Point-to-point data streaming using a mediator node for administration and security

• US 20010037461A1
• Filed: 01/26/2001
• Published: 11/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Web Data Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Conrath, Bartley C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,103,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/201
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226

Abstract

A system and method for point-to-point data streaming over a TCP/IP network. A Sender node serves data to the network, with one or more Viewer nodes receiving the data. A Mediator node provides administration and security and a static Internet location for accessing the system. As a result of the administration and security provided by the Mediator node, the data are communicated directly between the Sender and Viewer thereby minimizing resources and costs required for the Mediator. The Mediator node comprises a web server, an administrator and a database. An optional fourth MediaRelay node is provided to which the data are sent by the Sender and from which the data are received by multiple Viewers. The MediaRelay node permits a Sender having low bandwidth to service multiple Viewers.

The Mediator uses versioning control to upgrade MediaSender software at the Sender node, and stores in a database information provided by a Sender during a registration procedure. At login by the Sender, the Sender is authenticated and the Mediator unlocks the MediaSender software. At login by the Viewer, the Viewer is authenticated and the Mediator downloads viewing software to the Viewer. Authentication is based upon information in the database provided by the Sender at registration. Upon authentication of both Sender and Viewer, the Mediator sends both nodes a key enabling bi-directional communication between Sender and Viewer using respective sockets which are maintained until the communication is terminated by the Sender or the Viewer.

Claims

1. A system for point to point data streaming over a network, comprising:

a Sender node for generating streaming data from a target site, said Sender being a client having an address on a network;

a Viewer node for monitoring said target site using said data, said Viewer being a client on said network; and

a Mediator node for remotely controlling direct transmission of said data from said Sender to said Viewer,

wherein said direct transmission is initiated and paused asynchronously by said Viewer.

2. A system as in

claim 1

, wherein said network is a TCP/IP network.

3. A system as in

claim 1

, wherein said streaming data is multi-media.

4. A system as in

claim 1

, wherein said Sender'"'"'s address is dynamic.

5. A system as in

claim 1

, wherein said Mediator node contains a registry which monitors and records session information, Sender location and availability, and Viewer access privileges, and wherein said Mediator node provides a static Internet location for accessing the system.

6. A system as in

claim 1

, wherein said Sender further comprises means for accepting requests from authorized Viewers and means for streaming said data to said authorized Viewers.

7. A system as in

claim 6

, further comprising a plurality of Senders, a plurality of Viewers, and a plurality of Mediator nodes.

8. A system as in

claim 7

, wherein a first Sender further comprises a MediaRelay for retransmitting to a Viewer or another Sender a data stream generated by said first Sender or received from a second Sender.

9. A system as in

claim 7

, wherein each said Mediator node provides security.

10. A system as in

claim 9

, wherein said security is implemented by encrypted communication tokens, each said token containing an address of a designated Sender and being readable by a designated Viewer, said designations being mediated at said Mediator node.

11. A system as in

claim 1

, wherein said streaming data is generated and transmitted in real-time.

12. A system as in

claim 1

, wherein said Sender is implemented by MediaSender software and said software is updated automatically from said Mediator node.

13. A system as in

claim 12

, wherein said software is constructed using platform independent Java technology.

14. A method for point to point data streaming over a network between a Sender and a Viewer, comprising the steps of:

registering Sender information with a Mediator node, said Sender information including at least a location of said Sender and a list of Viewers having access rights;

authenticating said Sender by said Mediator;

requesting access to said Sender by a Viewer;

logging said Viewer'"'"'s request with said Mediator node, said logging validating said Viewer against said list of Viewers;

transmitting said location information to said validated Viewer and notifying said Sender of said validated Viewer; and

downloading by said Viewer of a videostreamer from said Sender.

15. The method of

claim 14

, wherein said network is a TCP/IP network.

16. The method of

claim 14

, wherein said streaming data is multi-media.

17. The method of

claim 14

, wherein said Sender'"'"'s address is dynamic.

18. The method of

claim 14

, wherein said Mediator node contains a registry which monitors and records session information, Sender location and availability, and Viewer access privileges.

19. The method of

claim 14

, further comprising the steps of:

registering a second Sender'"'"'s information by said Mediator node, said information including at least a location of said second Sender, said second Sender having a MediaRelay for retransmitting said videostreamer to said Viewer;

after said logging of said Viewer'"'"'s request, transmitting to said validated viewer said second Sender'"'"'s location information, said videostreamer then being transmitted by said Sender to said second Sender and downloaded to said Viewer by said MediaRelay.

20. A system for point to point data streaming over a network between a Sender and a Viewer, comprising:

means for registering Sender information with a Mediator node, said Sender information including at least a location of said Sender and a list of Viewers having access rights;

means for authenticating said Sender by said Mediator;

means for requesting access to said Sender by a Viewer;

means for logging said Viewer'"'"'s request with said Mediator node, said logging validating said Viewer against said list of Viewers;

means for transmitting said location information to said validated Viewer and notifying said Sender of said validated Viewer; and

means for downloading by said Viewer of a videostreamer from said Sender.

21. A system for point to point data streaming over a network, comprising:

means for transmitting a data stream from a Sender to one or more Viewers, optionally via one or more Relays;

means for registering information of said Sender with a Mediator node, said information including said Sender'"'"'s location on said network and said Sender'"'"'s availability for said transmission;

means for said Viewers to request access to said Sender from a Mediator node;

means for said Mediator node to provide said location information to said Viewers if said Sender is available;

wherein said transmission to said Viewer is initiated, stopped and restarted asynchronously by said Viewer.

22. A system as in

claim 21

, wherein said providing means use encrypted tokens for security.