Abstract: A method and system for streaming multimedia data over a communication network. Live multimedia content is divided into multiple data chunks. Each generated data chunk: has a first chunk size, is associated with a respective portion of the live multimedia content, and is indexed according to a time associated with the live multimedia content such that each data chunk is associated with a unique time at which each data chunk begins. The data chunks having the first chunk size are stored as the data chunks having the first chunk size are being generated. The stored data chunks having the first chunk size, starting at the one stored data chunk, are converted to data chunks having a second chunk size that differs from the first chunk size. The data chunks having the second chunk size are directly transmitted to a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for subsequent transmission a client device.

Abstract: A method and an associated SDCDN device for delivering data content in a communication network. A software defined content delivery network (SDCDN) monitors one or more performance indicators regarding an exchange of the data content between a first content delivery network (CDN) and at least one client device using a communication channel, The SDCDN determines that at least one performance indicator of the one or more performance indicators exceeds a threshold performance value. The SDCDN identifies a different CDN in operative communication with the at least one client device. The different CDN includes the data content. In response to determining that at least one performance indicator- exceeds the threshold performance value, the SDCDN transmits a transfer command to the at least one client device to cause the at least one client device to switch to the different CDN and receive the data content from the different CDN.

Abstract: A method and system for streaming multimedia data over a communication network. Live multimedia content is divided into multiple data chunks. Each generated data chunk: has a first chunk size, is associated with a respective portion of the live multimedia content, and is indexed according to a time associated with the live multimedia content such that each data chunk is associated with a unique time at which each data chunk begins. The data chunks having the first chunk size are stored as the data chunks having the first chunk size are being generated. The stored data chunks having the first chunk size, starting at the one stored data chunk, are converted to data chunks having a second chunk size that differs from the first chunk size. The data chunks having the second chunk size are directly transmitted to a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for subsequent transmission a client device.

Abstract: A method and associated device for streaming multimedia data over a communication network. Data associated with live multimedia content is received. Portions of the data are processed into data chunks. Each data chunk is associated with the live multimedia content. A request is received for the live multimedia content. The data chunks associated with the live multimedia content are transmitted over the communication network, in response to the request for the live multimedia content.

Abstract: A bidirectional connection between a multimedia stream distribution system and a user is used to communicate operational data to and from the user. The bidirectional connection is separate from a multimedia connection that transfers a multimedia stream from the multimedia stream distribution system to the user. Providing a bidirectional connection separate from the multimedia connection is advantageous, among other reasons, because the operational data can be collected effectively at the multimedia stream distribution system independent of any limitations in the multimedia connection. To organize users and reduce processing load, the multimedia stream distribution system assigns users to user groups based on shared characteristics. Groups may be used to propagate information to the users as well as analyze information collected from the users in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A method and an associated SDCDN device for delivering data content in a communication network. A software defined content delivery network (SDCDN) monitors one or more performance indicators regarding an exchange of the data content between a first content delivery network (CDN) and at least one client device using a communication channel. The SDCDN determines that at least one performance indicator of the one or more performance indicators exceeds a threshold performance value. The SDCDN identifies a different CDN in operative communication with the at least one client device. The different CDN includes the data content. In response to determining that at least one performance indicator exceeds the threshold performance value, the SDCDN transmits a transfer command to the at least one client device to cause the at least one client device to switch to the different CDN and receive the data content from the different CDN.

Abstract: A method and associated device for streaming multimedia data over a communication network. Data associated with live multimedia content is received. Portions of the data are processed into data chunks. Each data chunk is associated with the live multimedia content. A request is received for the live multimedia content. The data chunks associated with the live multimedia content are transmitted over the communication network, in response to the request for the live multimedia content.

Abstract: A bidirectional connection between a multimedia stream distribution system and a user is used to communicate operational data to and from the user. The bidirectional connection is separate from a multimedia connection that transfers a multimedia stream from the multimedia stream distribution system to the user. Providing a bidirectional connection separate from the multimedia connection is advantageous, among other reasons, because the operational data can be collected effectively at the multimedia stream distribution system independent of any limitations in the multimedia connection. To organize users and reduce processing load, the multimedia stream distribution system assigns users to user groups based on shared characteristics. Groups may be used to propagate information to the users as well as analyze information collected from the users in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A bidirectional connection between a multimedia stream distribution system and a user is used to communicate operational data to and from the user. The bidirectional connection is separate from a multimedia connection that transfers a multimedia stream from the multimedia stream distribution system to the user. Providing a bidirectional connection separate from the multimedia connection is advantageous, among other reasons, because the operational data can be collected effectively at the multimedia stream distribution system independent of any limitations in the multimedia connection. To organize users and reduce processing load, the multimedia stream distribution system assigns users to user groups based on shared characteristics. Groups may be used to propagate information to the users as well as analyze information collected from the users in an efficient manner.

Abstract: An on-demand multimedia stream processing system receives multimedia streams from broadcasters and processes the streams for viewing on a wide range of client devices. To decrease the use of computing resources, processing jobs are started and stopped based on user demand. When a multimedia stream is received from a broadcaster, the processing system does not start processing the multimedia broadcast stream until a request for a processed stream is received. The processing system automatically terminates processing jobs when the audience of a processed stream drops to zero or some other stop condition is met.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, multimedia content may be streamed, together with associated timing information, to various users, who may provide feedback data in response to the multimedia content; the feedback data may be related to the multimedia content using the associated timing information, and then stored to some medium.

Abstract: An on-demand multimedia stream processing system receives multimedia streams from broadcasters and processes the streams for viewing on a wide range of client devices. To decrease the use of computing resources, processing jobs are started and stopped based on user demand. When a multimedia stream is received from a broadcaster, the processing system does not start processing the multimedia broadcast stream until a request for a processed stream is received. The processing system automatically terminates processing jobs when the audience of a processed stream drops to zero or some other stop condition is met.

Abstract: A bidirectional connection between a multimedia stream distribution system and a user is used to communicate operational data to and from the user. The bidirectional connection is separate from a multimedia connection that transfers a multimedia stream from the multimedia stream distribution system to the user. Providing a bidirectional connection separate from the multimedia connection is advantageous, among other reasons, because the operational data can be collected effectively at the multimedia stream distribution system independent of any limitations in the multimedia connection. To organize users and reduce processing load, the multimedia stream distribution system assigns users to user groups based on shared characteristics. Groups may be used to propagate information to the users as well as analyze information collected from the users in an efficient manner.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, multimedia content may be streamed, together with associated timing information, to various users, who may provide feedback data in response to the multimedia content; the feedback data may be related to the multimedia content using the associated timing information, and then stored to some medium.