System and methods for automatic time-warped playback in rendering a recorded computer session

Abstract

A background protocol engine receives a recorded session, said recorded session comprising a plurality of packets and representing display data. The background protocol engine determines a measure of complexity represented by at least some of the plurality of packets in the recorded session. The background protocol engine identifies an interval of time between the at least some of the plurality of packets in the recorded session. The background protocol engine modifies the interval of time, responsive to the measure of complexity represented by the at least some of the plurality of packets in the recorded session. The background protocol engine stores the modified interval of time. A foreground protocol engine renders the recorded stream responsive to the playback data structure.

1 . A method of automatic time-warped playback in rendering a recorded computer session, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) receiving, by a background protocol engine, a recorded session, said recorded session comprising a plurality of packets and representing display data;    (b) determining, by the background protocol engine, a measure of complexity represented by at least some of the plurality of packets in the recorded session;    (c) identifying, by the background protocol engine, an interval of time between the at least some of the plurality of packets in the recorded session;    (d) modifying the interval of time, by the background protocol engine, responsive to the measure of complexity represented by the at least some of the plurality of packets in the recorded session;    (e) storing, by the background protocol engine, in a playback data structure, the modified interval of time; and    (f) rendering, by a foreground protocol engine, the recorded stream responsive to the playback data structure.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) further comprises identifying likely sequences of typing in keyboard input.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein step (b) further comprises inspecting at least one type of key involved.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) further comprises inspecting a sequence of at least one glyph rendered to complete a heuristic approximation of likely sequences of typing in keyboard input.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) further comprises identifying a rate of mouse input.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) further comprises identifying a heuristic approximation of complexity of a graphics update.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) further comprises identifying a first marker in the at least some of the plurality of packets in the recorded session, said marker indicating an initial packet in the at least some of the plurality of packets in the recorded session.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein step (d) further comprises modifying the interval of time responsive to the first marker.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein step (d) further comprises identifying a second marker in a second packet in the at least some of the plurality of packets in the recorded session, said second marker indicating a final packet in the at least some of the plurality of packets in the recorded session and modifying the interval of time responsive to the interval of time between the first marker and the second marker.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (d) further comprises decreasing the interval of time.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (d) further comprises increasing the interval of time.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (d) further comprises modifying the interval of time responsive to a request.  
   
   
       13 . A method of automatic time-warped playback in rendering a recorded computer session, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) receiving a recorded session comprising a plurality of packets and representing display data;    (b) identifying a first packet having a content representing a window having focus, said window indicating an application;    (c) identifying a time interval between a second packet whose contents render prior to the rendering of the content of the first packet and a third packet whose contents render after the rendering of the content of the first packet;    (d) modifying the identified time interval responsive to the indicated application; and    (e) rendering at least one packet in the recorded stream responsive to the modification.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step (d) further comprises increasing the identified time interval.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step (d) further comprises decreasing the identified time interval.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step (e) further comprises rendering the at least one packet in the recorded stream to a buffer.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step (e) further comprises rendering the at least one packet in the recorded stream to a buffer and in a perceptible manner.  
   
   
       18 . A system for automatic time-warped playback in rendering a recorded computer session comprising: 
 a protocol engine, generating a playback data structure in response to receiving a recorded stream, said recorded stream comprising a plurality of packets, and said protocol engine rendering at least one packet in the recorded stream responsive to the generated playback data structure.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the protocol engine further comprises storing in the playback data structure at least one instruction for rendering the recorded stream.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the protocol engine further comprises storing metadata in the playback data structure.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the protocol engine renders the at least one packet in the recorded session in a perceptible manner and to a buffer.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the protocol engine renders the at least one packet in the recorded session to a buffer.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein a second protocol engine renders the at least one packet in the recorded stream responsive to the generated playback data structure.