METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED QUEUES IN A MULTIMEDIA NETWORK WITH PROXIES

摘要

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention perform services in a multimedia network (100), for example an audio/video (AV) network, by storing in a proxy device (130) a plurality of requests and the associated data for performing services. The proxy device (130) receives via a serial interface (105) from requesting devices (1101-110N) in the AV network a plurality of requests for performing the services. When the proxy device (130) detects that the requesting devices (1101-110N) or other devices that provide the data associated with the stored requests are on-line, the proxy device (130) retrieves the associated data from these devices. When the proxy device detects that servicing devices (1201-120M) are on-line, the proxy device (130) transfers the requests and the associated data to the servicing devices (1201-120M). The servicing devices (1201-102M) then perform the services associated with the requests and return one or more results associated with the services to the proxy device (130). When the proxy device (130) detects that the requesting devices (1101-110N) or other devices that must receive the results are on-line, the proxy device (130) sends the results to those devices.