Multiplex communications – Communication techniques for information carried in plural... – Adaptive
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-16
2001-05-15
Vincent, David R. (Department: 2732)
Multiplex communications
Communication techniques for information carried in plural...
Adaptive
C370S474000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233252
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to the distribution of very large data files, and more particularly, to systems and methods for transferring very large data files, such as feature length movies, for example, using a fragmentation and reassembly methodology.
Conventional motion pictures are produced and distributed to motion picture theaters by preparing a film that is physically shipped to the theaters and then displayed to an audience using a conventional motion picture projector. Although it is in its infancy, technology is being developed that will permit recording of motion pictures using digital cameras.
However, currently available personal computers are limited as to the size of files that can be transferred to them. Typical 32-bit personal computers can only transfer data files that have a file size less than 2
32
bits. Feature length movies are very large data files, and are typically more than 4 gigabytes in size. Such data files cannot be readily transferred between computers.
The present inventors attempted to use numerous existing software packages to transfer and reassemble a very large data file. However each of these existing software packages failed to transfer very large data files. This is because the personal computer on which the software was run could only transfer data files that have a file size less than 2
32
bits. None of the existing software packages could transfer a very large data file exceeding 4 gigabytes in size.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have systems and methods for transferring very large data files using currently available 32-bit computers. It would also be advantageous to have systems and methods for transferring very large data files using a fragmentation and reassembly methodology. It would also be advantageous to have systems and methods for use in digitally distributing very large data files containing feature length movies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for systems and methods for transferring very large data files to a remote location. The present invention involves fragmentation and reassembly of the very large data files, which permits their transfer between 32-bit computers, for example.
Such very large data files include digitally recorded motion pictures that are transferred to motion picture theaters for display. For example, a digitally recorded motion picture file containing a feature length movie, for example, may be transferred between a production or distribution facility to theaters at which the motion picture is to be played. The very large data files, such as motion picture files, are typically over 4 gigabytes in size.
The present systems and methods fragment the very large data file into smaller files or blocks, 500 megabytes in size, for example, that are numbered or ordered, to provide an indication of the original ordering of the data. This is achieved by processing the very large data file using file conversion software loaded on a computer. The ordered fragmented files or blocks (such as smaller blocks of the motion picture file) are transmitted to and are received at the remote location. For example, the fragmented files or blocks of the motion picture file may be transferred by way of a satellite transmission link to each motion picture theater that is to display the motion picture.
At the remote location, the received fragmented files or blocks are reassembled or reconstructed into the original very large data file using the file conversion software. For example, at each motion picture theater, received fragmented blocks of the motion picture file are reconstructed to produce the digitally recorded motion picture file.
Once the very large data file is reassembled, it is processed or archived. For example, the reconstructed motion picture file may be transferred to a digital projector to display the motion picture to an audience.
The file conversion software comprises a file fragmentation utility employed in a computer at the transmitting end of the system that segments the very large data file into a plurality of smaller blocks or files. A file reassembly utility is employed in a computer at the receiving end of the system. The file reassembly utility reconstructs the original file by concatenating each of the smaller files or blocks in accordance with the original ordering scheme to produce the original data file.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5337313 (1994-08-01), Buchholz et al.
Stallings, Data and Computer Communications, pp.176-186, 306, 1997.*
Comer, Internetworking with TCP/IP, pp. 92-98, 1997.
Ashe Matthew B.
Barker Keith R.
Rafter Mark T.
Routley Andrew D.
CyberStar, L.P.
Float Kenneth W.
Vincent David R.
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