System and method for providing random access to a multimedia object over a network
First Claim
1. A method of analyzing a multimedia data object that is adapted for rendering on an electronic device, the method comprising:
- identifying a transmission rate;
prior to transmission of the multimedia data object to a receiving device targeted to display the multimedia data object, determining a buffer time based upon the transmission rate and at least one characteristic of the multimedia data object; and
indicating the buffer time.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method provide random access to a multimedia object over a network. One embodiment of the invention includes a streaming media server that is connected to a client computer over a network. The streaming media server includes at least one multimedia object that is adapted for transmission (“streaming”) across the network. A pre-roll calculation program determines a pre-roll for each segment of the multimedia object and generates a modified multimedia object which includes a pre-roll for each of its segments, a pre-roll identifying a portion of the multimedia object to be transmitted by the streaming media server and received by the client computer prior to playback of the multimedia object at a selected segment. The pre-roll allows the client computer to present, starting at a selected segment, the multimedia object in its entirety without interruption. The pre-roll calculation program further facilitates the design of the multimedia object to minimize delays associated with random accesses to segments of the multimedia object.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of analyzing a multimedia data object that is adapted for rendering on an electronic device, the method comprising:
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identifying a transmission rate; prior to transmission of the multimedia data object to a receiving device targeted to display the multimedia data object, determining a buffer time based upon the transmission rate and at least one characteristic of the multimedia data object; and indicating the buffer time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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4. A method of analyzing a multimedia data object that is adapted for rendering on an electronic device, the method comprising:
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identifying a transmission rate; determining a buffer time based upon the transmission rate and at least one characteristic of the multimedia data object; indicating the determined buffer time; and transmitting the indicated buffer time from a server computer to a client computer. - View Dependent Claims (5, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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6. An electronic device, comprising:
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a data object; a display; and a component configured to; identify a transmission rate; determine a buffer size or time that is used for buffering data from the data object on another device based upon the identified transmission rate and at least one characteristic of the data object, wherein the buffer size or time is determined prior to transmission of the data object; and display the buffer size or time. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 24, 25, 26)
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9. A screen display, comprising:
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an area for displaying data consumption characteristics of a multi-media object having non-uniform consumption characteristics; and an area for displaying a buffer time for transmitting the multi-media object, wherein the buffer time is determined based upon an identified transmission rate and at least one characteristic of the multi-media object, and wherein the buffer time is determined prior to transmission of the multi-media object to a receiving device targeted to display the multi-media object. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification