File splitting, scalable coding and asynchronous transmission in streamed data transfer

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Files (2750) are divided into parts (2716 2718) and at least some of the , parts are transmitted to a client using a communication channel. At least some of the transmitted parts are cached locally. This allows subsequent streaming playback of the file while using 'less bandwidth by transmitting the part of the file that hasn't been cached, and combining the cached parts with the tramitted parts. In some embodiments, files may be represented at a low quality level by a first data set (2804) and at higher quality levels with , additional data sets (2806). Data sets are cached locally so that during , subsequent streaming playback of the file the quality level of the playback , may be …