System and method for dynamically transcoding data requests
A communications method and system which can accommodate changes in various parameters on a dynamic basis. A communications method and system utilizing a proxy for delivery of content at an optimal level to a client, even in the face of constantly changing client, channel conditions, or content parameters.
1. A method for processing coded content from a content server for transmission to a client in response to a request for the coded content from the client by way of a proxy server, comprising the steps of:
A. receiving said coded content from said content server at a transcoding processor,
B. at said transcoding processor, transcoding said coded content to transcoded content in accordance with a transcoding process,
C. transmitting said transcoded content to said client, and
D. during at least one of said steps A, B, and C, dynamically changing said transcoding process in response to a control signal from the proxy server, whereby the transcoding process is dynamically changed without the intervention of the client or the content server,
wherein said control signal is applied to the transcoding processor by way of an out-of band channel.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said control signal is dependent on said coded content.
3. A system for processing coded content from a content server for transmission to a client in response to a request for the coded content from the client, comprising:
A. a proxy server; and
B. a transcoder,
wherein the proxy server is adapted for receiving a content request from a client, wherein the content request defines coded content to be delivered to the client from a content server,
wherein the coded content defined by the content request is encoded in accordance with a first coding scheme,
wherein the proxy server is responsive to the content request to retrieve the coded content defined by the content request from the content server and
wherein the transcoder is responsive to the retrieved coded content defined by the content request, to:
(i) transcode the retrieved coded content defined by the content request to a transcoded content, in accordance with a transcoding process, whereby the retrieved coded content defined by the content request is transcoded in accordance with a second coding scheme, and
(ii) transmit the transcoded content to the client, and
wherein the transcoding process is dynamically defined during at least one of
the retrieval of the coded content defined by the content request from the content server,
the transcoding of the retrieved coded content defined by the content request, and
the transmission of the transcoded content to the client,
in response to an applied out-of-band transcoding process control signal from the proxy server, whereby the transcoding process is dynamically changed without the intervention of the client or the content server.
4. A system according to claim 3 wherein the proxy server is adapted to generate the out-of-band transcoding process control signal.
5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the out-of-band transcoding process control signal is generated in response to communication parameters associated with signal paths between two or more of the client, proxy server and content server.
6. A system according to claim 4 wherein the out-of-band transcoding process control signal is generated in response to detected content of the requested content.
7. A system according to claim 3 wherein the proxy server is adapted to generate the out-of-band transcoding process control signal.
8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the out-of-band transcoding process control signal is generated in response to communication parameters associated with signal paths between two or more of the client, proxy server and content server.
9. A system according to claim 7 wherein the out-of-band transcoding process control signal is generated in response to detected content of the requested content.