Query caching in a system with a content directory service

• US 20070055650A1
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Duncan, Bruce, Heron, Dale
• Application Number:
  US10/573,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20070055650A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24539 using cached or materialised query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24552 Database cache management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/43 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95

Abstract

A caching device (70) queries (203a) the CDS of a serving device (MS-a) for media content information and stores the results (204a) for later retrieval. The query (203a) can be made in response to receiving a request (202) from a querying device (UI, 21) to perform the query or in response to a query formulated by the caching device itself. The cached results can be accessed by the querying device in preference to re-performing the required query. The cached results can be maintained up-to-date at the request of the querying device (21) or automatically without involvement of the querying device.

Claims

1. A method of storing query information at a caching device in a system which uses a Content Directory Service (CDS) to store media content information, comprising:

querying the CDS of a serving device for media content information;

receiving the results of the query; and

,

storing the results for later retrieval.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of sending a querying device an identifier of the stored results for use in later retrieval.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of querying the CDS of a serving device uses a query received from a querying device.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of querying the CDS of a serving device uses a query formulated by the caching device.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the formulated query uses knowledge of the user interface of the querying device.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the formulated query uses knowledge of user selections at the user interface of the querying device.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the formulated query relates to a frequently selected option at the user interface.

8. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of receiving notification from the serving device of an update to the CDS and updating the results stored at the caching device.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein, upon receiving notification of an update to the CDS, the caching device is arranged to determine whether the stored results require updating.

10. A method according to claim 8 wherein, in the event that the stored information is updated, the caching device notifies the querying device that an update has occurred.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein, in the event that the stored information is updated, the caching device sends the querying device the information that has changed.

17. Software for causing a processor to perform the method according to claim 1.

18. Control apparatus for a caching device for causing the caching device to perform the method according to claim 1.

19. A caching device incorporating the control apparatus according to claim 18.

22. A method, software, control apparatus, caching device or querying device according to claim 1 for use in a system which conforms to Universal Plug and Play (UPnP).

12. A method of operating a querying device in a system which uses a Content Directory Service (CDS) to store media content information, comprising:

determining a candidate query that should be cached; and

,

instructing a caching device to perform the candidate query and to store the results of the query.

13. A method according to claim 12 further comprising receiving an identifier of the stored results from the caching device for use in later retrieval of the stored results.

14. A method according to claim 12 wherein the querying device has a user interface and the step of determining a candidate query uses historical data of user selections at the user interface.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the candidate query is a frequently selected option at the user interface.

16. A method according to claim 13 wherein the candidate query is at least one option currently available to a user of the user interface, but not yet selected by the user.

20. Control apparatus for a querying device for causing the querying device to perform the method according to claim 12.

21. A querying device incorporating the control apparatus according to claim 20.