Method and apparatus for assembling portions of a data file received from multiple devices
First Claim
1. A method, performed by one or more processing devices, for sharing a data file in a network, the method comprising:
- receiving a request for data from a first device, coupled to the network, that locally stores a residing object pertaining to a beginning portion of the data file, and wherein the requested data pertains to the remainder of the data file;
identifying a plurality of devices, coupled to the network, that are to provide the requested data to the first device;
signaling the plurality of devices to transmit respective portions of the remainder of the data file, concurrently, to the first device, wherein portions of the data file transmitted by each of the devices are nonconsecutive relative to any other portion transmitted by that device; and
assembling, on the first device, the plurality of portions of the data file in an order that is predetermined to enable use of the data file on the first device while the remainder of the data file is retrieved.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
To facilitate instant playback of an ordered title (e.g., a movie), a file pertaining to the title is fragmented into a header and segments. The header is seeded in all boxes in service and none, one or more segments are distributed to the network of boxes. When the title is ordered, the header is instantly played back while the segments, if not locally available, are streamed in respectively from the boxes having the segments to enable continuous playback of the ordered title. Should one of the boxes fails to deliver the segment according to a certain requirement (e.g., a lower transmission rate), the box gets immediately replaced by a substitute machine that continues to supply the segment from where it was stopped.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, performed by one or more processing devices, for sharing a data file in a network, the method comprising:
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receiving a request for data from a first device, coupled to the network, that locally stores a residing object pertaining to a beginning portion of the data file, and wherein the requested data pertains to the remainder of the data file; identifying a plurality of devices, coupled to the network, that are to provide the requested data to the first device; signaling the plurality of devices to transmit respective portions of the remainder of the data file, concurrently, to the first device, wherein portions of the data file transmitted by each of the devices are nonconsecutive relative to any other portion transmitted by that device; and assembling, on the first device, the plurality of portions of the data file in an order that is predetermined to enable use of the data file on the first device while the remainder of the data file is retrieved. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a first device of a plurality of devices coupled to a network, for sharing a data file in the network, the method comprising:
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storing a residing object pertaining to a beginning portion of the data file; transmitting a first request for data to a server coupled to the network, wherein the requested data pertains to the remainder of the data file; receiving a response from the server, the response including information identifying a plurality of sources that are to provide the requested data to the first device; retrieving respective portions of the remainder of the data file, concurrently, from the plurality of sources, wherein portions of the data file retrieved from each of the plurality of sources are nonconsecutive relative to any other portion retrieved from that source; and assembling the plurality of portions of the data file in an order that is predetermined to enable use of the data file while the remainder of the data file is retrieved. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system of devices coupled to a network, the system comprising:
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first device coupled to the network including a storage space to locally store a residing object pertaining to a beginning portion of the data file, first device being configurable to generate a request for data, wherein the requested data pertains to the remainder of the data file; a server coupled to the network and configured to provide a response to the request for data from the first device, the response including information identifying a plurality of devices designated to provide the requested data to the first device; and wherein the first device is configured to retrieve respective portions of the remainder of the data file, concurrently, from the plurality of designated devices, and to assemble the plurality of portions in an order that is predetermined to enable use of the data file on the first device while the remainder of the data file is retrieved. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification