Scalable coding based video distribution
Media content coded using scalable coding techniques may be cached among a group of cache devices. Layered segments of the media content may be pre-loaded onto the cache devices, which may be located throughout a content distribution network, including a home network. The caching location of the media content may be determined based on multiple factors including a content preference associated with the group of cache devices and device capabilities. A cache controller may manage the caching of the media content.
1. A method for media content distribution, the method comprising:
receiving media content preference information related to a plurality of devices associated with a home network, the plurality of devices comprising a first device with caching capabilities;
selecting, based on the media content preference information, a media object relevant to the first device; and
in response to determining that the first device has been used to view media contents outside of the home network at a frequency above a threshold, causing a first media stream associated with the media object to be transmitted to the first device so that content of the first media stream is cached on the first device.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining that multiple media streams associated with respective scalable layers of the media object are available, wherein the scalable layers include a base layer and an enhancement layer.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first media stream comprises the base layer of the media object.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising causing a second media stream comprising the enhancement layer of the media object to be transmitted to the first device during playback of the media object on the first device.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining that the first device has been used to view media content outside of the home network based on a viewing history of the first device, wherein the viewing history indicates that the first device has been used to view content associated with the media object outside of the home network.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media content preference information indicates that the media object has been viewed by a user on at least one of the plurality of devices.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media content preference information indicates that the media object has been placed on a preference list of a user associated with the plurality of devices.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media content preference information comprises content preferences indicated by a user of at least one of the plurality of devices.
9. A controller capable of managing media content distribution, the controller comprising:
one or more processors configured to:
receive media content preference information related to a plurality of devices associated with a home network, the plurality of devices comprising a first device with caching capabilities;
select, based on the media content preference information, a media object relevant to the first device; and
based on a determination that the first device has been used to view media content outside of the home network at a frequency above a threshold, cause a first media stream associated with the media object to be transmitted to the first device so that content of the first media stream is cached on the first device.
10. The controller of claim 9 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine that multiple media streams associated with respective scalable layers of the media object are available, wherein the scalable layers include a base layer and an enhancement layer.
11. The controller of claim 10 , wherein the first media stream comprises the base layer of the media object.
12. The controller of claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause a second media stream comprising the enhancement layer of the media object to be transmitted to the first device during playback of the media object on the first device.
13. The controller of claim 9 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine that the first device has been used to view media content outside of the home network based on a viewing history of the first device.
14. The controller of claim 13 , wherein the viewing history of the first device indicates that the first device has been used to view content associated with the media object outside of the home network.
15. The controller of claim 9 , wherein the media content preference information indicates that the media object has been viewed by a user on at least one of the plurality of devices.
16. The controller of claim 9 , wherein the media content preference information indicates that the media object has been placed on a preference list of a user associated with the plurality of devices.
17. The controller of claim 9 , wherein the media content preference information comprises content preferences indicated by a user of at least one of the plurality of devices.
18. The controller of claim 9 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the first media stream to be transmitted to the first device further based on a condition that the first device is capable caching the content of the first media stream.