How to Seamlessly Switch Video Streams for Many Viewers
This patent describes a computer system that allows an administrator or viewer to smoothly switch between different video or audio sources for many people watching at the same time, without interrupting their viewing experience.
Original patent title: “Video and audio streaming for multiple users”
This patent describes a computer system that allows an administrator or viewer to smoothly switch between different video or audio sources for many people watching at the same time, without interrupting their viewing experience. Granted to BroadWare Technologies LLC in 2004 with 8 claims and 98 forward citations, and it is now in the public domain.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The system provides streaming media to multiple client devices over a network. It uses a 'network server module' to send a video stream from a 'first streaming media source' to all viewers on a single channel (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). When a 'switching terminal' (which could be an administrator or even one of the viewers, per ClaimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → 6 and 7) requests a change, a 'proxy module' steps in. This proxy module, which usually forwards the current stream, then starts forwarding the new 'second streaming media source' to the network server module. Crucially, this happens *while* the network server is still sending the old stream to the viewers (Claim 2), allowing for a smooth, 'seamless transition' on the same channel, like switching camera feeds during a live event.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover systems where only a single client receives streaming media, as it specifies a 'plurality of clients' (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover switching between streams that results in a noticeable interruption or 'hiccup' for the viewer, as it emphasizes 'seamless transition' (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover systems where the new stream is sent on a completely different channel, as the transition occurs 'on the first channel' (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover direct client-to-source streaming without an intermediary 'network server module' and 'proxy module' (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover systems that switch streams without the proxy module forwarding the new stream while the old stream is still active (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 2).
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is the 'proxy module' forwarding the new stream to the network server *while* the old stream is still being sent to clients. This allows the network server to prepare or buffer the new content in advance, ensuring that when the actual switch happens, it's smooth and without interruption for the viewers.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Live sports broadcasts online with multiple camera angles
Webinars or online conferences switching between presenters or screens
Streaming services transitioning between episodes or advertisements
Television news programs switching between live feeds from different locations
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent addresses a fundamental challenge in early internet streaming: how to change content for a large audience without disruptions. Before such mechanisms, switching video feeds often meant buffering delays or a complete restart of the stream for viewers. By enabling seamless transitions, this technology improved the quality of experience for live events, online broadcasts, and on-demand content, making streaming more professional and user-friendly.
Filed
May 4, 2000
Granted
May 4, 2004
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Akamai, Cloudflare, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) with their Media Services offer advanced streaming infrastructure that builds upon these foundational concepts. Major content delivery networks (CDNs) and video platform providers continuously refine methods for seamless stream switching, load balancing, and dynamic content insertion for live and on-demand video.
Market impact
This type of technology was crucial for the maturation of online video. It enabled a more professional and broadcast-like experience for internet streaming, moving it beyond simple file downloads. It contributed to the rise of live streaming platforms and improved the user experience for on-demand services, making online video a viable alternative to traditional television and a cornerstone of modern digital media consumption.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The system provides streaming media to multiple client devices over a network. It uses a 'network server module' to send a video stream from a 'first streaming media source' to all viewers on a single channel (Claim 1). When a 'switching terminal' (which could be an administrator or even one of the viewers, per Claims 6 and 7) requests a change, a 'proxy module' steps in. This proxy module, which usually forwards the current stream, then starts forwarding the new 'second streaming media source' to the network server module. Crucially, this happens *while* the network server is still sending the old stream to the viewers (Claim 2), allowing for a smooth, 'seamless transition' on the same channel, like switching camera feeds during a live event.
The clever bit
The clever part is the 'proxy module' forwarding the new stream to the network server *while* the old stream is still being sent to clients. This allows the network server to prepare or buffer the new content in advance, ensuring that when the actual switch happens, it's smooth and without interruption for the viewers.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover systems where only a single client receives streaming media, as it specifies a 'plurality of clients' (Claim 1).
- Does not cover switching between streams that results in a noticeable interruption or 'hiccup' for the viewer, as it emphasizes 'seamless transition' (Claim 1).
- Does not cover systems where the new stream is sent on a completely different channel, as the transition occurs 'on the first channel' (Claim 1).
- Does not cover direct client-to-source streaming without an intermediary 'network server module' and 'proxy module' (Claim 1).
- Does not cover systems that switch streams without the proxy module forwarding the new stream while the old stream is still active (Claim 2).
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
This patent is in the public domain
See the Freedom to Build guide — what is free to use, what is not, and how to cite this patent.
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
40/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
5/20
Moderate scope
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$47K – $151K
Midpoint $95K · expired or expiring · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
8 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Graham, J. J. (2004). How to Seamlessly Switch Video Streams for Many Viewers (U.S. Patent No. 6,732,183). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6732183/video-and-audio-streaming-for-multiple-users
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How to Seamlessly Switch Video Streams for Many Viewers cover?
This patent describes a computer system that allows an administrator or viewer to smoothly switch between different video or audio sources for many people watching at the same time, without interrupting their viewing experience.
Who owns patent US 6732183?
BroadWare Technologies LLC owns this patent, granted in 2004.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 6732183 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 98 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent addresses a fundamental challenge in early internet streaming: how to change content for a large audience without disruptions. Before such mechanisms, switching video feeds often meant buffering delays or a complete restart of the stream for viewers. By enabling seamless transitions, this technology improved the quality of experience for live events, online broadcasts, and on-demand content, making streaming more professional and user-friendly.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover systems where only a single client receives streaming media, as it specifies a 'plurality of clients' (Claim 1).
Patent monitoring