System and method for streaming audio using a send queue
View Patent ↗A system and method are provided for preparing a streaming media system for initial presentation of a media stream. The system includes a media server configured to send out media packets for a media stream at periodic clocked intervals. A framer can be located with the media server to divide the media stream into media packets. A media client is also provided to receive the media packets for the media stream from the media server. A send queue can be located in the server. The send queue can be configured to store a defined length of programming from the media stream, and the send queue can immediately fill a client's user buffer when an activation event occurs.
1. A streaming media system configured to prepare the streaming media for initial presentation, comprising:
a media server configured to send out media packets for a media stream at periodic clocked intervals;
a framer located with the media server to divide frames of the media stream into media packets;
a media client configured to receive the media packets for the media stream from the media server;
a send queue in the server, the send queue being configured to store a defined length of programming from the media stream, wherein the send queue can immediately fill a client's user buffer when an activation event occurs by transferring multiple frames in a single packet.
2. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the activation event in the client device is a startup event or a reset event.
3. The system as in claim 1 , further comprising a garbage collector configured to erase an unusable media packet in the send queue.
4. The system as in claim 3 , wherein the garbage collector marks unusable media packets to indicate that the media packets will be overwritten.
5. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the framer receives the media stream from a media source.
6. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the media server sends media packets to a plurality of media clients.
7. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the media client comprises a plurality of media clients which present the media stream to an end user across a plurality rooms without noticeable delay between the plurality of rooms.
8. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the periodic clocked intervals are set such that the media server transmits the media packets to the media client at an expected speed of media playback.
9. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the media server communicates with the media client over a wired network.
10. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the media server communicates with the media client over a wireless network.
11. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the media server communicates with the media client using an audio stream control protocol.
12. A method of preparing an audio streaming system for initial presentation of a media stream, comprising:
loading a send queue in a media server with a defined length of programming;
receiving an activation event at a media server from a client device;
sending the defined length of programming in the send queue to the client device in an asynchronous manner without a clocking delay to allow the client device to startup quickly without waiting for a series of packets to be sent through clocking cycles;
receiving the defined length of programming into a user queue in the client device; and
playing the programming from the user queue in a media output device accessible to an end user.
13. The method as in claim 12 , wherein the activation event in the client device is a startup event or a reset event.
14. The method as in claim 12 , further comprising erasing unusable programming in the send queue, when the unusable programming is identified by a garbage collector.
15. The method as in claim 12 , further comprising overwriting expired programming in the send queue, wherein a garbage collector has marked the programming.
16. The method as in claim 12 , wherein sending the defined length of programming comprises sending the defined length of programming at periodic clocked intervals, wherein the periodic clocked interval is set so that the media server transmits the media packets to the client device at an expected speed of media playback on the media output device.
17. The system as in claim 12 , wherein the media server communicates with the media client over a wired network.
18. The method as in claim 12 , wherein the media server communicates with the media client over a wireless network.
19. The method as in claim 12 , wherein the media server communicates with the client device using an audio stream control protocol.
20. A streaming media system configured to prepare the streaming media for initial presentation, comprising:
a media server configured to send out media packets for a media stream at periodic clocked intervals;
a framer located with the media server to divide the media stream into media packets;
a media client configured to receive the media packets for the media stream from the media server;
a send queue in the server, the send queue being configured to store a defined length of programming from the media stream, wherein the send queue can fill a client's user buffer in an asynchronous manner without a clocking delay when an activation event occurs.