System for distributing objects to multiple clients

A method for distributing packets through a multi point dispatcher having a fixed-size buffer shared between multiple clients, comprising:

• providing a fixed-size queue configured to contain a plurality of packets;
• defining a client pointer for one of the multiple clients, the client pointer indicating a most recent packet in the queue received by the one of the multiple clients;
• receiving an updated packet corresponding to a previously received packet in the queue;
• and
• replacing the previously received packet in the queue with the updated packet, the replacing including;
• determining if the client pointer is pointing to the packet being replaced;
• if the client pointer is pointing to the packet being replaced, the method includes adjusting the client pointer pointing to the packet being replaced to point to a packet below the packet being replaced.

A method for updating a subset of a frame of an image, the frame being subdivided into a plurality of tiles, comprising:

• providing a fixed-size queue having a stationary last packet at a bottom of the fixed size queue;
• storing a plurality of packets in a time sorted order above the last packet, the plurality of packets corresponding to a frame of an image;
• receiving an updated packet corresponding to a previously received packet of the plurality of packets;
• and
• replacing the previously received packet with the updated packet while maintaining the time sorted order, the replacing including,
• identifying the previously received packet;
• adjusting any pointers pointing at the previously received packet to point at a packet below the previously received packet;
• and
• moving the previously received packet to a top of the fixed size queue.

A computer readable media having program instructions for updating a subset of a frame of an image, the frame being subdivided into a plurality of tiles, comprising:

• program instructions for storing a plurality of packets in a time sorted order in a fixed-size queue having a stationary last packet at a bottom of the fixed size queue, the plurality of packets corresponding to a frame of an image;
• program instructions for receiving an updated packet corresponding to a previously received packet of the plurality of packets;
• and
• program instructions for replacing the previously received packet with the updated packet while maintaining the time sorted order, the program instructions for replacing including,
• program instructions for identifying the previously received packet;
• program instructions for adjusting any pointers pointing at the previously received packet to point at a packet below the previously received packet;
• and
• program instructions for moving the previously received packet to a top of the fixed size queue.

An integrated circuit chip configured to dispatch updates to objects in a pre-defined set of objects, comprising:

• logic for storing a plurality of packets in a time sorted order in a fixed-size queue having a stationary last packet at a bottom of the fixed size queue, the plurality of packets corresponding to a frame of an image;
• logic for receiving an updated packet corresponding to a previously received packet of the plurality of packets;
• and
• logic for replacing the previously received packet with the updated packet while maintaining the time sorted order, the logic for replacing including,
• logic for identifying the previously received packet;
• logic for adjusting any pointers pointing at the previously received packet to point at a packet below the previously received packet;
• and
• logic for moving the previously received packet to a top of the fixed size queue.

A system for distributing objects to multiple clients, comprising:

• a plurality of clients, each of the plurality of clients configured to receive image data for display on a computer monitor, the image data being updated periodically;
• a server in communication with the client, the server including,
• a dispatcher enabled to store a first set of packets defining the image in a fixed-size queue shared by the plurality of clients, the first set of packets being stored according to an introduction into the fixed size queue where a most recently introduced packet is stored at a top of the fixed size queue and a least recently introduced packet is stored at a bottom of the fixed size queue, the dispatcher configured to receive an updated packet, the updated packet replacing a corresponding packet of the first set of packets;
• a client pointer associated with each of the plurality of clients, the client pointer pointing to a most recently received packet for the corresponding client, wherein the client pointer is configured to point to a next lower packet in the fixed size queue when the updated packet the most recently received packet for the corresponding client.