Fragmentation of a file for instant access
First Claim
1. A method, performed by one or more processors, for fragmenting a data file pertaining to a media content for distribution to a plurality of devices coupled to a network, the method comprising:
- dividing a first portion of the data file into a plurality of segments, wherein the data file includes a sequence of data blocks that are ordered for playback of the media content;
making a determination as to the popularity of the data file;
based, at least in part, on the determination, assigning the plurality of segments of the data file to a first band or a second band, wherein the first band is used for more popular data files than the second band;
distributing each of the plurality of segments for storage in two or more devices of the plurality of devices such that none of the plurality of devices stores the entire data file, wherein each of the plurality of devices is enabled to request playback of the media content, and wherein the number of devices of the two or more devices that store each of the plurality of segments depends on the plurality of segments being assigned to the first band or the second band;
seeding each of the plurality of devices with a header object; and
enabling a first device of the plurality of devices to (i) instantly playback the media content using the seeded header object in response to a request, and (ii) once playback is initiated, continuously play back the media content by configuring the first device to concurrently retrieve two or more segments of the plurality of segments over the network from at least one other device of the plurality of devices, wherein the data blocks forming each of the plurality of segments are non-consecutive with respect to the ordered sequence.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for fragmenting a file or a collection of media data are disclosed. According one aspect of the techniques, a file pertaining to a title is fragmented into a header and several tails or segments. The header is a continuous portion of the file while the segments are respective parts of the remaining portion of the file. The header is seeded substantially in all boxes, and none, one or more of the segments are distributed in each of the boxes in service. When a title is ordered, the header is instantly played back while the segments, if not locally available, are continuously fetched respectively from other boxes that have the segments.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method, performed by one or more processors, for fragmenting a data file pertaining to a media content for distribution to a plurality of devices coupled to a network, the method comprising:
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dividing a first portion of the data file into a plurality of segments, wherein the data file includes a sequence of data blocks that are ordered for playback of the media content; making a determination as to the popularity of the data file; based, at least in part, on the determination, assigning the plurality of segments of the data file to a first band or a second band, wherein the first band is used for more popular data files than the second band; distributing each of the plurality of segments for storage in two or more devices of the plurality of devices such that none of the plurality of devices stores the entire data file, wherein each of the plurality of devices is enabled to request playback of the media content, and wherein the number of devices of the two or more devices that store each of the plurality of segments depends on the plurality of segments being assigned to the first band or the second band; seeding each of the plurality of devices with a header object; and enabling a first device of the plurality of devices to (i) instantly playback the media content using the seeded header object in response to a request, and (ii) once playback is initiated, continuously play back the media content by configuring the first device to concurrently retrieve two or more segments of the plurality of segments over the network from at least one other device of the plurality of devices, wherein the data blocks forming each of the plurality of segments are non-consecutive with respect to the ordered sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computing system configured to fragment a data file pertaining to a media content for distribution to a plurality of devices on a network, the one or more computing devices comprising:
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a memory module to store program code; a processor configured to; divide a first portion of the data file into a plurality of segments, wherein the data file includes a sequence of data blocks that are ordered for playback of media content; make a determination as to the popularity of the data file; based, at least in part, on the determination, assign the plurality of segments of the data file to a first band or a second band, wherein the first band is used for more popular data files than the second band; distribute each of the plurality of segments for storage in two or more devices of the plurality of devices such that none of the plurality of devices stores the entire data file, wherein each of the plurality of devices is enabled to request playback of the media content, and wherein the number of devices of the two or more devices that store each of the plurality of segments depends on the plurality of segments being assigned to the first band or the second band; seed each of the plurality of devices with a header object; and enable a first device of the plurality of devices to (i) instantly playback the media content using the seeded header object in response to a request, and (ii) once playback is initiated, continuously play back the media content by configuring the first device to concurrently retrieve two or more segments of the plurality of segments over the network from at least one other device of the plurality of devices, wherein the data blocks forming each of the plurality of segments are non-consecutive with respect to the ordered sequence. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification