Abstract: Media content typically includes closed captioning information such as subtitles in domestic and foreign languages. Techniques and mechanisms provide that closed captioning information may be toggled on/off using menu options and preferences as well as automatically managed by intelligently monitoring the environment surrounding a device. Device sensors such as microphones and vibration monitors determine the noise level of an environment as well as the spectral characteristics of the noise to determine whether the noise profile would interfere with the video playback experience. A particular environmental noise profile could automatically trigger the display of closed captioning information or present an easy access, otherwise unavailable toggle to display closed captioning information associated with a video stream.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate consecutive live ad insertion for live media streams. A live media stream is received and played at a client device. A first ad indicator in the live media stream, indicating a first start point for a first ad period, is detected. Upon reaching the first start point, reception of the live media stream is paused and one or more first replacement ads are played instead of one or more first original ads. Before the first ad period ends, a small portion of the live media stream is fetched in order to detect the presence of a second ad indicator indicating the presence of a second, consecutive ad period in the live media stream. Upon detecting the second ad indicator, one or more second replacement ads are played during the second ad period.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods used in a media streaming system in which at least two representations of a media content item are available are provided. An apparatus (500, 600) has a processor (504, 604) configured to generate signals when a change of representation and bandwidth is occurring in a sequence of segments of the media content item to be used by a streaming application.

Abstract: A method of controlling adaptive HTTP streaming of media content between a HTTP server and a HTTP client in a communication system, in which system media content is arranged as a plurality of periods, and each such period comprises a plurality of representations of media segments, which method includes the steps of providing temporal alignment information for the media segments of the plurality of representations, which temporal alignment information provides indications about a temporal relation between the segments of the plurality of representations of the media content. Further, the method includes providing key frame location information for the media segments, which key frame location information provides indications about locations of key frames in the media segments of the plurality of representations. Finally, controlling adaptation of the HTTP streaming of the media content based on at least one of the provided temporal alignment information and the provided key frame location information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tuning to a channel of a Moving Pictures Expert Group transport stream (MPEG-TS), for example used in an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network, are provided for optimizing a channel change procedure. The method comprises the steps of receiving a MPEG transport stream at a first bit rate, the MPEG transport stream comprising a plurality of television channels. Program clock reference (PCR) values are identified in the received MPEG transport stream, and one or more of the program clock reference (PCR) values are adjusted. The MPEG transport stream, including the adjusted program clock reference values, are transmitted at a second bit rate, for example to a receiver device such as a set top box, thereby enabling the set top box to perform a channel change procedure more quickly.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the management of encoders for live media content streams. A media content system may employ potentially many encoders to encode potentially many live media content streams. When supporting many live media content streams, there may be some channels that are not being viewed by anyone at a particular time. In some such situations, an encoder encoding a live media content stream that is not being viewed may be disabled. Then, live media content associated with the live media content stream may be stored in a buffer and updated as new live media content is received. When a user transmits a request to view a channel for which the encoder has been disabled, an encoder for the requested channel may be enabled. The buffered data may be used to quickly initialize the encoder.

Abstract: In a method of enabling representation switching during HTTP streaming sessions in a communication system, arranging available representations into groups, providing information identifying the groups and their respective representations, and switching representation based on the provided group identify information.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and arrangements for accomplishing trick modes. This is achieved by assigning samples within a track to sample groups, wherein all samples within a sample group belong to one temporal level and by allowing the client to access one temporal level independently of lower temporal levels. In this way, the flexibility for the client regarding play out of different frame rates is increased which can result in a lower bandwidth utilization.

Abstract: In a method of enabling representation switching during HTTP streaming sessions in a communication system, arranging (S10) available representations into groups, providing (S20) information identifying the groups and their respective representations, and switching (S30) representation based on the provided group identify information.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and arrangements for accomplishing trick modes. This is achieved by assigning samples within a track to sample groups, wherein all samples within a sample group belong to one temporal level and by allowing the client to access one temporal level independently of lower temporal levels. In this way, the flexibility for the client regarding play out of different frame rates is increased which can result in a lower bandwidth utilization.

Abstract: A method of controlling adaptive HTTP streaming of media content between a HTTP server and a HTTP client in a communication system, in which system media content is arranged as a plurality of periods, and each such period comprises a plurality of representations of media segments, which method includes the steps of providing temporal alignment information for the media segments of the plurality of representations, which temporal alignment information provides indications about a temporal relation between the segments of the plurality of representations of the media content. Further, the method includes providing key frame location information for the media segments, which key frame location information provides indications about locations of key frames in the media segments of the plurality of representations. Finally, controlling adaptation of the HTTP streaming of the media content based on at least one of the provided temporal alignment information and the provided key frame location information.

Abstract: A method of controlling adaptive HTTP streaming of media content between a HTTP server and a HTTP client in a communication system, in which system media content is arranged as a plurality of periods, and each such period comprises a plurality of representations of media segments, which method includes the steps of providing (S10) temporal alignment information for the media segments of the plurality of representations, which temporal alignment information provides indications about a temporal relation between the segments of the plurality of representations of the media content. Further, the method includes providing (S20) key frame location information for the media segments, which key frame location information provides indications about locations of key frames in the media segments of the plurality of representations.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting communication channel delay asymmetry between transmission line protection devices. The method comprises: calculating, repeatedly, clock disparity between clocks of the protection devices and communication delays at different paths of the communication channel; comparing the latest calculated clock disparity and communication delays with previously calculated clock disparities and communication delays, respectively; determining a channel switching has happened if a change of the calculated clock disparity exceeds a first threshold, or a change of the calculated communication delays for any path exceeds a second threshold; and determining the channel delays as asymmetrical if a difference between the calculated communication delays of the different paths after the channel switching exceeds a third threshold.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for facilitating combined broadcast and unicast delivery of content. According to various embodiments, a media stream from a content provider may be received at a unicast server and at a broadcast server. The media stream may comprise a plurality of media stream fragments. A relative delay may be introduced into the media stream at the broadcast server such that media stream fragments transmitted from the broadcast server are delayed relative to media stream fragments transmitted from the unicast server. The media stream fragments may be transmitted to a user device. The user device may be operable to switch between receiving the media stream fragments from the unicast server and the broadcast server.

Abstract: A multimedia provider (100) generates, based on a request for a media channel from a user terminal (10), a session set-up description that is returned to the user terminal (10). The description defines, when processed in the terminal (10), a session window (20) that is displayed on a screen (12) of the terminal and comprises a region (22) for displaying media data of a requested channel and a channel region (24) comprising information on alternative available media channels. The description also defines a binding between user inputs (14) of the terminal (10) and identifiers of the alternative channels. The set-up description allows for a user-friendly channel switch by automatically transmitting a channel switch request to the multimedia provider (100) upon a triggering of the user input (14) that is associated with the identifier of the requested media channel. The description, thus, provides a visually appealing graphical interface and simultaneously allows for a user-friendly media channel switch.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for facilitating combined broadcast and unicast delivery of content. According to various embodiments, a media stream from a content provider may be received at a unicast server and at a broadcast server. The media stream may comprise a plurality of media stream fragments. A relative delay may be introduced into the media stream at the broadcast server such that media stream fragments transmitted from the broadcast server are delayed relative to media stream fragments transmitted from the unicast server. The media stream fragments may be transmitted to a user device. The user device may be operable to switch between receiving the media stream fragments from the unicast server and the broadcast server.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the efficient common storage of partially encrypted content. According to various embodiments, a client device to transmit a designated representation of a media content item via a communications interface may be received. The media content item may be associated with a plurality of representations including the designated representation. The media content item may be associated with first media content data and second media content data. The first media content data may be shared among the plurality of representations. The second media content data may be specific to the designated representation. The first media content data may be combined with the second media content data to create a designated partially encrypted media content portion associated with the designated representation via a processor. The designated partially encrypted media content portion may be transmitted to the client device via the communications interface.

Abstract: A stream (1) of media frames (12-16, 22-26, 32-36) is generated by providing multiple media frames (22-26) having respective assigned default timestamps (40) defining rendering times of the media data of the media frames (22-26) according to a default rendering time schedule. Respective alternative timestamps (50) are assigned to at least a portion of the media frames (22-26). These alternative timestamps (50) define alternative rendering times of the media data of the media frames (22-26) according to an alternative rendering time schedule. The alternative timestamps (50) can be used for providing an efficient media rendering when tuning in to the stream (1) at an intermediate position of a frame grouping (20) of the media frames (22-26) thereby missing some of the media frames (22, 24) of the frame grouping (20).

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the management of digital rights for media content item presentation. According to various embodiments, a request for a content decryption key may be received at a media application implemented at a computing device. The request may be transmitted by a media content player implemented at the computing device. The request may be transmitted in accordance with a designated key exchange protocol. A license for an encrypted media content item corresponding with the requested content decryption key may be identified at the media application. Based on information included in the license, encrypted key material may be decrypted to create the requested content decryption key via a processor at the computing device. The requested content decryption key may be provided to the media content player.

Abstract: A synchronization method for current differential protection comprises: selecting a point on the transmission line protected by the current differential protection; measuring the current and the voltage of each of the terminals of said transmission line; calculating the compensating voltage at the selected point respectively according to the measured current and the voltage of the each terminal; detecting and calculating the synchronization error by comparing all the compensating voltages.