Method and apparatus for managing multimedia data files in a computer network by streaming data files into separate streams based on file attributes

Patent 5933835 Issued on August 3, 1999. Estimated Expiration Date:

April 9, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventors

Application

No. 831804 filed on 04/09/1997

US Classes:

707/104.1, Application of database or data structure (e.g., distributed, multimedia, image)707/10Distributed or remote access

Examiners

Primary: Barry, Esq., Lance Leonard

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP

International Class

G06F 017/30

Abstract

The present invention manages multimedia data files in a computer network by receiving a request from a first unit on the network, processing the request to determine file attributes of the request and redirecting the request based on the file attributes of the request, to a second unit on the network. The invention further receives a response that includes data files streamed into separate data streams based on the file attributes of the response. The present invention also selects for use appropriate buffering protocol units and data transportation units, based on the file attributes of the data files in the separate data streams.

Other References

"Integration of CAD/CAE with Multimedia Teleconferencing and Messaging Via Broadband Networks and Shared Resource Servers", Leter F. Ludwig, 1990 1st International Conference on Systems Integration, pp. 136-143
"Communications Support for Multi Media Applications", M. Bever, et al, IEEE Conference 1990, pp. 115-12