Content distribution architecture
First Claim
1. A method for operating a client to retrieve desired content, said method comprising:
- checking availability of said desired content from other clients on a peer-to-peer network;
if said content is available from at least one of said other clients, retrieving said content from at least one of said other clients via said peer-to-peer network; and
if said content is not available from at least one of said other clients, retrieving said content from a content server of said peer-to-peer network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hierarchical cached media distribution system that employs the Internet. The distribution system assures reliability and quality of service in delivery of timely content. New content is harvested from multiple disparate sources, associated with channels, and encrypted, conditioned, and packaged prior to distribution. A peer-to-peer network scheme is provided where peer groups are associated and maintained for efficient file distribution. Content servers are dynamically prioritized based on availability and cost. A push-based distribution method may be used to exploit cached content stored on peers subject to network address translation (NAT). The distribution system exploits a redundant self repairing packaged file format for media content. Embodiments of the present invention further provide dynamic feedback to content sources.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for operating a client to retrieve desired content, said method comprising:
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checking availability of said desired content from other clients on a peer-to-peer network;
if said content is available from at least one of said other clients, retrieving said content from at least one of said other clients via said peer-to-peer network; and
if said content is not available from at least one of said other clients, retrieving said content from a content server of said peer-to-peer network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for operating a peer-to-peer network, said method comprising:
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sending a list of peers from a content broker to a first peer in a peer-to-peer network; and
employing a push method to send content from said first peer to a second peer belonging to said list of peers. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for operating a content distribution network, said method comprising:
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assigning a plurality of clients to a plurality of peer-to-peer networks;
sending each of said plurality of clients list information to identify network peers of said peers, said list information identifying at least one dedicated content server and at least one client peer; and
distributing content via said plurality of peer-to-peer networks. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for operating a content distribution network, said method comprising:
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assigning a plurality of clients to a plurality of peer-to-peer networks;
sending each of said plurality of clients list information to identify network peers of said clients; and
refreshing said list over time to include only available peers.
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22. A method for operating a publisher server to distribute content, said method comprising:
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preparing said content for distribution;
transferring said content to a content server; and
transferring information identifying said content to a catalog server; and
wherein clients retrieve said content either directly or indirectly from said content server after retrieving said identifying information from said catalog server. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification