Video data retrieval method for use in video server environments that use striped disks
First Claim
1. A method for retrieving a stored sequence of bits representing video information, the sequence of bits having been stored on a fixed plural number, "m," of disks in accordance with a disk striping technique wherein the sequence of bits are adapted to be retrieved in a plurality of individual rounds, the method comprising the steps of:
- retrieving, in a given one of said plurality of individual rounds, a predetermined number, "d," of said bits from said fixed plural number of disks; and
storing said predetermined number of said bits in a buffer memory having a given fixed capacity,wherein said predetermined number "d" has been calculated based on said fixed plural number "m" and on said given fixed capacity of said buffer memory, and wherein said predetermined number "d" has been calculated further based on one or more performance characteristics of said disks.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for retrieving video data from a video server, the video data having been stored on a plurality of disks based on a disk striping technique. In accordance with one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises the steps of retrieving a predetermined number of bits from the plurality of disks in the video server, and storing that predetermined number of bits in a buffer memory, wherein the number of bits retrieved and stored is based on the number of disks and on the capacity of the buffer memory. These steps, which together may illustratively constitute one round of the video retrieval process, may be repeated until the entire video has been retrieved and, for example, transmitted to the intended recipient(s) at a required transmission rate.
82 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for retrieving a stored sequence of bits representing video information, the sequence of bits having been stored on a fixed plural number, "m," of disks in accordance with a disk striping technique wherein the sequence of bits are adapted to be retrieved in a plurality of individual rounds, the method comprising the steps of:
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retrieving, in a given one of said plurality of individual rounds, a predetermined number, "d," of said bits from said fixed plural number of disks; and storing said predetermined number of said bits in a buffer memory having a given fixed capacity, wherein said predetermined number "d" has been calculated based on said fixed plural number "m" and on said given fixed capacity of said buffer memory, and wherein said predetermined number "d" has been calculated further based on one or more performance characteristics of said disks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A video server for retrieving a stored sequence of bits representing video information, the video server comprising
a fixed plural number, "m," of disks, the sequence of bits having been stored on said fixed plural number of disks in accordance with a disk striping technique wherein the sequence of bits are adapted to be retrieved in a plurality of individual rounds; -
means for retrieving, in a given one of said plurality of rounds, a predetermined number, "d," of said bits from said fixed plural number of disks; and a buffer memory having a given fixed capacity, the buffer memory for storing said predetermined number of said bits therein, wherein said predetermined number "d" has been calculated based on said fixed plural number "m" and on said given fixed capacity of said buffer memory, and wherein said predetermined number "d" has been calculated further based on one or more performance characteristics of said disks. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification