Method and apparatus for distributing video programs using partial caching
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of distributing audio and/or visual programs comprising the steps of:
- splitting a program into a first and a second segment;
storing said first segment for an end-user;
storing said second segment at a server site; and
combining said first and second segment to obtain a combined program at said end-user site.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system (10) wherein some segments (A) of at least one program are downloaded from a central location and/or pre-stored in a memory at the premises of the customer. When the customer activates a request, the remaining (complementary) segments of the requested program are streamed over the network from a designated server to the customer'"'"'s device (25), where they are combined with the first, pre-stored segments, and rendered by the device (25) to provide the consumer with an immediate, high-quality program experience.
121 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A method of distributing audio and/or visual programs comprising the steps of:
-
splitting a program into a first and a second segment;
storing said first segment for an end-user;
storing said second segment at a server site; and
combining said first and second segment to obtain a combined program at said end-user site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 18, 19)
-
-
8. A method of distributing a plurality programs to a plurality of end-users at end-users caches, some end-user sites including an apparatus for playing said programs, said method comprising:
-
providing a plurality of programs;
splitting each of said programs into a first and a second segment;
pre-storing the first segments of a group of said programs at a server site;
pre-storing the second segments of said group of said programs in the end-user caches;
sending one of said second segments to one of said end-user sites in response to a program request; and
combining said one second segment and a corresponding first segment to generate a combined program at said end-user site. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
20. A distribution system for distributing a plurality of programs to a plurality of end-users, comprising:
-
a splitting device that splits said programs into corresponding first and second segments;
a plurality of end-user caches holding a set of said first segments;
a plurality of end-user sites; and
a server site including a server cache holding a set of said second segments;
wherein in response to a request for a program for a predetermined end-user, said server sends the corresponding second segment from said set of second segments to the corresponding cache; and
wherein at the corresponding end-user site, the first and the second segments are combined to form a combined program. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification