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 ...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

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[0018] The present disclosure is related to, and hereby incorporates by reference herein as though set forth herein in full, each of the following commonly-assigned patent applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 784,948 filed Feb. 15, 2001 and titled “Paging During Media Loading” (the '948 Application); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 784,843 filed Feb. 15, 2001 and titled “Programming Content Distribution” (the '843 Application); and the U.S. Patent Applications titled “Broadcast Message Management” (the Broadcast Message Management Application) and “Multi-Path Content Distribution and Aggregation” (the Multi-Path Content Distribution and Aggregation Application) filed concurrently herewith.

[0019] Briefly speaking, the present invention provides for distributed storage of audio / video content, works or programs, thereby often minimizing the results of player theft or malfunction. As used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, “audio / video” means any content t...

[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 ...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

)

[0018] The present disclosure is related to, and hereby incorporates by reference herein as though set forth herein in full, each of the following commonly-assigned patent applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 784,948 filed Feb. 15, 2001 and titled “Paging During Media Loading” (the '948 Application); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 784,843 filed Feb. 15, 2001 and titled “Programming Content Distribution” (the '843 Application); and the U.S. Patent Applications titled “Broadcast Message Management” (the Broadcast Message Management Application) and “Multi-Path Content Distribution and Aggregation” (the Multi-Path Content Distribution and Aggregation Application) filed concurrently herewith.

[0019] Briefly speaking, the present invention provides for distributed storage of audio / video content, works or programs, thereby often minimizing the results of player theft or malfunction. As used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, “audio / video” means any content t...

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