US5892913A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for datastreams employing shared loop architecture multimedia subsystem clusters
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1996-12-02
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Granted: 1999-04-06
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Expires: 2016-12-02
Abstract
Abstract In order to increase the number of datastreams provided by a multimedia system, a cluster of clusters of multimedia A/V server subsystems is provided. Each cluster in turn is comprised of a plurality of A/V servers, a shared loop architecture plurality of data storage devices interconnected to the A/V servers whereby any storage device is substantially equally accessible by any of the servers in the cluster; and a highly available control server subsystem interconnected to the A/V servers and the data storage devices for controlling the A/V servers and the data storage devices. Each of the clusters is interconnected to a high speed switch for delivery of datastreams from the cluster to the end user. One of the control server subsystems also serves as a master control server assigning a request for a datastream to one of the clusters.
Inventors
- 👤 Ashok Kakkunje Adiga
- 👤 Michael Norman Day
- 👤 Kenneth Adam Kalinoski
- 👤 Dale Arthur Legband
- 👤 Wade David Shaw
- 👤 Daniel Charles Wolfe
- 👤 Donald Edwin Wood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17336
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for providing a large number of datastreams in a multimedia datastream server system comprising: generating a datastream request; assigning one of a plurality of clusters of A/V servers to service said request by a master controller in response to said request, each of said clusters being interconnected to a high speed data switch and including: a plurality of said A/V servers; a control server subsystem which includes said master controller; and a plurality of storage devices configured in a shared data loop and interconnected to said plurality of A/V servers and said control server subsystem; and servicing said request by said assigned one of said clusters.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for providing a large number of datastreams in a multimedia datastream server system comprising: generating a datastream request; assigning one of a plurality of clusters of A/V servers to service said request by a master controller in response to said request, each of said clusters being interconnected to a high speed data switch and including: a plurality of said A/V servers; a control server subsystem which includes said master controller; and a plurality of storage devices configured in a shared data loop and interconnected to said plurality of A/V servers and said control server subsystem; and servicing said request by said assigned one of said clusters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said requested datastream is passed from one of said storage devices in said assigned cluster through a corresponding one of said A/V servers in said cluster to said switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said shared data loop is a serial storage architecture loop or a fiber channel arbitrated loop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3 wherein for each said loop, each of said storage devices in said each loop has substantially equal access to any of said A/V servers interconnected to said loop.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for providing a large number of datastreams in a multimedia datastream server system comprising: means for generating a datastream request; a plurality of high speed data switches; means for assigning one of a plurality of clusters of A/V servers to service said request by a master controller in response to said request, each of said clusters being interconnected to one of said high speed data switches; including: a plurality of said A/V servers; a control server subsystem which includes said master controller; and a plurality of storage devices configured in a shared data loop and interconnected to said plurality of A/V servers and said control server subsystem; and means for servicing said request by said assigned one of said clusters.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for providing a large number of datastreams in a multimedia datastream server system comprising: means for generating a datastream request; a plurality of high speed data switches; means for assigning one of a plurality of clusters of A/V servers to service said request by a master controller in response to said request, each of said clusters being interconnected to one of said high speed data switches; including: a plurality of said A/V servers; a control server subsystem which includes said master controller; and a plurality of storage devices configured in a shared data loop and interconnected to said plurality of A/V servers and said control server subsystem; and means for servicing said request by said assigned one of said clusters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said requested datastream is passed from one of said storage devices in said assigned cluster through a corresponding one of said A/V servers in said cluster to said switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said shared data loop is a serial storage architecture loop or a fiber channel arbitrated loop.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein for each said loop, each of said storage devices in said each loop has substantially equal access to any of said A/V servers interconnected to said loop.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-04-05 | 2002-10-05 | 2003-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-05 | 2006-10-05 | 2007-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-05 | 2010-10-05 | 2011-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |