Embodiments are provided for replacing media items in a queue of a playback device. An example implementation involves receiving, at the playback device, first data indicating an addition of a first media item to a queue. The playback device determines that the first media item is no longer accessible to the playback device at a later second time. The playback device initiates a query for a media item similar to the first media item and receives second data indicating that a second media item has replaced the first media item in the queue, the second media item being similar to the first media item. In response, the playback device initiates playback of the second media item on the playback device.

The present invention relates to data transmission over HTTP communication networks, for instance data streaming. A method of transmitting data between a server and a client, comprises, at the server: receiving, from the client, an HTTP request to obtain first data, wherein the HTTP request includes first data identifying information allowing identification of the first data on the server and includes one or more additional header fields containing an indication relating to pushing second data; retrieving and sending the first data to the client; and sending acknowledgment data to the client device, the acknowledgment data being representative of the indication relating to pushing second data.

A method for the transmission and adaption of data can include the steps of generating generic requirement documents, identifying a plurality of suitable communication patterns on the basis of the generic requirement documents, determining currently available transport options and their service quality across at least one communication network, and selecting a communication pattern from a plurality of suitable communication patterns based on the network transmission qualities of the at least one communication network. The method can utilize a first functional layer and a second functional layer that are integrated between a software application layer and a network access layer that each receive input documents that are independent of each other. The input documents of the second functional layer can contain transport-related information while the input documents of the first functional layer can contain application-related information. Systems and devices can be configured to facilitate use of embodiments of the method.

A server processers received real-time transport protocol packets from a first device to obtain sequentially ordered packets at a first buffer. The server decodes the sequentially ordered packets to obtain decoded packets at a decoder. The server encodes the decoded packets to obtain encoded packets at an encoder. The server transmits the encoded packets from the encoder to a storage unit. The server fetches the encoded packets from the storage unit at a first interval using a second buffer. The server transmits the encoded packets from the second buffer to a second device at a second interval.

A metrics collection method includes: transmitting a media data obtaining request to an application service device in response to a trigger operation for streaming media; obtaining a media data response message transmitted by the application service device, the media data response message including metrics collection configuration information, and the metrics collection configuration information including metrics collection environment information and network slice information; obtaining environment information of the streaming media, and when the environment information matches the metrics collection environment information, collecting metrics data corresponding to the streaming media; determining, based on the network slice information, a network path for reporting the metrics data; and reporting the metrics data to the application service device through the network path.

Measuring quality-of-experience (QoE) for virtual reality (VR) streaming content is disclosed. A network computing device receives a client-side VR stream capture and a client pose data set that are generated by a client computing device based on a VR content and one or more induced network impairments (e.g., latency, packet loss, and/or jitter, as non-limiting examples). Using the same VR content and the client pose data set, the network computing device generates a source VR stream capture that is not subjected to the one or more induced network impairments. The network computing device performs a frame-by-frame comparison of the client-side VR stream capture and the source VR stream capture. Based on the frame-by-frame comparison, the network computing device generates a QoE metric that indicates a degree of degradation of the client-side VR stream capture relative to the source VR stream capture.

Methods of managing audio data transmissions over a network disclosed herein may include the step of selecting a client device from a plurality of client devices as a participating device, each client device of the plurality of client devices being in data communication with a network. The methods may include the step of signaling the participating device over said network thereby initiating transmitting of audio data from the participating device at least in part over said network for live broadcasting, the audio data being indicative of a speaking voice being input into a participating device microphone of the participating device. The methods may include the step of minimizing latency in transmitting of the audio data by throttling data being communicated over said network by one or more client devices of the plurality of client devices only while the participating device is transmitting audio data over said network.

Methods of managing audio data transmissions over a network disclosed herein may include the step of selecting a client device from a plurality of client devices as a participating device, each client device of the plurality of client devices being in data communication with a network. The methods may include the step of signaling the participating device over said network thereby initiating transmitting of audio data from the participating device at least in part over said network for live broadcasting, the audio data being indicative of a speaking voice being input into a participating device microphone of the participating device. The methods may include the step of minimizing latency in transmitting of the audio data by throttling data being communicated over said network by one or more client devices of the plurality of client devices only while the participating device is transmitting audio data over said network.

Method for triggering changes to real-time special effects included in a live streaming video starts with a processor transmitting in real-time a video stream captured by a camera via a network. The processor causes a live streaming interface that includes the video stream to be displayed on the plurality of client devices. The processor receives a trigger to apply one of a plurality of special effects to the video stream and determines a first special effect of the plurality of special effects is associated with the trigger. The processor applies in real-time the first special effect to the video stream to generate a video stream having the first special effect and transmits in real-time the video stream having the first special effect via the network. The processor causes the live streaming interface that includes the video stream having the first special effect to be displayed on the plurality of client devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Method for triggering changes to real-time special effects included in a live streaming video starts with a processor transmitting in real-time a video stream captured by a camera via a network. The processor causes a live streaming interface that includes the video stream to be displayed on the plurality of client devices. The processor receives a trigger to apply one of a plurality of special effects to the video stream and determines a first special effect of the plurality of special effects is associated with the trigger. The processor applies in real-time the first special effect to the video stream to generate a video stream having the first special effect and transmits in real-time the video stream having the first special effect via the network. The processor causes the live streaming interface that includes the video stream having the first special effect to be displayed on the plurality of client devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.