Video storage unit architecture

• US 6,442,599 B1
• Filed: 03/30/1998
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Freeman, Paul M., DuLac, Keith B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pan, Daniel H.
• Application Number:
  US09/061,743
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• Field of Search: 348/6, 348/7, 348/12, 348/14, 348/4, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 455/6.2, 455/412, 709/219, 709/217, 709/218, 709/231, 709/232, 709/238, 709/233, 709/211, 709/212, 709/213, 710/52, 710/62, 710/74, 710/110, 710/305, 710/301, 710/310, 710/33, 710/34, 710/35, 345/355, 345/350, 345/357, 370/404, 379/93.12, 386/101, 386/104
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

An apparatus for storing and playing videos. The apparatus includes a storage device containing a video for playback on a user system located on a communications network. The apparatus includes a system connection to a data processing system and a network connection to the communications network. The apparatus includes a transfer means for transferring the video from the storage device to the network using the network connection, wherein the video is directly transferred from the apparatus to the network.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing aid playing videos comprising:

a storagc device containing a video stored fts a digital video file;

a system connection configured to connect the storage device to a data processing system;

a network connection configured to connect the storage device to a communications network;

transfer means for transferring the digital video file from the storage device to the communications network using the network connection; and

reception means for receiving commands from the network, wherein the commands are virtual VCR commands further comprises alteration means for altering a preselected rate of transfer of the digital video file in response to reception means receiving a command from the communications network.

2. An apparatus for storing and playing videos comprising:

a storage device containing a video stored as a digital video file;

a system connection configured to connect storage device to a data processing system;

a network connection configured to connect the storage device to a communications network; and

transfer means for transferring the digital video file from the storage device to the communications network using the network connection further comprising;

a bus connecting the storage device, a collection to the data processing system, and a second network connection together; and

a buffer connected to the bus, the buffer also having a connection to the network connection.

3. An apparatus for storing and playing videos comprising

a storage device containing a video stored as a digital video file;

a system connection to a data processing system;

a network connection having a connection to a communications network;

transfer means for transferring the digital video file from the storage device to the communications network using the network connection;

a bus connecting the storage device, the system connection, and a second network connection together; and

a buffer connected to the bus, the buffer also having a connection to the network connection, wherein the apparatus includes three modes of operation comprising;

a first mode or operation in which a connection is made between the apparatus and a user on the communications network using the network connection;

a second mode of operation in which a digital video file is transferred from the storage device to the user on a path from the storage device to the buffer, from the buffer to the network connection, and from the network connection to the user using the communications network; and

a third mode of operation in which the apparatus receives commands and the transfer of the digital video file on the path are controlled by the received commands.

4. An apparatus for storing and playing videos comprising:

a storage device containing a video stored as a digital video file;

a system connection to a data processing system;

a network connection having a connection to a communications network;

transfer means for transferring the digital video file from the storage device to the communications network using the network connection;

a bus connecting the storage device, the system connection, and a second network connection together; and

a buffer connected to the bus, the buffer also having a connection to the network connection, wherein the storage device contains a plurality of videos stored as digital video files and wherein the apparatus includes three modes of operation comprising;

a first mode of operation in which a plurality of connection is made between the apparatus and a plurality of users on the communications network using the network connection;

a second mode of operation in which a portion of the plurality of digital video files is transferred from the storage device to a user on a path from the storage device to the buffer, from the buffer to the network connection, and from the network connection to the plurality of users; and

a third mode of operation in which the apparatus receives commands and the transfer of the portion of the plurality of digital video files are controlled by the received commands.

5. A data processing system comprising:

a communications bus;

a video server connected to the communications bus; and

a storage unit including;

a storage device containing a data file;

a network connection to a communications network;

a connection connecting the storage device to the communications bus; and

transfer means for transferring the data file from the storage device to the communications network using the network connection, wherein the storage unit further includes a second transfer means for transferring a second data file to the storage device, wherein the second transfer means transfers the second data file to the storage device from the communications network through the network adapter.

6. A data processing system comprising:

a communications bus;

a video server connected to the communications bus; and

a storage unit including;

a storage device containing a data file;

a network connection to a communications network;

a connection connecting the storage device to the communications bus; and

transfer means for transferring the data file from (the storage device to the communications network using the network connection wherein the storage unit further includes a second reception means for receiving commands from a connection to the communications bus.

7. A data processing system comprising:

a computer including;

a processor;

a memory;

a storage device;

a system bus connected to the processor, the memory, and the storage device; and

a data storage unit including;

a second storage device, wherein data is stored in the second storage device;

a network connection directly connected to a communications network;

a connection to the system bus;

a transfer means for transferring the data from the second storage device to the communications network using the network connection, wherein the data storage unit includes a reception means for receiving commands at the network connection, and wherein the transfer of the data from the storage device to the communications network by the transfer means is controlled by the commands received by the reception means.

8. A data processing system comprising:

a computer including;

a processor;

a memory;

a storage device;

a system bus connected to the processor, the memory, and the storage device; and

a data storage unit including;

a second storage device, wherein data is stored in the second storage device;

a network connection directly connected to the communications network;

a connection to the system bus;

a transfer means for transferring the data from the second storage device to the communications network using the network connection, wherein the connection to the system bus is provided by an Ethernet connected to the system bus and to the connection in the data storage unit;

a bus connected to the second storage device and the network connection;

a buffer connected to the bus and the network connection; and

a processor connected to the bus, wherein the transfer means is located in the processor.