Abstract: A method for sorting data in an array processor. Each of a first tier of processing elements in the array processor receives data inputs from a load streaming unit. Each of the first tier processing elements compares input data portions received from the load streaming unit, wherein the input data portions are stored for processing in respective queues. The first tier processing elements select one of the input data portions to be an output data portion based on the comparison, and in response to the selection, remove a corresponding queue entry and request next input data from the load streaming unit. Each of the first tier processing elements further provides the output data portion as an input data portion to a second tier processing element that generates output data based on a comparison of output data received from at least two first tier processing elements.

Abstract: In a network including WAN accelerators and segment-oriented file servers, a method comprises responding to a client request to manipulate a file via a network file protocol by receiving a first request at a first WAN accelerator, wherein the request is a request to open a file located at a file server that is a segment-oriented file server, sending a local request for the file, corresponding to the first request, from the WAN accelerator to the file server, using a segment-aware network request protocol, returning at least a portion of the requested file in the form of a representation of a data map corresponding to the at least a portion of the requested file stored on the file server and using a data map for reconstruction of the requested file.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for pre-buffering one or more content data items to be rendered at a mobile terminal. In a first aspect of the present invention, a mobile terminal (11, 12, 13) comprises a processing unit (15) arranged to acquire a probability with which at least one selected content data item of the one or more content data items is to be rendered at the mobile terminal, and to acquire an estimated point in time when the at least one selected content data item is to be rendered at the mobile terminal. Further, the processing unit is arranged to pre-buffer a first selected part of the at least one selected content data item in the mobile terminal such that the first selected part of the at least one selected content data item is ready for rendering at the estimated point in time, the extent of the pre-buffered first selected part being related to the probability with which the at least one selected content data item is to be rendered at the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A video content receiving apparatus (103a; 103b) includes an interface (209, 301) for interfacing to at least one associable video reproducing apparatus (102), and including: a receiver for receiving video contents from at least one source of contents (104) through a connection (201a, 203a; 201b, 203b) connected to a plurality of distribution platforms (105, 106), wherein a first connection (203a; 203b) to a first distribution platform (105) is of the broadband type, and wherein a second connection (201a; 201b) to a second distribution platform (106) is of the broadcast type; a first identifier for identifying a video content to be reproduced; a second identifier for identifying at least one active distribution platform on which said video content to be reproduced is currently being transmitted by the source of contents (104); a selector for selecting the reception of the video content through the active distribution platform; a switch for switching between the first connection (203a; 203b) and the second con

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for providing redundancy in a video data stream. For every data frame of a plurality of data frames of video content, the method includes dividing the data frame into a plurality of data segments and copying a plurality of each of the plurality of data segments to the plurality of data frames in a data stream to provide redundancy for the data frame within the plurality of data frames in the data stream. The plurality of each of the plurality of data segments is distributed across the plurality of data frames to provide generate a plurality of redundancy-enhanced data frames that provide the redundancy over a protection interval associated with a network path. The method includes transmitting a data stream comprising the plurality of redundancy-enhanced data frames to a receiver via the network path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods and computer program products for suggesting television programs to a user by, for example, analyzing closed caption or subtitle content of unwatched or unrecorded video content to determine if the video content is of interest to the user. The user may indicate one or more keywords for use in the analysis and the analysis may scan the text of the closed caption or subtitle content to identify matches to the keywords. Beside user input keywords, the keywords may also be determined through analysis of video content watched or recorded by the user to determine frequently encountered words. These frequently encountered words may automatically be used in matching the text of the closed caption or subtitle content. The users may also or alternatively select particular words of the frequently encountered words to use for matching.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a method, including: capturing, using an image capture device of an electronic device, image data of a document; processing, using a processor, the image data; the processing including identifying text within the image data to form two or more images into a composite document of the document; and storing, in a memory, data related to the composite document. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: A computer-executable method, computer program product, and system of managing I/O requests in a distributed data storage system, wherein the distributed data storage system includes a first node and one or more data storage array, the computer-executable method, computer program product, and system comprising receiving an I/O request at the first node enabled to utilize a storage engine to process the I/O request, wherein the storage engine is comprised of two or more layers, analyzing the I/O request using a first layer of the two or more layers to determine whether the I/O request relates to a portion of metadata managed by the first layer of the two or more layers, and processing the I/O request based on the determination.

Abstract: In accordance with methods of the present disclosure, a system may include a switch and a management controller communicatively coupled to the switch. The switch may be configured to route input/output communications between a processor and a device. The management controller may be configured to, based on a measured bandwidth of communications of a communication link between the switch and the device, dynamically control at least one of a link width and a per-lane link speed of the communication link.

Abstract: A distributed system architecture is described for control of a Set Top Box (STB). The architecture employs server software implemented as JSON middleware, and provided on the STB 32 as a local server, as well as on a Tooling Device 34 and a Control Application 36. The distributed system facilitates communication with the STB over a data network such as the internet. A remote client device running a browser 30 can interact with the STB 32 to access STB functionality 32.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is capable of communicating with a file server storing a document file and with a storage unit storing information on the document file as a record. The information processing apparatus accepts a request to perform an operation on a document file, and registers entity data of the document file in the file server. After this, the information processing apparatus locks a record corresponding to a folder storing the document file, registers a record corresponding to the document file, and updates information of the locked record corresponding to the folder.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for converting live presentations into electronic media and managing captured media assets for distribution. An exemplary system includes capture devices that capture media assets of live presentations comprising a session, including image data of sequentially presented visual aids accompanying the live presentations and audio data. Each capture device has an interface for real-time image data marking of the image data for identification of individual images and session marking of the image data for demarcation of individual presentations of the session. A centralized device processes the captured media assets and automatically divides the captured media assets into discrete files associated with the individual presentations based on the session markings. An administrative tool manages the processed media assets to produce modified presentations and enables modification of the visual aid images identified by the image data markings.

Abstract: A method includes analyzing bandwidth usage during a first phase of streaming of media and during a second phase of the streaming of the media. The first phase corresponds to the streaming of the media before a buffer is filled with a threshold amount of data associated with the media. The second phase corresponds to the streaming of the media after the buffer is filled with the threshold amount of the data and while the media continues to be buffered. The method includes calculating a size of the buffer based on a difference in the bandwidth usage during the first phase relative to the second phase. The method further includes determining an end time of the media based on the size of the buffer. The end time of the media occurs after a time when the data associated with the media completes downloading to the buffer.

Abstract: Dynamic control by a source device of sink buffer size for audio and/or video streaming over an error-prone channel. The sink buffer size may be determined based on a type of application for a media stream being transmitted from the source device to the sink device for presentation. The techniques may select a buffer size that is smaller for gaming applications, larger for interactive media applications, and even larger for non-interactive media types. The techniques adjust the time delta between a shared clock reference and time reference values of a transport stream that are used by the sink device to determine decoding or presenting of media frames of the transport stream relative to a shared clock reference. In addition, the techniques may account for transceiver latency at the source device due to scanning or multiple concurrent connections.

Abstract: A first content item instance may be played by one or more participants and may be presented by one or more first compute nodes to the one or more participants. Information associated with the first content item instance may be collected. The information may include, for example, game state, user inputs, and other information associated with the first content item instance. The information may be provided as input to a second content item instance executing at one or more second compute nodes. Audio and/or video information output by the second content item instance may then be collected, and data including the collected information may be transmitted to one or more third compute nodes for presentation to spectators. Spectator feedback may be received and provided back to the first content item instance, which may be presented based, at least in part, on the spectator feedback.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a polling time period and determining a respective polling time for each network device in a plurality of network devices, wherein each respective polling time is distributed evenly across the polling time period. The method further includes determining a time-out time span. The time-out time span includes a start time equivalent to a polling time period end time and an end time. The method additionally includes polling each network device in the plurality of network devices at each respective polling time. The polling includes sending a first message to a first particular network device, and, in response to sending the first message, listening for a response to the first message until the end time of the time-out time span. The polling further includes flagging the first particular network device for review after the end time of the time-out time span.

Abstract: A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.

Abstract: A video transmission method for transmitting, to a video playback device, a video data file group that corresponds to a selected scene from among a plurality of scenes included in video data, the video transmission method includes causing a processor to execute a process including making a length of time corresponding to each data file in a predetermined number of data files shorter than a length of time corresponding to a data file to be transmitted next after the transmission of the predetermined number of video data files, in which the predetermined number of video data files include a video data file to be first transmitted and are sequentially transmitted when sequentially transmitting video data files to the video playback device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for temporally targeted content placement for video content. A time mark that is associated with a sponsored-content trigger may be accessed. Presentation of a sponsored-content item is triggered based on the sponsored-content trigger associated with the time mark such that the sponsored-content item is presented at a point of time substantially in accordance with the time mark.

Abstract: Secured electronic data storage on a hard drive is described. A computer system that incorporates the hard drive includes a shrink, shred, and data randomization algorithm built into the read/write function of the computer system for the purposes of securing any data that is stored on the hard drive. Data to be stored on the hard drive is processed using the algorithm which shrinks, shreds, and randomly distributes the data into multiple storage locations, for example multiple partitions of storage, different data storage drives of the hard drive, different folders of a storage device, and the like. An electronic log of where the data is distributed is kept in electronic data storage, on the computer system and/or separate from the computer system, that allows the data on the hard drive to be retrieved, reassembled, decompressed, and if necessary decrypted, upon receipt of a read/access request.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network is configured to implement a latency-sensitive communication protocol in order to facilitate data communications between devices coupled to that network and configured to communicate with one another based on that protocol. Specifically, a node within the wireless mesh network receives a continuous stream of data that includes an N-bit sequence from an upstream device coupled to the wireless mesh network. The node transmits the N-bit sequence to a downstream node within the wireless mesh network. The downstream node re-creates the continuous stream of bits based on the received N-bit sequence, and then transmits the re-created continuous stream of bits to another device coupled to the wireless mesh network. By operating in conjunction with one another, the nodes within the wireless mesh network facilitate communication between the devices coupled to wireless mesh network according to the latency-sensitive communication protocol.

Abstract: There is provided a video playback system comprising a plurality of video playback channels, a memory, and a processor configured to transmit a first video content over a first playback channel, store a first video transmission being transmitted over the first video playback channel in the memory, start transmitting, at a second time, the first video transmission from the memory over a second playback channel, receive an update segment for replacing a first segment of the first video transmission and a location of the first segment in the first video transmission, detect the location of the first segment in the first video transmission, transmit the update segment in place of the first segment over the second video playback channel, revert to transmitting the first video transmission over the second video playback channel, and store a second video transmission being transmitted over the second video playback channel in the memory.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus, a solid-state image sensing apparatus, and a camera system capable of reducing interference between signals transmitted through adjacent via holes, preventing an increase in the number of the via holes, reducing the area of a chip having sensors thereon and the number of mounting steps thereof. First and second chips are bonded together to form a laminated structure, a wiring between the first chip and the second chip being connected through via holes, the first chip transmitting signals obtained by time-discretizing analog signals generated by respective sensors to the second chip through the corresponding via holes, the second chip sampling the signals transmitted from the first chip through the via holes at a timing different from a timing at which the signals are sampled by the first chip and quantizing the sampled signals to obtain digital signals.

Abstract: A method and system for operating different broadcast system components with different portions of a database includes a method of configuring a broadcast system comprising generating an allocation chart for a broadcast system, communicating a first portion of the allocation chart to a first broadcast system component, operating the first broadcast system component with the first portion of the allocation chart, communicating a second portion of the allocation chart to a second broadcast system component, said first portion different than the second portion, and operating the second broadcast system component with the second portion of the allocation chart. In a further aspect of the disclosure, a broadcast system includes a first broadcast system component, a second broadcast system component and a broadcast operation channel management system generating an allocation chart for the broadcast system.

Abstract: For increased destaging efficiency by smoothing destaging tasks to reduce long input/output (I/O) read operations in a computing environment, the ramp up of the destaging tasks is adjusted based on speed of disk drives when smoothing the destaging of storage tracks between a desired number of destaging tasks and a current number of destaging tasks by calculating destaging tasks according to one of a standard time interval and a variable recomputed destaging task interval.

Abstract: A broadcast system and method of changing allocations therein include a plurality of broadcast system components and a broadcast operation channel management system having a database. The broadcast operation channel management system generates a first allocation chart for the broadcast system with a first effective time and communicates at least a portion of the first allocation chart to the plurality of broadcast system components. The plurality of broadcast system components determines a local time and when the local time is equal to or greater than the effective time, operates with the first allocation chart. The broadcast operation channel management system generates a second allocation chart for the broadcast system with a second effective time. The broadcast operation channel management system communicates at least a portion of the second allocation chart to the plurality of broadcast system components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A content item, such as a video, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first span of time within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first span of time is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first span of time. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first span of time, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method maintains files of an asset of video content at a plurality of content delivery networks (CDNs) for delivery to users. The method determines that the asset of video content has been distributed based on a first delivery classification that is used to determine a first combination of file sizes and CDNs. A set of asset characteristics is monitored and analyzed to determine whether the first delivery classification is changed to a second delivery classification. Different values for the set of asset characteristics result in different delivery classifications. When the first delivery classification of the asset of video content is changed to the second delivery classification, a distribution of the asset of video content is automatically changed where the second delivery classification is used to determine a second combination of file sizes and CDNs and the second combination is different from the first combination.

Abstract: An exemplary interface apparatus according to the present disclosure connects together an initiator and a packet exchange type bus network formed on the integrated circuit. In the bus network, if the initiator has submitted request data with a deadline time specified, the initiator receives, by the deadline time, response data to be issued by a node in response to the request data. The interface apparatus includes: a correcting circuit which corrects the deadline time of the request data according to the timing when the request data has been submitted, thereby generating corrected deadline time information; a header generator which generates a packet header that stores the corrected deadline time information; and a packetizing processor which generates a request packet based on the request data and the packet header.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium provide an extended content delivery network service in which user devices are configured as extended content delivery network devices that download and/or stream programs to other users of the extended content delivery network service. Additionally, a method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium provide an in-home media server device that stores programs in a same format as a format of the programs stored in a content delivery network, and provide an error correction service in which a portion of a program including an error, initially received via a multicast or broadcast transmission, is replaced with a corrected portion of the program via a unicast transmission. Still further, a method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium provide a mobile extended content delivery network device that downloads or streams programs to other users of the extended content delivery network service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A content item, such as a video, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first span of time within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first span of time is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first span of time. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first span of time, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores a file management program for causing a computer to execute a file management process including: transmitting a file search request based on a search condition from a currently operating information processing apparatus to a plurality of other information processing apparatuses, receiving file information searched by the respective other information processing apparatuses, and displaying the file information in the search result; selecting another information processing apparatus to be a transfer source out of a plurality of other information processing apparatuses that store a same file as a file which is selected from the search result, based on the transfer time of the selected file to the currently operating information processing apparatus; and requesting transfer of the selected file to the selected other information processing apparatus to be the transfer source, receiving the transferred selected file and displaying the selected file.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying an operating state of an AV device are described. An example method includes extracting, at a first AV device, data communicated via a data bus coupling a processor of the first AV device to a HDMI interface, the HDMI interface coupled to a second AV device different than the first AV device; analyzing a temporal sequence of the extracted data to determine if additional information is needed from the second AV device to identify a current operating state of the second AV device; when the temporal sequence is missing an expected message related to the current operating state of the second AV device, causing an AV network controller of the first AV device to request information from the second AV device; and analyzing a response from the second AV device including the requested information to identify the current operating state of the second AV device.

Abstract: Implementations generally relate to enhancing video conferences. In some implementations, a method includes determining one or more characteristics of a video stream provided by a first camera. The method further includes determining one or more functions of the first camera based on the one or more characteristics. The method further includes enabling a browser to control the one or more functions of the first camera, and wherein the browser is remote relative to the first camera.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes by a host computing server, receiving from a client computing device, a request to upload a multimedia file from the client computing device to a service; by the host computing server, identifying one or more third-party transcoding servers, wherein the transcoding servers are configured to receive and transcode multimedia files from client computing devices and store the transcoded multimedia files; by the host computing server, sending to the client computing device, a reply that comprises addresses of the third-party transcoding servers and job configuration information, wherein the job configuration information specifies one or more upload policies and comprises an access token enabling the client computing device to access the transcoding servers.

Abstract: A method for generating an application icon and a terminal apparatus are described. The terminal apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive prompt information of an application from a server automatically; an icon generating unit configured to generate an icon corresponding to the application in an application icon interface according to the prompt information received by the receiving unit; a first control unit configured to associate the icon generated by the icon generating unit with a first function according to the prompt information, and control the icon to be displayed in a first display effect; and a display unit configured to display the icon generated by the icon generating unit in the first display effect.

Abstract: A method for file block placement in a distributed file system network that includes a plurality of data storage nodes, the method comprising the steps of generating a plurality of file block placement options for a file block, each block placement option being associated with at least one of the data storage nodes, the file block placement options being based on a set of network parameters associated with the distributed file system, determining a cost valuation parameter associated with each of the plurality of file block placement options, and selecting one of the plurality of file block placement options based at least in part on the cost valuation parameter associated with each file block placement option.

Abstract: Playback of motion video is presented. A method may comprise requesting streaming of a specific motion video sequence from a storage device to a playback device, streaming motion video data of the requested motion video sequence, displaying the streamed motion video data as the streamed motion video data is received, and sending a request of change of playback speed to the data storage device. In response to the request, decoding, in the data storage device, motion video data from a temporal position in the specific motion video sequence that has not yet been streamed to the playback device, compressing, in respect of time, the decoded motion video data, encoding the compressed motion video data using an encoding scheme corresponding to an encoding scheme used to encode the specific motion video sequence, and continue streaming the motion video sequence to the playback device using the compressed and encoded motion video data.

Abstract: Systems and methods of handling packet errors associated with multimedia data received at data receivers from data senders, in which packet error feedback information is provided by the data receivers to the data senders in one or more real-time transport control protocol (RTCP) feedback packets. The data receivers can calculate, determine, or otherwise obtain costs associated with providing specific forms of packet error feedback information in the RTCP feedback packets, and further calculate, determine, or otherwise obtain wait times for handling out-of-order packets, as well as receiving retransmissions of lost packets. By handling packet errors associated with multimedia data while taking into account such costs and wait times, each of which can have an impact on system bandwidth and/or latency, the systems and methods can more reliably achieve the quality of experience (QoE) generally desired and/or required for multimedia data transmissions.

Abstract: A method of data management for efficiently storing and retrieving data in response to user access requests. The method includes receiving a request from at least one client for a title not resident in a storage server, where the title includes a play track having a plurality of chapters. The retrieval from a secondary storage device of play track portions proximate chapter delineation points is initiated, and bandwidth capacity and quality-of-service (QoS) parameters associated with the secondary storage device is determined. In the case of a client request to begin presentation of the title at one of the chapters, streaming of retrieved portions of the play track chapter to the client is initiated, masking latency associated with the secondary storage device is provided, and retrieval of at least unretrieved portions of the play track chapter and subsequent play track portions from the secondary storage device is initiated.

Abstract: Systems and methods of video conferencing, in which existing video encoders associated with a multipoint control unit (MCU) can be shared among conference participant devices, depending upon the availability of processor and/or memory resources for the MCU. In making decisions regarding the sharing of video encoders, the systems and methods take into account various parameters associated with potential conference participant devices and the total cost of the processor/memory resources for the MCU, to determine whether a video encoder of the MCU can be shared with, or allocated to, the respective conference participant devices. By determining whether to share or allocate a video encoder of the MCU, depending upon the available processor/memory resources for the MCU, the MCU can be made to operate with increased stability. The systems and methods can be applied to any application that sends the same content to multiple receivers, including announcement and video streaming applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for seamless assembly of video/audio segments. To achieve such seamless assembly during streaming/online progressive download of media, a second segment is downloaded to a client during the presentation of a first segment. The first segment is then attached to the beginning of the second segment, where no jitter or gap results with the transition point either in the video or audio portion of the segments. Hence, the merged segments are presented as a seamless assembly of video/audio segments, where the user is “unaware” that the merged segments are the result of two separate or different segments. To effectuate such gapless assembly of segments, a gapless media file is created for encoding the video and audio segments using a gapless audio encoding scheme, such as Ogg Vorbis, where synchronized, gapless audio tags are interleaved in the video segments.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to systems and methods of data recovery using frame matching and erasure windowing. Aspects involve using frame matching in conjunction with erasure windowing to overcome data corruption in a set of data to allow recovery of the set of data. When a synchronization mark indicating the position of a set of data in a superset of data is corrupted, frame matching in conjunction with erasure windowing are used to enable recovery of the set of data by applying one or more frame windows and one or more erasure windows to data including the set of data to recover the set of data.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining information responsive to a legal discovery request directed at an enterprise having a plurality of databases that potentially include information responsive to the legal discovery request, including structured databases and at least one unstructured database. A plurality of taxonomies are provided, each of which describes a structure of one of the structured databases. An ontology is provided that describes data relationships between the databases. A native application is identified, which is configured to access at least one but not all of the databases associated with the enterprise. The native application is modified to include search functionality for accessing all of the databases associated with the enterprise. A request is received from the user, via the modified native application, to search the plurality of databases associated with the enterprise for information responsive to the legal discovery request.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is used to enable interactive functions via network generated overlays. This invention enables network operators to launch interactive functionality without requiring changes to existing equipment that exists in the field on the client end.

Abstract: A process of scheduling stream packets for output from a multiplexing network device involves prioritizing the output of packets first according to stream priority, and within a particular priority, by stream ID.

Abstract: A method of dynamically buffering content for providing a streaming service is provided. The method includes estimating a maximum amount of decrease in a network speed based on a result of measuring a network, and determining an amount of data to be buffered so that additional buffering, after playback of content is started, does not cause playback interruption, based on a maximum amount of decrease in the network speed, a total size of the content, a speed of playing the content, and a speed of receiving the content.

Abstract: Entertainment systems for aircraft and other vehicles are described having a plurality of media players. The media players collectively store a full content set, with each media player storing only a fraction of the full content set. Each of the media players can be configured to index the full content set, such that media players can obtain missing content.

Abstract: Methods and systems configured to facilitate smart pre-fetching for sequentially accessing tree structures such as balanced trees (b-trees) are described herein. According to various described embodiments, a pre-fetch condition can be determined to have been met for a first cache associated with a first level of a tree such as a b-tree. A link to a bock of data to be read into the cache can be read into the cache by accessing a second level of the tree. The data elements associated with the retrieved link can subsequently read into the cache.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module of a dispersed storage network (DSN) identifying a data segment to be retrieved from storage units of the DSN, where the data segment is encoded into a set of encoded data slices that is divided into block sets of encoded data slices, and where each storage unit stores a block set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module generating a set of read requests in accordance with retrieval information which assures that at least a decode threshold number of encoded data slices of the set are retrievable, where each request includes identity of a block set a number of encoded data slices that are to be read from a storage unit. The method continues with the processing module sending the set of read requests to the storage units and decoding received encoded data slices to recover the data segment.