said selected second segment identifier to a client,   wherein, said inter-CDN request message comprises an indicator, allowing said second CDN to determine that the inter-CDN request message is associated with the pre-resolving of a segment locator.   
     
     
         12 . A client for client-controlled streaming of segmented content hosted on one or more delivery nodes in a network, said client comprising:
 a manifest cache for storing at least part of a manifest file, said manifest file comprising one or more segment identifiers and one or more associated segment locators for locating one or more delivery nodes configured to deliver one or more segments identified by said segment identifiers to said client;   a segment retrieval function for requesting the delivery of at least one segment on the basis of a first segment identifier in said manifest file;   a segment selector configured for selecting on the basis of said first segment identifier, a second segment identifier associated with at least one expected future segment request; and   a pre-resolving function for pre-resolving at least part of a first segment locator associated with said second segment identifier for obtaining network information associated with said first segment locator.   
     
     
         13 . A network node for use with a client, said network node being associated with a first content delivery network (CDN) and configured for:
 receiving from a client a request for network information associated with a segment locator, said segment locator being associated with a segment identifier identifying a segment; and   transmitting an inter-CDN request message comprising at least part of said segment locator and said segment identifier, to a second CDN for negotiating future delivery of said segment;   wherein said inter-CDN request message comprises a flag allowing said second CDN to determine that said inter-CDN message is associated with the pre-resolving of a segment locator requested by said client.   
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A computer program product comprising software code portions configured for, when run in the memory of a computer, executing a method for enabling streaming of segmented content on the basis of a manifest file, said manifest file comprising one or more segment identifiers and one or more associated segment locators for locating one or more delivery nodes configured to deliver one or more segments, identified by said segment identifiers, to a client, said method comprising:
 requesting the delivery of at least one segment on the basis of a first segment identifier in said manifest file;   on the basis of said first segment identifier, selecting a second segment identifier from said manifest file, said second segment identifier being; associated with at least one expected future segment request; and   pre-resolving at least part of a first segment locator associated with said selected second segment identifier for obtaining network information associated with said first segment locator.