Video server content synchronization

• US 6,378,129 B1
• Filed: 03/30/1998
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Zetts, John Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Koenig, Andrew Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/050,169
• Time in Patent Office: 1,485 Days
• Field of Search: 725/91, 725/93, 725/94, 725/97, 725/116, 725/144, 725/138, 725/146, 714/6, 714/10, 714/11, 714/12, 714/775, 714/779, 709/219, 709/248, 709/250
• US Class Current: 725/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/752 adapting media to network capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2181 comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS], H04L67/1097
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/232 Content retrieval operation locally within server, e.g. reading video streams from disk arrays storage management G06F3/0604; details of querying and searching of video data from a database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/24 Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth, upstream requests monitoring of server performance or load G06F11/34; arrangements for observation, testing or troubleshooting for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• 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 21/2625 for delaying content or additional data distribution, e.g. because of an extended sport event
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26258 for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40

Abstract

Primary and secondary servers are coupled together for furnishing a backed-up video streaming function for outputting a series of video content presentations to a user group. The primary server functions as the primary provider of the video files and the secondary server is arranged to operate as a “hot stand-by” to back-up the primary server. In the event the primary server is disabled, the secondary server takes over for the primary server in furnishing video content in accordance with a common playlist. When the secondary server goes down for any reason, the illustrated methodology effectively re-synchronizes the video content and the video stream of the secondary server with that of the primary server such that the secondary server is enabled to resume the back-up function without interruption of the video file streaming process being carried on by the primary server. Various program routines and sample screen displays are illustrated in an exemplary embodiment of the back-up dual server video streaming system and methodology.

Claims

1. A method for operating a video station, said method comprising:

operating a first video server to provide a first server output stream;

operating a second video server to provide a second server output stream, said first and second server output streams comprising content files for presentation on display devices;

synchronizing the content files of said second video server with the content files of said first video server such that the content files of both said first and second video servers are substantially identical;

controlling said first and second video servers with a master control server, said master control server being selectively operable to enable said first video server to supply an output from said video station, said second video server being operable to serve as a back-up server to selectively supply said output from said video station instead of said first video server, said video station further including a video content archive coupled to said first and second video servers, said first and second video servers being arranged to selectively load video content files from said video archive; and

querying whether at least one of said first and second video servers has a selected video content file available in a memory of said one server, said one of said first and second video servers being responsive to said querying for providing a video content file present signal representative of whether said selected video content file is present in memory of said one of said first and second video servers.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said video station is a broadcast station, said video station being selectively operable for broadcasting a selected one of said first and second server output streams to air.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said video station is a network server station in a network, said network server station being selectively operable for providing a selected one of said first and second server output streams to said network.

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

re-synchronizing the content of said second server with the content of said first server if the content of said second server becomes out of synchronization with said content of said first server.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said video station is a broadcast station, said video station being selectively operable for broadcasting a selected one of said first and second server output streams to air.

6. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said video station is a network server station in a network, said network server station being selectively operable for providing a selected one of said first and second server output streams to said network.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said master control server is further selectively operable for:

effecting a playing of said selected video content file if said selected video content file is present in memory of said one video server.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said master control server is further selectively operable for:

sending a queue command to said one video server if said selected video content file is not present in memory of said one video server, said one video server being responsive to said queue command for retrieving said selected video content file from said archive to memory in said one video server.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said master control server is further selectively operable when a queried video file is not present in memory of said one video server for:

determining if said one video server has sufficient memory available to load said selected video content file, said control server being further operable for effecting a deletion of an unnecessary video file from memory of said one video server in order to make sufficient memory space available for said selected video file.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said master control server is further operable to designate a queued video file to be played following a playing of a current video file in accordance with a first server playlist.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said master control server is further operable to designate a staged video file to be played following a queued video file in accordance with a first server playlist.

12. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said re-synchronizing is managed by a resync manager device, said resync manager device being coupled to said first and second video servers.

13. A method for operating a video station, said method comprising:

operating a first video server to provide a first server output stream;

operating a second video server to provide a second server output stream, said first and second server output streams comprising content files for presentation on display devices;

synchronizing the content files of said second video server with the content files of said first video server such that the content files of both said first and second video servers are substantially identical; and

re-synchronizing the content of said second server with the content of said first server if the content of said second server becomes out of synchronization with said content of said first server; and

selectively designating a priority for said content files being re-synchronized, said priority being related to a transfer rate to be used in transferring video content files to said video server being re-synchronized.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said re-synchronizing further includes:

selectively designating a priority bandwidth to be used in transferring video content files to said video server being re-synchronized.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14 wherein said re-synchronizing is accomplished by an operator selecting from at least one operational display screen presented on said master control server.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 and further including:

selectively designating a priority for said content files being re-synchronized, said priority being related to a transfer rate to be used in transferring video content files to said video server being re-synchronized.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said re-synchronizing further includes:

selectively designating a priority bandwidth to be used in transferring video content files to said video server being re-synchronized.

18. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein said re-synchronizing is accomplished manually by said operator for at least one content file on said server being re-synchronized.

19. The method as set forth in claim 14 wherein said synchronization is accomplished automatically after said video file content of said second video server becomes unsynchronized with said video file content of said first video server.

20. An information processing system comprising:

a first video server arranged to selectively output a first data stream comprised of a first series of content files;

a second video server coupled to said first video server, said second video server being arranged to selectively output a second data stream comprised of a second series of content files;

a video output device coupled to said first and second video servers, said video output device being selectively operable for outputting a selected one of said first and second content files;

a control device coupled to said first and second video servers, said control device being selectively operable for synchronizing said first and second content files such that said first and second content files are substantially identical, said control device being further selectively operable for controlling said first and second video servers to enable said first video server to supply an output from said video station, said second video server being operable to serve as a back-up server to selectively supply said output from said video station instead of said first video server, said video station further including a video content archive coupled to said first and second video servers, said first and second video servers being arranged to selectively load video content files from said video archive; and

querying whether at least one of said first and second video servers has a selected video content file available in a memory of said one server, said one of said first and second video servers being responsive to said querying for providing a video content file present signal representative of whether said selected video content file is present in memory of said one of said first and second video servers.

21. The information processing system as set forth in claim 20 wherein said control device is further selectively operable to effect a synchronization of said first and second content files in the event said first and second content files become unsynchronized.

22. The information processing system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said first video server is a primary server for outputting said first data stream to said video output device, said second video server being arranged to operate in a stand-by mode to selectively provide said second data stream to said video output device in place of said first data stream.

23. The information processing system as set forth in claim 22 and further including operator selection means coupled to said control device, said operator selection means being arranged to enable an operator to control said synchronization.

24. The information processing system as set forth in claim 22 and further including selection means wherein said synchronization is accomplished automatically.

25. The information processing system as set forth in claim 20 wherein said video output device is arranged for providing a single video output stream for broadcast to air.

26. The information processing system as set forth in claim 20 wherein said video output device is arranged for providing a single video output stream for distribution to network system.

27. The information processing system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said video output device is arranged for providing a single video output stream for broadcast to air.

28. The information processing system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said video output device is arranged for providing a single video output stream for distribution to network system.

29. 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 useful in operating a video station, said program signals being effective for:

operating a first video server to provide a first server output stream;

operating a second video server to provide a second server output stream, said first and second server output streams comprising content files for presentation on display devices;

synchronizing the content files of said second video server with the content files of said first video server such that the content files of both said first and second video servers are substantially identical;

controlling said first and second video servers with a master control server, said master control server being selectively operable to enable said first video server to supply an output from said video station, said second video server being operable to serve as a back-up server to selectively supply said output from said video station instead of said first video server, said video station further including a video content archive coupled to said first and second video servers, said first and second video servers being arranged to selectively load video content files from said video archive; and

querying whether at least one of said first and second video servers has a selected video content file available in a memory of said one server, said one of said first and second video servers being responsive to said querying for providing a video content file present signal representative of whether said selected video content file is present in memory of said one of said first and second video servers.

30. The medium as set forth in claim 29 wherein said video station is a broadcast station, said video station being selectively operable for broadcasting a selected one of said first and second server output streams to air.

31. The medium as set forth in claim 29 wherein said video station is a network server station in a network, said network server station being selectively operable for providing a selected one of said first and second server output streams to said network.

32. The medium as set forth in claim 29 wherein said program signals are further effective for:

re-synchronizing the content of said second server with the content of said first server if the content of said second server becomes out of synchronization with said content of said first server.

33. The medium as set forth in claim 32 wherein said video station is a broadcast station, said video station being selectively operable for broadcasting a selected one of said first and second server output streams to air.

34. The medium as set forth in claim 32 wherein said video station is a network server station in a network, said network server station being selectively operable for providing a selected one of said first and second server output streams to said network.

37. The medium as set forth in claim 32 wherein said re-synchronizing is accomplished by an operator selecting from at least one operational display screen presented on said master control server.

35. 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:

operating a first video server to provide a first server output stream;

operating a second video server to provide a second server output stream, said first and second server output streams comprising content files for presentation on display devices; and

synchronizing the content files of said second video server with the content files of said first video server such that the content files of both said first and second video servers are substantially identical;

re-synchronizing the content of said second server with the content of said first server if the content of said second server becomes out of synchronization with said content of said first server; and

selectively designating a priority for said content files being re-synchronized, said priority being related to a transfer rate to be used in transferring video content files to said video server being re-synchronized.

36. 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:

operating a first video server to provide a first server output stream;

operating a second video server to provide a second server output stream, said first and second server output streams comprising content files for presentation on display devices; and

synchronizing the content files of said second video server with the content files of said first video server such that the content files of both said first and second video servers are substantially identical;

re-synchronizing the content of said second server with the content of said first server if the content of said second server becomes out of synchronization with said content of said first server; and

selectively designating a priority bandwidth to be used in transferring video content files to said video server being re-synchronized.