Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Istreamplanet Co.

Mark Daniel VanAntwerp

Steven P Levi

Chadd B Knowlton

Boyd Cannon Multerer

Craig M Dowell

Ling Tony Chen

Dinarte R Morais

Sean Christian Wohlgemuth

Damon V Danieli

Michael Courage

Noah Heller

Alessio Galdy

Daniel Caiafa

Eric Neustadter

Mike Beckerman

James Morris Alkove

William J Bolosky

Olivier Colle

Yoram Bernet

James Charles Finger, Ii

Jeffrey Alan Davis

Eduardo P Oliveira

Paul E Newson

Clifford P Van Dyke

Van Christopher Van

Khurshed Mazhar

Darren L Anderson

Weimin Mark Wang

Brian R Morin

Vikas Khandelwal

Peter Birkedal Hansen

Clifford Paul Storm

Gary A Thompson

Eric Juteau

Robert William Ream

Mitsuo Koikawa

A method for detect and mitigate anomaly in video streaming platforms is disclosed. In one embodiment, performance data from a set of workers is received at a central telemetry system (CTS), where the performance data is indicative of operational status of the set of workers. The CTS processes the performance data, including generating task-specific monitoring data based on the performance data, and it identifies whether the performance data or the task-specific monitoring data contains any anomaly. Upon an anomaly being identified, the CTS mitigates the anomaly by interacting with the set of workers.

Real-time anomaly mitigation in a cloud-based video streaming system

A method implemented in an electronic device serving as a stream distributor distributing unicast video and audio streams of a streaming platform system is disclosed. The stream distributor receives a unicast data flow containing data of a video and audio stream from a load balancer, the unicast data flow being transmitted in user datagram protocol (UDP) packets. The method includes the electronic device detecting initiation of a maintenance activity on a virtual machine or its host associated with the stream distributor. The method includes the electronic device indicating a failure mode of the stream distributor, where the failure mode indication is to cause the load balancer to switch the unicast data flow to an alternate stream distributor. The method also includes the electronic device detecting a completion of the load balancer switching the unicast data flow to the alternate stream distributor, and halting the distribution of the unicast data flow.

Method and system for ensuring reliability of unicast video streaming at a video streaming platform

A method to coordinate video stream timing is disclosed. In one embodiment, a request is received at a streaming platform coordinator (SPC) to create a plurality of synchronized media workflows for video sources. Using the plurality of video sources as input, the SPC transmits a request from the SPC to at least one video streaming platform to create the plurality of media workflows, which are assigned to a plurality of workers. The SPC causes the plurality of videos to be routed to the plurality of workers upon receiving the request to route them. The SPC then determines a set of timing offsets to synchronize the plurality of media workflows, and makes the set of timing offsets available to the plurality of workers so that the workers publish synchronized media outputs. A system to perform the method and a storage medium storing instructions to perform the method are disclosed too.

Coordination of video stream timing in cloud-based video streaming system

A method executed by an electronic device to optimize resource utilization while processing media workflows by a video streaming platform is disclosed. In one embodiment, a request to initiate a set of training sessions is received, and for each training session, a set of training workflows to be processed is initiated and a task graph for each training workflow is created. Then a worker of the video streaming platform is assigned to each training session. The raw performance data from each assigned worker is then collected, and a platform performance profile is generated based on the raw performance data from the each assigned worker. The platform performance profile is used to predict resource requirements of media workflows to be processed by the video streaming platform. A system to perform the method and a storage medium storing instructions to perform the method are disclosed too.

Resource allocation optimization for cloud-based video processing

A method to coordinate redundant video processing in video streaming platforms is disclosed. In one embodiment, a request is received at a streaming platform coordinator (SPC) to create a redundant media workflow for a video source. The SPC transmits two requests to create the media workflow, one each to a first and a second video streaming platforms, each creating one instance of the media workflow. The SPC then receives requests to route the video source to a first and a second workers respectively and causes the video source to be routed so. The SPC then communicates with the first and the second workers so that only one worker out of the first and second workers publishes output of one instance of the media workflow to a CDN at a given moment. A system to perform the method and a storage medium storing instructions to perform the method are disclosed too.

Coordination of fault-tolerant video stream processing in cloud-based video streaming system

A DRM System. A DRM system comprising a service provider, a CE device coupled to the service provider, and an XMR license disposed upon the CE device.

Extensible media rights

Discovery and distribution of game session security information includes receiving a request to generate a new game session from a computing device and maintaining a record of a game session identifier for the new game session and a game session key for the new game session, and making the new game session available for other computing devices to join. A request for information describing one or more of a plurality of game sessions may also be received and responded to with the information describing the one or more game sessions as well as a session key that can be used to communicate with at least one of the one or more other computing devices that are part of the game session.

Discovery and distribution of game session information

An exemplary implementation of a security gateway for online console-based gaming operates as a gateway between a public network (e.g., the Internet), and a private network (e.g., an internal data center network). The security gateway allows secure communication channels to be established with game consoles via the public network, and allows secure communication between game consoles on the public network and service devices on the private network.

Security gateway for online console-based gaming

In accordance with one aspect, a client device is sent an indication of one or more types of information available for the client device. In response to the indication, a request is received from the client device to retrieve the information available for the client device. The information is identified and sent to the client device. In accordance with another aspect, one or more friends of the user are identified from persistent data, and a check made as to whether each of them is logged in to the system. For each of them that is logged in to the system, the user is subscribed to the friend's information and the friend is subscribed to the user's information. In accordance with another aspect, a user is allowed to be a friend of another user only if the other user is also a friend of the user.

Presence and notification system for maintaining and communicating information

In accordance with one aspect of match making based on proximity measures between devices, a record of distances between groups of network addresses is maintained. This record is then used as a basis for selecting an ordering for online game sessions that is to be returned to a computing device requesting information regarding current online game sessions.

Match making based on proximity measures between devices

Media content is arranged into a number of sets of video, audio, or data samples, referred to as clips, which are rendered by a media content manager. A playlist, which is handled by a presentation manager, specifies the time-ordered sequence of clips playable to a user. Certain actions are taken during media content play to minimize glitches perceived by the user, including determining a time offset value that is used to decide how far in advance of a scheduled play time to begin pre-rendering an upcoming clip. The time offset value is determined using one or more static characteristics associated with a media source for the upcoming clip, such as the location of the media source, codec parameters, or encryption complexity, and one or more dynamic characteristics of the presentation system, such as retrieval states, (including play speeds) of media clips, processing loads, or clock frequencies.

Aspects of media content rendering

A process for requesting authentication includes transmitting a hash digest formed from first client-specific data together with second client specific data and receiving, in response to transmitting, an indication of acceptance when the hash digest and second client-specific data correspond to a valid client authentication request.

Systems and methods for caching in authentication systems

An active stream format is defined and adopted for a logical structure that encapsulates multiple data streams. The data streams may be of different media. The data of the data streams is partitioned into packets that are suitable for transmission over a transport medium. The packets may include error correcting information. The packets may also include clock licenses for dictating the advancement of a clock when the data streams are rendered. The format of ASF facilitates flexibility and choice of packet size and in specifying maximum bit rate at which data may be rendered. Error concealment strategies may be employed in the packetization of data to distribute portions of samples to multiple packets. Property information may be replicated and stored in separate packets to enhance its error tolerance. The format facilitates dynamic definition of media types and the packetization of data in such dynamically defined data types within the format.

Active stream format for holding multiple media streams

Alerts are transmitted to subscribers to an alerts service in response to events that occur within a gaming environment. Communication within the gaming environment is limited to specific game consoles and the gaming service. A subscriber to the alert notification service can be alerted when a friend joins the gaming service to play a game, or can select other events for which an alert is requested to be sent to the subscriber. In response to any predetermined event occurring within the gaming environment, an alerts service provides an alert or message that is transmitted through a secure firewall and outside the gaming environment. The alert message can be in the form of a pop-up that appears on a user's instant messaging service, or an email, or a message that is transmitted through a mobile communication service to a cell phone or other portable communication device.

Sending messages in response to events occurring on a gaming service

Controlling access to secure data and services by versatile computers outside a secure environment, which communicates with limited dedicated devices such as game consoles, over a secure network such as a virtual private network. The versatile computing devices obtain access over an insecure network, such as the Internet, through a trusted partner Web site that authenticates users of the site and relays requests to the secure environment. The Web site uses a certificate for a predefined level of secure access to the secure environment. A link is established between a user's Web ID authenticated by the Web site and a gamer tag used within the secure environment. Access is limited as a function of the Web ID, gamer tag, and a Web site partner ID. A Web cache stores and provides some secure data, minimizing disruption to the secure environment's primary function to service the dedicated devices.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Mark Daniel VanAntwerp