File list processing

• US 6,496,826 B1
• Filed: 10/12/1999
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Russell, Lance Warren, Chowdhury, Shyamal, Ortiz, Carlos Enrique
• Primary Examiner(s): Corrielus, Jean M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ly, Anh
• Application Number:
  US09/416,454
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1-10, 707/104.1, 707/500
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4431 characterized by the use of Application Program Interface [API] libraries
• 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: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation

Abstract

A method and implementing apparatus is provided for transferring data from memory to a file decoder which is effective to decode the file for further processing. In an illustrated example, a video file is decoded for presentation on a display device. The methodology includes enabling a plurality of control functions for access by a user or a user system in controlling the identity, sequence and flow of file transfers in order to optimize transfer efficiency in a data transfer transaction. Application programming interface (API) calls are provided by which playlists are constructed for transfer to the decoder. Further API calls are provided to enable pause and seek functions to be activated during a file transfer. A registration methodology is also provided by which predetermined processing events may be selected and recorded as they occur. The process further includes a methodology for modifying the file transfer protocol between multiple copy transfer and minimal copy transfer depending upon the type of data transfer channel being implemented.

Claims

1. A method for transferring a playlist from a first device to a second device, in preparation for applying data information contained in the playlist to a user device, said method comprising:

enabling a mode designation associated with said playlist, said mode designation being representative of speeds at which at least portions of said data information is required to be transferred from said first device to said second device;

creating a channel between said first device and said second device, said channel being determinative of a data path through which said playlist is transferred from said first device to said second device; and

playing said playlist whereby said playlist is transferred from said first device to said second device through said channel at speeds indicated by said mode designation.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including:

selectively pausing a transfer of said playlist; and

selectively resuming the paused transfer of said playlist.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said playlist includes at least one data file.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 and further including:

seeking a data file other than a current data file being transferred at a given time;

selectively terminating said transfer of said current data file; and

selectively beginning a transfer of a data file selected from said seeking step.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said data files are video data files.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said data files are audio data files.

7. A storage medium including machine readable indicia, said storage medium being selectively coupled to a reading device, said reading device being selectively coupled to processing circuitry within a processing system, said reading device being selectively operable to read said machine readable indicia and provide program signals representative thereof, said program signals being selectively effective to cause said processing circuitry to transfer a playlist from a first device to a second device in preparation for applying data contained in the playlist to a user device, said program signals being further effective for:

enabling a mode designation associated with said playlist, said mode designation being representative of speeds at which at least portions of said data information is required to be transferred from said first device to said second device;

enabling a creation of a channel between said first device and said second device, said channel being determinative of a data path through which said playlist is transferred from said first device to said second device; and

playing said playlist whereby said playlist is transferred from said first device to said second device through said channel at speeds indicated by said mode designation.

8. The medium as set forth in claim 7 wherein said program signals are further effective for:

selectively pausing a transfer of said playlist; and

selectively resuming the paused transfer of said playlist.

9. The medium as set forth in claim 7 wherein said playlist includes at least one data file.

10. The medium as set forth in claim 9 wherein said program signals are further effective for:

selectively seeking a data file other than a current data file being transferred at a given time;

selectively terminating said transfer of said current data file; and

selectively beginning a transfer of a data file selected from said seeking step.