Patent · US Expired

Hybrid architecture for video on demand server

US5608448A · kind A · utility

244Cited by
4References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 10, 1995
Grant dateMar 4, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 10, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L2012/5642
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Processing requirement at each computing element in a video server for a video on demand (VOD) system are reduced to only those needed for VOD, resulting in a less expensive processor with less memory and, hence, lower cost. A hybrid video server architecture combines the best features of massive parallel processor (MPP) and workstation designs into a cost effective high performance system. Since it is not necessary to run a parallel relational database program in order to accomplish VOD data distribution, a unique type of switch element that is well matched to the VOD server problem is employed. By matching this switch element technology to an appropriate data storage technique, a full featured, responsive VOD server is realized that can be affordably installed at regional cable distribution centers nationwide.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.