US Patent 11153581 Intra-segment video upswitching with dual decoding

During downloading and decoding of a lower-quality video version of a video segment, an up-switch condition may be detected. An intra-segment up-switch to a higher-quality version of the segment may then be made. In particular, the higher quality version may be downloaded and decoded at least partially concurrently with the lower-quality version, for example using a dual decoder arrangement. A first portion of the lower-quality version may be displayed. The first portion of the lower-quality may extend from a start of the segment to an intermediate position of the segment. At the intermediate position, playing may be switched from the lower-quality version to the higher-quality version. A second portion of the higher-quality version may be displayed. The second portion of the higher-quality version may extend from the intermediate position to an end of the segment.