Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The present specification discloses a multimedia distribution system and method. The system and method has a producer workstation, a delivery server, a high-bandwidth one-way satellite transmission system, a terrestrial two-way communication system (including use of the Internet), a plurality of satellite affiliate workstations, and a plurality of terrestrial client workstations. The delivery server receives digital information (envelopes and associates media files) from the producer workstations for delivery of the information to the affiliate and client workstations addressed in the envelope. The affiliate and client workstations provide the delivery server with confirmation of delivery of each received envelope and its associated files. In the absence of receipt of confirmation of delivery, the delivery server re-sends the unconfirmed envelope and associated files to the non-confirming affiliate or client workstation by a two-way terrestrial connection or by a manual system, such as a dub-and-ship service. The delivery server has the ability to push content to affiliates, push-pull content to affiliate and clients, to conventionally pull content from the delivery server, and push the content to affiliates and clients by manual delivery services. The disclosed system and method utilize a unique envelope and addressing protocol and a unique broadcast file transfer protocol for distribution to affiliate workstations by one-way satellite broadcast. The disclosed system and method also make significant use of the TCP/IP, IGMP, and Ethernet protocols and information distribution techniques.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim