Method of relaying digital video & audio data via a communications medium

Abstract

A method of creating a hybrid file provides at least a first file and a second file, each file having contents in a file type that is different from the file types of all the other files. The method then reads and interprets the at least first and second files, and creates a hybrid file that contains the contents of the at least first and second files, the hybrid file having a hybrid file type that is different from the file types of the at least first and second files.

1 . A method of creating a hybrid file, comprising: 
 providing at least a first file and a second file, each file having contents in a file type that is different from the file types of all the other files;    reading and interpreting the at least first and second files; and    creating a hybrid file that contains the contents of the at least first and second files, the hybrid file having a hybrid file type that is different from the file types of the at least first and second files.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the step of reading and interpreting the at least first and second files includes: 
 reading and interpreting the contents of the first file;    storing the interpreted contents of the first file in a temporary location;    reading and interpreting the contents of the second file; and    storing the interpreted contents of the second file in the temporary location.    
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 2   , wherein the step of creating a hybrid file includes: 
 merging the interpreted contents of the first and second files.    
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 3   , wherein the step of creating a hybrid file further includes: 
 compressing the merged contents of the first and second files.    
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 3   , wherein the step of creating a hybrid file further includes: 
 creating a header for the hybrid file.    
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the step of reading and interpreting the at least first and second files includes: 
 reading and interpreting information from headers of the at least first and second files.    
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the step of reading and interpreting the at least first and second files includes: 
 loading object lists for the first and second files.    
     
     
         8 . A method of transmitting a plurality of different files across a communication medium from a first location to a second location, comprising: 
 providing at least a first file and a second file, each file having contents in a file type that is different from the file types of all the other files;    reading and interpreting the at least first and second files;    creating a hybrid file that contains the contents of the at least first and second files, the hybrid file having a hybrid file type that is different from the file types of the at least first and second files; and    transmitting the hybrid file across a communication medium to the second location.    
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 8   , wherein the step of reading and interpreting the at least first and second files includes: 
 reading and interpreting the contents of the first file;    storing the interpreted contents of the first file in a temporary location;    reading and interpreting the contents of the second file; and    storing the interpreted contents of the second file in the temporary location.    
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 9   , wherein the step of creating a hybrid file includes: 
 merging the interpreted contents of the first and second files.    
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 10   , wherein the step of creating a hybrid file further includes: 
 compressing the merged contents of the first and second files.    
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 10   , wherein the step of creating a hybrid file further includes: 
 creating a header for the hybrid file.    
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 8   , wherein the step of reading and interpreting the at least first and second files includes: 
 reading and interpreting information from headers of the at least first and second files.    
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 8   , wherein the step of reading and interpreting the at least first and second files includes: 
 loading object lists for the first and second files.    
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 8   , further including: 
 loading, at the second location, a plug-in for the file type for the hybrid file.    
     
     
         16 . The method of    claim 10   , wherein the step of creating a hybrid file includes: 
 storing the hybrid file into a permanent storage device.    
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 10   , wherein the step of creating a hybrid file includes: 
 overlaying user-defined hotspots that link to other elements.