Digital media data stream network management system

A computer-based media data processor for controlling the computer presentation of digitized continuous time-based media data composed of a sequence of presentation units, each unit characterized by a prespecified presentation duration and presentation time during a computer presentation of the media data and further characterized as a distinct media data type, the media data processor comprising:

• a media data input manager for retrieving media data from a corresponding media data access location in response to a request for computer presentation of specified presentation unit sequences, determining the media data type of each presentation unit in the retrieved media data, designating each retrieved presentation unit to a specified media data presentation unit sequence based on the media data type determination for that presentation unit, assembling a sequence of presentation descriptors for each of the specified presentation unit sequences, each presentation descriptor comprising presentation unit media data for one designated presentation unit in that sequence, all presentation descriptors in an assembled sequence being of a common media data type, associating each presentation descriptor with a corresponding presentation duration and presentation time, based on the retrieved media data, and linking the presentation descriptors in each assembled sequence to establish a progression of presentation units in each of the sequences;
• and
• a media data interpreter, connected to the media data input manager, for accepting from the media data input manager the assembled presentation descriptor sequences one descriptor at a time and releasing the sequences for presentation one presentation unit at a time, indicating a start time of presentation processing of the presentation unit sequences, maintaining a current presentation time as the sequences are processed for presentation, counting each unit in the sequences after that unit is released to be processed for presentation, to maintain a distinct current presentation unit count for each sequence, comparing for each of the presentation unit sequences a product of the presentation unit duration and the current presentation unit count of that sequence with the currently maintained presentation time after each unit from that sequence is processed for presentation, and based on the comparison, releasing for presentation processing a next sequential presentation unit in that sequence when the product matches the currently maintained presentation time count and deleting a next sequential presentation unit in that presentation unit sequence when the product exceeds the currently maintained presentation time count.

A computer-based method for controlling the timing of computer processing of digitized continuous time-based media data composed of a sequence of presentation units, each unit characterized by a prespecified presentation duration during a computer presentation of the media data, the method comprising:

• indicating a start time of presentation processing of the media data presentation units;
• maintaining a current presentation time as the media data presentation unit sequence is processed for presentation;
• counting each presentation unit in the presentation unit sequence after that presentation unit is processed for presentation, to maintain a current presentation unit count;
• and
• comparing a product of the presentation unit duration and the current presentation unit count with the current presentation time after a presentation unit is processed for presentation, and based on the comparison, releasing a presentation unit next in the presentation unit sequence to be processed for presentation when the product matches the current presentation time count, and deleting a presentation unit next in the presentation unit sequence when the product exceeds the current presentation time count.

A computer-based method for controlling the computer presentation of digitized continuous time-based media data composed of a sequence of presentation units, each unit characterized by a prespecified presentation duration and presentation time during a computer presentation of the media data and further characterized as a distinct media data type, the method comprising:

• retrieving media data from a computer storage location in response to a request for computer presentation of specified presentation unit sequences;
• determining the media data type of each presentation unit in the retrieved media data;
• designating each retrieved presentation unit to a specified media data presentation unit sequence based on the media data type determination for that presentation unit;
• assembling a sequence of presentation descriptors for each of the specified presentation unit sequences, each descriptor comprising media data for one designated presentation unit in that sequence, each sequence of presentation descriptors being of a common media data type;
• associating each presentation descriptor with a corresponding presentation duration and presentation time, based on the retrieved media data;
• linking the presentation descriptors of each sequence to establish a progression of presentation units in that sequence;
• indicating a start time of presentation processing of the presentation descriptor sequences;
• maintaining a current presentation time as the sequences are processed for presentation;
• counting each presentation unit in the media data sequences after that unit is processed for presentation, to maintain a distinct current presentation unit count for each sequence;
• comparing for each of the presentation unit sequences a product of the presentation unit duration and the current presentation unit count of that sequence with the current presentation time after each presentation unit from that sequence is processed for presentation, and based on the comparison, releasing a presentation unit next in that presentation unit sequence to be processed for presentation when the product matches the current presentation time count, and deleting a presentation unit next in that presentation unit sequence when the product exceeds the current presentation time count.

A computer-based media data processor for controlling transmission of digitized media data in a packet switching network, the media data comprising a sequence of continuous time-based presentation units, each unit characterized by a prespecified presentation duration and presentation time during a computer presentation of the media data and further characterized as a distinct media data type, the network comprising a plurality of client computer processing nodes interconnected via packet-based data distribution channels, the media data processor comprising:

• a remote media data controller for receiving from a client processing node a request for presentation of specified presentation unit sequences;
• a remote media data input manager for receiving from the remote media data controller an indication of the specified presentation unit sequences, and in response to the request, retrieving media data from a corresponding media access location, determining the media data type of each presentation unit in the retrieved media data, designating each retrieved presentation unit to a specified media data presentation unit sequence based on the media data type determination for that presentation unit, assembling a sequence of presentation descriptors for each of the specified presentation unit sequences, each descriptor comprising media data for one designated presentation unit in that sequence, all presentation descriptors in an assembled sequence being of a common media data type, associating each presentation descriptor with a corresponding presentation duration and presentation time, based on the retrieved media data, and linking the descriptors in each assembled sequence to establish a profession of presentation units in each of the specified presentation unit sequences;
• a remote network media data manager connected to the remote media data input manager, for accepting from the remote media data manager the assembled specified presentation descriptor sequences one presentation descriptor at a time, assembling transmission presentation unit packets each composed of at least a portion of a presentation descriptor and its media data, all presentation descriptors and media data in an assembled packet being of a common media data type, and releasing the assembled packets for transmission via the network to the client processing node requesting presentation of the specified presentation unit sequences;
• a local media data controller for transmitting the request for presentation of specified presentation unit sequences from the client processing node to the remote media data controller via the network and controlling starting and stopping of sequence presentation in response to user specifiedations;
• a local network media data manager for receiving from the local media data controller an indication of the specified presentation unit sequences, receiving the transmission presentation unit packets transmitted from the remote network media data manager via the network, designating a presentation unit sequence for each presentation descriptor and its media in the received packets to thereby assemble the presentation descriptor sequences each corresponding to one specified presentation unit sequence, all presentation descriptors and media data in an assembled sequence being of a common media data type, and linking the descriptors in each assembled sequence to establish a progression of presentation units for each of the presentation unit sequences;
• and
• a local media data interpreter, connected to the local network media data manager, for accepting the assembled presentation descriptor sequences one descriptor at a time and releasing the sequences for presentation one presentation unit at a time, indicating a start time of presentation processing of the sequences, maintaining a current presentation time as the sequences are processed for presentation, and based on the presentation duration of each presentation unit, synchronizing presentation of the specified presentation unit sequences with the current presentation time.

A method for controlling transmission of digitized media data in a packet switching network, the media data comprising a sequence of continuous time-based presentation units, each unit characterized by a prespecified presentation duration and presentation time during a computer presentation of the media data and further characterized as a distinct media data type, the network comprising a plurality of client computer processing nodes interconnected via packet-based data distribution channels, the method comprising:

• receiving from a client processing node a request for presentation of specified presentation unit sequences;
• in response to the request, retrieving media data from a corresponding media access location;
• determining the media data type of each presentation unit in the retrieved media data;
• designating each retrieved presentation unit to a specified media data presentation unit sequence based on the media data type determination for that presentation unit;
• assembling a sequence of presentation descriptors for each of the specified presentation unit sequences, each descriptor comprising media data for one designated presentation unit in that sequence, all presentation descriptors in an assembled sequence being of a common media data type;
• associating each presentation descriptor with a corresponding presentation duration and presentation time, based on the retrieved media data;
• linking the descriptors in each assembled sequence to establish a progression of presentation units in each of the specified presentation unit sequences;
• assembling transmission presentation unit packets each composed of at least a portion of a presentation descriptor and its media data, all presentation descriptors and media data in an assembled packet being of a common media data type;
• and
• releasing the assembled packets for transmission via the network to the client processing node requesting presentation of the specified presentation unit sequences.

A computer-based media data processor for capturing and controlling transmission of digitized media data in a packet switching network, the media data comprising a sequence of continuous time-based presentation units, each unit characterized by a prespecified presentation duration and presentation time during a computer presentation of the media data and further characterized as a distinct media data type, the network comprising a plurality of client computer processing nodes interconnected via packet-based data distribution channels, the media data processor comprising:

• a local media data controller for indicating user-specified presentation unit sequences to be captured from a client node for recording at a network media access location;
• a local media data interpreter for receiving the specified presentation unit sequences from the client node, assembling a sequence of presentation descriptors for each of the received specified presentation unit sequences, each descriptor comprising media data for one presentation unit in that sequence, all presentation descriptors in an assembled sequence being of a common media data type, associating each presentation descriptor with a corresponding presentation duration and presentation time, based on the retrieved media data, and linking the descriptors in each assembled sequence to establish a progression of presentation units for each of the presentation unit sequences;
• a local network media data manager connected to the local media data interpreter, for accepting from the local media data interpreter the assembled specified presentation descriptor sequences one presentation descriptor at a time, assembling transmission presentation unit packets each composed of at least a portion of a presentation descriptor and its media data, all presentation descriptors and media data in an assembled packet being of a common media data type, and releasing the assembled packets for transmission via the network to the network media access location;
• a remote media data controller for receiving from the local media data controller an indication of the specified presentation unit sequences to be recorded at the network media access location;
• a remote network media data manager for receiving from the remote media data controller an indication of the specified presentation unit sequences, receiving the transmission presentation unit packets transmitted from the local network media data manager via the network, designating a presentation unit sequence for each presentation descriptor and its media data in the received packets to thereby assemble the presentation descriptor sequences each corresponding to one specified presentation unit sequence, all presentation descriptors and media data in an assembled sequence being of a common media data type, and linking the descriptors in each sequence to establish a progression of presentation units for each of the presentation unit sequences;
• and
• a remote media data output manager for receiving from the remote media data controller an indication of the specified presentation unit sequences, and connected to the remote network media data manager, for accepting the assembled presentation descriptor sequences one descriptor at a time, formatting the accepted sequences and media data in a media access format, and releasing the formatted sequences to the media access location.

A computer-based method for capturing and controlling transmission of digitized media data in a packet switching network, the media data comprising a sequence of continuous time-based presentation units, each unit characterized by a prespecified presentation duration and presentation time during a computer presentation of the media data and further characterized as a distinct media data type, the network comprising a plurality of client computer processing nodes interconnected via packet-based data distribution channels, the method comprising:

• indicating user-specified presentation unit sequences to be captured from a client node for recording at a network media access location;
• receiving the specified presentation unit sequences from the client node;
• assembling a sequence of presentation descriptors for each of the received specified presentation unit sequences, each descriptor comprising media data for one presentation unit in that sequence, all presentation descriptors in an assembled sequence being of a common media data type;
• associating each presentation descriptor with a corresponding presentation duration and presentation time, based on the retrieved media data;
• linking the descriptors in each assembled sequence to establish a progression of presentation units for each of the presentation unit sequences;
• assembling transmission presentation unit packets each composed of at least a portion of a presentation descriptor and its media data, all presentation descriptors and media data in an assembled packet being of a common media data type;
• and
• releasing the assembled packets for transmission via the network to the network media access location.

A computer-based media data processor for controlling the computer presentation of digitized continuous time-based media data composed of a sequence of presentation units, each unit characterized by a prespecified presentation duration and presentation time during a computer presentation of the media data and further characterized as a distinct media data type, the media data processor comprising:

• a media data input manager for retrieving media data from a corresponding media data access location in response to a request for computer presentation of specified presentation unit sequences, determining the media data type of each presentation unit in the retrieved media data, designating each retrieved presentation unit to a specified media data presentation unit sequence based on the media data type determination for that presentation unit, assembling a sequence of presentation descriptors for each of the specified presentation unit sequences, each presentation descriptor comprising media data for one designated presentation unit in that sequence, all presentation descriptors in an assembled sequence being of a common media data type, and linking the presentation descriptors in each assembled sequence to establish a progression of presentation units in each of the sequences;
• and
• a media data interpreter, connected to the media data input manager, for accepting from the media data input manager the assembled presentation descriptor sequences one descriptor at a time and releasing the sequences for presentation one presentation unit at a time, indicating a start time of presentation processing of the presentation unit sequences, maintaining a current presentation time as the sequences are processed for presentation, counting each unit in the sequences after that unit is released to be processed for presentation, to maintain a distinct current presentation unit count for each sequence, comparing for each of the presentation unit sequences a product of the presentation unit duration and the current presentation unit count of that sequence with the currently maintained presentation time after each unit from that sequence is processed for presentation, and based on the comparison, releasing for presentation processing a next sequential presentation unit in that sequence when the product matches the currently maintained presentation time count, and deleting a next sequential presentation unit in that sequence when the product exceeds the currently maintained presentation time count.

A computer-based media data processor for controlling transmission of digitized media data in a packet switching network, the media data comprising a sequence of continuous time-based presentation units, each unit characterized by a prespecified presentation duration and presentation time during a computer presentation of the media data and further characterized as a distinct media data type, the network comprising a plurality of client computer processing nodes interconnected via packet-based data distribution channels, the media data processor comprising:

• a remote media data controller for receiving from a client processing node a request for presentation of specified presentation unit sequences;
• a remote media data input manager for receiving from the media data controller an indication of the specified presentation unit sequences, and in response to the request, retrieving media data from a corresponding media access location, determining the media data type of each presentation unit in the retrieved media data, designating each retrieved presentation unit to a specified media data presentation unit sequence based on the media data type determination for that presentation unit, assembling a sequence of presentation descriptors for each of the specified presentation unit sequences, each descriptor comprising media data for one designated presentation unit in that sequence, all presentation descriptors in an assembled sequence being of a common media data type, and linking the descriptors in each assembled sequence to establish a progression of presentation units in each of the specified presentation unit sequences;
• a remote network media data manager connected to the remote media data input manager, for accepting from the remote media data manager the assembled specified presentation descriptor sequences one presentation descriptor at a time, assembling transmission presentation unit packets each composed of at least a portion of a presentation descriptor and its media data, all presentation descriptors and media data in an assembled packet being of a common media data type, and releasing the assembled packets for transmission via the network to the client processing node requesting presentation of the specified presentation unit sequences;
• a local media data controller for transmitting the request for presentation of specified presentation unit sequences from the client processing node to the remote media data controller via the network and controlling starting and stopping of sequence presentation in response to user specifiedations;
• a local network media data manager for receiving from the local media data controller an indication of the specified presentation unit sequences, receiving the transmission presentation unit packets transmitted from the remote network media data manager via the network, designating a presentation unit sequence for each presentation descriptor and media data in the received packets to thereby assemble the presentation descriptor sequences each corresponding to one specified presentation unit sequence, all presentation descriptors and media data in an assembled sequence being of a common media data type, and linking the descriptors in each assembled sequence to establish a progression of presentation units for each of the presentation unit sequences;
• and
• a local media data interpreter, connected to the local network media data manager, for accepting the assembled presentation descriptor sequences one descriptor at a time and releasing the sequences for presentation one unit at a time, indicating a start time of presentation processing of the sequences, maintaining a current presentation time as the descriptor sequences are processed for presentation, and based on the presentation duration of each presentation unit, synchronizing presentation of the specified presentation unit sequences with the current presentation time.

A computer-based media data processor for capturing and controlling transmission of digitized media data in a packet switching network, the media data comprising a sequence of continuous time-based presentation units, each unit characterized by a prespecified presentation duration and presentation time during a computer presentation of the media data and further characterized as a distinct media data type, the network comprising a plurality of client computer processing nodes interconnected via packet-based data distribution channels, the media data processor comprising:

• a local media data controller for indicating user-specified presentation unit sequences to be captured from a client node for recording at a network media access location;
• a local media data interpreter for receiving the specified presentation unit sequences from the client node, assembling a sequence of presentation descriptors for each of the received specified presentation unit sequences, each descriptor comprising media data for one presentation unit in that sequence, all presentation descriptors in an assembled sequence being of a common media data type, and linking the descriptors in each assembled sequence to establish a progression of presentation units for each of the presentation unit sequences;
• a local network media data manager connected to the local media data interpreter, for accepting from the local media data interpreter the assembled specified presentation descriptor sequences one presentation descriptor at a time, assembling transmission presentation unit packets each composed of at least a portion of a presentation descriptor and its media data, all presentation descriptors and media data in an assembled packet being of a common media data type, and releasing the assembled packets for transmission via the network to the network media access location;
• a remote media data controller for receiving from the local media data controller for receiving from the local media data controller an indication of the specified presentation unit sequences to be recorded at the network media access location;
• a remote network media data manager for receiving from the remote media data controller an indication of the specified presentation unit sequences, receiving the transmission presentation unit packets transmitted from the local network media data manager via the network, designating a presentation unit sequence for each presentation descriptor and media data in the received packets to thereby assemble the presentation descriptor sequences each corresponding to one specified presentation unit sequence, all presentation descriptors in an assembled sequence being of a common media data type, and linking the descriptors in each sequence to establish a progression of presentation units for each of the presentation unit sequences;
• and
• a remote media data output manager for receiving from the remote media data controller an indication of the specified presentation unit sequences, and connected to the remote network media data manager, for accepting the assembled presentation descriptor sequences one descriptor at a time, formatting the accepted sequences and media data in a media access format, and releasing the formatted sequences to the media access location.