Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Marc Joliveau

Charles Benjamin Franklin Waggoner

Stefan Christian Richter

Justin Michael Binns

Matthew James Bordenet

Nicholas James Benson

Patrik Schnell

Yongjun Wu

Li Tong

Kenneth Thomas Burford

Joshua B Barnard

Chris Longo

Lei Li

Amarsingh Buckthasingh Winston

Lars Christian Ulness

Terje Kristian Backman

James Marvin Freeman, Ii

Srikanth Kiran Kotagiri

Yang Yang

Euan McLeod

Lauri Juhani Särkkä

James Eric Knowler

Jim Knowler

Gregory Scott Benjamin

Kyle Bradley Koceski

Paul Nann

Ali Khayam

Christopher Longo

Michael Robert Starr

Elliot Fanwar George

Ryan Dell Olson

Techniques are described for adaptive encoding different portions of media content based on content. Characteristics of GOPs of media content can be determined and used to set encoding parameters for the GOs. The GOPs can be encoded such that one GOP is encoded differently than another GOP if they have different characteristics.

Content adaptive encoding

Programming routers in a network is accomplished using a global network manager and a plurality of local network managers. The global network manager analyzes an entire network and demand matrix in order to provide restrictions and recommendations that are communicated to a set of the local network managers. The local network managers can use the restrictions and recommendations to make local routing decisions defining a percentage of traffic routed to each neighboring node. The local network manager collects traffic metrics, such as local topology and traffic information by measuring the capacity available to reach any neighboring node. The local network manager uses the metrics in combination with the restrictions and recommendations from the global manager to make decisions on how to route network traffic.

Directing network traffic using local routing decisions with a global overview

Disclosed are various embodiments for a client application for streaming media. The client application estimates the bandwidth of the client and the latency between the client and a media distribution service. A bit rate for a media stream is determined using the latency, a buffer state, and the estimated bandwidth. A time to send the request is determined using the estimated bandwidth and latency.

Generating requests for streaming media

Techniques are described for adjusting parameter settings for bitrate selection algorithms for different segments of a population of devices streaming content. Streaming sessions are identified according to session characteristics. Within each segment of sessions, control parameter settings are sent to devices corresponding to a subset of each segment. Test parameter settings are sent to devices corresponding to another subset of each segment. If the test parameter settings result in better playback performance relative to the control parameter settings, the test parameter settings become the new control parameter settings, and new test parameter settings are generated.

Adjusting parameter settings for bitrate selection algorithms

A system for delivering live streaming content based on accurate media data fragment size and duration. A media server may generate custom data identifying a size and duration of a current fragment of a media file. The media server may insert the custom data (e.g., as a custom header or unique packet identifier) and send the custom data to a client media player. The client media player may be configured to decode the custom data and determine the current fragment size and duration.

Streaming media file management

Techniques are described for obtaining and analyzing deep characterization information for a content playback system with multiple interconnected components. A server can determine a subset of configurations of requested media content that are compatible with the capabilities of the components of the content playback system. Limiting a client device to select media content fragments corresponding to the subset of configurations can be enforced through the use of constrained manifest files.

Deep characterization of content playback systems

Techniques are described for switching streaming of media content between content delivery networks (CDNs) during mid-stream. An initial CDN can be used to stream the media content. The performance of a second CDN can be measured by requesting a fragment of the media content as a measurement or test fragment. Streaming of the media content can be switched to the second CDN if its performance is determined to be better than the initial CDN.

Mid-stream content delivery network switching

Disclosed are various embodiments for a service for selecting the bandwidth of a media stream. The service correlates the buffer state of a client with previously communicated portions of the stream. The service then determines a bit rate for subsequent portions of the stream. A manifest may be generated indicating a source for content at the determined bit rate.

Bit rate selection for streaming media

Disclosed are various embodiments for selecting fragments of a media item. An estimated bandwidth for a client is calculated. A confidence score for the estimated bandwidth is determined. When the confidence score falls below a threshold, the estimated bandwidth is modified. A fragment for the media item is selected using the modified estimated bandwidth.

Live stream manifests for on demand content

Techniques are described for reducing the delay between the live playhead of live streaming content and the client playhead of a client device consuming the live stream. In one technique, an increased playback speed is used by the media player on the client device so that the delay is gradually reduced. In another technique, the media player jumps forward in the stream, skipping content identified as expendable.

Catching up to the live playhead in live streaming

Techniques are described that enable the use of variable bit rate (VBR) encoding for live content.

VBR encoding of live content

Techniques are described for adjusting parameter settings for bitrate selection algorithms for devices streaming media content. Control parameter settings are selected for playback of first media content. Test parameter settings are selected for playback of second media content. If the test parameter settings result in better playback performance relative to the control parameter settings, the test parameter settings become the new control parameter settings.

Techniques are described for balancing traffic among content delivery networks (CDNs). A CDN balancer can analyze CDN performance data and determine CDN balancing ratios used to distribute traffic among the CDNs.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Marc Joliveau