System and method for tracking changes to files in streaming applications

• US 20060230175A1
• Filed: 03/23/2006
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Numecent Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Numecent Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: de Vries, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 9,716,609 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation

Abstract

A technique for modifying virtual files involves tracking changes locally. A method according to the technique may include virtually representing a file on, for example, a streaming client, and writing modifications to the virtual file into a diff-file on the streaming client. A system according the technique may include a virtual file associated with a remotely stored file, a diff-file, stored locally, associated with the remotely stored file, and a diff-file integration engine. The diff-file may include local changes to the virtual file. The diff-file integration engine may be capable of combining the virtual file with the diff-file to create a locally modified virtual file.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

virtually representing a file on a streaming client;

writing modifications to the virtual file into a diff-file on the streaming client.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifications are made locally, further comprising integrating the virtual file with the diff-file, yielding a locally modified virtual file.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising tracking segments of the file locally.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising merging overlapping segments of the file.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a modify file request;

modifying the file according to a diff-file technique and the modify file request if the file is associated with an application for which an append is typical.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a modify file request;

if the file is associated with an application in which an append is atypical;

downloading the file;

modifying the file according to the modify file request.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if file size is less than a writeback threshold:

downloading a file associated with the virtual file;

modifying the downloaded file locally.

8. A method comprising:

opening for modification a virtual file associated with a streaming software program;

treating the virtual file as a read-only file until a modification is received;

receiving a modification to the virtual file;

storing the modification in a local file;

integrating the modification into the virtual file when the virtual file is used.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising tracking segments of the file locally.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising merging overlapping segments of the file.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a modify file request;

modifying the virtual file according to a diff-file technique and the modify file request if the virtual file is associated with an application for which an append is typical.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a modify file request;

if the virtual file is associated with an application in which an append is atypical;

downloading the virtual file;

modifying the downloaded virtual file according to the modify file request.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising, if file size is less than a writeback threshold:

downloading the virtual file;

modifying the downloaded virtual file locally.

14. A system, comprising:

a virtual file associated with a remotely stored file;

a diff-file, stored locally, associated with the remotely stored file, wherein the diff-file includes local changes to the virtual file;

a diff-file integration engine capable of combining the virtual file with the diff-file to create a locally modified virtual file.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the diff-file is further used to track segments of the virtual file locally.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the diff-file is further used to merge overlapping segments of the virtual file.

17. The system of claim 14, further comprising a means for receiving a modify file request, wherein the diff-file integration engine modifies the virtual file according to a diff-file technique and the modify file request, if the virtual file is associated with an application for which an append is typical.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a means for receiving a modify file request

a means for downloading the virtual file if the virtual file is associated with an application in which an append is atypical;

a means for modifying the file according to the modify file request if the virtual file is associated with an application in which an append is atypical.

19. The system of claim 14, further comprising, if file size is less than a writeback threshold:

a means for downloading a file associated with the virtual file if file size is less than a writeback threshold;

a means for modifying the downloaded file locally if file size is less than a writeback threshold.

20. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

memory having a plurality of modules stored therein;

a processor, coupled to the memory, capable of executing the executable modules,

wherein the memory includes the virtual file, the diff-file, and the diff-file integration engine.