Embodiments described herein relate to real-time streaming of large quantities of time critical data over multiple distinct networks from a communications device. More specifically, embodiments described herein may address challenges and problems of maintaining consistent data reception quality when faced with the anomalies of a moving sender that is sending data using a relatively unstable method. This may be achieved by converting single source data into multiple data streams, placing them in transport buffers and storing them for forwarding.

Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for providing streaming video from mobile computing nodes. A request for streaming video captured by a mobile computing node can be received at a computer including a processor that executes a controller. The request can include a parameter associated with the streaming video. The computer can initiate transmission of an inquiry message to two or more mobile computing nodes and receive inquiry message responses from the mobile computing nodes that include the mobile computing node. The inquiry message responses can indicate that the mobile computing nodes can satisfy the parameter. The computer can create a list of the mobile computing nodes that can satisfy the parameter and provide the list to the requestor. The computer can receive a selection of the mobile computing node, and initiate delivery of a video stream to the requestor.

Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for providing streaming video from mobile computing nodes. A request for streaming video captured by a mobile computing node can be received at a computer including a processor that executes a controller. The request can include a parameter associated with the streaming video. The computer can initiate transmission of an inquiry message to two or more mobile computing nodes and receive inquiry message responses from the mobile computing nodes that include the mobile computing node. The inquiry message responses can indicate that the mobile computing nodes can satisfy the parameter. The computer can create a list of the mobile computing nodes that can satisfy the parameter and provide the list to the requestor. The computer can receive a selection of the mobile computing node, and initiate delivery of a video stream to the requestor.

A receiver driven approach for playback of remote content is described. One embodiment includes obtaining information concerning the content of the media file from the remote server, identifying a starting location within the media sequence, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence from the starting location, requesting the byte ranges required to play the media sequence from the starting location, buffering received bytes of information pending commencement of playback, playing back the buffered bytes of information, receiving a user instruction, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence in accordance with the user instruction, flushing previous byte range requests, and requesting the byte ranges required to play the media in accordance with the user instruction.

A receiver driven approach for playback of remote content is described. One embodiment includes obtaining information concerning the content of the media file from the remote server, identifying a starting location within the media sequence, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence from the starting location, requesting the byte ranges required to play the media sequence from the starting location, buffering received bytes of information pending commencement of playback, playing back the buffered bytes of information, receiving a user instruction, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence in accordance with the user instruction, flushing previous byte range requests, and requesting the byte ranges required to play the media in accordance with the user instruction.

A method for streamed playback of media in a media client from a remote media service includes: a) determining address information for locating the service and for a starting time; b) by the address information, requesting and receiving a first media package from the service; the package having decoder configuration information, one or more frames, associated timing information for playback frames, and a pointer to a subsequent part of the media stream; c) configuring a decoder of the client by the decoder information; d) starting playback of the stream in the client at the starting time by providing the frames to the configured decoder; e) by the pointer, requesting a remaining portion of the media having subsequent frames of the media stream and associated timing information; f) receiving the subsequent frames as a stream and continuing playback by providing the subsequent frames and associated timing information to the configured decoder.

A method for streamed playback of media in a media client from a remote media service includes: a) determining address information for locating the service and for a starting time; b) by the address information, requesting and receiving a first media package from the service; the package having decoder configuration information, one or more frames, associated timing information for playback frames, and a pointer to a subsequent part of the media stream; c) configuring a decoder of the client by the decoder information; d) starting playback of the stream in the client at the starting time by providing the frames to the configured decoder; e) by the pointer, requesting a remaining portion of the media having subsequent frames of the media stream and associated timing information; f) receiving the subsequent frames as a stream and continuing playback by providing the subsequent frames and associated timing information to the configured decoder.

A system control apparatus for acquiring a prototype manifest file that is a basis of a manifest file to be transmitted to a viewing client in a system for delivering video data over a network, includes: an estimation unit configured to analyze content of a prototype manifest file acquired from an origin server, to determine a next acquisition timing of the prototype manifest file; and an acquisition unit configured to acquire the prototype manifest file from the origin server, based on the next acquisition timing determined by the estimation unit.

A system and method for providing zone-specific media to a user. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method that flexibly selects and provides media content (e.g., audio content), where such content is selected based, at least in part, on a user location (e.g., location within a premises).

A system and method for providing zone-specific media to a user. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method that flexibly selects and provides media content (e.g., audio content), where such content is selected based, at least in part, on a user location (e.g., location within a premises).