Scheduled retrieval, storage and access of media data

• US 7,565,675 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2000
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Listen.com, Inc. (RealNetworks, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lester, James P., Rebaud, Sylvain P., Sincaglia, Nicolas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lonsberry; Hunter B.
• Application Number:
  US09/733,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20020019990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,147 Days
• Field of Search: 725/25, 725/37, 725 86- 87, 725/89, 725/100, 725/134, 725/142, 709217-219, 709231-232, 711/133, 711/163
• US Class Current: 725/89
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10 Digital recording or reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4335 Housekeeping operations, e.g. prioritizing content for deletion because of storage space restrictions storage management, e.g. defragmentation G06F3/0604; unloading stored programs G06F9/445; storage management in file systems G06F16/10; buffering arrangements in a network node or in an end terminal in packet networks H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• 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 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A system and method automates a scheduled retrieval, storage, and access of media data. Media data is retrieved from an external source and downloaded to an end user media device storage for subsequent playback at the end user media device. Media data is accessible from the end user media device storage based upon criteria including a selection of the end user, rules regulating the media data, and whether a playback time of the media data is sufficient to retrieve additional media data. The system performs regularly scheduled dynamic controls to determine whether additional media data is required for continuous and uninterrupted access of the media data.

Claims

1. A method of managing digital media data in a processing system comprising:

receiving at least a portion of the media data from a first memory storage device external to said data processing system;

continually determining a varying data transfer rate associated with said receiving, and continually indicating the determined data transfer rate;

storing the received media data in a second memory storage device internal to the data processing system, and indicating access status associated with the stored media data;

receiving an indication of a selection of at least a portion of the media data from an input device coupled with the data processing system;

continuously determining at least a portion of the total continuous realtime rendering time of the media data; and

enabling realtime processing of the media data from said second memory storage device based at least in part on at least one of said indicating of the selection and the determining.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein said first memory storage device is an optical disk.

3. The method as in claim 1, wherein said first memory storage device is accessed through a computer network.

4. The method as in claim 1, wherein said access status comprises at least one access condition predefined by a copyright holder of said media data.

5. The method as in claim 1, wherein said access status comprises at least one access condition predefined by a rightful owner of said media data.

6. The method as in claim 4, wherein said at least one access condition comprises one of:

a specified time elapse between a previous and a current processing of the media data;

a maximum allowable times for processing said media data; and

a maximum allowable times for processing said media data within a specified time interval of said media data.

7. The method as in claim 4, wherein said at least one access condition comprises

a specified time elapse between a previous and a current processing of the media data;

a maximum allowable times for processing said media data; and

a maximum allowable times for processing said media data within a specified time interval of said media data.

8. The method as in claim 1, wherein said determining at least a portion of the total continuous rendering time comprises

determining a size of said media data;

determining a bitrate of said media data; and

determining a realtime playback time of said media data based upon said size and said bitrate.

9. The method as in claim 1, wherein said input device comprises a graphical user interface having a graphical display and a selectable console device.

10. The method as in claim 1, wherein the media data comprises one of:

a single media content data file; and

a plurality of media data having related criteria.

11. The method as in claim 10, wherein said related criteria comprises at least one of:

a plurality of media data related in theme;

a plurality of media data related in style; and

a plurality of media data related in time period of public release.

12. The method as in claim 1, wherein said media data comprises video data, and wherein said processing of said media data comprises sending at least a portion of said media data to a display device, each of said at least a portion of said media data representing a display frame.

13. The method as in claim 1, wherein said media data comprises audio data, and wherein said processing of said media data comprises sending at least a portion of said media data to a sound transducer.

14. The method as in claim 1, wherein said media data represents musical notes, and wherein said processing of said media data comprises sending at least a portion of said media data to a sound transducer to produce sound.

15. The method as in claim 1, wherein said media data comprises text, and wherein said processing of said media data comprises sending at least a portion of said media data to a display device.

16. The method as in claim 1, wherein said media data comprises SMPTE time codes.

17. The method as in claim 1, wherein said media data comprises animated graphical data.

18. The method as in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises retrieving additional media data from said first memory storage device.

19. The method as in claim 18, wherein said retrieving of said additional media data resumes after an interruption starting with a most recently stored data packet of said additional media data from said first memory storage device.

20. The method as in claim 19, wherein said continuous realtime rendering time exceeds a first predetermined value, and said data transfer rate exceeds a second predetermined value, and wherein the method further comprises

determining an increase in optimal data quality available for retrieving said additional media data from said first memory storage device.

21. The method as in claim 20, wherein said optimal data quality provides a higher bitrate data, a larger total data size, a greater computational processing requirement, and a greater computational resources for processing.

22. The method as in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises scheduling a storage of additional media data.

25. The method as in claim 22, wherein said scheduling a storage of additional media data resumes after an interruption starting with a most recently stored data packet of said additional media data from said external memory storage.

26. The method as in claim 22, wherein said total continuous realtime rendering time exceeds a first predetermined value, and said transfer rate exceeds a second predetermined value, further comprising:

determining an increase in optimal data quality available for retrieving said additional media data from said external memory storage.

27. The method as in claim 26, wherein said optimal data quality provides a higher bitrate data, a larger total data size, a greater computational processing requirement, and a greater computational resources for processing.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein said continuously determining of at least a portion of the total continuous realtime rendering time of said media data is performed prior to enabling processing of said media data.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein a portion of the media data is received from a remote device at a client device via a network.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said client device determines a continuous realtime playtime for said transferred media data.

49. The method of claim 1, wherein processing of the media data from said second memory storage device is based at least in part on based at least in part on a determined continuous realtime rendering time of the selected media data.

50. The method of claim 1, wherein processing of the media data from said second memory storage device is based at least in part on based at least in part on one or more selected from the group 1) an indicated data transfer rate associated with said receiving, and 2) an indicated access status of the selected media data.

23. A method of managing a plurality of media data in a data processing system comprising:

determining a data transfer rate of said plurality of media data from an external memory storage;

storing at least one media data of said plurality of media data;

determining an access status of at least one media data;

determining a total continuous rendering time of said at least one media data;

providing an input means for an operator to select access of said at least one media data;

processing said at least one media data from said internal memory storage;

scheduling a storage of additional media data in the internal memory storage; and

removing access to said media data from said internal memory when said access status is an access denied status, when said total continuous rendering time exceeds a first predetermined value, and when said transfer rate exceeds a second predetermined value.

28. The method as in claim 23, wherein managing the plurality of media data further comprises scheduling an access of said at least one media data.

29. The method as in claim 28, wherein said access of said media data resumes after an interruption starting with a most recently stored data packet of said additional media data from said external memory storage.

30. The method as in claim 28, wherein said input means is utilized to selected access of said at least one media data if said at least one media data and said access status of said media data affirm said processing.

39. The method of claim 23, wherein said first predetermined value and/or the second predetermined value is greater than zero.

42. The method of claim 23, wherein a portion of the media data is received from a remote device at a client device via a network.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said client device determines a continuous playtime for said transferred media data.

24. A method of managing a plurality of media data in a data processing system comprising:

determining a data transfer rate of said plurality of media data from an external memory storage;

storing at least one media data of said plurality of media data;

determining an access status of at least one media data;

determining total continuous rendering time of at least a portion of said at least one media data;

selecting by an operator with an input means access of said at least one media data;

processing said at least one media data from said internal memory storage; and

scheduling a storage of additional media data, and removing access to said at least one media data from said internal memory randomly based upon a determined ratio of previously processed and never before processed said at least one media data.

44. The method of claim 24, wherein a portion of the media data is received from a remote device at a client device via a network.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said client device determines a continuous playtime for said transferred media data.

31. An apparatus for processing digital media data comprising:

a media data processing engine adapted for processing media data;

a storage module coupled with said processing engine, said storage module including storage media operative for storing at least portions of a plurality of media data, and storage logic operative for transferring stored media data to the media data processing engine for processing and for indicating an access status of the stored media data;

a data transfer control device coupled with said storage module and operative to receive media data from an external memory storage for said storage media, and to indicate a data transfer rate associated with said retrieving of media data;

an input user control device operative for selecting media data; and

a playtime device coupled with said media data processing engine, said storage media, said data transfer control device, and said input user control device, said playtime device operative for continuously determining continuous realtime playtime for media data and for enabling realtime processing of a selected media data based at least in part on a continuous playtime of the selected media data determined by the playtime device.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said storage module is operable to determine said media data access status based at least in part on access rights predetermined by corresponding copyright holder or media data owner of the media data.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said media data comprises at least one of video data, audio data, text data, MIDI data, SMPTE data, music note data, and animated data.

34. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a network interface and wherein said external memory storage is coupled with said network interface through a computer network, and wherein said media data are retrieved from said external memory storage through the computer network and said network interface.

35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said media data processing engine is operable to retrieve said media data from said storage module for processing said media data and transmit the processed data to a display device.

37. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the playtime device is further adapted to enable processing based at least in part on one or more selected from the group 1) a data transfer rate for transferring media data from the external memory storage indicated by the data transfer control device, and 2) an access status of the selected media data indicated by the storage module.

46. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said media data processing engine is operative to receive a portion of the media data from a remote device at the apparatus via a network.

47. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said media data comprises music note data.

48. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said media data comprises animated data.

36. An apparatus for processing digital media data comprising:

a storage module including storage media operative to store portions of the digital media data;

storage logic operative to facilitate subsequent selective retrieval, processing and an indication of an access status of the stored digital media data;

a data transfer control device coupled with the storage media and operative for transferring the digital media data to said storage media from an external memory storage, said data transfer control device operative to continually determine a varying data transfer rate of the transferring of media data and to continually indicate the determined data transfer rate;

a scheduling device coupled with said storage media and said transfer control device, said scheduling device operative to control the storage media and the data transfer control device when transferring digital media data to the storage media from an external memory storage at least in part based on the determined data transfer rate indicated by the data transfer control device and the access status of the digital media data indicated by the storage logic; and

at least one of said data transfer control device and said scheduling device operative to continuously determine a realtime continuous playtime for said transferred media data.