TH66875A - How to Prepare a Data Service for Many Small Files - Google Patents

Abstract

DC60 (17/10/45) A device for retrieving data files that have been repeatedly distributed, at least during the first and second periods. It consists of: a device for receiving file requests from users who have selected at least one distributed data file; a device for initiating the file retrieval process for which the user has permission, retrieving at least the first part of the data file distributed during the first period; a device for displaying at least part of the first part of the data file, at least during part of the second period; a device for retrieving the second part of the data file distributed during the second period; and a method for displaying at least part of the second part of the data file.

Claims (1)

1. A method for sending a large number of small data files to multiple users, consisting of the following actions: sending more than one data file simultaneously to more than one user, when at least one of those files is sent at a data transfer rate faster than the playback rate of that file. 2. A method claimed in point 1, including sending an electronic program guide (EPG) to multiple users, where those users may select the data file using the EPG. 3. A method claimed in point 1 where each data file is sent repeatedly. 4. A method claimed in point 3 where each data file is allocated bandwidth, and the file is sent repeatedly within that allocated bandwidth. 5. A method claimed in point 2 where an icon corresponding to each data file is displayed through the EPG, allowing users to select the data file by selecting the icon. 6. A method claimed in point 1 where the data file itself is sent repeatedly. At least one of the files is a karaoke music file, containing audio and video data. 7. According to the method claimed in Clause 1, at least one of the files is a text file, containing text data. 8. According to the method claimed in Clause 7, the text file contains multiple pages, with at least one page containing text data. 9. According to the method claimed in Clause 8, at least one of the pages contains a graphic image. 10. According to the method claimed in Clause 9, the graphic is in JPEG format. 11. According to the method claimed in Clause 8, at least one of the pages is an index to the contents of at least one other page. 12. According to the method claimed in Clause 7, a service matching the description of the items in the text file may be accessed by the first user. 13. According to the method claimed in Clause 12, the set-top box sends an electronic message in response to the request. 14. The method claimed in clause 13 when the electronic message contains an order for goods from another service provider. 15. The method claimed in clause 13 when the electronic message contains an order for services from another service provider. 16. The method claimed in clause 13 when the electronic message contains an order to transfer funds to any account for payment. 17. A method to download a data file that is broadcast over time using a smart set-top box (STB) consisting of: receiving input from a user indicating at least one selected data file; initiating the download of at least the first part of the selected data file broadcast during the first period; displaying at least part of the first part of the selected data file; reaching the second part of the data file broadcast during the second period, with at least part of the first part of the selected data file being displayed during the second period; and displaying at least part of the second part of the selected data file. 18. A method claimed in clause 17 consisting of: downloading additional parts of the data file that have been broadcast during an additional period; and arranging all parts of the data file to reassemble it into a file. 19. The complete information. The method claimed in Clause 17, which includes calculating the waiting time required before playing such data file to ensure that the data block of such data file is received before the scheduled playback time. 20. The device for retrieving the data file that is repeatedly distributed at least during the first and second periods, which includes the device for initiating the process of retrieving the data file that the subscriber is entitled to view, at least the first part of the data file distributed during the first period; the device for displaying at least part of such first part of the data file during at least part of the second period; the device for retrieving the second part of the data file distributed during the second period; and the device for displaying at least part of such second part of the data file. 21. The device claimed in Clause 20 also includes the device for requesting permission to retrieve the requested data file. 22. The device claimed in Clause 20 also includes the device for retrieving the third part of the data file that was distributed during the third period; and the device for rearranging the first, second, and third parts back into a complete data file. 23. The device claimed in Clause 20 at the set-top box (STB) receives the electronic program guide (EGP) and displays it for the subscriber to view. 24. The device claimed under clause 20, in which the set-top box (STB) automatically calculates the time required to download and the time required to play the data file selected by the user, based on the information provided with the electronic program instructions, and the set-top box automatically displays at least part of the data file after a waiting period, where such waiting time is dependent on the time required to download and the time required to play the data file. 25. The device claimed under clause 21, in which the user's set-top box automatically calculates the waiting time in response to the aforementioned playback and download times. 26. The device claimed under clause 22, in which such waiting time is also in response to the number of data blocks that make up the data file. 27. The device for downloading the data file that has been repeatedly distributed at least during the first and second periods, consisting of an input device for downloading the data file requested by the user who has selected at least one distributed data file; a processor for initiating the download process for which the user has rights at least during the first period of the distributed data file; and an output device for displaying at least... 27. A device as claimed in Clause 27 that also includes a communication port for requesting permission to access the requested data file. 28. A device as claimed in Clause 27 whose processor accesses the third part of the data file distributed during the third period and rearranges the first, second, and third parts to reassemble the complete data file. 39. A device as claimed in Clause 27 at the user's set-top box (STB) that provides electronic program recommendations and displays them to the user. 31. A device as claimed in Clause 27 at the user's set-top box (STB) that automatically downloads and plays the data file selected by the user, calculated from the information sent with the electronic program guide (EPG), and the set-top box (STB) automatically displays at least part of the data file after a waiting period, where this waiting period is based on the download time and the time used. 32. The device claimed in Clause 28 at the user's set-top box (STB) automatically calculates the waiting time in response to the playback and download times. 33. The device claimed in Clause 29, where such waiting time also responds to the number of data blocks of the data file. 34. A data on demand (DOD) broadcast system for sending many small data files, consisting of a DOD broadcast server for broadcasting more than one data file, a transmission medium connected to the DOD server, and multiple receivers connected to the DOD server via the transmission medium. The DOD server repeatedly sends more than one data file to more than one receiver via the transmission medium. The receivers allow the user to select at least one data file, and the receivers perform authentication for the selected data file. 35. A set-top box (STB) capable of accessing small data files distributed over a wide area network, comprising a user input device for selecting the desired data file, a first communication link for requesting access rights to the selected data file, a second communication link for receiving access rights to the selected data file, a processor for adjusting the bandwidth to match the bandwidth of the selected data file, and a third communication link for receiving the selected data file. 36. The device referred to in clause 35 includes a display device for displaying at least part of the selected data file upon receipt of the minimum amount of data in the file, a channel server for receiving the data file from the storage server, and a transmitter for sending the first data file. 40. The device claimed in Clause 39 repeatedly accesses the allocated bandwidth to enable the receiver to access the first data file before the specified time limit. 41. The device claimed in Clause 39, consisting of a service authorization processor, receives authorization requests from service users and prepares authorization codes for service users to view the selected data file. The service authorization processor then sends messages about the selected data file to the billing apparatus, and the billing apparatus updates the accounts receivable for the service user based on these messages. (Clause 41, page 7, figure 11)