Patent · US Expired

Information distribution system and method

US6438368B1 · kind B1 · utility

52Cited by
38References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 26, 2000
Grant dateAug 20, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 26, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L2012/5665
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An information distribution system with an architecture that facilitates efficient distribution of a plurality of information asset data to a plurality of different requesting users substantially simultaneously. Fundamental components of the system include a plurality of mass storage devices that store information assets, mass storage device interface units, a switching unit, a centralized control unit and a gateway to the users. Information transfer between various components of the system is accomplished through a plurality of communication channels according to a circuit switching protocol. According to one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of communication channels are provided between the mass storage devices and the switching unit such that information asset data may be transferred, in substantially a single format and according to substantially a single protocol, from the mass storage devices directly through the switch and to the requesting user.

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