(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`I lllll 1111111111111111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIII IIIIIII IIII 11111111
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`5 April 2001 (05.04.2001)
`
`PCT
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 01/24474 Al
`
`(51) International Patent Classification 7:
`
`H04L 29/06
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/EP00/09204
`
`(74) Agent: WHITE, Andrew, G.; Intemationaal Octrooibu-
`reau B.V., Prof. Holstlaan 6, NL-5656 AA Eindhoven
`(NL).
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`19 September 2000 (19.09.2000)
`
`(81) Designated States (national): CN, JP.
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(84) Designated States (regional): European patent (AT, BE,
`CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC,
`NL, PT, SE).
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`60/156,468
`09/433,257
`
`27 September 1999 (27.09.1999) US
`4 November 1999 (04.11.1999) US
`
`(71) Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRON(cid:173)
`ICS N.V. [NL/NL]; Groenewoudseweg 1, NL-5621 BA
`Eindhoven (NL).
`
`(72) Inventor: SHTEYN, Eugene; Prof. Holstlaan 6, NL-5656
`AA Eindhoven (NL).
`
`Published:
`With international search report.
`Before the expiration of the time limit for amending the
`claims and to be republished in the event of receipt of
`amendments.
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid(cid:173)
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the begin(cid:173)
`ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`-------------------------------------------
`
`(54) Title: PARTITIONING OF FILE FOR EMULATING STREAMING
`
`(57) Abstract: An electronic file, e.g., an MP3
`file, is partitioned into a sequence of segments
`at the server side. The first segment is played
`out (108) upon downloading (106). While the
`first segment is being played out, the second is
`being downloaded and buffered (llO) so that it
`is available when the play out of the first segment
`is completed. While playing out a current one
`of the segments, next one(s) of the segments are
`being downloaded and buffered. This partitioning
`to emulate
`and sequential play out enables
`streaming of a file and to minimize latency while
`downloading an electronic file.
`
`102
`
`104
`
`106
`
`108
`
`110
`
`112
`
`~
`
`100
`
`!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
`
`,-.,,i <
`
`~
`I:'
`~
`~
`
`M ---,-.,,i =
`0
`~
`
`iiiiiiiiiiiii
`!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
`iiiiiiiiiiiii
`iiiiiiiiiiiii
`iiiiiiiii
`iiiiiiiiiiiii
`
`iiiiiiiiiiiii
`iiiiiiiiiiiii
`
`iiiiiiiii
`
`iiiiiiiii
`
`iiiiiiiiiiiii
`
`iiiiiiiiiiiii --iiiiiiiiiiiii
`iiiiiiiiiiiii -
`iiiiiiiiiiiii -iiiiiiiii
`iiiiiiiii -iiiiiiiiiiiii
`
`-i-
`
`Amazon v. Audio Pod
`US Patent 10,735,488
`Amazon EX-1086
`
`

`

`WO 01/24474
`
`PCT /EP00/09204
`
`Partitioning of file for emulating streaming.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates to content and/or control communications between
`
`multiple computer systems, or to such communications between computer systems and
`
`consumer devices. Specifically, the invention relates to communication constrained by
`
`5
`
`bandwidth or limited by data processing resources available to the receiving system or
`
`device, especially if the communications are received by the user in real time. The type of
`
`communications can be, e.g., broadcast, multi-cast or point-to-point.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`10
`
`Consider current major technologies for delivering digital content, such as
`
`audio, video, etc. The streaming method for audio, e.g., RealAudio by RealNetworks,
`
`consists of playing-out audio at a client device, while constantly sending data from the server
`
`to the client. The technology provided by RealNetworks comprises an encoder, a server, a
`
`splitter/cache and a player system with two-way intelligence to resolve network congestion,
`
`15
`
`lost packet conditions and negotiate complex internet protocols. More specifically, the known
`
`technology comprises an automatic, variable bit-rate encoding and delivery system for audio
`
`and video. The system scales to megabit connection rates and dynamically adjusts the
`
`transmission rate as delivery rate varies due to network congestion. The format and the
`
`encoding/decoding methods of the data are proprietary. The server and the client synchronize
`
`20
`
`receiving and playing in a way pre-defined by the particular architecture. The communication
`
`stack software is tightly coupled to the interpretation layer (application and user interface
`
`(UI) ). Manufacturers of such technology promote high level of integration between client and
`
`server software, as a complete vertical solution. This approach mostly excludes third parties
`
`from developing custom server software (e.g., advertizing, services) and/or client
`
`25
`
`applications (UI, special effects, etc.).
`
`Another known method is downloading of a content file from a remote
`
`computer with subsequent play-out on the client. MP3 is a widely known audio data format
`
`used within the downloading context. There are other data formats, e.g., MP4 for video data
`
`etc. The major advantage of the above mentioned method is its open data standard approach.
`
`-1-
`
`

`

`WOOl/24474
`
`2
`
`PCT /EP00/09204
`
`As long as the right format of the content file is observed during encoding, client and server
`
`software/hardware manufacturers are free to develop their own solutions/products.
`
`A major problem with the complete download approach is the inherent
`
`latency: there is a delay between the beginning of the download and the start of the play-out.
`
`5
`
`The larger the file and/or smaller the communication bandwidth, the longer it takes to
`
`transfer the content from the server to the client. This is particularly undesirable in consumer
`
`electronics systems, where perceived delay is detrimental to market acceptance of an open
`
`architecture.
`
`10
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the invention to provide an open architecture solution for
`
`content delivery in a download approach that allows for a low or negligible play-out latency.
`
`To this end the content file is split into multiple parts. Each part or segment requires a
`
`relatively short download time. Therefore, the play-out latency is determined by the
`
`15
`
`download time of the first part. The size of the individual part can be determined by the
`
`communications bandwidth, e.g., through pinging for a latency-check. The client
`
`device/application receives control information about the content. This control information
`
`comprises, for example, information relating to the size and memory location of the whole
`
`file as well as of it's parts at the server. If the client is not capable of processing split data, it
`
`:20
`
`proceeds with the traditional approach, i.e., downloads the whole file and then plays it out. In
`
`case the client is capable of processing parts of the content, it uses the relevant control
`
`information about the parts in order to continue downloading data, while playing. Data play(cid:173)
`
`out, also called '·rendering", is computation-intensive, since it requires a plurality of decoding
`
`operations. Data download is bandwidth-intensive. Accordingly, simultaneous play-out and
`
`downloading do not significantly compete for the same system resources. This separation
`
`between downloading and processing can be efficiently used in a multi-process and/or multi(cid:173)
`
`thread environment.
`
`Preferably, the information contains references to the file location as well as
`
`references to the locations of the parts. The intended bandwidth information is associated
`
`30 with the parts. The client may make its own decisions regarding how many parts to download
`
`before the start of the play out ( execution).
`
`The parts can have different data formats. The format of some of the parts can
`
`be proprietary. Information about alternative content parts, regarding bandwidth, format,
`
`location access options, etc., can be provided. Content parts can physically reside on different
`
`-2-
`
`

`

`WO0l/24474
`
`3
`
`PCT /EP00/09204
`
`servers. Content can be split into parts consistent within the semantics of the content, for
`
`example, the end of musical phrase, paragraph, target control device, etc. A third party may
`
`insert its own content parts in between the original content parts. The third party parts
`
`contain, for example, advertisements, commentary, customization options. The format of
`
`5
`
`parts for play-out may be chosen according to user-related information, for example, personal
`
`preferences, level of access to premium services, quality of the equipment, bandwidth
`
`sharing/fluctuation conditions, etc.
`
`BRlEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention is explained in further detail and by way of example with
`
`reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
`
`Fig. I is a flow diagram illustrating the various steps in a method according to
`
`the invention; and
`
`Fig.2 gives an example of control code.
`
`15
`
`Throughout the Figures, same reference labels indicate similar or
`
`corresponding features.
`
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`The invention enables emulating the streaming of files while using a download
`
`20
`
`approach. Fig. I illustrates a flow diagram 100 with various steps involved in the playing-out
`
`of a segmented file at the client.
`
`In step 102, the client contacts the server, selects the particular content file and
`
`downloads the control information that enables the retrieving and playing out of the
`
`segmented file. The control information describes the locations, (URL's), and size of the
`
`25
`
`various file segments, and provides, for example, UI functionalities at the client. In this
`
`example, the control information is coded in Extensible Markup Language (XML).
`
`In step 104 the XML code is parsed. Parsing of XML is well known in the art.
`
`A person skilled in the art can download an XML interpreter, including source code, from the
`
`Internet, see for example the URL www.ibm.com/xml. Thus, the client is enabled to get
`
`30
`
`information about the content information and the URLs of the first and subsequent file
`
`segments.
`
`In step 106, the first file segment is downloaded for play-out. Communicating
`
`with a remote server is a well known technology. For example, Java 2.0 provides a set of
`
`-3-
`
`

`

`WO 01/24474
`
`4
`
`PCT /EP00/09204
`
`standard classes that enable retrieving a remote file into a buffer or as a stream. (see, e.g.,
`
`www.sun.com - java 2.0 java.io. * package documentation).
`
`In step 108, the rendering of the first segment is started. The buffered content
`
`of the first segment is forwarded to a decoding/playing module. The decoding/playing
`
`5 module decodes the file format which may be, for example, MP3. The playing of the supplied
`
`stream of bits involves a number of standard operating system calls to its drivers-a technique
`
`well known in the art.
`
`In step 110, the next file segment is downloaded at the client and stored in a
`
`buffer while the previous file segment, here the first file segment, is being played out. One
`
`10
`
`option is to have the downloaded files buffered in a sequence or linked list of buffers. This
`
`functionality is typically provided by the operating system of the client. For example, the
`
`Microsoft Windows family of products creates a memory buffer associated with the file
`
`every time an Application Program Interface (API) call opens the file. Alternatively, in a
`
`thread- and/or process-rich environment, several threads and/or processes can be organized to
`
`15
`
`independently retrieve file segments, while playing out the content of other segments.
`
`Working with threads is a skill common for sofuvare engineers. For example, Java 2.0 from
`
`Sun Microsystems provides classes supporting multiple threads (see, for example,
`
`java.lang.thread and related documentation). Similarly, Microsoft Software Development Kit
`
`(SDK) for the Windows family of products makes thread- or process-related functionalities
`
`20
`
`available to programmers.
`
`Upon completion of playing out the first segment, the second segment is
`
`passed on from the buffer to the decoding/playing module. This can be implemented by
`
`means of, for example, a linked list. As known, a linked list is a data structure wherein each
`
`element (here: segment) has content data and a pointer to a next element (here: next
`
`25
`
`segment).
`
`The decoding/playing module has to decode the file format. The decoding
`
`program represents a standard task to a person skilled in the art to program a decoding
`
`procedure according to a widely published standard ( for example MP3, etc.). The playing of
`
`the supplied stream of bits involves a number of standard operating system calls to its drivers
`
`30
`
`- a technique well known in the art.
`
`Fig.2 gives an example of information-describing content coded in XML. The
`
`code fragment labels the segments as having a title "The best ever music" performed by
`
`"V.R. Famous" and having several parts. The segment labeled "partl" is in a preferred format
`
`and described the length of the part, for example, in bytes, the format the minimum
`
`-4-
`
`

`

`WO 01/24474
`
`5
`
`PCT /EP00/09204
`
`bandwidth required for a connection, and the location on the Internet. An alternative first part
`
`is labeled "partl alt" having a different length, different format, different minimum
`
`bandwidth requirement, and a different location. The XML code can be combined with
`
`Extensible Style Language (XSL) for generating a user level UI at the user's client. The
`
`5
`
`client thus can automatically choose the format compatible with the client's play-out
`
`capabilities.
`
`When the client has selected the proper file, either the one of which the first
`
`part is represented here as in the preferred format or the one in the alternative format, the
`
`content of the first part is downloaded from the location specified and playing out is started
`
`10
`
`automatically under application control. Combining multiple sequenced inputs is well
`
`understood in the industry. For example, Java Development Kit (JDK) v.1.2 from Sun
`
`Microsystems, Inc. provides a class java.io.SequencelnputStream (see
`
`http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/l .2/docs/api/java/io/SeguencelnputStreams.html) as a
`
`standard component of the io class library. SequencelnputStream represents the logical
`
`15
`
`concatenation of other input streams. It starts out with an ordered collection of input streams
`
`and reads from the first one until end of file is reached, whereupon it reads from the second
`
`one, and so on, until end of file is reached on the last of the contained input streams. An
`
`object of the java.io.SequencelnputStream class can be initialized by, e.g., enumeration (see
`
`http:/ /java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/docs/api/java/util/Enumeration.html) of objects of the
`
`20
`
`InputStream class (see
`
`hnp://j ava.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/docs/api/java/io/InputStream.html). This abstract class
`
`is the superclass of all classes representing an input stream of bytes. including the class
`
`FilelnputStream (see http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/l .2/docs/api/java/io FilelnputStream).
`
`In case of the downloading of multiple file parts, an application can create instances of the
`
`25
`
`FilelnputStream class from local temporary files into which the parts are being dov.nloaded.
`
`The contents of those multiple local files will be supplied to the Sequencer. The rendering
`
`component of the application will read the information out of it as if it were just a single local
`
`file.
`
`The segmentation of the content file into separately downloadable segments
`
`30
`
`enables a third party, such as a service provider, to insert between two segments specific
`
`content information, e.g., advertisements to be rendered on the client's display.
`
`During operation, the client application could select a next segment in a
`
`different format for the same content to adapt to changing circumstances, e.g., lower
`
`bandwidth due to network congestion. Also, the user could be prompted to subscribe to a
`
`-5-
`
`

`

`WO 01/24474
`
`6
`
`PCT /EP00/09204
`
`service that as a demo lets the user download only the first segment in a high quality and the
`
`next segments in a lower quality. Tne combination of XML and a corresponding parser and
`
`interpreter at the client controls the downloading and playing out as explained above.
`
`Accordingly, the client pulls the content segments from the locations indicated in the XML
`
`5
`
`control information for buffering and subsequent play-out.
`
`The implementation of a client in this client-server architecture can be done in
`
`a variety of ways. A first example is a hardware-based single-purpose device, similar to the
`
`Rio MP3 player by the Diamond Corp. In order to accommodate the method of the invention,
`
`the player needs, in addition, an XML parser, the ability to interpret XML and the ability to
`
`10
`
`download and play-out content segments sequentially. A second example is to implement the
`
`method of the invention as a software application on a multi-purpose computing device, e.g.,
`
`a PC or a set top box. The device has the software implementing the functionalities
`
`mentioned above. In a graphics-rich environment, multiple GUI's are represented to the user
`
`for further customization.
`
`15
`
`The following co-pending applications are incorporated herein by reference:
`
`U.S. serial no.
`
`(Attorney docket PHA 23,768) filed 9/27/99 for
`
`Raoul Mallart for SCALABLE SYSTEM FOR VIDEO-ON-DEMAND. This patent
`
`document relates to a Video-on-Demand service (VOD) that is emulated in a Near-Video-on(cid:173)
`
`Demand (NVOD) architecture. Content information is made available to an end-user in the
`
`20 NVOD architecture. An introductory portion of the content information is stored at the end(cid:173)
`
`user's equipment, e.g., by downloading overnight. During playing out of the introductory
`
`portion at the end-user enabling the content information supplied in the NVOD architecture is
`
`buffered at the end-user's equipment. The equipment is controlled to switch from playing out
`
`the introductory portion stored to playing out the buffered content information.
`
`25
`
`u.S. serial no. 09/189,534 (Attorney docket PHA 23,528) filed 11/10/98 for
`
`Eugene Shteyn for CONTENT SUPPLIED AS SOFTWARE OBJECTS FOR COPYRIGHT
`
`PROTECTION. This document relates to supplying content information such as a movie, an
`
`audio file or a textual message to an end-user in a software object. The object has an
`
`encapsulated procedure for end-user access of the content information in a runtime
`
`30
`
`environment. The object can specify time frame for and manner wherein the content
`
`information is to be_accessed. Since the procedure is encapsulated in the object together with
`
`the content data, and since transport of the object over the Internet is done after serializing, an
`
`adequate degree of security is provided against unauthorized play-out or copying.
`
`-6-
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`

`

`WO0l/24474
`
`7
`
`PCT /EP00/09204
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`U.S. serial no.09/149,950 (Attorney docket PHA 23,495) filed 9/9/98 for
`
`Raoul Mallart for REAL TIME VIDEO GAME USES EMULATION OF STREAMING
`
`OVER THE INTERNET IN A BROADCAST EVENT. This patent document relates to
`
`emulating streaming of animation data over the Internet to a large number of clients in a
`
`5
`
`broadcast application on a client-server network. The animation is considered a sequence of
`
`states. State information is sent to the clients instead of the graphics data itself. The clients
`
`generate the animation data itself under control of the state information. The server and
`
`clients communicate using a shared object protocol. Thus, streaming is accomplished as well
`
`as a broadcast without running into severe network bandwidth problems. This approach is
`
`IO
`
`used to map a real life event, e.g., a motor race, onto a virtual environment in order to let the
`
`user participate in a virtual race against the real life professionals, the dynamics of the virtual
`
`environment being determined by the state changes sent to the user.
`
`U.S. serial no. 09/138,782 (Attorney docket PHA 23,491) filed 8/24/98 for
`
`Raoul Mallart and Atul Sinha for EMULATION OF STREAMING OVER THE INTERNET
`
`15
`
`IN A BROADCAST APPLICATION. In a broadcast application on a client-server network
`
`the streaming is emulated of animation data over the Internet to a large number of clients.
`
`The animation is considered a sequence of states. State information is sent to the clients
`
`instead of the graphics data itself. The clients generate the animation data itself under control
`
`of the state information. The server and clients communicate using a shared object protocol.
`
`20
`
`Thus, streaming is accomplished as well as a broadcast without running into severe network
`
`bandwidth problems.
`
`U.S. serial no. 09/283,545 (attorney docket PHA 23,633) filed 4/1/99 for
`
`Eugene Shteyn for TIME- AND LOCATION-DRIVEN PERSONALIZED TV. This
`
`document relates to a service for personalized video recorders such as the one from TiVo-
`
`25
`
`Philips. The recorder has a hard-disk that serves as a random-access buffer.
`
`From reading.the present disclosure, the other modifications will be apparent
`
`to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involve other features which are already
`
`known in the design, manufacture and use of systems and devices and component parts
`
`thereof and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
`
`-7-
`
`

`

`WO 01/24474
`
`CLAIMS:
`
`8
`
`PCT /EP00/09204
`
`1.
`
`A method of enabling to emulate streaming of a file over a data network to a
`
`client, the method comprising:
`
`partitioning the file into multiple segments;
`
`enabling the client to download ( 106) a first one of the segments for playing
`
`5
`
`out;
`
`IO
`
`15
`
`20
`
`enabling the client to download ( 110) a next one of the segments while playing
`
`out a current one of the segments;
`
`enabling the client to buffer the next segment while playing out the current
`
`segment; and
`
`enabling the client to start playing out the buffered next segment upon
`
`completion of the playing out of the current segment.
`
`2.
`
`The method of claim 1, wherein the partitioning is determined by information
`
`about the client.
`
`"I
`,J.
`
`The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the partitioning is determined by
`
`information about the network.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`The method of claim 1,2 or3, wherein the file comprises an audio file.
`
`The method of claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the file comprises a video file.
`
`The method of anyone or more of claims I to 5, wherein the partitioning
`
`comprises adding respective tags to respective ones of the segments.
`
`7.
`
`An electronic file comprising information content partitioned into multiple
`
`segments that are separately downloadable over a data network, the file comprising control
`
`information for enabling to play out a first one of the segments upon downloading, enabling
`
`-8-
`
`

`

`WO 01/24474
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`9
`
`PCT /EP00/09204
`
`to buffer a second one of the segments while the first segment is being played out and
`
`enabling a seamless transition between the playing out of the first and the second segments.
`
`8.
`
`The file of claim 7, wherein a respective one of the multiple segments
`
`5
`
`comprises respective control information.
`
`9.
`
`10.
`
`The file of claim 7 or 8, implemented as a linked list.
`
`The file of claim 7, 8 or 9, comprising the control information in Extensible
`
`1 0
`
`:Markup Language (XML) format.
`
`11.
`
`A device for play-out of information content received over a data network
`
`from a server, wherein:
`
`- the information content comprises multiple segments;
`
`15
`
`- the device is capable of downloading a first one of the segments from the server for playing
`
`out;
`
`- the device is capable of downloading a next one of the segments while playing out a current
`
`one of the segments;
`
`- the device is capable of buffering the next segment while playing out the current segment;
`
`20
`
`and
`
`- the device is capable of starting to play out the buffered next segment upon completion of
`
`the playing out of the current segment.
`
`12.
`
`The device of claim 11, wherein:
`
`25
`
`- the content information is accessible through control information provided to the device;
`
`and
`
`- the device is capable of interpreting the control information to retrieve the segments from
`
`the sef\'er for sequential play-out.
`
`30
`
`13.
`
`The device of claim 12, wherein:
`
`- the control information comprises an XML format;
`
`- the device has an XML parser; and
`
`- the device has an XML interpreter.
`
`-9-
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`

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`WO 01/24474
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`1/2
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`102
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`104
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`106
`
`108
`
`110
`
`112
`
`~
`
`100
`
`FIG. 1
`
`-10-
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`-10-
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`2/2
`
`<XML>
`<title>
`The best ever music
`</title>
`<artist>
`V.R. Famous
`</artist>
`<parts>
`<partb
`<length> 1024 </length>
`dormal> MP3 </formal>
`<location> flp://137.27.52.87 </location>
`<min_bandwidth> 10,000 </min_bandwidth>
`</part1>
`
`(Preferred format)
`
`(Alternative format)
`
`</ part1 _all>
`<length> 512 </length>
`<formal> OTHER </formal>
`<location> http:// yevgeniynel/ .... _ </location>
`<min_bandwidth> 8,000 </min_bandwidth>
`</part_altb
`
`</parts>
`</XML>
`
`FIG. 2
`
`-11-
`
`

`

`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`Int
`tional Application No
`PCT/EP 00/09204
`
`A. CLASSIFICATION OF o/(BJECT MATTER
`IPC 7 H04L29 06
`
`According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC
`
`B. FIELDS SEARCHED
`Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols)
`IPC 7 H04L
`
`Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched
`
`Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practical, search terms used)
`
`EPO-Internal, WPI Data, PAJ, INSPEC, IBM-TDB
`
`C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`Category 0
`
`Citation of document, wrth indication. where appropriate. of the relevant passages
`
`Relevant to claim No.
`
`X
`
`y
`
`X
`
`A
`
`us 5 751 968 A (COHEN ALON)
`12 May 1998 (1998-05-12)
`
`column 4, line 28 -column 5, line 4;
`figure 1
`column 5, line 24 - line 53; figure 2
`column 6, line 6 - line 61; figures 4,5
`---
`us 5 442 390 A (GOLDMAN MATTHEW s ET AL)
`15 August 1995 (1995-08-15)
`column 8, line 43 -column 9, line 18;
`figures 1-3,5
`column 9, line 64 -column 10, line 36;
`figure 6
`---
`
`-!--
`
`1,4-8,
`11, 12
`10,13
`
`1,6-8,
`11, 12
`
`2,3
`
`[}] Further documents are listed in the continuation of box C.
`
`[] Patent family members are listed in annex.
`
`0 Special categories of cited documents :
`
`'A' document defining the general state of the art which is not
`considered to be of particular relevance
`'E' earlier document but published on or after the international
`filing date
`'L' document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or
`which is cited to establish the publication date of another
`citation or other special reason (as specified)
`•o• document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or
`other means
`'P' document published prior to the international filing date but
`later than the priority date claimed
`
`'T' later document published after the international filing date
`or priorrty date and not in conflict with the application but
`cited to understand the principle or theory underlying the
`invention
`'X' document of particular relevance: the claimed invention
`cannot be considered novel or cannot be considered to
`involve an inventive step when the document is taken alone
`•y• document of particular relevance; the claimed invention
`cannot be considered to involve an inventive step when the
`document is combined with one or more other such docu-
`ments, such combination being obvious to a person skilled
`in the art.
`'&' document member of the same patent family
`
`Date of the actual completion of the international search
`
`Date of mailing of the international search report
`
`16 February 2001
`
`Name and mailing address of the ISA
`European Patent Oftice, P.B. 5818 Patenttaan 2
`NL - 2280 HV Rijswijk
`Tel. (+31-70) 340-2040, Tx. 31 651 epo nl,
`Fax: (+31-70) 340-3016
`
`1
`
`Form PCT/ISA/210 (second sheet) (July 1992)
`
`02/03/2001
`
`Authorized officer
`
`Polzer, A
`
`page 1 of 2
`
`-12-
`
`

`

`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - -
`Int
`!lonal Application No
`PCT/EP 00/09204
`
`C.(Continuatlon) DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`Category' Citation of document. with indication.where appropriate. of the relevant passages
`
`Relevant to claim No.
`
`1, 7, 11
`
`10,13
`
`X
`
`P,Y
`
`EP O 923 033 A (TOYOTA MOTOR CO LTD)
`16 June 1999 (1999-06-16)
`paragraph '0021! - paragraph '0024!;
`figures 2,3
`
`"Efficient
`GIRARDOT MET AL:
`representation and streaming of XML
`content over the Internet medium"
`2000 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
`MULTIMEDIA AND EXPO. ICME2000.
`PROCEEDINGS. LATEST ADVANCES IN THE FAST
`CHANGING WORLD OF MULTIMEDIA (CAT.
`NO.OOTH8532), PROCEEDINGS OF INTERNATIONAL
`CONFERENCE ON MULTIMEDIA AND EXPO, NEW
`YORK, NY, USA,
`vol. 1, 30 July 2000 (2000-07-30)
`- 2 August 2000 (2000-08-02), pages
`67-70, XP002160596
`Piscataway, NJ, USA
`ISBN: 0-7803-6536-4
`section 3.2; figure 2
`
`1
`
`Form PCT/ISA/210 (continuation of second sheet) (July 1992)
`
`page 2 of 2
`
`-13-
`
`

`

`IN TERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`Information on patent family members
`
`-
`
`Int
`;ional Application No
`PCT/EP 00/09204
`I
`
`Publication
`date
`
`11-04-1999
`04-11-1999
`17-04-1997
`03-04-1997
`01-07-1998
`03-04-1997
`02-11-1999
`
`08-01-1995
`25-02-1999
`19-08-1999
`11-01-1995
`-------
`10-03-1998
`05-03-1998
`
`Patent family
`member(s)
`
`IL
`115263 A
`712229 B
`AU
`6888796 A
`AU
`2230259 A
`CA
`0850451 A
`EP
`WO
`9712447 A
`11512893 T
`JP
`--------------
`CA
`2127347 A
`69415880 D
`DE
`69415880 T
`DE
`0633694 A
`EP
`
`10069450 A
`9809222 A
`
`JP
`WO
`-----
`
`Patent document
`cited in search report
`us 5751968
`
`A
`
`I
`
`Publication
`date
`
`12-05-1998
`
`I
`
`us 5442390
`
`-----
`15-08-1995
`
`A
`
`---
`EP 0923033
`
`A
`
`-
`------
`16-06-1999
`
`-------
`
`Forni PCT/ISA/210 (patent family annex) (July 1992)
`
`-14-
`
`