Inventors:
Michael Yu - Renton WA, US
Ryan Edward Cukierman - Redmond WA, US
Stephen Michael Lacy - Mountain View CA, US
Assignee:
Google Inc. - Mountain View CA
International Classification:
G06F 15/16, G06F 15/173, G06F 15/177
US Classification:
709232, 709231, 725 34, 715723
Abstract:
Systems and methods provide for discontinuous download of media files. The system and method work within the bounds of simple, existing, open protocols and the media files served are playable by standard media playback clients. The method is driven by a request to play a media file from any location within the media file, including sections of the media file that the initial download has not yet reached. The method comprises downloading the media file in segments corresponding to the location in the media file that the user desires to view and merging the segments. The method allows for tracking of which segments have been downloaded and which have not.