Scalable multimedia distribution method using client pull to retrieve objects in a client-specific multimedia list

摘要

A method for broadcasting a scalable multimedia presentation over the Internet is disclosed. In a specific embodiment, a broadcasting server creates a multimedia list on a per broadcast per recipient basis. The multimedia list includes references to the objects (e.g., URLs) rather than the objects themselves. The broadcasting server transmits the multimedia list to a recipient system. The recipient system runs the multimedia list by retrieving each object on the multimedia list from one or more proxy webservers. The recipient computer enters an availability state associated with an object when it begins to receive the object. For each object, the recipient computer reports an indication of this availability state to the broadcasting server via the proxy webserver. The recipient then displays the objects. The broadcasting server uses the indications of the recipient availability states to load balance the system. The broadcasting server may initiate an object handoff process causing objects to be moved to an appropriate proxy webserver. The broadcasting server may assign clients to specific proxy webservers by appropriately generating references in the multimedia lists. Multimedia list objects may include image, sound, video, HTML, and executable files. Multiimedia list objects also include applets, programs executable on a server, and timers for controlling the display duration of each object.