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US6505240B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Ameliorating bandwidth requirements for the simultaneous provision of multiple sets of content over a network

Assignee: Trevor Blumenau LLC
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Filing: 1998-08-31
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Granted: 2003-01-07
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Expires: 2018-08-31
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Abstract

Abstract A "primary" content providing site effects the simultaneous provision of different sets of content to one or more content display sites by transmitting "handoff" instructions that cause one or more "proxy" content providing sites to provide content to the content display site(s). (Content may or may not be provided directly from the primary content providing site.) Since content is provided from more than one content providing site, the invention enables a primary content providing site to effect the simultaneous provision of different sets of content in a manner that ameliorates the bandwidth limitations associated with a conventional content distribution scheme in which all of the sets of content are provided from a single content providing site.

Inventors

  • 👤 Trevor I. Blumenau

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 14:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/10; H04L67/1001; H04L67/1004; H04L67/101; H04L67/2866; H04L67/30; H04L67/306; H04L67/50; H04L67/53; H04L67/56; H04L67/561; H04L67/2885; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim 113 words
A method for providing content to a content display site, comprising the steps of: providing primary content from a primary content providing site to the content display site; transmitting one or more handoff instructions from the primary content providing site, wherein the one or more handoff instructions specify the identity of the content display site and that secondary content is to be provided to the content display site; and providing secondary content from a proxy content providing site to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: the secondary content is different from the primary content; and the proxy content providing site is different from the primary content providing site.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 113 words
A method for providing content to a content display site, comprising the steps of: providing primary content from a primary content providing site to the content display site; transmitting one or more handoff instructions from the primary content providing site, wherein the one or more handoff instructions specify the identity of the content display site and that secondary content is to be provided to the content display site; and providing secondary content from a proxy content providing site to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: the secondary content is different from the primary content; and the proxy content providing site is different from the primary content providing site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
A method as in claim 1 , wherein the content is represented by data including video data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
A method as in claim 1 , wherein the secondary content is provided at the same time as the primary content.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 80 words
A method as in claim 1 , wherein content is provided to a plurality of content display sites, the method further comprising the steps of: providing primary content from the primary content providing site to each of the plurality of content display sites; and providing a plurality of sets of secondary content from a plurality of content providing sites to the plurality of content display sites, wherein the sets of secondary content are provided simultaneously to the content display sites.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method as in claim 4 , wherein at least two of the plurality of sets of secondary content are different from each other and are provided from different content providing sites.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 62 words
A method as in claim 4 , wherein the step of providing a plurality of sets of secondary content from a plurality of content providing sites further comprises the steps of: providing one or more sets of secondary content from the primary content providing site; and providing one or more sets of secondary content from one or more proxy content providing sites.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 55 words
A method as in claim 4 , wherein the step of providing a plurality of sets of secondary content from a plurality of content providing sites further comprises the step of providing one or more sets of secondary content from each of a plurality of proxy content providing sites in accordance with the handoff instructions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 43 words
A method as in claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of proxy content providing sites provides secondary content that is different from the secondary content provided by at least one other of the plurality of proxy content providing sites.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 27 words
A method as in claim 4 , further comprising the step of determining which set of secondary content to provide to each of the content display sites.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 48 words
A method as in claim 1 , wherein the secondary content is available from a plurality of proxy content providing sites, the method further comprising the step of determining which of the plurality of proxy content providing sites will provide the secondary content to the content display site.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 44 words
A method as in claim 10 , wherein the step of determining which of the redundant content providing sites will provide the set of secondary content to a particular content display site further comprises performing a topographical analysis of the redundant content providing sites.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method as in claim 1 , wherein the handoff instructions include timing instructions for indicating the time by which a content display site must receive a set of secondary content.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 143 words
A method for simultaneously providing a plurality of sets of content to a plurality of content display sites, comprising the steps of: determining, for each content display site, a content providing site from which a set of content will be transmitted to the content display site, wherein a particular set of content is available from multiple redundant content providing sites; transmitting one or more handoff instructions from a primary content providing site, the handoff instructions causing at least one proxy content providing site to provide a set of content to one or more content display sites in accordance with the set of handoff instructions, wherein the plurality of sets of content are provided from at least two different content providing sites; and determining which of the redundant content providing sites will provide the particular set of content to a particular content display site.
Claim 15
Independent Claim 143 words
A method for simultaneously providing a plurality of sets of content to a plurality of content display sites, comprising the steps of: determining, for each content display site, a content providing site from which a set of content will be transmitted to the content display site, wherein a particular set of content is available from multiple redundant content providing sites; transmitting one or more handoff instructions from a primary content providing site, the handoff instructions causing at least one proxy content providing site to provide a set of content to one or more content display sites in accordance with the set of handoff instructions, wherein the plurality of sets of content are provided from at least two different content providing sites; and determining which of the redundant content providing sites will provide the particular set of content to a particular content display site.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 17 words
A method as in claim 13 , wherein the content is represented by data including video data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 30 words
A method as in claim 13 , wherein the at least two different content providing sites include the primary content providing site and at least one proxy content providing site.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method as in claim 13 , wherein none of the plurality of sets of content are provided from the primary content providing site.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method as in claim 13 , further comprising the step of determining which set of content to provide to each of the content display sites.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method as in claim 13 , wherein the handoff instructions include timing instructions for indicating the time by which a content display site must receive a set of secondary content.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 93 words
A method as in claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: transmitting, from each of multiple content display sites to the primary content providing site, content identification instructions identifying a set of content to be provided to the content display site; and transmitting, from each of the multiple content display sites to the primary content providing site, timing instructions identifying when the requested set of content is to be provided to the content display site, wherein at least two sets of content must be provided to content display sites at different times.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 22 words
A method as in claim 13 , wherein at least two of the plurality sets of content are different from each other.
Claim 23
Independent Claim 114 words
A system for providing content to a content display site, comprising: means for providing primary content from a primary content providing site to the content display site; means for transmitting one or more handoff instructions from the primary content providing site; means for providing secondary content from one of a plurality of proxy content providing sites to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: the secondary content is different from the primary content; and the proxy content providing site is different from the primary content providing site; and means for determining which of the plurality of proxy content providing sites will provide the secondary content to the content display site.
Claim 24
Independent Claim 114 words
A system for providing content to a content display site, comprising: means for providing primary content from a primary content providing site to the content display site; means for transmitting one or more handoff instructions from the primary content providing site; means for providing secondary content from one of a plurality of proxy content providing sites to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: the secondary content is different from the primary content; and the proxy content providing site is different from the primary content providing site; and means for determining which of the plurality of proxy content providing sites will provide the secondary content to the content display site.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 17 words
A system as in claim 21 , wherein the content is represented by data including video data.
Claim 26
Independent Claim 146 words
A system for simultaneously providing a plurality of sets of content to a plurality of content display sites, comprising: means for determining, for each content display site, a content providing site from which a set of content will be transmitted to the content display site, wherein a particular set of content is available from multiple redundant content providing sites; means for transmitting one or more handoff instructions from a primary content providing site, the handoff instructions causing at least one proxy content providing site to provide a set of content to one or more content display sites in accordance with the set of handoff instructions, wherein the plurality of sets of content are provided from at least two different content providing sites; and means for determining which of the redundant content providing sites will provide the particular set of content to a particular content display site.
Claim 27
Independent Claim 146 words
A system for simultaneously providing a plurality of sets of content to a plurality of content display sites, comprising: means for determining, for each content display site, a content providing site from which a set of content will be transmitted to the content display site, wherein a particular set of content is available from multiple redundant content providing sites; means for transmitting one or more handoff instructions from a primary content providing site, the handoff instructions causing at least one proxy content providing site to provide a set of content to one or more content display sites in accordance with the set of handoff instructions, wherein the plurality of sets of content are provided from at least two different content providing sites; and means for determining which of the redundant content providing sites will provide the particular set of content to a particular content display site.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 94 words
A system as in claim 23 , further comprising: means for transmitting, from each of multiple content display sites to the primary content providing site, content identification instructions identifying a set of content to be provided to the content display site; and means for transmitting, from each of the multiple content display sites to the primary content providing site, timing instructions identifying when the requested set of content is to be provided to the content display site, wherein at least two sets of content must be provided to content display sites at different times.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 17 words
A system as in claim 24 , wherein the content is represented by data including video data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 157 words
A computer readable storage medium or media on which is stored one or more computer programs for providing content to a content display site, the one or more computer programs comprising: instructions for providing primary content from a primary content providing site to the content display site; instructions for transmitting one or more handoff instructions from the primary content providing site; instructions for providing secondary content from a proxy content providing site to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: instructions for providing secondary content from one of a plurality of proxy content providing sites to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: the secondary content is different from the primary content; and the proxy content providing site is different from the primary content providing site; and instructions for determining which of the plurality of proxy content providing sites will provide the secondary content to the content display site.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 157 words
A computer readable storage medium or media on which is stored one or more computer programs for providing content to a content display site, the one or more computer programs comprising: instructions for providing primary content from a primary content providing site to the content display site; instructions for transmitting one or more handoff instructions from the primary content providing site; instructions for providing secondary content from a proxy content providing site to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: instructions for providing secondary content from one of a plurality of proxy content providing sites to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: the secondary content is different from the primary content; and the proxy content providing site is different from the primary content providing site; and instructions for determining which of the plurality of proxy content providing sites will provide the secondary content to the content display site.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 166 words
A computer readable storage medium or media on which is stored one or more computer programs for simultaneously providing a plurality of sets of content to a plurality of content display sites, the one or more computer programs comprising: instructions for determining, for each content display site, a content providing site from which a set of content will be transmitted to the content display site, wherein a particular set of content is available from multiple redundant content providing sites; instructions for transmitting one or more handoff instructions from a primary content providing site, the handoff instructions causing at least one proxy content providing site to provide a set of content to one or more content display sites in accordance with the set of handoff instructions, wherein the plurality of sets of content are provided from at least two different content providing sites; and instructions for determining which of the redundant content providing sites will provide the particular set of content to a particular content display site.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 166 words
A computer readable storage medium or media on which is stored one or more computer programs for simultaneously providing a plurality of sets of content to a plurality of content display sites, the one or more computer programs comprising: instructions for determining, for each content display site, a content providing site from which a set of content will be transmitted to the content display site, wherein a particular set of content is available from multiple redundant content providing sites; instructions for transmitting one or more handoff instructions from a primary content providing site, the handoff instructions causing at least one proxy content providing site to provide a set of content to one or more content display sites in accordance with the set of handoff instructions, wherein the plurality of sets of content are provided from at least two different content providing sites; and instructions for determining which of the redundant content providing sites will provide the particular set of content to a particular content display site.
Claim 34
Independent Claim 151 words
A method for providing content to a content display site, comprising the steps of: providing primary content from a primary content providing site to the content display site; transmitting one or more handoff instructions from the primary content providing site; providing secondary content from one of a plurality of proxy content providing sites to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: the secondary content is different from the primary content; the proxy content providing site is different from the primary content providing site; the primary content is not transmitted to or from the proxy content providing site during the step of providing primary content; and the secondary content is not transmitted to or from the primary content providing site during the step of providing secondary content; and determining which of the plurality of proxy content providing sites will provide the secondary content to the content display site.
Claim 35
Independent Claim 151 words
A method for providing content to a content display site, comprising the steps of: providing primary content from a primary content providing site to the content display site; transmitting one or more handoff instructions from the primary content providing site; providing secondary content from one of a plurality of proxy content providing sites to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: the secondary content is different from the primary content; the proxy content providing site is different from the primary content providing site; the primary content is not transmitted to or from the proxy content providing site during the step of providing primary content; and the secondary content is not transmitted to or from the primary content providing site during the step of providing secondary content; and determining which of the plurality of proxy content providing sites will provide the secondary content to the content display site.
Claim 36
Independent Claim 132 words
A method for providing content to a content display site, comprising the steps of: providing primary content from a primary content providing site to the content display site; transmitting one or more handoff instructions from the primary content providing site; providing secondary content from one of a plurality of proxy content providing sites to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: the secondary content is different from the primary content; the proxy content providing site is different from the primary content providing site; and the primary content and the secondary content are not provided simultaneously from the primary content providing site or from the proxy content providing site; and determining which of the plurality of proxy content providing sites provide the secondary content to the content display site.
Claim 37
Independent Claim 132 words
A method for providing content to a content display site, comprising the steps of: providing primary content from a primary content providing site to the content display site; transmitting one or more handoff instructions from the primary content providing site; providing secondary content from one of a plurality of proxy content providing sites to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: the secondary content is different from the primary content; the proxy content providing site is different from the primary content providing site; and the primary content and the secondary content are not provided simultaneously from the primary content providing site or from the proxy content providing site; and determining which of the plurality of proxy content providing sites provide the secondary content to the content display site.
Claim 38
Independent Claim 109 words
A method for providing content to a content display site, comprising the steps of: providing primary content from a primary content providing site to the content display site; transmitting one or more handoff instructions from the primary content providing site; providing secondary content from one of a plurality of proxy content providing sites to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: the secondary content is different from the primary content; and the proxy content providing site is different from the primary content providing site; and determining which of the plurality of proxy content providing sites will provide the secondary content to the content display site.
Claim 39
Independent Claim 109 words
A method for providing content to a content display site, comprising the steps of: providing primary content from a primary content providing site to the content display site; transmitting one or more handoff instructions from the primary content providing site; providing secondary content from one of a plurality of proxy content providing sites to the content display site in accordance with the handoff instructions, wherein: the secondary content is different from the primary content; and the proxy content providing site is different from the primary content providing site; and determining which of the plurality of proxy content providing sites will provide the secondary content to the content display site.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5892535A Cited
US5778187A Cited
US6075551A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2006-01-06 2006-07-08 2007-01-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
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