Distributed storage of audio/video content

Abstract

Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for playing an audio / video program. One such system includes an audio / video player, a first storage device connected to the audio / video player and storing a first portion of an audio / video program, and a second storage device storing a second portion of the audio / video program and connected via a network to at least one of (1) the audio / video player and (2) the first storage device. In response to an instruction to play the audio / video program on the audio / video player, the second portion of the audio / video program automatically is retrieved from the second storage device, the second portion is combined with the first portion, and the audio / video program is played on the audio / video player.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 091,908, filed on Mar. 5, 2002 and titled “Distributed Storage of Audio / Video Content”.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to storing and playing audio and / or video content, such as full-length motion pictures, and particularly concerns systems and methods utilizing distributed storage of such content in the context of a bank of networked playing devices. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Various conventional devices exist for playing stored programs or works. that include audio and / or video content. Such devices include CD players, videocassette players, DVD players, film-based movie projectors and, more recently, digital movie projectors. Most of such devices play audio / video content directly from a portable storage medium (e.g., a CD, videocassette film reel or DVD), sometimes after a limited amount of buffering. Others utilize internal ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention solves problems associated with storing entire movies or other audio / video programs on a single server or device by using a bank of networked audio / video players. Each player has its own associated storage device, which can become defective and require the entire movie or program to be reloaded. The invention addresses this problem by storing portions of the program on different networked devices and retrieving them for playback. This reduces the risk of theft or copying and also reduces network traffic by not having to download the entire program in real-time. The invention allows for a more efficient and secure way to play audio / video programs."

Problems solved by technology

First, such an approach typically has the disadvantage that if the storage device (or, in certain cases, another portion of the player) becomes defective, it might be necessary to locate the media on which the movie was initially delivered and reload the movie.

Not only is this process inconvenient, but it also typically requires that the cinema maintain a copy of each movie that it is showing on portable media, such as a set of DVDs.

The requirement of storing such portable media for each work that is to be exhibited can pose a significant risk of theft or copying.

In addition, when implemented in this manner, if the player or external storage device itself is stolen, the thief acquires a copy of the entire movie which is stored on it, which often will be far more valuable than even the playing device itself.

Images