Abstract: A set of techniques leverages a real-time version of a media stream to gather information on its content which information is used to improve or augment the service delivery of other versions (e.g., live or video-on-demand) of the same stream. These techniques take advantage of the fact that the real-time version of a stream is sufficiently ahead, in time, from any other version to enable the gathering and use of information on the stream content.

Abstract: The following describes techniques to maintain continuity of a live media stream. A media stream includes a first distribution layer with a first set of key frames and a set of delta frames succeeding key frames in the first set of key frames. The media stream also includes a second distribution layer including a second set of key frames, where the second set of key frames contains fewer key frames than the first set of key frames. Using the first and second distribution layers, a client device may subscribe to the media stream with a minimized start-up time and optimized quality of experience among varying complexity of the media content and dynamic network conditions.

Abstract: A system interconnects multiple client devices over a network. A local group of the client devices is located at a live event and a remote group is located remote from the live event. Each client device of the local group is a potential source of a live stream which, when rendered by another client device, causes display of a vantage point of the live event. The system dynamically updates a subscription list to include an indication of any client device of the local group that is actively live streaming and remove an indication of any client device of the local group that terminated live streaming. The system can enable selective access to any live streams of any client device of the updated subscription list and disable access to any live streams of any client device removed from the updated subscription list.

Abstract: A method for targeted content insertion in real-time streaming. The method leverages the different ordered signals available on a multi-step process that clients follow when subscribing to a real-time media (video and/or audio) stream including selecting a region, connecting to a control channel, and subscribing to a stream to guide a multi-stage process of content selection, transcoding, and insertion in a real-time media stream. A system is also specified for implementing the described method on a real-time streaming architecture.

Abstract: A client device is communicatively coupled to a platform that distributes live streams over a network to multiple client devices. The live streams provide a live broadcast of a live event from multiple viewpoints captured by source devices including a first source device. A first live stream is provided to the client device, which renders a first viewpoint captured from the first source device. The client device is displays a second viewpoint with a different vantage point by rendering a second live stream of a second source device. The second live stream is delayed for rendering until a beginning of a next scene of the first live stream.

Abstract: A real-time streaming service predicts an incoming flash crowd event and manages computing resources to respond to the event before traffic peaks, thus reducing the likelihood that the streaming service's resources will be overwhelmed. Embodiments of a real-time streaming server predict a flash crowd event by detecting actions by client devices during a multi-step process to access a real-time content stream from an endpoint server cluster. Initially, the endpoint server has first computing resources configured to stream the content stream to the client devices. The streaming server provisions second computing resources at the endpoint server based on a rate at which the client devices perform an action associated with a first step in the multi-step process. The second computing resources are configured to stream the real-time content stream based on a rate at which the client devices perform an action associated with a second step in the multi-step process.

Abstract: The following describes techniques to maintain continuity of a live media stream. A media stream includes a first distribution layer with a first set of key frames and a set of delta frames succeeding key frames in the first set of key frames. The media stream also includes a second distribution layer including a second set of key frames, where the second set of key frames contains fewer key frames than the first set of key frames. Using the first and second distribution layers, a client device may subscribe to the media stream with a minimized start-up time and optimized quality of experience among varying complexity of the media content and dynamic network conditions.

Abstract: A method includes communicatively coupling a first client device to a platform that distributes live streams over a network to client devices. The live streams provide a live broadcast of a live event from multiple viewpoints captured by source devices including a second client device. An indication is received of a selection of a first viewpoint from the first client device and, in response, a first live stream is provided to the first client device. The first client device is caused to display a second viewpoint with a different vantage point by rendering a second live stream of a second source device. The second live stream is delayed for rendering until a beginning of a next scene of the first live stream.

Abstract: A system interconnects multiple client devices over a network. A local group of the client devices is located at a live event and a remote group is located remote from the live event. Each client device of the local group is a potential source of a live stream which, when rendered by another client device, causes display of a vantage point of the live event. The system dynamically updates a subscription list to include an indication of any client device of the local group that is actively live streaming and remove an indication of any client device of the local group that terminated live streaming. The system can enable selective access to any live streams of any client device of the updated subscription list and disable access to any live streams of any client device removed from the updated subscription list.

Abstract: A real-time streaming service predicts an incoming flash crowd event and manages computing resources to respond to the event before traffic peaks, thus reducing the likelihood that the streaming service's resources will be overwhelmed. Embodiments of a real-time streaming server predict a flash crowd event by detecting actions by client devices during a multi-step process to access a real-time content stream from an endpoint server cluster. Initially, the endpoint server has first computing resources configured to stream the content stream to the client devices. The streaming server provisions second computing resources at the endpoint server based on a rate at which the client devices perform an action associated with a first step in the multi-step process. The second computing resources are configured to stream the real-time content stream based on a rate at which the client devices perform an action associated with a second step in the multi-step process.

Abstract: The following describes techniques to maintain continuity of a live media stream. A media stream includes a first distribution layer with a first set of key frames and a set of delta frames succeeding key frames in the first set of key frames. The media stream also includes a second distribution layer including a second set of key frames, where the second set of key frames contains fewer key frames than the first set of key frames. Using the first and second distribution layers, a client device may subscribe to the media stream with a minimized start-up time and optimized quality of experience among varying complexity of the media content and dynamic network conditions.

Abstract: A comfortable, quiet, and safe, lightweight seat which is designed for hunters, birdwatchers, hikers, and tourists to be used with any upright object such as a tree, column, or pole. The soft, flexible, sling-type seat is set up in one motion by means of a spring-braced clip and requires no adjustments since the seat automatically levels itself and automatically tightens its support around the upright object by means of a readily sliding suspending cord, and is easily tilted to any position by the user due to its balanced fulcrums. When not in use it can be neatly rolled up and placed in pocket, knapsack, or handbag.