Data-on-demand digital broadcast system utilizing prefetch data transmission

Abstract

The invention provides a data requesting method for top box of a universal machine, comprising the following steps: converting to a free mode; accessing a pre-loaded transmission stream at certain time when it is in the free mode; storing a group of data blocks in the pre-loaded transmission stream onto a computer readable medium; retrieving part of the data blocks when it converts from the free mode to an active mode, sending signals by a user, displaying a first part of a first program according to the pre-loaded transmission stream; and automatically tuning to a correct data stream. Thus, an interruption may not generate when broadcasting between the first part of the program and other parts thereof, and the retrieving step enables the user to instantly access programs without further accessing broadcasting data.

Description

This application is a divisional application filed on April 24, 2002 with application number 02118323.6 and titled "Data On Demand Digital Broadcasting System Utilizing Prefetch Data Transmission". technical field Video on Demand (VOD) is a Data on Demand (DOD) system. In a VOD system, a server or network of servers provides video data files to one or more clients upon request. These systems are well known to those skilled in the art. Background technique In a conventional VOD architecture, a server or network of servers communicates with clients in a standard hierarchical client-server model. For example, a client sends a request for a data file (such as a video data file) to the server. In response to the client request, the server sends the requested file to the client. In the standard client-server model, a client's data file requests are fulfilled by one or more servers. Customers can store any received data files locally in non-volatile memory for later use. The...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

But this technique is doomed to fail since most of the customers probably want to watch the video at the same time (e.g. night or weekend), thus, overloading the local server

Images