Distributed storage of audio/video content

Abstract

Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for playing an audio/video program. One such system includes an audio/video player, a first storage device connected to the audio/video player and storing a first portion of an audio/video program, and a second storage device storing a second portion of the audio/video program and connected via a network to at least one of (1) the audio/video player and (2) the first storage device. In response to an instruction to play the audio/video program on the audio/video player, the second portion of the audio/video program automatically is retrieved from the second storage device, the second portion is combined with the first portion, and the audio/video program is played on the audio/video player.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A system for playing an audio/video program, said system comprising: 
 an audio/video player;    a first storage device connected to the audio/video player and storing a first portion of an audio/video program; and    a second storage device storing a second portion of the audio/video program and connected via a network to at least one of (1) the audio/video player and (2) the first storage device,    wherein, in response to an instruction to play the audio/video program on the audio/video player, the second portion of the audio/video program automatically is retrieved from the second storage device, the second portion is combined with the first portion, and the audio/video program is played on the audio/video player.    
   
   
       23 . A system according to  claim 22 , wherein the first storage device is directly connected to the audio/video player.  
   
   
       24 . A system according to  claim 22 , wherein the first storage device is attached to the audio/video player as a dedicated mass storage device for the audio/video player.  
   
   
       25 . A system according to  claim 22 , wherein the audio/video program is played sequentially on the audio/video player.  
   
   
       26 . A system according to  claim 22 , wherein the first portion is substantially larger than the second portion.  
   
   
       27 . A system according to  claim 22 , wherein the first portion accounts for approximately 85 to 95% of the audio/video program.  
   
   
       28 . A system according to  claim 22 , wherein the second portion is contiguous with the first portion.  
   
   
       29 . A system according to  claim 22 , wherein the first portion and the second portion contain data which must be integrated in order to play the audio/video program at a given moment in time.  
   
   
       30 . A system according to  claim 22 , wherein the audio/video program comprises a work that includes synchronized audio and video and is played sequentially by the audio/video player.  
   
   
       31 . A system according to  claim 22 , further comprising a third storage device storing a third portion of the audio/video program and connected via the network to at least one of (1) the audio/video player and (2) the first storage device, and wherein in response to the instruction to play the audio/video program on the audio/video player, the second portion and the third portion of the audio/video program automatically are retrieved and combined with the first portion, and the audio/video program is played on the audio/video player.  
   
   
       32 . A system according to  claim 22 , wherein the second portion of the audio/video program is retrieved and combined with the first portion at or around the time that the audio/video program is to be played.  
   
   
       33 . A system according to  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device is attached to a portable media reading device.  
   
   
       34 . A system according to  claim 22 , wherein combined content resulting from the combination of the first portion and the second portion is stored only on a short-term basis.  
   
   
       35 . A method of playing an audio/video program, comprising: 
 accepting an instruction to play an audio/video program; and    in response to the instruction, automatically retrieving a first portion of the audio/video program from a first storage device, retrieving a second portion of the audio/video program from a second storage device, combining the first portion and the second portion, and causing an audio/video player to play the audio/video program,    wherein the first storage device is connected to the audio/video player, and wherein the second storage device is connected via a network to at least one of (1) the audio/video player and (2) the first storage device.    
   
   
       36 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the first storage device is directly connected to the audio/video player.  
   
   
       37 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the audio/video program comprises a work that includes synchronized audio and video and is played sequentially by the audio/video player.  
   
   
       38 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein combined content resulting from the combination of the first portion and the second portion is stored only on a short-term basis.  
   
   
       39 . A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable process steps for playing an audio/video program, said process steps comprising: 
 accepting an instruction to play an audio/video program; and    in response to the instruction, automatically retrieving a first portion of the audio/video program from a first storage device, retrieving a second portion of the audio/video program from a first storage device, combining the first portion in the second portion and causing an audio/video player to play the audio/video program,    wherein the first storage device is connected to the audio/video player and the second storage device is connected via a network to at least one of (1) the audio/video player and (2) the first storage device.    
   
   
       40 . A computer-readable medium according to  claim 39 , wherein the first storage device is directly connected to the audio/video player.  
   
   
       41 . A computer-readable medium according to  claim 39 , wherein the audio/video program comprises a work that includes synchronized audio and video and is played sequentially by the audio/video player.  
   
   
       42 . A computer-readable medium according to  claim 39 , wherein combined content resulting from the combination of the first portion and the second portion is stored only on a short-term basis.