Patent ID: 6381709
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A process for downloading a data file, said data file defining a start of file and an end of file, from a server computer to a client computer, wherein the data file is stored on a computer readable medium connected to the server computer, wherein the process has an application protocol for sending data as a stream of data using a transport protocol over a computer network connecting the client computer to the server computer, comprising the steps, performed by the client computer, of:initiating a download of the data file as a stream of data by sending, using the application protocol, a request for the data file to the server computer over the computer network; monitoring data successfully received by the client computer from the server computer, in response to the request; storing said data successfully received by the client computer; detecting a termination of the stream of data being downloaded, where the termination may occur anywhere within said stream of data; and in response to the termination of the download of the data file, automatically restarting the download of the data file by initiating a second download of the data file by sending, using the application protocol, a second request for the data file to the server computer, wherein said download starts at any point within the data file, exclusive of the start of file and end of file, and regardless of the presence of markers, frame boundaries, and other boundaries that may occur within said data.