US 8145721

Analysis of U.S. Patent 8,145,721: Bit Streams Combination of Downloaded Multimedia Files

As of April 26, 2026, this report provides a concise summary of U.S. Patent 8,145,721, including its key details and an overview of its independent claims. A search of the 2026 dockets for the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) did not yield any specific litigation related to this patent.

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Title: Bit streams combination of downloaded multimedia files

Assignee: The patent was originally assigned to Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (PUBL). However, records indicate a subsequent assignment to Novacloud Licensing LLC.

Inventors: Andreas Olsson and Mårten Sundberg.

Filing Date: March 1, 2007.

Issue Date: March 27, 2012.

Abstract: The patent describes a method for downloading a multimedia file from a server to a user device, particularly over a connection with limited bandwidth. The core idea is to divide the multimedia file into two parts: a first, low-quality part and a second, high-quality part. The low-quality version can be streamed to the user device for immediate playback in real-time. The high-quality part is downloaded separately. The user device can then combine the two parts to reconstruct the original, full-quality multimedia file. This allows the user to start experiencing the content quickly without waiting for a large file to download completely.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

Independent claims represent the broadest protection granted by a patent. US Patent 8,145,721 has four independent claims:

Claim 1: A Method for a Server to Download a Multimedia File

This claim outlines a method performed by a server. When a user requests a multimedia file, the server divides it into two pieces: a "first part" with a lower quality encoding and a "second part" with a different, higher quality encoding. The server then streams the low-quality part to the user's device so they can start playing it right away. The higher-quality second part is sent as a separate download. The server sets different conditions for sending each part, for example, prioritizing the streaming of the low-quality version.

Claim 7: A Method for a User Device to Reproduce a Multimedia File

This claim focuses on the user's device. The device requests a multimedia file to be sent in two separate "bit streams." It first receives the low-quality stream and can immediately play this "limited version" of the file in real-time. It also receives the second, high-quality stream. The device then decodes both parts and combines them to create a "complete version" of the original file. Both the limited and complete versions can then be stored on the device.

Claim 10: A User Device for Reproducing Multimedia Files

This claim describes the user device itself. It specifies that the device must have a processor capable of performing the actions described in Claim 7. This includes requesting the two separate streams, receiving them, decoding each part with a different decoder, reproducing both a limited and a complete version of the file, storing these versions, and playing them back for the user.

Claim 14: A Server for Downloading Multimedia Files

This claim details the server's components. It states the server must have a processor that can manage the download service. This includes receiving the user's request, splitting the multimedia file into two parts with different coding, storing these parts, and then sending them as two separate bit streams under different conditions. The server specifically codes the first part based on the requirements for smooth streaming.