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US 8,572,278 B2Granted
Generating multiple data streams from a single data source
AssigneeFacebook, Inc.
InventorsDavid S. Bill, Scott K. Brown, William J. Raduchel, Gilbert G. Weigand, Christopher L. Amen-Kroeger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A switch having a first communications interface to receive a stream of data units, a buffer to store the payload portion of the data unit, a replicator to duplicate at least the payload portion of the data unit, and a second communications interface to enable access to the stream of data units by two or more terminals.
Claims36
A method of transmitting packets, the method comprising:
- using a switch to receive communications;
- using the switch to selectively filter and forward the received communications, wherein the switch selectively filters and forwards the received communications between different domains at a same level in a protocol stack;
- as part of the received communications, receiving a stream of content, wherein the stream of content comprises at least one data unit having a payload portion and an address portion;
- using the switch to store the stream of content;
- receiving a request from a user terminal for the content of the stored stream, wherein the request includes address information of the user terminal;
- and
- in response to the received request, using the switch to duplicate the stored stream of content by:
- duplicating the stored stream of content;
- replacing an address portion in at least one data unit comprising the duplicated stream with the address information of the user terminal;
- and
- forwarding the duplicated stream to the user terminal.
8 more elements
A duplicating switch:
- a first communications interface structured and arranged to receive communications including a stream of content, wherein the stream of content comprises at least one data unit having a payload portion and an address portion;
- a processor structured and arranged to selectively filter and forward the received communications, wherein the switch selectively filters and forwards the received communications between different domains at a same level in a protocol stack;
- a buffer structured and arranged to store the stream of content;
- a second communications interface structured and arranged to receive a request from a user terminal for the content of the stored stream, wherein the request includes address information of the user terminal;
- and
- a replicator structured and arranged to duplicate the stored stream of content in response to the received request by:
- duplicating the stored stream of content;
- replacing an address portion in at least one data unit comprising the duplicated stream with the address information of the user terminal;
- and
- forwarding the duplicated stream to the user terminal.
7 more elements
A method for distributing online video content to consumers over the Internet using a duplicating switch, the method comprising:
- using the duplicating switch to receive communications;
- using the duplicating switch to selectively filter and forward the received communications, wherein the duplicating switch selectively filters and forwards the received communications between different domains;
- receiving a stream of online video content, wherein the stream of online video content comprises at least one data unit having a payload portion and an address portion;
- using the switch to store the stream of online video content;
- receiving a request from a user terminal for the online video content of the stored stream, wherein the request includes address information of the user terminal;
- and
- in response to the received request, using the duplicating switch to duplicate the stored stream of online video content by:
- duplicating the stored stream of online video content;
- replacing an address portion in at least one data unit comprising the duplicated stream with the address information of the user terminal;
- and
- forwarding the duplicated stream to the user terminal.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.