System and method for selection and retrieval of diverse types of video data on a computer network

• US 6,421,726 B1
• Filed: 03/01/1998
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Akamai Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Akamai Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Brownell, Lonnie J., Weathersby, Guy P., Colby, Kenneth W., Kenner, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cardone, Jason D.
• Application Number:
  US09/039,077
• Time in Patent Office: 1,598 Days
• Field of Search: 709/250, 709/245, 709/244, 709/238, 709/235, 709/226, 709/228, 709/227, 709/224, 709/219, 709/217, 709/105, 709/225, 707/5, 707/104.1, 345/716, 345/717, 725/115
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1012 based on compliance of requirements or conditions with available server resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1023 based on a hash applied to IP addresses or costs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1029 using data related to the state of servers by a load balancer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/61 taking into account QoS or priority requirements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23116 involving data replication, e.g. over plural servers synchronization of replicated data G06F11/1658; error detection or correction by means of data replication G06F11/2053; replication in distributed file systems G06F16/10; replication in distributed file systems G06F16/27; replication or mirroring of data in data networks H04L67/1095
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44209 Monitoring of downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. bandwidth variations of a wireless network arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8193 dedicated tools, e.g. video decoder software or IPMP tool

Abstract

A system and method for the selection and retrieval of various types of video data from distributed delivery sites calls for the deployment of “Smart Mirror” sites throughout a network, each of which maintains a copy of certain data managed by the system. Each “Smart Mirror” site maintains copies of the data in several alternative file formats. Every user is assigned to a specific delivery site based on an analysis of network performance with respect to each of the available delivery sites. Generalized network performance data is collected and stored to facilitate the selection of additional delivery sites and to ensure the preservation of improved performance in comparison to traditional networks. The appropriate file format is automatically selected based on the capabilities of a user terminal making a request for data.

Claims

1. A method for serving a media file in a preferred format, comprising:

storing copies of the media file on a set of delivery sites;

responsive to receipt at a content provider site of a request from a client, serving a page that includes a reference to the media file together with given code, wherein the given code is executable at the client to identify a preferred format for the media file;

locating a preferred delivery site from the set of delivery sites, wherein the step of locating a preferred delivery site comprises;

analyzing given network performance metrics; and

selecting the preferred delivery site based on analysis of the given network performance metrics; and

responsive to receipt at the preferred delivery site of a request for the media file in the preferred format, serving the media file in the preferred format.

2. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the set of delivery sites are located at Internet Points of Presence (PoPs).

3. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the preferred delivery site is electronically near the client.

4. The method as described in claim 1 further including the step of serving to the client a media player for use in rendering the media file in the preferred format.