Patent ID: 6298385
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
A method for optimizing the transmission of multimedia files over a data network, comprising the steps of:identifying a multimedia file to be played;creating a plurality transmission files from the multimedia file where each of the plurality of transmission files is created in a format optimized for a particular transmission speed;selecting a transmission speed and identifying one of the plurality of transmission files which is optimized for the transmission speed;transmitting the identified transmission file;periodically analyzing transmission characteristics of the identified transmission file during transmission of the identified transmission file to determine whether the identified transmission file is being transmitted at an optimum speed; andif the identified transmission file is not being transmitted at an optimum speed, determining an optimum speed for transmission;identifying a different transmission file from the plurality of transmission files which is optimized for transmission at the optimum speed; andidentifying a selected point during the transmission of the identified transmission file, and at the selected point, replacing the identified transmission file with the different transmission file and continuing the transmission with the different transmission file.