Method and system for media object streaming
First Claim
1. A method for streaming a media object stored at an origin server from an edge server at a bit rate, the method comprising:
- determining a size of a prefix stored on the edge server;
determining a necessary transfer rate, based on the size of the prefix, for streaming at the bit rate; and
reserving bandwidth between the origin server and the edge server to achieve the necessary transfer rate.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system, and computer readable medium for delivering media object to a user over a computer network. Media object is divided into first portions and remaining portions, and the first portions are stored on edge server computers in communication with client computers. Upon receiving a request for delivery from a user, the edge server computer transmits the first portion of the media object to the client computer. The edge server computer then requests delivery of the remaining portion of the media object from the origin server computer. Upon receipt of the remaining portion of the media object from the origin server computer, the edge server computer transmits the remaining portion of the media object to the user such that delivery of both portions of the media object to the client computer is continuous and uninterrupted.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A method for streaming a media object stored at an origin server from an edge server at a bit rate, the method comprising:
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determining a size of a prefix stored on the edge server;
determining a necessary transfer rate, based on the size of the prefix, for streaming at the bit rate; and
reserving bandwidth between the origin server and the edge server to achieve the necessary transfer rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for streaming a media object stored on a storage device from a first server to a second server, the media object having a minimum playback rate, the method comprising:
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reserving an amount of network bandwidth between the first and second servers;
reserving an amount of disk bandwidth on the storage device;
storing a prefix comprising a portion of the media object at the edge server; and
initiating playback of the prefix and transferring a remaining portion of the media object to the edge server if the prefix is large enough to playback the media object at the minimum playback rate using the amount of network bandwidth and the amount of disk bandwidth. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15)
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12. A method of streaming media objects over a computer network to a recipient, the network having at least one origin server and at least one edge server, the method comprising:
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receiving a request for deliver of a media object to a recipient;
if the media object is fully stored on the edge server, then streaming the media object to the recipient;
if the media object is partially stored on the edge server, then streaming a prefix of the media object to the requestor while simultaneously fetching the suffix of the media object from the origin server, then streaming the suffix to the recipient such that no interruption in streaming occurs between streaming the prefix and streaming the suffix; and
if the media object is not stored on the edge server, fetching a sufficient portion of the media object, reserving sufficient network bandwidth on a connection between the edge server and the origin server, then begin streaming the sufficient portion while the remaining portion of the media object is fetched, and streaming the remaining portion after the sufficient portion has been streamed so that no interruption in streaming occurs between streaming the sufficient portion and streaming the remaining portion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer program product for streaming media objects over a computer network to a recipient, the network having at least one origin server and at least one edge server, the computer program product, when executed on a computer, performing:
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storing a prefix, said prefix comprising a beginning portion of said media object, and a size of the prefix is determined, at least in part, by anticipated demand for said media object;
receiving a delivery request from a requestor for delivery of said media object to a recipient;
transmitting said prefix to said recipient in response to said delivery request;
receiving a remaining portion of said media object associated with said prefix; and
transmitting said media object to said recipient such that delivery of the prefix is followed by delivery of the media object without interruption or delay. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A computer program product for streaming media objects over a computer network to a user, the network having at least one origin server and at least one edge server, the computer program product, when executed on a computer, performing the steps of:
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receiving a user request for delivery of a media object;
if the media object is fully stored on the edge server, then streaming the media object to the user;
if the media object is partially stored on the edge server, then streaming a prefix of the media object to the user while simultaneously fetching the suffix of the media object from the origin server, then streaming the suffix such that no interruption in streaming occurs between streaming the prefix and streaming the suffix; and
if the media object is not stored on the edge server, fetching a sufficient portion of the media object, reserving sufficient network bandwidth on a connection between the edge server and the origin server, then begin streaming the sufficient portion while the remaining portion of the media object is fetched, and streaming the remaining portion after the sufficient portion has been streamed such that no interruption in streaming occurs between streaming the sufficient portion and streaming the remaining portion. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A computer system for streaming media objects to a recipient in response to a request by a requester, said computer system comprising:
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at least one origin server computer storing at least one media object; and
at least one edge server computer in communication with said origin server computer;
said at least one edge server computer storing a prefix containing a beginning portion of said media object, a size of the prefix being determined, at least in part, by anticipated demand for said media object;
said edge server computer receiving a request for the streaming of said media object; and
said origin server computer transmitting said media object associated with said beginning portion to said edge server computer, said edge server computer subsequently streaming said media object associated with said first portion to said recipient such that delivery of the beginning portion and said subsequently transmitted media object is continuous and uninterrupted. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification