Methods and systems for providing random access to structured media content
US6807550B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99953
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and systems for providing random access of structured media content are described. One aspect provides a novel file structure or “Vfile”, and method of using the same, for organizing and managing portions of a structured media content file that are or can be downloaded from a content provider such as a multimedia content server. The Vfile is configured to emulate a server file structure that a server uses to store structured media content files. The Vfile is established at a client location when a client accesses a structured media content file and is used to buffer and cache structured media content file portions. In addition to having an infrastructure that emulates the server's file structure, the Vfile includes one or more media management tags. The tags are used by the client to manage a cache of structured media content file portions that are downloaded from the server. Exemplary tags include, but are not limited to (1) a validity tag that indicates whether a particular portion of a structured media content file is available in the Vfile cache, (2) a hit count tag that gives an indication of how many times a particular portion has been accessed, (3) an imp…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.