US6421726B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for selection and retrieval of diverse types of video data on a computer network
Assignee: Akamai Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1998-03-01
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Granted: 2002-07-16
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Expires: 2018-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for the selection and retrieval of various types of video data from distributed delivery sites calls for the deployment of “Smart Mirror” sites throughout a network, each of which maintains a copy of certain data managed by the system. Each “Smart Mirror” site maintains copies of the data in several alternative file formats. Every user is assigned to a specific delivery site based on an analysis of network performance with respect to each of the available delivery sites. Generalized network performance data is collected and stored to facilitate the selection of additional delivery sites and to ensure the preservation of improved performance in comparison to traditional networks. The appropriate file format is automatically selected based on the capabilities of a user terminal making a request for data.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Kenner
- 👤 Kenneth W. Colby
- 👤 Lonnie J. Brownell
- 👤 Guy P. Weathersby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/10; H04L67/1001; H04L67/1029; H04L67/1004; H04L67/1012; H04L67/1023; H04L67/50; H04L67/60; H04L67/61; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/231; H04N21/23116; H04N21/234; H04N21/2343; H04N21/23439; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/442; H04N21/44209; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4622; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/8166; H04N21/8193; H04L67/1095; H04L67/56; H04L67/563
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for serving a media file in a preferred format, comprising: storing copies of the media file on a set of delivery sites; responsive to receipt at a content provider site of a request from a client, serving a page that includes a reference to the media file together with given code, wherein the given code is executable at the client to identify a preferred format for the media file; locating a preferred delivery site from the set of delivery sites, wherein the step of locating a preferred delivery site comprises: analyzing given network performance metrics; and selecting the preferred delivery site based on analysis of the given network performance metrics; and responsive to receipt at the preferred delivery site of a request for the media file in the preferred format, serving the media file in the preferred format.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for serving a media file in a preferred format, comprising: storing copies of the media file on a set of delivery sites; responsive to receipt at a content provider site of a request from a client, serving a page that includes a reference to the media file together with given code, wherein the given code is executable at the client to identify a preferred format for the media file; locating a preferred delivery site from the set of delivery sites, wherein the step of locating a preferred delivery site comprises: analyzing given network performance metrics; and selecting the preferred delivery site based on analysis of the given network performance metrics; and responsive to receipt at the preferred delivery site of a request for the media file in the preferred format, serving the media file in the preferred format.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the set of delivery sites are located at Internet Points of Presence (PoPs).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the preferred delivery site is electronically near the client.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as described in claim 1 further including the step of serving to the client a media player for use in rendering the media file in the preferred format.
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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) | 2005-07-15 | 2006-01-14 | 2006-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-15 | 2010-01-14 | 2010-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-15 | 2014-01-14 | 2014-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |