Scheduled retrieval, storage and access of media data
AssigneeRealNetworks, Inc.
InventorsNicolas W. Sincaglia, James P. Lester, Sylvain P. Rebaud
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method automates a scheduled retrieval, storage, and access of media data. Media data is retrieved from an external source and downloaded to an end user media device storage for subsequent playback at the end user media device. Media data is accessible from the end user media device storage based upon criteria including a selection of the end user, rules regulating the media data, and whether a playback time of the media data is sufficient to retrieve additional media data. The system performs regularly scheduled dynamic controls to determine whether additional media data is required for continuous and uninterrupted access of the media data.
Claims24
A computer-implemented method of processing media data from a network, the method compromising:
- obtaining, by the computer, at least a portion of the media data via the network;
- monitoring, by the computer, a varying data transfer rate associated with obtaining at least said portion of the media data via the network;
- storing, by the computer, at least said portion of the media data in a local preset media storage;
- categorizing, by the computer, said local preset media storage as currently accessible or currently unaccessible according to a copyright-based access restriction associated with the media data;
- and
- when the media data is categorized as currently accessible according to said copyright-based access restriction:
- enabling, by the computer, read access to said local preset media storage;
- predicting, by the computer, in accordance with at least the monitored varying data transfer rate, whether processing of the media data is likely to be interrupted;
- and
- when processing is unlikely to be interrupted, playing back, by the computer, at least said portion of the media data in real time.
A computer-implemented method of managing digital media data, the method comprising:
- receiving at least a portion of the media data by the computer from a first memory storage device external to the computer;
- continually determining a varying data transfer rate associated with said receiving, and continually indicating the determined data transfer rate;
- storing, by the computer, the received media data in a second memory storage device internal to the computer, and indicating access status associated with the stored media data;
- receiving, by the computer, an indication of a selection of at least a portion of the media data from an input device coupled with the computer;
- continuously determining, by the computer, at least a portion of the total continuous realtime rendering time of the media data;
- and
- enabling realtime processing of the media data by the computer from said second memory storage device based at least in part on at least one of said indicating of the selection and the determining.
A computer-implemented method of managing a plurality of media data, the method comprising:
- determining, by the computer, a data transfer rate of said plurality of media data from an external memory storage;
- storing, by the computer, at least one media data of said plurality of media data;
- determining, by the computer, an access status of at least one media data;
- determining, by the computer, a total continuous rendering time of said at least one media data;
- providing, by the computer, user input control operative to receive an access selection of said at least one media data;
- processing, by the computer, said at least one media data from said internal memory storage;
- scheduling, by the computer, a storage of additional media data in the internal memory storage;
- and
- removing access to said media data from said internal memory, by the computer, when said access status is an access denied status, when said total continuous rendering time exceeds a first predetermined value, and when said transfer rate exceeds a second predetermined value.
A computer-implemented method of managing a plurality of media data, the method comprising:
- determining, by the computer, a data transfer rate of said plurality of media data from an external memory storage;
- storing, by the computer, at least one media data of said plurality of media data;
- determining, by the computer, an access status of at least one media data;
- determining, by the computer, total continuous rendering time of at least a portion of said at least one media data;
- receiving a selection, by the computer via a user input control, of said at least one media data for access;
- processing , by the computer, said at least one media data from said internal memory storage;
- and
- scheduling , by the computer, a storage of additional media data, and removing access to said at least one media data from said internal memory randomly based upon a determined ratio of previously processed and never before processed said at least one media data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.