Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Rovi Technologies Corporation

Adeia Technologies Inc.

Microsoft Corporation

Terry Qing Guo

Haoyun Wu

Nadav M Neufeld

Hui Wan

Edwin K Lau

A first portion of programming aired prior to a first time is obtained via a unicast session with a server, the first portion including previously aired programming. When the programming data being sent via the unicast session catches up to a multicast broadcast of the programming, the unicast session is terminated and a switch is made to obtaining a remaining portion of the programming from a different source other than the server. This different source can be, for example, a local storage device or a multicast broadcast of the programming.

Reducing unicast session duration with restart TV

In embodiments of an adaptive timeshift service, a live content server distributes live television content to television client devices. The live television content from the live content server can be recorded into a buffer of a timeshift server as the live television content is being distributed. Both the live television content from the live content server and recorded television content can be simultaneously recorded into the buffer of the timeshift server.

Adaptive timeshift service

High-speed programs review is described. In embodiment(s), a television client device can initiate a high-speed review of a group of programs that have been recorded together. A content distributor may record a group of television programs that have been previously broadcast for a particular television channel, and then maintain the programs for on-demand viewing when selected by a viewer. The client device can receive program information from the content distributor, and the program information can identify each of the progress when reviewing the group of programs at high-speed. The program information that corresponds to a program can then be rendered for display when the program becomes selectable for on-demand viewing while reviewing the programs at high-speed.

High-speed programs review

An adaptive timeshift service is described. In embodiment(s), television content can be distributed from a live content server to television client devices, and the television content that is distributed from the live content server can be recorded at a timeshift server. Recorded television content can then be distributed from the timeshift server when requested by a television client device. An additional timeshift server can be allocated, and both the television content from the live content server and the recorded television content from the timeshift server can be written to a buffer of the additional timeshift server.

Growing community of inventors

Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Terry Qing Guo