Claims
- 1. A data block format for streaming information, the data block format comprising:
a first data block size field indicating the size of the data block; a second data block size field indicating the size of the data block; and a payload field bounded by the first data block size field and the second data block size field.
- 2. The data block format of claim 1 wherein the data block comprises a header portion, the first data block size field being included in the header portion, and wherein the header portion includes a prefix field.
- 3. The data block format of claim 2 wherein the prefix field comprises a pointer to a succeeding data block.
- 4. The data block format of claim 3 wherein the prefix field is of variable size.
- 5. The data block format of claim 4 wherein the header portion includes a prefix size field indicating a size of the prefix field.
- 6. The data block format of claim 4 wherein the prefix field includes other information.
- 7. The data block format of claim 6 wherein the other information includes padding data.
- 8. The data block format of claim 2 wherein the data block comprises an end portion, the second data block size field being included in the end portion, and wherein the end portion includes a suffix field.
- 9. The data block format of claim 8 wherein suffix field comprises a pointer to a preceding data block.
- 10. The data block format of claim 3 wherein the data block comprises an end portion, the second data block size field being included in the end portion, and wherein the end portion includes a suffix field.
- 11. The data block format of claim 10 wherein suffix field comprises a pointer to a preceding data block.
- 12. The data block format of claim 11 wherein the header portion includes a stream identification field.
- 13. The data block format of claim 12 wherein the header portion includes a field indicating a location of the payload in the data block.
- 14. The data block format of claim 10 wherein the prefix field includes other information.
- 15. The data block format of claim 14 wherein the other information includes padding data.
- 16. A data block format for streaming information, the data block format comprising:
a first pointer field indicating a location of a succeeding data block; a second pointer field indicating a location of a preceding data block; and a payload field.
- 17. The data block format of claim 16 wherein the payload field is bounded by the first pointer field and the second pointer field.
- 18. The data block format of claim 16 wherein the payload field is of variable size.
- 19. The data block format of claim 16 wherein the first pointer field is at a known location from a beginning of the data block, and the second pointer field is at a known location from an end of the data block.
- 20. The data block format of claim 19 and further comprising:
a first data block size field indicating the size of the data block; a second data block size field indicating the size of the data block; and wherein the payload field is bounded by the first data block size field and the second data block size field.
- 21. A processor implemented method of handling streaming information for storage in a circular buffer comprising a plurality of partitions defined by boundaries, the method comprising:
receiving streaming information from a source of streaming information; forming data blocks wherein each data block includes a payload field capable of holding a portion of the streaming information and an identification field indicative of the source of the streaming information; writing at least one data block to the circular buffer to partially fill a partition; generating at least one padding block having a field indicative of non-streaming information and having a size being a function of remaining space in the partition; and writing the padding block to the circular buffer.
- 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of writing the padding block comprises writing the padding block in the circular buffer adjacent a boundary.
- 23. The method of claim 21 wherein the data blocks are of variable size.
- 24. The method of claim 21 wherein each of the data blocks includes a first pointer field indicating a location of a succeeding data block and a second pointer field indicating a location of a preceding data block, and wherein the step of forming includes ascertaining pointer data for each of the pointer fields.
- 25. A computer readable medium including instructions readable by a computer appliance having a circular buffer with a plurality of partitions defined by boundaries which, when implemented, cause the computer appliance to handle streaming information by performing steps comprising:
receiving streaming information from a source of streaming information; forming data blocks wherein each data block includes a payload field capable of holding a portion of the streaming information and an identification field indicative of the source of the streaming information; writing at least one data block to the circular buffer to partially fill a partition; generating at least one padding block having a field indicative of non-streaming information and having a size being a function of remaining space in the partition; and writing the padding block to the circular buffer.
- 26. The computer readable medium of claim 25 wherein the step of writing the padding block comprises writing the padding block in the circular buffer adjacent a boundary.
- 27. The computer readable medium of claim 25 wherein the data blocks are of variable size.
- 28. The computer readable medium of claim 25 wherein each of the data blocks includes a first pointer field indicating a location of a succeeding data block and a second pointer field indicating a location of a preceding data block, and wherein the step of forming includes ascertaining pointer data for each of the pointer fields.
REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
[0001] Reference is hereby made to co-pending U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith, Ser. No. ______, entitled “STREAMING INFORMATION APPLIANCE WITH CIRCULAR BUFFER”; Ser. No. ______, entitled “STREAMING INFORMATION APPLIANCE WITH BUFFER READ AND WRITE SYNCHRONIZATION”; Ser. No. ______, entitled “STREAMING INFORMATION APPLIANCE WITH BUFFER FOR TIME SHIFTING”; Ser. No. ______, entitled “AN INFORMATION APPLIANCE FOR RECEIVING STREAMING INFORMATION AND READING THE INFORMATION WITH A PLURALITY OF READER MODULES”; and Ser. No. ______, entitled “ANALYZING, INDEXING AND SEEKING OF STREAMING INFORMATION”, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09286747 |
Apr 1999 |
US |
Child |
10080750 |
Feb 2002 |
US |