US6061758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for managing storage and retrieval of media data including dynamic linkage of media data files to clips of the media data
Assignee: Avid Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1997-02-14
•
Granted: 2000-05-09
•
Expires: 2017-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A system for the management of media data and binding of media date to requests for pieces of media, which includes a plurality of procedures that can establish and write storage of new media, and make requests for media based on media source identification and range on the specified media source. A system for the management of relational information between media sources, which includes a plurality of procedures to set and query the information. Relations are established either via interaction with the sources or by user's specifications. Relations are based on positions in the source, labels on these positions and ranges from the labels indicating the length of the relation. Further the invention provides for the separation of information concerning source relations, actual media stored for these sources, and binding of media to specific needs for the media within the system. Moreover the invention involves a method of determining media data associated with requests based on source identifiers and range specification on said source comprising: reading media data from disk and building a database of the location of said media, allowing for the creation of other media, using the system of relational information to build a table of source relations, accepting requests for media data, locating the media based on known existing media and queries for other sources related to the range requested, returning an identifier known to the system to the requester, and accepting requests for information about and access to the actual media data specified by the identifier.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen J. Reber
- 👤 Eric C. Peters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/40; G06F16/48; G06F16/70; G06F16/74; G06F16/748; G06F16/90; G06F16/93; G06F16/94; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/02; G11B27/031; G11B27/034; G11B27/10; G11B27/11; G11B27/19; G11B27/28; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/40; G11B2220/41; G11B2220/90; G11B27/022; G11B27/024; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A computer system for managing storage and retrieval of media data stored in a plurality of media data files, comprising: means for representing a sequence of clips of the media data, wherein each clip is defined by an identifier of a source of the media data to be used for the clip; and means for dynamically linking one of the plurality of media data files to each clip using the identifier of the media data for the clip when the media data for the clip is accessed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer system for managing storage and retrieval of media data stored in a plurality of media data files, comprising: means for representing a sequence of clips of the media data, wherein each clip is defined by an identifier of a source of the media data to be used for the clip; and means for dynamically linking one of the plurality of media data files to each clip using the identifier of the media data for the clip when the media data for the clip is accessed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
116 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein the identifier of the media data for a clip comprises an indication of a portion of one of the plurality of media data files, and wherein the means for dynamically linking comprises: means for receiving a request for a portion of a media data file, wherein the request includes an identifier of the media data file and a range within the media file; means for locating the media data file corresponding to the identifier included in the request, and means for if the corresponding media file cannot be located, identifying one of the plurality of media files as an equivalent to the requested portion of the media data file.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The computer system of claim 2, wherein the means for identifying comprises: means for maintaining a table of relations, each relation identifying equivalent media data files using, for each media data file, a unique source identifier that identifies a source for the media data file and a segment of the source; and means for locating a media data file using the table of relations having a unique source identifier and a segment corresponding to the requested portion of the media data file.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein the media data is motion video data and the identifier of the media data includes a start time and an end time defining a range within the media data file.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
134 words
The computer system of claim 1, further comprising: a first means for storing information about physical source media wherein the media data in the plurality of media data files is derived from the physical source media, and wherein each physical source medium has a unique source identifier, a second means, separate from the first means for storing, for storing information about the media data files, including information defining ranges of media data files having equivalent media data and an associated unique source identifier; whereby the identifier defining each clip is a unique source identifier of one of the physical source media whereby the only connection between each of the plurality of media data files and the physical source of the media data file is the unique source identifier associated with the media data file.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for managing storage and retrieval of media data stored in a plurality of media data files, comprising the steps of: creating a representation for a sequence of clips of the media data, wherein each clip is defined by an identifier of a source of the media data to be used for the clip; and dynamically linking one of the plurality of media data files to each clip using the identifier of the media data for the clip when the media data for the clip is accessed.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for managing storage and retrieval of media data stored in a plurality of media data files, comprising the steps of: creating a representation for a sequence of clips of the media data, wherein each clip is defined by an identifier of a source of the media data to be used for the clip; and dynamically linking one of the plurality of media data files to each clip using the identifier of the media data for the clip when the media data for the clip is accessed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the identifier of the media data for a clip comprises an indication of a portion of one of the plurality of media data files, and wherein the step of dynamically linking comprises the steps of: receiving a request for a portion of a media data file, wherein the request includes an identifier of the media data file and a range within the media file; locating the media data file corresponding to the identifier included in the request, and if the corresponding media file cannot be located, identifying one of the plurality of media files as an equivalent to the requested portion of the media data file.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the step of identifying comprises the steps of: maintaining a table of relations, each relation identifying equivalent media data files using, for each media data file, a unique source identifier that identifies a source for the media data file and a segment of the source; and locating a media data file using the table of relations having a unique source identifier and a segment corresponding to the requested portion of the media data file.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the media data is motion video data and the identifier of the media data includes a start time and an end time defining a range within the media data file.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
130 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: storing information about physical source media wherein the media data in the plurality of media data files is derived from the physical source media, and wherein each physical source medium has a unique source identifier, storing information about the media data files separate from information about the physical source media and including information defining ranges of media data files having equivalent media data and an associated unique source identifier; whereby the identifier defining each clip is a unique source identifier of one of the physical source media whereby the only connection between each of the plurality of media data files and the physical source of the media data file is the unique source identifier associated with the media data file.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
A computer system for managing storage and retrieval of continuous media data stored in a plurality of media data files, comprising: means for defining a sequence of clips of the media data, wherein each clip is defined by an identifier of a source of the media data to be used for the clip; and means for dynamically linking one of the plurality of media data files to each clip using the identifier of the media data for the clip when the media data for the clip is accessed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
A computer system for managing storage and retrieval of continuous media data stored in a plurality of media data files, comprising: means for defining a sequence of clips of the media data, wherein each clip is defined by an identifier of a source of the media data to be used for the clip; and means for dynamically linking one of the plurality of media data files to each clip using the identifier of the media data for the clip when the media data for the clip is accessed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 11, wherein: the continuous media data includes continuous audio media data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 11, wherein: the continuous media data includes continuous motion video media data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 11, wherein: the continuous media data includes continuous audio and continuous motion video media data.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for managing storage and retrieval of continuous media data stored in a plurality of media data files, comprising the steps of: defining a sequence of clips of the media data, wherein each clip is defined by an identifier of a source of the media data to be used for the clip; and dynamically linking one of the plurality of media data files to each clip using the identifier of the media data for the clip when the media data for the clip is accessed.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for managing storage and retrieval of continuous media data stored in a plurality of media data files, comprising the steps of: defining a sequence of clips of the media data, wherein each clip is defined by an identifier of a source of the media data to be used for the clip; and dynamically linking one of the plurality of media data files to each clip using the identifier of the media data for the clip when the media data for the clip is accessed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15, wherein: the continuous media data includes continuous audio media data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15, wherein: the continuous media data includes continuous motion video media data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15, wherein: the continuous media data includes continuous audio and continuous motion video media data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
118 words
A media management system for managing storage and retrieval of continuous media data stored in a plurality of media data files, comprising: means for representing a sequence of clips of the media data, each clip being defined by an identifier of a source of media data to be used for the clip; means for storing a data structure relating identifiers of sources of media data to one or more of the plurality of media data files; and means for dynamically linking a clip identifier to a source of media data by retrieving media data corresponding to the clip identifier from a corresponding media data file at the time the media data is requested, based on the data structure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
118 words
A media management system for managing storage and retrieval of continuous media data stored in a plurality of media data files, comprising: means for representing a sequence of clips of the media data, each clip being defined by an identifier of a source of media data to be used for the clip; means for storing a data structure relating identifiers of sources of media data to one or more of the plurality of media data files; and means for dynamically linking a clip identifier to a source of media data by retrieving media data corresponding to the clip identifier from a corresponding media data file at the time the media data is requested, based on the data structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The media management system of claim 19, wherein: the continuous media data includes continuous audio media data.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The media management system of claim 19, wherein: the continuous media data includes continuous motion video media data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The media management system of claim 19, wherein: the continuous media data includes continuous audio and continuous motion video media data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
117 words
The media management system of claim 19, wherein the identifier of the media data for a clip comprises an indication of a portion of one of the plurality of media data files, and wherein the means for dynamically linking comprises: means for receiving a request for a portion of a media data file, wherein the request includes an identifier of the media data file and a range within the media file; means for locating the media data file corresponding to the identifier included in the request, and means for, if the corresponding media file cannot be located, identifying another of the plurality of media files as an equivalent to the requested portion of the media data file.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
86 words
The media management system of claim 23, wherein the means for identifying comprises: means for maintaining a table of relations, each relation identifying equivalent media data files using, for each media data file, a unique source identifier that identifies a source for the media data file and a range within the source; and means for locating a media data file using the table of relations having a unique source identifier and a range within the source corresponding to the requested portion of the media data file.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The media management system of claim 19, wherein the media data comprises motion video data and the identifier of the media data includes a start time and an end time defining a range within the media data file.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
133 words
The media management system of claim 19, further comprising: first means for storing information about physical source media wherein the media data in the plurality of media data files is derived from the physical source media, and wherein each physical source medium has a unique source identifier, second means, separate from the first means for storing, for storing information about the media data files, including information defining ranges of media data files having equivalent media data and an associated unique source identifier; wherein the identifier defining each clip is a unique source identifier of one of the physical source media whereby the only connection associated with the media data file linking each of the plurality of media data files and the physical source of the media data file is the unique source identifier.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for managing storage and retrieval of continuous media data stored in a plurality of media data files, comprising the steps of: creating a representation of a sequence of clips of the media data, each clip being defined by an identifier of a source of media data to be used for the clip; maintaining a data structure relating identifiers of sources of media data to one or more of the plurality of media data files; and dynamically linking a clip identifier to a source of media data by retrieving media data corresponding to the clip identifier from a corresponding media data file at the time the media data is requested, based on the data structure.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for managing storage and retrieval of continuous media data stored in a plurality of media data files, comprising the steps of: creating a representation of a sequence of clips of the media data, each clip being defined by an identifier of a source of media data to be used for the clip; maintaining a data structure relating identifiers of sources of media data to one or more of the plurality of media data files; and dynamically linking a clip identifier to a source of media data by retrieving media data corresponding to the clip identifier from a corresponding media data file at the time the media data is requested, based on the data structure.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 27, wherein: the continuous media data includes continuous audio media data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27, wherein: the continuous media data includes continuous motion video media data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 27, wherein: the continuous media data includes continuous audio and continuous motion video media data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
112 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the identifier of the media data for a clip comprises an indication of a portion of one of the plurality of media data files, and wherein the step of dynamically linking comprises the step of: receiving a request for a portion of a media data file, wherein the request includes an identifier of the media data file and a range within the media file; locating the media data file corresponding to the identifier included in the request, and if the corresponding media file cannot be located, identifying one of the plurality of media files as an equivalent to the requested portion of the media data file.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 31, wherein the step of identifying comprises the steps of: maintaining a table of relations, each relation identifying equivalent media data files using, for each media data file, a unique source identifier that identifies a source for the media data file and a range within the source; and locating a media data file using a table of relations having a unique source identifier and a range within the source corresponding to the requested portion of the media data file.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the media data comprises motion video data and the identifier of the media data includes a start time and an end time defining a range within the media data file.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
130 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising the steps of: storing information about physical source media wherein the media data in the plurality of media data files is derived from the physical source media, and wherein each physical source medium has a unique source identifier, storing information about the media data files separate from information about the physical source media and including information defining ranges of media data files having equivalent media data and an associated unique source identifier; wherein the identifier defining each clip is a unique source identifier of one of the physical source media whereby the only connection associated with the media data file linking each of the plurality of media data files and the physical source of the media data file is the unique source identifier.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer system for managing storage and retrieval of digitized media data stored in a plurality of media data files on a computer, comprising: means for representing a sequence of clips of the digitized media data, wherein each clip is defined by an identifier of a source of media data and a range within the source to be used for the clip; a data structure relating identifiers of sources of media data to one or more of the plurality of media data files; means for selecting one of the plurality of media data files for each clip using the identifier of the source of media data for the clip and the data structure before the media data for the clip is to be accessed; and means for accessing and displaying the media data from the selected media data file according to the range defined for the clip.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer system for managing storage and retrieval of digitized media data stored in a plurality of media data files on a computer, comprising: means for representing a sequence of clips of the digitized media data, wherein each clip is defined by an identifier of a source of media data and a range within the source to be used for the clip; a data structure relating identifiers of sources of media data to one or more of the plurality of media data files; means for selecting one of the plurality of media data files for each clip using the identifier of the source of media data for the clip and the data structure before the media data for the clip is to be accessed; and means for accessing and displaying the media data from the selected media data file according to the range defined for the clip.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer system of claim 35, wherein the data structure includes a table of relations, wherein each relation identifies equivalent media data files using, for each of a plurality of media data files, a unique source identifier that identifies a source for the media data file and a segment of the source.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer system of claim 35, wherein the media data is motion video data and the range within the source is defined using a start time and an end time.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
150 words
The computer system of claim 35, wherein the data structure comprises: a first means for storing information about physical source media wherein the media data in each of the plurality of media data files is derived from one of the physical source media, and wherein each physical source medium has a unique source identifier; a second means, separate from the first means for storing, for storing information about the plurality of media data files, including information defining ranges of the plurality of media data files having equivalent media data and an associated unique source identifier; and wherein the identifier of the source defining each clip is a unique source identifier of one of the physical source media, whereby the only connection between each of the plurality of media data files and the physical source of the media data file is the unique source identifier associated with the media data file.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for managing storage and retrieval of digitized media data stored in a plurality of media data files on a computer, comprising the steps of: creating a representation for a sequence of clips of the digitized media data, wherein each clip is defined by an identifier of a source of media data and a range within the source to be used for the clip; maintaining a data structure relating identifiers of sources of media data to one or more of the plurality of media data files; selecting one of the plurality of media data files for each clip using the identifier of the source of media data for the clip and the data structure before the media data for the clip is to be accessed; and accessing and displaying the media data from the selected media data file according to the range defined for the clip.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for managing storage and retrieval of digitized media data stored in a plurality of media data files on a computer, comprising the steps of: creating a representation for a sequence of clips of the digitized media data, wherein each clip is defined by an identifier of a source of media data and a range within the source to be used for the clip; maintaining a data structure relating identifiers of sources of media data to one or more of the plurality of media data files; selecting one of the plurality of media data files for each clip using the identifier of the source of media data for the clip and the data structure before the media data for the clip is to be accessed; and accessing and displaying the media data from the selected media data file according to the range defined for the clip.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 39, wherein the data structure includes a table of relations, wherein each relation identifies equivalent media data files using, for each of the plurality of media data files, a unique source identifier that identifies a source for the media data file and a segment of the source.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 39, wherein the media data is motion video data and the range within the source is defined using a start time and an end time.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
143 words
The method of claim 39, wherein the data structure comprises: storing information about physical source media wherein the media data in each of the plurality of media data files is derived from one of the physical source media, and wherein each physical source medium has a unique source identifier; storing information about the plurality of media data files separate from information about the physical source media and including information defining ranges of the plurality of media data files having equivalent media data and an associated unique source identifier; and wherein the identifier of the source defining each clip is a unique source identifier of one of the physical source media, whereby the only connection between each of the plurality of media data files and the physical source of the media data file is the unique source identifier associated with the media data file.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4641203A
Cited
US4538188A
Cited
EP0113993A2
Cited
US4996664A
Cited
US4937685A
Cited
US4979050A
Cited
US4635136A
Cited
US4729044A
Cited
US4746994A
Cited
US4746994B1
Cited
US4750050A
Cited
US4914527A
Cited
US4754342A
Cited
EP0240794A2
Cited
EP0268270A2
Cited
US4954969A
Cited
US4918588A
Cited
EP0273435A2
Cited
US4931950A
Cited
US4989191A
Cited
US5109482A
Cited
EP0390048A2
Cited
EP0403118A2
Cited
US5111409A
Cited
EP0424903A2
Cited
US5099337A
Cited
US5267351A
Cited
US5584006A
Cited
US5101364A
Cited
EP0469850A2
Cited
EP0526064A2
Cited
US5754851A
Cited
US5668639A
Cited
US5732184A
Cited
US5760767A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-09 | 2003-11-08 | 2004-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-09 | 2007-11-08 | 2008-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-09 | 2011-11-08 | 2012-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |