Video-on demand video server disk/memory streaming selection methodology

• US 7,188,357 B1
• Filed: 11/16/2000
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Original Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Inventors: Nissen, Laura M., McBreen, James R., Rieschl, Michael J., Jacobs, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, NGOC K
• Application Number:
  US09/714,072
• Time in Patent Office: 2,301 Days
• Field of Search: 725/86, 725/87, 725/91, 725/92, 725/93, 725/94, 725/115, 725/145, 725/96, 725/114, 725/144
• US Class Current: 725/92
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21815 comprising local storage units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23103 using load balancing strategies, e.g. by placing or distributing content on different disks, different memories or different servers storage management G06F3/0604; allocation of resources considering the load in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/505; techniques for rebalancing the load in a distributed system G06F9/5083; access to distributed or replicated servers, e.g. load balancing, in data networks H04L67/1001
• 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 21/2312 Data placement on disk arrays data placement in general G06F3/0604
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2326 Scheduling disk or memory reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2405 Monitoring of the internal components or processes of the server, e.g. server load allocation of resources in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/50; performance measurement of computer activity G06F11/34

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for efficiently managing video programming services by a provider of video on demand services in response to requests from cable television subscribers. The system is controlled by a multimedia application server. Upon receipt of a request, the multimedia application server searches for the most appropriate means of satisfying the request. If the requested program is already being provided, the streaming occurs from the same video server, if capacity is available. If the program already exists in streamable form, it is streamed from that location. If the requested program must be transferred to video server memory, the available space is found to accommodate the transfer or existing programming is swapped out.

Claims

1. In a video on demand system for supplying video data in response to a user request provided by a user, the video on demand system comprising:

a. A plurality of video servers each including a separate hardware and software subsystem and capable of supplying video data to said user;

b. A temporary memory for storage of said video data responsively coupled to each of said plurality of video servers; and

c. A multimedia application server including a dedicated hardware and software subsystem responsively coupled to said temporary memory which receives said user request from said user, spools said video data into said temporary memory, and selects a particular one of said plurality of video servers to stream said video data from said temporary memory to said user in response to said user request.

2. The video on demand system of claim 1 further comprising logic which selects said particular one of said plurality of video servers based upon said particular one of said plurality of video servers already having said video data loaded.

3. The video on demand system of claim 1 further comprising logic which selects said particular one of said plurality of video servers based upon which of said plurality of video servers is least utilized.

4. The video on demand system of claim 1 further comprising logic which selects said particular one of said plurality of video servers based upon which of said plurality of video servers has sufficient unused storage space.

5. The video on demand system of claim 1 further comprising logic which replaces a previous video program from said one of said plurality of video servers with said video data.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a. A video program request generated by a user;

b. A plurality of video servers each having a separate hardware and software subsystem and capable of streaming said video program to said user;

c. A temporary memory for storing said video program responsively coupled to each of said plurality of video servers; and

d. A multimedia application server having a dedicated hardware and software subsystem responsively coupled to said temporary memory which receives said video program request from said user, spools said video program into said temporary memory, and selects one of said plurality of video servers to stream said video program to said user from said temporary memory.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said multimedia application server further comprises logic for selecting said one of said plurality of video servers if said one of said plurality of video servers has already loaded said video program.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said multimedia server further comprises logic for selecting said one of said plurality of video servers if said one of said plurality of video servers is least busy.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said multimedia application server further comprises a logic for selecting said one of said plurality of video servers if said one of said plurality of video servers has sufficient unused storage space.

10. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said multimedia application server further comprises logic which directs said one of said plurality of video servers to swap said video program for an existing video program.

11. An apparatus for providing video on demand programming to a plurality of users comprising:

a. A video program request generated by one of said plurality of users;

b. A plurality of video servers each including a separate hardware and software subsystem and capable of streaming said video program to said one of said plurality of users;

c. A temporary memory for storing said video program responsively coupled to each of said plurality of video servers; and

d. A multimedia application server having a dedicated hardware and software subsystem responsively coupled to said temporary memory which receives said video program request directly from said one of said plurality of users, spools said video program into said temporary memory, and selects one of said plurality of video servers to stream said video program to said one of said plurality of users from said temporary memory.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said multimedia application server further comprises logic for selecting said one of said plurality of video servers if said one of said plurality of video servers has already loaded said video program.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said multimedia server further comprises logic for selecting said one of said plurality of video servers if said one of said plurality of video servers is least busy of said plurality of video servers.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said multimedia application server further comprises a logic for selecting said one of said plurality of video servers if said one of said plurality of video servers has sufficient unused storage space.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said multimedia application server further comprises logic which directs said one of said plurality of video servers to swap said video program for an existing video program.