Abstract: A method for conveying a multimedia sequence from a source computer to a destination computer, including, providing an ordered series of data frames at the source computer, each data frame corresponding to an image in the sequence and including data representing one or more media associated with the image, producing a table including pointers, each pointer associated with one frame in the series, transmitting the table to the destination computer, and responsive to selection of one of the pointers in the table, transmitting at least a sub-series of the series of data frames, said sub-series beginning with the frame with which the selected one of the pointers is associated.

Abstract: A method for real-time broadcasting from a transmitting computer to one or more client computers over a network, including providing at the transmitting computer a data stream having a given data rate, and dividing the stream into a sequence of slices, each slice having a predetermined data size associated therewith. The slices are encoded in a corresponding sequence of files, each file having a respective index, and the sequence is uploaded to a server at an upload rate generally equal to the data rate of the stream, such that the one or more client computers can download the sequence over the network from the server at a download rate generally equal to the data rate.

Abstract: A compressed data file for real time display of multimedia applications, e.g., animation, on a network is disclosed. The file includes general information about the animation. Also included in the file are complete segment blocks of information representing single frames in the animation. Each frame is made up of multiple images (layers) which are overlapped. Each image is made up of vector objects. Display of the file is conducted through asynchronous transfer of data so that as a frame is displayed, the next frame is transmitted and received by an end user for immediate display.