Linear hint video streaming
A streaming file is constructed with a file header section that includes a file header object, a media data file descriptor, and an index descriptor. A hinting index section includes a first level hinting index with a linear organization corresponding to timing tick key values. A second level hinting index has a non-sequential organization corresponding to such timing tick key values. A special mark in the second level hinting index indicates that the first level hinting index must be consulted for a next timing tick key value. Such mark is positioned in the last of a sequential run of timing tick key values associated with its entries. A data section that can be put in a separate file, and it accepts media data blocks associated in sequential runs of timing tick key values as its entries. Thus hinting is provided for a non-sequential media data file.
1. A method for linear hinting in streaming media data files, comprising:
configuring a first level linear hinting index with pointers to a second level non-sequential hinting index;
providing said second level non-sequential hinting index with pointers to a non-sequential media data file; and
searching for media data blocks in said non-sequential media data file by accessing said first level linear hinting index to get a pointer to said second level non-sequential hinting index which in turn provides a final pointer to a particular media data block in said non-sequential media data file.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
not first consulting said first level linear hinting index for a next access; and
obtaining a next media data block in said non-sequential media data file by accessing only a next entry in said second level non-sequential hinting index to fetch a corresponding pointer to said next media data block in said non-sequential media data file.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
marking a discontinuity in the order of said media data blocks in said non-sequential media data file with a special character placed in a corresponding pointer to a last continuous media data block in said second level non-sequential hinting index.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
if said special character was not obtained in a last access, obtaining a next media data block in said non-sequential media data file by accessing only a next entry in said second level non-sequential hinting index to fetch a corresponding pointer to said next media data block in said non-sequential media data file, and not first consulting said first level linear hinting index;
otherwise, returning to search for media data blocks in said non-sequential media data file by accessing said first level linear hinting index to get a pointer to said second level non-sequential hinting index which in turn provides a final pointer to a particular media data block in said non-sequential media data file.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
packing said first level linear hinting index and said second level non-sequential hinting index together in a single file with a media file descriptor; and
associating at least one separate media data file.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
packing said first level linear hinting index and said second level non-sequential hinting index together in a single file with a media file descriptor, and at least one non-sequential media data file.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
organizing an index section is such that said first level linear hinting index has a linear organization corresponding to timing tick key values.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
organizing an index section is such that said second level hinting index has a non-sequential organization corresponding to timing tick key values.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
organizing an index section is such that said second level hinting index includes a special mark in the last of a sequential run of timing tick key values associated with its entries.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
organizing a data section is such that it accepts media data blocks associated in sequential runs of timing tick key values as its entries.
11. An apparatus, comprising:
a memory storage; and
a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, the processing unit being configured to:
configure a first level linear hinting index with pointers to a second level non-sequential hinting index;
provide said second level non-sequential hinting index with pointers to a non-sequential media data file; and
search for media data blocks in said non-sequential media data file by accessing said first level linear hinting index to get a pointer to said second level non-sequential hinting index which in turn provides a final pointer to a particular media data block in said non-sequential media data file.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising the processing unit being configured to obtain a next media data block in said non-sequential media data file by accessing only a next entry in said second level non-sequential hinting index to fetch a corresponding pointer to said next media data block in said non-sequential media data file.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising the processing unit being configured to mark a discontinuity in the order of said media data blocks in said non-sequential media data file with a special character placed in a corresponding pointer to a last continuous media data block in said second level non-sequential hinting index.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising the processing unit being configured to:
if said special character was not obtained in a last access, obtain a next media data block in said non-sequential media data file by accessing only a next entry in said second level non-sequential hinting index to fetch a corresponding pointer to said next media data block in said non-sequential media data file, and not first consulting said first level linear hinting index;
otherwise, returning to search for media data blocks in said non-sequential media data file by accessing said first level linear hinting index to get a pointer to said second level non-sequential hinting index which in turn provides a final pointer to a particular media data block in said non-sequential media data file.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising the processing unit being configured to:
pack said first level linear hinting index and said second level non-sequential hinting index together in a single file with a media file descriptor; and
associating at least one separate media data file.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising the processing unit being configured to pack said first level linear hinting index and said second level non-sequential hinting index together in a single file with a media file descriptor, and at least one non-sequential media data file.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising the processing unit being configured to organize an index section is such that said first level linear hinting index has a linear organization corresponding to timing tick key values.
18. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising the processing unit being configured to organize an index section is such that said second level hinting index has a non-sequential organization corresponding to timing tick key values.
19. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising the processing unit being configured to organize an index section is such that said second level hinting index includes the special mark in the last of a sequential run of timing tick key values associated with its entries.
20. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising the processing unit being configured to organize a data section is such that it accepts media data blocks associated in sequential runs of timing tick key values as its entries.