| 摘要 |
A media streamer includes at least one control node; a user interface having an output coupled to the at least one control node; at least one storage node f or storing a digital representation of at least one video presentation; and a plurality of communication nodes each having an input port for receiving a digital repres entation of at least one video presentation therefrom. The video presentation require s a time T to present in its entirety, and is stored as a plurality of N data blocks. Each data block stores data corresponding to a T/N period of the video presentation. E ach communication nodes further has a plurality of output ports for outputting a digital representation. A circuit switch is connected between the at least one stora ge node and the input ports of communication nodes for coupling one or more input po rts to the at least one storage node. The user interface includes a capability for specifying commands for execution, and the at least one control node is responsive to i ndividual ones of the commands for controlling at least one of the at least one storag e node and at least one of the plurality of communication nodes, in cooperation with th e circuit switch, so as to execute a function associated with individual ones of the c ommands. The commands may include video cassette recorder-like commands that include commands selected from a group that includes a Load command, an Eject comman d, a Play command, a Slow command, a Fast Forward command, a Pause command, a S top command, a Rewind command, and a Mute command. The commands may also include commands selected from a group that includes a Play List command, a Play Len gth command, and a Batch command. A synchronous application program interface (A PI) is provided for coupling, via the user interface, a user application program to the at least one control node. The API includes Remote Procedure Call (RPC) procedures.
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