System and Method for Optimizing Playlist Information for Ultra Low Latency Live Streaming

Abstract

The present invention provides a major innovative development in low latency live streaming at scale which includes a Viewer to transmit a series of requests for Media Segments ahead-of-time the Media Segment data is expected to exist and a Server capable of delivering Media Segment data, as it is being generated, to one or more Viewers. Specifically, the invention incorporates a method of embedding Playlist Data into Media Segment data to enhance ultra-low latency playback, while providing an immediate transferring of essential Playlist Data to the Viewer.

1 . In a media streaming network having a broadcast component for producing a continuous stream of individual data segments from a given broadcast with each segment having an identifier, a viewer for receiving and utilizing said individual data segments to reconstruct said given broadcast, a server for providing said viewer with a playlist which may include recent incrementally updated playlist data, a viewer component for sending data segments to said viewer, a method comprising the steps of:
 creating a segment marker indicative of recent incrementally updated playlist data,   appending said segment marker to said first data segment,   transferring at least such portion of said a data segment that contains said segment marker to said viewer,   utilizing said segment marker to inform said viewer of said recent incrementally updated playlist data, and   causing said viewer to respond to said recent incrementally updated playlist data.