Claims
- 1. A data distribution method of distributing data read from a first information storage device by an information transmission apparatus from the information transmission apparatus to an information reception apparatus via a network, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving the data at an information relay apparatus interposed between the information transmission apparatus and the information reception apparatus, and writing the received data in a second information storage device; reading the data from the second information storage device at the information relay apparatus and transmitting the data from the information relay apparatus to the information reception apparatus; if the information relay apparatus detects data not stored in the second information storage device, transmitting a redistribution request for the data to either the information transmission apparatus or another information relay apparatus; and reading the data from the first or second information storage device at the information transmission apparatus or the other information relay apparatus received the redistribution request and transmitting the read data to the information relay apparatus or the other information relay apparatus.
- 2. A data distribution method of distributing data read from a first information storage device by an information transmission apparatus from the information transmission apparatus to an information reception apparatus via a network, the method comprising the steps of:
reading one set of a plurality of data sets having different qualities and stored in a first information storage device at the information transmission apparatus; receiving the data at an information relay apparatus interposed between the information transmission apparatus and the information reception apparatus and writing the received data in a second information storage device; reading the data from the second information storage device at the information relay apparatus and transmitting the data from the information relay apparatus to the information reception apparatus; transmitting a quality change request for the data to the information transmission apparatus from the information relay apparatus, if the information relay apparatus detects that an amount of data stored in the second information storage device becomes less than a predetermined amount or that a detected total loss of data stored in the second information storage device becomes a predetermined amount or more; and changing a quality of the data to be read from the first information storage device at the information transmission apparatus received the quality change request.
- 3. A method of storing stream data in a storage device, comprising the steps of:
dividing the stream data into partial data sets at a predetermined time interval in accordance with a reproduction time of the data; storing each partial data set in a different data block; and forming a list of pairs of address information and data size of the data blocks.
- 4. A data distribution method of distributing data from an information transmission apparatus to an information reception apparatus via a network, the method comprising the steps of:
transmitting a requested quality of the data from the information reception apparatus to an information relay apparatus interposed between the information transmission apparatus and the information reception apparatus; and changing a quality of the data received at the information relay apparatus to the requested quality and transmitting the data from the information relay apparatus to the information reception apparatus.
- 5. A data distribution method according to claim 4, wherein:
the information relay apparatus writes the data in a second information storage device; the information reception apparatus notifies the information relay apparatus of an occurrence of data not arrived; the information relay apparatus reads the data not arrived from the second information storage device; and the information relay apparatus transmits the read data to the information reception apparatus.
- 6. A data distribution method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of:
receiving a quality change request from the information reception apparatus at the information relay apparatus; and changing a quality of the received data at the information relay apparatus.
- 7. A data distribution method of distributing data from a distribution server to a client via at least one relay server, the method comprising the steps of:
buffering the data in an auxiliary storage device at the relay server; and if the relay server detects a loss of data in the buffered data, transmitting a redistribution request for the data either to the distribution server or another relay server at a preceding stage.
- 8. A data distribution method of distributing data from a distribution server to a client via at least one relay server, the method comprising the steps of:
buffering the data in an auxiliary storage device at the relay server; and if the relay server receives a data redistribution request from the client or another relay server at a next stage, transmitting the buffered data from the relay server to the client or the other relay server at the next stage.
- 9. A relay server for relaying data to be distributed from a distribution server to a client, comprising:
storage means for buffering the data; means for detecting a loss of data in the buffered data; and means for transmitting, if a loss of data is detected, a data redistribution request to either the distribution server or another relay server at a preceding stage.
- 10. A relay server for relaying data to be distributed from a distribution server to a client, comprising:
storage means for buffering the data; means for receiving a data redistribution request from either the client or another relay server at a next stage; and means responsive to the redistribution request for transmitting the buffered data from the relay server to the client or the other relay server at the next stage.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2001-116287 |
Apr 2001 |
JP |
|
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application relates to a U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled DATA RELAY METHOD filed by T. Takeuchi et al. on