Hulu, LLC

Alexander V Gutarin

Baptiste Coudurier

Eric Buehl

Robert A Post, Jr

Andrew Imam

Eden S Li

William Z Holt

Xinan Wu

Andrew Sadique Imam

In one embodiment, a method encodes a first set of segments of a media file based on a first bitrate range to generate a first set of encoded segments. It is then determined when an encoded segment for the first bitrate range includes a bitrate that satisfies a second bitrate range. When the encoded segment for the first bitrate range includes the bitrate that satisfies the second bitrate range, the method does not encode a segment in the first set of segments that corresponds to the encoded segment when the media file is encoded based on the second bitrate range to generate a second set of encoded segments for the second bitrate range. A first playlist for the first bitrate range is identified and a second playlist for the second bitrate range is identified. The second playlist also includes the encoded segment that was encoded for the first bitrate range.

Encoding optimization using bitrate range comparisons for encoded segments

A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for providing advertisements with a media program transmitted to a user device are described. Different versions of a media program and advertisements are generated and segmented, and transmitted to a media player individually, allowing different advertisements to be selected for presentation to users according to user demographics and other factors.

Method and apparatus for providing streaming media programs and targeted advertisements using multiple advertisement version segments

In one embodiment, a method includes encoding a media file using a variable bitrate encoding algorithm based on a plurality of bitrate ranges to generate a set of encoded segments. For each bitrate range, an encoded segment for each segment of the media file is determined from the set of encoded segments based on a quality level of the encoded segment and each bitrate range. The method then identifies a playlist for each bitrate range including the encoded segment for each segment of the media file that was determined for each bitrate range. At least one playlist includes an encoded segment that was generated based on another bitrate range using the variable bitrate encoding algorithm.

Encoding optimization using quality level of encoded segments

In one embodiment, a method receives a first request from a user device for content. First geolocation information for the user device is determined. The method facilitates a determination whether the first geolocation information complies with a geographical restriction associated with the content. Then, the method receives second geolocation information provided by the user device from a media server that received a second request for the content from the user device and a token generated based on the first geolocation information complying with the geographical restriction. A determination whether the second geolocation information complies with the geographical restriction associated with the content is facilitated where the determination causes a message indicating whether to allow or deny the second request to be sent to the media server.

Geofiltering for content by location

In one embodiment, a method determines data describing a temporal variability of a bit rate of a first bitstream and receives the first bitstream through a communication channel. A throughput for the communication channel is determined. The method then compares the throughput of the communication channel with the data describing the temporal variability of the bit rate of the first bitstream to determine a variance of the first bitstream from the throughput for the communication channel for a portion of the media program not already received. An amount of data currently buffered in a buffer for the media program is determined and then the method compares the amount of data currently buffered to the variance for the portion to determine whether to switch to receiving a second bitstream. The second bitstream has a different bit rate from the first bitstream.

Adaptive bit rate switching

A method and apparatus for adaptively receiving media streams of different bit rates is disclosed. Data describing the variability of the bit rate of different versions of a media program is transmitted to the media player, and used by the media player to select the appropriate version for reception over the communication channel.

Method and apparatus for adaptive bit rate switching

Methods, apparatuses, articles of manufacture, and memory structures for selective delivery of content based on geolocation are disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Atherton, CA, United States of America

Alexander V Gutarin