Patent ID: 6438588
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A central data exchange for use with, and to be operably connected to, a high speed fiber optic network, and for use with a plurality of media providers and a plurality of local service providers, said central data exchange comprising:receiving means for receiving electronic media from the plurality of media providers via the high speed network during a predetermined time period uniquely assigned to each of the media providers; collating means for indicating portions of the electronic media to be sent to a local service provider and for assigning a time code to each of the portions of the electronic media; transmitting means for transmitting, via the high speed fiber optic network, the portions of the electronic media, indicated by said collating means, to the local service provider during a time period assigned to the local service provider and according to the time code assigned to each of the portions of the electronic media; wherein said collating means is operable for indicating portions of the electronic media to be sent to corresponding local service providers and for assigning a time code to each of the portions of the electronic media for a respective transmission to each of the local service providers, and said transmitting means is operable for transmitting the portions of the electronic media, indicated by said collating means, to the corresponding local service providers according to the time code assigned to each of the portions of the electronic media for the respective transmission to the corresponding local service providers.