초록 ▼

A multimedia on-demand server including a randomly accessible library of multimedia programs (such as movies stored on magnetic or optical disks), a limited amount of RAM to buffer and store selected portions of programs retrieved from the library, and an interface that switchably routes program mat

A multimedia on-demand server including a randomly accessible library of multimedia programs (such as movies stored on magnetic or optical disks), a limited amount of RAM to buffer and store selected portions of programs retrieved from the library, and an interface that switchably routes program material from the library and RAM buffers to an audience of viewers. The server employs a restricted retrieval strategy and a novel storage allocation scheme that enable different portions of one or more programs to be continuously retrieved and selectively routed to a large number of on-demand viewers, while at the same time minimizing the amount of the RAM required to effect this service. The on-demand server also responds to viewer-generated commands to control the viewing of a program. In a particular embodiment, these commands include video tape player-like operations such as fast-forward, rewind and pause.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A multimedia server comprising:an addressable memory media including a first addressable memory device and a second addressable memory device where the first addressable memory device has a latency of t.sub.lat1 and a data transfer rate r.sub.t, said first addressable memory device

[ We claim:] [1.] A multimedia server comprising:an addressable memory media including a first addressable memory device and a second addressable memory device where the first addressable memory device has a latency of t.sub.lat1 and a data transfer rate r.sub.t, said first addressable memory device being adapted for storing program information in plurality of sequential data segments, where each of said data segments is partitioned into n portions with each of said portions having d bits of information such that each of said data segments contains (n.multidot.d) bits;the second addressable memory device having a data transfer rate of r.sub.t and a latency of t.sub.lat2, said second addressable memory device being adapted for storing program information of duration t.sub.lat1 in plurality of sequential data segments, where each of said data segments contains (n.multidot.d) bits and where t.sub.lat2 <