Video file transfer network
OwnerRoger Booker, Keith George +3inventors
InventorsRoger Booker, Keith George, Charles Townsend, Richard Kunis, John Blackwell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of transmitting files from a remote source to a computer is provided. The computer is connected to a local area network (LAN) and an alternative transmission path. The alternative transmission path can include a video server and a broadband switch. Both the LAN and the alternative path are connected to a common router. The router includes bypass logic for routing the file to the computer either through the LAN or the alternative path. The alternative path can be used for the transmission of large files to prevent overloading the LAN.
Claims22
A computer system comprising:
- a first computer device that transmits requests for digital files across a first network to a server connected to a second computer device that routes digital files;
- a local area network that does not include the first network and connects the first computer device to the second computer device;
- wherein the second computer device receives the requested digital files and is programmed to route a first digital file to the server and to route a second digital file through at least a portion of the local area network to the first computer device.
A method of requesting and receiving a file from a remote source, the method comprising the steps of:
- (1) transmitting via a local area network a request for the file from a first computer device to a second computer device that routes files;
- (2) receiving the file at the second computer device;
- and
- (3) transmitting the file from the second computer device to the first computer device via a path that does not include the local area network.
A method of downloading a video file from a remote source connected to a wide area network, the method comprising the steps of:
- (1) selecting a file located at the remote source connected to the wide area network;
- (2) determining whether the file should be transmitted from the remote source to a first computer device via a local area network or via an alternate transmission path that does not include the local area network;
- and
- (3) causing a second computer device to route the file in accordance with the determination made in step 2.
A method of routing a digital file to a first computer connected to a remote source via a local area network and an alternate transmission path that does not include the local area network, the method comprising the steps of:
- (1) receiving a digital file at a second computer device that routes files;
- (2) determining the size of the digital file;
- (3) transmitting the digital file from the second computer device to the local area network when the digital file is less than a predetermined size;
- and
- (4) transmitting the digital file from the second computer device to the first computer device via the alternate transmission path that does not include the local area network when the digital file is greater than the predetermined size.
A computer system comprising:
- a first computer device that transmits requests for digital files across a local area network to a second computer device that routes digital files;
- an alternative transmission path that does not include the local area network and connects the first computer device to the second computer device;
- wherein the second computer device receives the requested digital files and is programmed to route a first digital file through the local area network to the first computer and to route a second digital file through the alternative transmission path to the first computer device.
A computer system comprising:
- a computer device that transmits a request for a digital file through an ordinary telephone line to a broadband switch;
- a video server coupled to the broadband switch and that receives the request and transmits the request to a router;
- a local area network that connects the computer device to the router and does not include the video server;
- and
- wherein the router receives the requested digital file and includes computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:
- (1) determining the size of the digital file;
- (2) transmitting the digital file to the local area network when the digital file is less than a predetermined size;
- and
- (3) transmitting the digital file to the video server when the digital file is greater than the predetermined size.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.