Multicast peering in multicast points of presence (MULTIPOPs) network - neutral multicast internet exchange

• US 20020013823A1
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Published: 01/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Multicast Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Multicast Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Eubanks, Thomas Marshall
• Application Number:
  US09/725,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20020013823A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1854 with non-centralised forwarding system, e.g. chaincast

Abstract

Development of a trusted third party Multicast Points of Presence (or MULTIPOPs) Network, termed “A Neutral Multicast Exchange”, which will enable access, via the trusted third party, to a large proportion of end-users who are attached to the Internet through regional or local Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The business goal is to reduce the cost of Internet audio distribution to a level substantially below that of terrestrial broadcasting, and to develop the capability to distribute these broadcasts as widely as possible.

Claims

1. A system for delivering information on the Internet to end users, said system comprising:

an autonomous source of multicast transmission of said information; and

a MULTIPOPS network which includes a plurality of multicast enabled Internet service providers;

wherein said autonomous source delivers said information to said MULTIPOPS and said MULTIPOPS provide said information to said Internet service providers for distribution to said end users.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said information comprises at least one of audio and video data.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said autonomous source comprises means for measuring the amount of said end users receiving said information.

4. A method of delivering information on the Internet to end users, said method comprising:

generating a multicast transmission of said information; and

providing said multicast transmission to at least one MULTIPOP within a MULTIPOPS network which includes a plurality of multicast enabled Internet service providers;

wherein said at least one MULTIPOP provides said information to said Internet service providers connected to said least one MULTIPOP for distribution to said end users.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said information comprises at least one of audio and video data.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising measuring the amount of said end users receiving said information.