Method and apparatus for scalable, high bandwidth storage retrieval and transportation of multimedia data on a network

• US 5,805,804 A
• Filed: 03/12/1997
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Oracle Corporation
• Inventors: Moore, Mark, Laursen, Andrew, Bailey, William, Porter, Mark A., Olkin, Jeffrey C., Nazem, Farzad
• Primary Examiner(s): Shin, Christopher B.
• Application Number:
  US08/816,207
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 395/200, 395/600, 395/200.02-200.15, 370/58, 370/62, 370/94, 370/60.4, 370/397, 348/7-10
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2405 Monitoring of the internal components or processes of the server, e.g. server load allocation of resources in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/50; performance measurement of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26216 involving the channel capacity, e.g. network bandwidth admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; establishing a schedule or organising the servicing of application requests taking into account QoS H04L67/61
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4432 Powering on the client, e.g. bootstrap loading using setup parameters being stored locally or received from the server resetting in general G06F1/14; program loading or initiating in general G06F9/445; bootstrapping in general G06F9/4401; secure boots of computer platforms G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

An improved system and method for providing multimedia data in a networked system is disclosed. The present invention provides a platform for distributed client-server computing and access to data over asymmetric real-time networks. A service mechanism allows applications to be split such that client devices (set-top boxes, personal digital assistants, etc.) can focus on presentation, while backend services running in a distributed server complex, provide access to data via messaging across an abstracted interface.

Claims

1. A high bandwidth, scalable server for storing, retrieving, and transporting multimedia data to a client in a networked system, said server comprising:

an upstream manager receiving messages from said client and routing said messages to an appropriate service on said server, said upstream manager being coupled to a first network;

a downstream manager sending a stream of said multimedia data from said appropriate service on said server to said client, said downstream manager being coupled to a second network; and

a connection service for maintaining information to connect said client, said upstream manager, said downstream manager, and said appropriate service on said server.

2. The server in claim 1 wherein said connection service further creates a virtual connection between an upstream address and a downstream address for said client.

3. The server in claim 2 wherein said connection service also manages said virtual connection.

4. A computer-implemented method for retrieving and transporting multimedia data between a client and a server on a network, said computer-implemented method comprising the steps of:

receiving a client request for initialization in a message to an upstream manager in said server, said upstream manager being coupled to a first network;

obtaining an upstream physical address for said client as said client request enters said server;

allocating a downstream physical address and downstream logical address to said client corresponding to the upstream physical address obtained for said client, said downstream physical address being used by a downstream manager for sending a stream of said multimedia data from a service on said server to said client, said downstream manager being coupled to a second network; and

updating a connection service table with said upstream physical address, said downstream physical address, and said downstream logical address for said client.

5. The computer-implemented method in claim 4 wherein further comprising the steps of:

receiving a service request message from said client to said server via said upstream manager, said service request corresponding to said service on said server, said service request message including said client downstream logical address and a service destination logical address;

generating a response message from said server to said client, said response message including said client downstream logical address; and

sending said response message to said client via said downstream manager.

6. The computer-implemented method in claim 4 wherein said step of updating said connection service with said upstream and downstream addresses for said client includes the step of creating a virtual connection between said upstream and downstream addresses for said client.

7. The computer-implemented method in claim 6 wherein said step of creating said virtual connection between said upstream and downstream addresses for said client further includes the step of managing said virtual connection.

8. The computer-implemented method in claim 7 wherein said step of managing said virtual connection includes the steps of:

creating a routing table containing said client downstream logical address and a corresponding client downstream physical address;

accessing said connection service table; and

utilizing information in said routing table and said connection service table to route said client service request message from said client to said service in said server and to route said response message from said service in said server to said client via said downstream manager.

9. The computer-implemented method in claim 4 wherein said request for initialization to said upstream manager is a Remote Procedure Call (RPC).

10. A high bandwidth, scalable server for storing, retrieving, and transporting multimedia data to a client in a networked system, said server comprising:

means for receiving a client request for initialization in a message to an upstream manager in said server, said upstream manager being coupled to a first network;

means for obtaining an upstream physical address for said client as said client request enters said server;

means for allocating a downstream physical address and downstream logical address for said client corresponding to the upstream physical address obtained for said client, said downstream physical address being used by a downstream manager for sending a stream of said multimedia data from a service on said server to said client, said downstream manager being coupled to a second network; and

means for updating a connection service table with said upstream physical address, said downstream physical address, and said downstream logical address for said client.

11. The server as claimed in claim 10 further including:

means for receiving a service request message from said client via said upstream manager, said service request corresponding to said service on said server, said service request message including said client downstream logical address and a service destination logical address;

means for generating a response message to said client, said response message including said client downstream logical address; and

means for sending said response message to said client via said downstream manager.

12. The server as claimed in claim 10 further including:

means for creating and managing a virtual connection between said upstream and downstream addresses for said client.

13. The server as claimed in claim 12 wherein said means for creating and managing said virtual connection further includes:

means for creating a routing table containing said client downstream logical address and a corresponding client downstream physical address;

means for accessing said connection service table; and

means for utilizing information in said routing table and said connection service table to route said client service request message from said client to said service in said server and to route said response message from said service in said server to said client via said downstream manager.

14. The server as claimed in claim 10 wherein said means for receiving a client request for initialization further includes a means for receiving a Remote Procedure Call (RPC).