File transfers using playlists

• US 6,026,439 A
• Filed: 10/28/1997
• Issued: 02/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Russell, Lance Warren, Chowdhury, Shyamal, Ortiz, Carlos Enrique
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Application Number:
  US08/958,824
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 709/224, 709/232, 709/233, 709/236, 709/237, 709/238, 709/245, 709/246, 709/249, 709/304, 395/825, 395/684
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/54 Interprogram communication

Abstract

A method and implementing apparatus is provided for transferring data from memory to a file decoder which is effective to decode the file for further processing. In an illustrated example, a video file is decoded for presentation on a display device. The methodology includes enabling a plurality of control functions for access by a user or a user system in controlling the identity, sequence and flow of file transfers in order to optimize transfer efficiency in a data transfer transaction. Application programming interface (API) calls are provided by which playlists are constructed for transfer to the decoder. Further API calls are provided to enable pause and seek functions to be activated during a file transfer. A registration methodology is also provided by which predetermined processing events may be selected and recorded as they occur. The process further includes a methodology for modifying the file transfer protocol between multiple copy transfer and minimal copy transfer depending upon the type of data transfer channel being implemented.

Claims

1. A method for processing data files in preparation for transferring at least portions of a series of data files from a first device to a second device, said method comprising:

providing a first process, said first process being selectively accessible for enabling a construction of a playlist, said playlist comprising a listing of said portions of said data files; and

providing a second process, said second process being selectively accessible for enabling a closing said playlist upon a completion of said construction of said playlist, said first process being selectively operable for enabling a mode designation associated with said playlist, said mode designation being representative of speeds at which said portions are required to be transferred from said first device to said second device.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including:

providing a third process, said third process being selectively accessible for putting selected portions of data files in said playlist.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2 and further including:

providing a fourth process, said fourth process being selectively accessible for removing selected portions of data files from said playlist.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first process and said second process are software calls.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said software calls are part of an application programming interface, said application programming interface being selectively accessible by a software application program.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first device is a memory unit and said second device is a file decoder unit.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein said file decoder unit is included within an enhancement circuit, said enhancement circuit being arranged for connection to a user device, said user device being arranged to selectively effect a presentation on said user device in response to an input from said enhancement circuit.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said data files are video data files.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said data files are audio data files.

10. A storage medium including machine readable indicia, said storage medium being selectively coupled to a reading device, said reading device being selectively coupled to processing circuitry within a processing system, said reading device being selectively operable to read said machine readable indicia and provide program signals representative thereof, said program signals being effective for processing data files in preparation for transferring at least portions of a series of data files from a first device to a second device, said program signals being effective to enable said processing system to accomplish the steps of:

constructing a playlist, said playlist comprising a listing of said portions of said data files; and

enabling a closing said playlist upon a completion of said constructing of said playlist, said constructing being selectively operable for enabling a mode designation associated with said playlist, said mode designation being representative of speeds at which said portions are required to be transferred from said first device to said second device.

11. The medium as set forth in claim 10 wherein said program signals are further effective for:

selectively putting portions of said data files in said playlist.

12. The medium as set forth in claim 11 wherein said program signals are further effective for:

selectively removing portions of said data files from said playlist.

13. The medium as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first device is a memory unit and said second device is a file decoder unit.

14. The medium as set forth in claim 13 wherein said file decoder unit is included within an enhancement circuit, said enhancement circuit being arranged for connection to a user device, said user device being arranged to selectively effect a presentation on said user device in response to an input from said enhancement circuit.