Multimedia data storage system and method for operating a media server as a cache device and controlling a volume of data in the media server based on user-defined parameters

• US 6,434,680 B2
• Filed: 12/23/1999
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Elliot, Steven K., Belknap, William Russell, Kozina, Gerald Edward, Nguyen, Tram Thi Mai
• Primary Examiner(s): Thai, Tuan V.
• Application Number:
  US09/471,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20010042170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 707/9, 709/219, 710/35, 711/3, 711/118, 711/154, 711/161
• US Class Current: 711/161
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/08 in hierarchically structured memory systems, e.g. virtual memory systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a multimedia data storage system for storing multimedia data including a media server which stores media data on a short-term basis, and a media archive which stores media data on a long-term basis relative to the media server. The media archive is connected to the media server, which operates as a cache device for the media archive, for transmission of media data between the media archive and the media server. According to the present invention, a volume of the media data stored in the media server is controlled based on user-defined parameters. The present invention is also directed to a method of managing a media server as a cache device for a media archive within a multimedia data storage system. The media server stores media data on a short-term basis, whereas the media archive stores media data on a long-term basis relative to the media server. The media archive is connected to the media server for transmission of media data therebetween. According to the present invention, the method of managing includes determining a volume of the media data stored in the media server and controlling the volume of the media data stored in the media server based on user-defined parameters. The present invention is also directed to a computer-readable medium of instructions to be implemented in a multimedia data storage system including a media server and a media archive. The media server stores media data on a short-term basis and the media archive stores media data on a long-term basis relative to the media server. The media archive is connected to the media server for transmission of media data therebetween. The inventive computer-readable medium of instructions includes means for determining a volume of the media data stored in the media server and means for controlling the volume of the media data stored in the media server based on user-defined parameters.

Claims

1. A multimedia data storage system for storing multimedia data comprising

a media server which stores media data on a short-term basis, and

a media archive which stores media data on a long-term basis relative to the media server, said media archive being connected to said media server for transmission of media data therebetween;

wherein said media server operates as a cache device for said media archive, and in response to a signal controls the volume of the media data stored in said media server, wherein the volume of data stored in the media server is based on at least one user-defined parameter that is programmable in a post-design stage;

wherein said media server has a maximum storage capacity, and wherein a second parameter of the user-defined parameters is an upper capacity volume which is no more than the maximum storage capacity of said media server, said media server reducing the volume of the media data stored therein if the volume of the media data is greater than the upper capacity volume;

wherein said media server reduced the volume of the media data stored therein until the volume reaches a lower capacity volume of said media server which corresponds to a third parameter of the user-defined parameters;

wherein the media data stored in said media server includes first and second portions, the first portion of the media data corresponding to a portion of the media data which remains after reduction of the volume of the media data, the second portion of media data corresponding to a portion of the media data which is to be deleted from said media server during reduction of the volume of the media data; and

wherein the second portion of the media data is deleted from said media server in predefined amounts of the media data, a size of each of the predefined amounts of being defined by by an eighth parameter of the user-defined parameters.

2. A method of managing a media server as a cache device for a media archive within a multimedia data storage system, said media server storing media data on a short-term basis, said media archive storing media data on a long-term basis relative to the media server, said media archive being connected to said media server for transmission of the media data therebetween, said method comprising;

determining the volume of the media data stored in said media server; and

controlling the volume of the media data stored in said media server in response to a signal, wherein the volume of data is based on at least one user-defined parameter that is programmable in a post-design stage;

wherein said media server has a maximum storage capacity, and wherein a second parameter of the user-defined parameters is an upper capacity volume which is no more than the maximum storage of said media server, and wherein said controlling further comprises reducing the volume of the media data stored in said media server when the volume of the media data is greater than the upper capacity volume;

wherein in said reducing, the volume of the media data stored in said media server is continuously reduced until the volume reaches a lower capacity volume of said media server which corresponds to a third parameter of the user-defined parameters;

wherein the volume of media data includes first and second portions, the first portion of media data, and wherein said reducing comprises deleting the second portion of the media data from said media server, the first portion of the media data corresponding to a portion of the media data stored in said media server which remains after reduction of the volume of the media data; and

wherein the second portion of the media data is deleted from said media server in predefined amounts of media data, a size of each of the predefined amounts being defined by an eighth parameter of the user-defined parameters.

3. A computer-readable medium of instructions to be implemented in a computer based multimedia data storage system including a media server and a media archive, said media server storing media data on a short-term basis, said media archive storing media data on a long-term basis relative to the media server, said media archive being connected to said media server for transmission of media data therebetween, said computer-readable medium of instructions comprising:

means for determining a volume of the media data stored in said media server; and

means for controlling the volume of the media data stored in said media server in response to a signal, wherein the volume of data stored in said media server is based on at least one user-defined parameter that is programmable in a post-design stage, said media server has a maximum storage capacity, a parameter of the user-defined parameters is an upper capacity volume which is no more than the maximum storage capacity of said media server, and said means for controlling further comprises means for reducing the volume of the media data stored in said media server if the volume of the media data is greater than the upper capacity volume.