Information distribution system and method
First Claim
1. An information asset distribution system implemented based upon an ATM communication architecture, said information asset distribution system comprising:
- a plurality of mass storage devices each of which is associated with an interface unit capable of retrieving data from said mass storage device, a plurality of ATM information transmission communication channels for transmitting information assets to a plurality of users, a switch fabric having a plurality of communication channel connections for establishing a virtual ATM circuit between one of said plurality of interface units and one of a plurality of said transmission communication channels, a switching fabric control unit for controlling said switching fabric to establish said virtual ATM connection and for issuing an appropriate sequence of commands to said interface units for transmitting at least a portion of an information asset stored on said associated mass storage device through an established virtual ATM connection of the switching fabric to one of said plurality of said information transmission communication channels.
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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.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. An information asset distribution system implemented based upon an ATM communication architecture, said information asset distribution system comprising:
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a plurality of mass storage devices each of which is associated with an interface unit capable of retrieving data from said mass storage device, a plurality of ATM information transmission communication channels for transmitting information assets to a plurality of users, a switch fabric having a plurality of communication channel connections for establishing a virtual ATM circuit between one of said plurality of interface units and one of a plurality of said transmission communication channels, a switching fabric control unit for controlling said switching fabric to establish said virtual ATM connection and for issuing an appropriate sequence of commands to said interface units for transmitting at least a portion of an information asset stored on said associated mass storage device through an established virtual ATM connection of the switching fabric to one of said plurality of said information transmission communication channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification