System, method and computer program product for grouping clients and transferring content in accordance with the same

• US 20050256926A1
• Filed: 05/17/2004
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Muhonen, Ahti, Vainio, Antti-Pentti, Hannikainen, Ari
• Granted Patent: US 8,122,145 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/235
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/60 Scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests, e.g. requests for application data transmissions using the analysis and optimisation of the required network resources admission control or resource allocation H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests

Abstract

A system is provided that includes a plurality of clients and a server capable of assigning the plurality of clients to at least one group for the transfer of content to the server and/or from the server. The server is capable of assigning at least one of the clients based upon a size of the content, a transfer speed, and a probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer. In this regard, the server can also be capable of collecting statistical data relating to the transfer speed and probability to thereby determine the transfer speed and probability. After assigning the clients to the group(s), at least one of the clients can be capable of downloading content from, or uploading content to, the server based upon the group(s).

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of clients; and

a server capable of assigning the plurality of clients to at least one group for the transfer of content at least one of to the server and from the server, wherein the server is capable of assigning at least one of the clients based upon a size of the content, a transfer speed, and a probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the server is also capable of collecting statistical data relating to a transfer speed and a probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer to thereby determine the transfer speed and the probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the server is capable of assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group associated with at least one transfer window within which the respective at least one client is capable of transferring content at least one of to the server and from the server.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the server is capable of assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group based upon a size of the at least one group.

5. A system according to claim 3, wherein the server is capable of assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group such that a number of clients transferring content does not exceed a predefined number of simultaneous transfers.

6. A system according to claim 3, wherein a transfer period includes at least one transfer window, and wherein the server is capable of assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group such that, during the transfer period, a number of different types of content transferred by the plurality of clients does not exceed a predefined number of different types.

7. A system according to claim 3, wherein the server is capable of assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group such that, during the transfer period, a number of different types of content transferred by each of the respective clients does not exceed a predefined number of different types.

8. A system according to claim 3, wherein the server is capable of assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group such that, for clients assigned to a plurality of groups, the respective clients are assigned to groups associated with non-overlapping transfer windows.

9. A system according to claim 3, wherein the server is capable of assigning at least one of the clients by dividing a transfer period into at least one transfer window, determining a length of the at least one transfer window based upon the size of the content, the transfer speed, and the probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer, and assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group, the at least one group being associated with the at least one transfer window.

10. A system according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the clients is capable of transferring content at least one of to the server and from the server based upon the at least one group.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the server is capable of determining if a current time is within at least one transfer window associated with at least one group including at least one client, and if the current time is within at least one transfer window, instructing the respective at least one client to transfer content at least one of to the server and from the server.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the server is capable of repeatedly determining if a current time is within at least one transfer window associated with at least one group including at a predetermined interval such that, if the respective at least one client experiences an interruption in transferring the content, the server is capable of instructing the respective at least one client to thereby permit the respective at least one client to resume transferring the content.

13. A server comprising:

a server agent capable of assigning a plurality of clients to at least one group for the transfer of content at least one of to the server and from the server, wherein the server agent is capable of assigning at least one of the clients based upon a size of the content, a transfer speed, and a probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer.

14. A server according to claim 13, wherein the server agent is also capable of collecting statistical data relating to a transfer speed and a probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer to thereby determine the transfer speed and the probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer.

15. A server according to claim 13, wherein the server agent is capable of assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group associated with at least one transfer window within which the respective at least one client is capable of transferring content at least one of to the server and from the server.

16. A server according to claim 15, wherein the server agent is capable of assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group based upon a size of the at least one group.

17. A server according to claim 15, wherein the server agent is capable of assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group such that a number of clients transferring content does not exceed a predefined number of simultaneous transfers.

18. A server according to claim 15, wherein a transfer period includes at least one transfer window, and wherein the server agent is capable of assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group such that, during the transfer period, a number of different types of content transferred by the plurality of clients does not exceed a predefined number of different types.

19. A server according to claim 15, wherein the server agent is capable of assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group such that, during the transfer period, a number of different types of content transferred by each of the respective clients does not exceed a predefined number of different types.

20. A server according to claim 15, wherein the server agent is capable of assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group such that, for clients assigned to a plurality of groups, the respective clients are assigned to groups associated with non-overlapping transfer windows.

21. A server according to claim 15, wherein the server agent is capable of assigning at least one of the clients by dividing a transfer period into at least one transfer window, determining a length of the at least one transfer window based upon the size of the content, the transfer speed, and the probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer, and assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group, the at least one group being associated with the at least one transfer window.

22. A server according to claim 15, wherein the server agent is capable of assigning at least one client such that the at least one client is capable of transferring content at least one of to the server and from the server based upon the at least one group.

23. A server according to claim 22, wherein the server agent is capable of determining if a current time is within at least one transfer window associated with at least one group including at least one client, and if the current time is within at least one transfer window, instructing the respective at least one client to transfer content at least one of to the server and from the server.

24. A server according to claim 23, wherein the server agent is capable of repeatedly determining if a current time is within at least one transfer window associated with at least one group including at least one client at a predetermined interval such that, if the respective at least one client experiences an interruption in transferring the content, the server agent is capable of instructing the respective at least one client to thereby permit the respective at least one client to resume transferring the content.

25. A client comprising:

a client agent capable of requesting to transfer content at least one of to a server and from the server such that the server is capable of assigning the client to at least one group capable of including at least one other client, and such that the server is capable of assigning the client to at least one group based upon a size of the content, a transfer speed, and a probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer.

26. A client according to claim 25, wherein the client agent is capable of requesting to transfer content such that the server is capable of collecting statistical data relating to a transfer speed and a probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer to thereby determine the transfer speed and the probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer.

27. A client according to claim 25, wherein the client agent is capable of requesting to transfer content such that the server is capable of assigning the client to at least one group associated with at least one transfer window within which the client is capable of transferring content at least one of to a server and from the server.

28. A client according to claim 27, wherein the client agent is capable of requesting to transfer content such that the server is capable of assigning the client to at least one group based upon a size of the at least one group.

29. A client according to claim 27, wherein the client agent is capable of requesting to transfer content such that the server is capable of assigning the client to at least one group such that a number of clients transferring content does not exceed a predefined number of simultaneous transfers.

30. A client according to claim 27, wherein a transfer period includes at least one transfer window, and wherein the client agent is capable of requesting to transfer content such that the server is capable of assigning the client to at least one group such that, during the transfer period, a number of different types of content transferred by the plurality of clients does not exceed a predefined number of different types.

31. A client according to claim 27, wherein the client agent is capable of requesting to transfer content such that the server is capable of assigning the client to at least one group such that, during the transfer period, a number of different types of content transferred by the client does not exceed a predefined number of different types.

32. A client according to claim 27, wherein the client agent is capable of requesting to transfer content such that the server is capable of assigning the client to at least one group such that, if the client is assigned to a plurality of groups, the client is assigned to groups associated with non-overlapping transfer windows.

33. A client according to claim 27, wherein the client agent is capable of requesting to transfer content such that the server is capable of assigning the client to at least one group by dividing a transfer period into at least one transfer window, determining a length of the at least one transfer window based upon the size of the content, the transfer speed, and the probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer, and assigning the client to at least one group, the at least one group being associated with the at least one transfer window.

34. A client according to claim 27, wherein the client agent is also capable of transferring content at least one of to a server and from the server based upon the at least one group.

35. A client according to claim 34, wherein the client agent is capable of requesting to transfer content such that the server is capable of determining if a current time is within at least one transfer window associated with at least one group including the client, and wherein if the current time is within at least one transfer window, the client agent is capable of receiving an instruction transfer content at least one of to a server and from the server.

36. A client according to claim 35, wherein the client agent is capable of requesting to transfer content such that the server is capable of repeatedly determining if a current time is within at least one transfer window associated with at least one group including the client at a predetermined interval, and wherein if the client experiences an interruption in transferring the content, the client agent is capable of receiving an instruction to transfer content to thereby permit the client agent to resume transferring the content.

37. A method comprising:

assigning a plurality of clients to at least one group for the transfer of content at least one of to a server and from the server, wherein assigning a plurality of clients comprises assigning at least one of the clients based upon a size of the content, a transfer speed, and a probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer.

38. A method according to claim 37 further comprising:

collecting statistical data relating to a transfer speed and a probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer to thereby determine the transfer speed and the probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer.

39. A method according to claim 37, wherein assigning at least one of the clients comprises assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group associated with at least one transfer window within which the respective at least one client is capable of transferring content at least one of to a server and from the server.

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein assigning at least one of the clients comprises assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group based upon a size of the at least one group.

41. A method according to claim 39, wherein assigning at least one of the clients comprises assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group such that a number of clients transferring content does not exceed a predefined number of simultaneous transfers.

42. A method according to claim 39, wherein a transfer period includes at least one transfer window, and wherein assigning at least one of the clients comprises assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group such that, during the transfer period, a number of different types of content transferred by the plurality of clients does not exceed a predefined number of different types.

43. A method according to claim 39, wherein assigning at least one of the clients comprises assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group such that, during the transfer period, a number of different types of content transferred by each of the respective clients does not exceed a predefined number of different types.

44. A method according to claim 39, wherein assigning at least one of the clients comprises assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group such that, for clients assigned to a plurality of groups, the respective clients are assigned to groups associated with non-overlapping transfer windows.

45. A method according to claim 39, wherein assigning at least one of the clients comprises:

dividing a transfer period into at least one transfer window;

determining a length of the at least one transfer window based upon the size of the content, the transfer speed, and the probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer; and

assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group, the at least one group being associated with the at least one transfer window.

46. A method according to claim 39 further comprising:

transferring content at least one of from at least one of the clients to the server and to the server from at least one of the clients based upon the at least one group.

47. A method according to claim 46 further comprising:

determining if a current time is within at least one transfer window associated with at least one group including at least one client; and

if the current time is within at least one transfer window,

instructing the respective at least one client to transfer content at least one of to a server and from the server.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein the determining step occurs repeatedly at a predetermined interval such that, if the respective at least one client experiences an interruption in transferring the content, the instructing step comprises instructing the respective at least one client to thereby permit the respective at least one client to resume transferring the content.

49. A computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

a first executable portion for assigning a plurality of clients to at least one group for the transfer of content at least one of to a server and from the server, wherein the first executable portion is adapted to assign at least one of the clients based upon a size of the content, a transfer speed, and a probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer.

50. A computer program product according to claim 49 further comprising:

a second executable portion for collecting statistical data relating to a transfer speed and a probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer to thereby determine the transfer speed and the probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer.

51. A computer program product according to claim 49, wherein the first executable portion is adapted to assign at least one of the clients to at least one group associated with at least one transfer window within which the respective at least one client is capable of transferring content at least one of to a server and from the server.

52. A computer program product according to claim 51, wherein the first executable portion is adapted to assign at least one of the clients to at least one group based upon a size of the at least one group.

53. A computer program product according to claim 51, wherein the first executable portion is adapted to assign at least one of the clients to at least one group such that a number of clients transferring content does not exceed a predefined number of simultaneous transfers.

54. A computer program product according to claim 51, wherein a transfer period includes at least one transfer window, and wherein the first executable portion is adapted to assign at least one of the clients to at least one group such that, during the transfer period, a number of different types of content transferred by the plurality of clients does not exceed a predefined number of different types.

55. A computer program product according to claim 51, the first executable portion is adapted to assign at least one of the clients to at least one group such that, during the transfer period, a number of different types of content transferred by each of the respective clients does not exceed a predefined number of different types.

56. A computer program product according to claim 51, wherein the first executable portion is adapted to assign at least one of the clients to at least one group such that, for clients assigned to a plurality of groups, the respective clients are assigned to groups associated with non-overlapping transfer windows.

57. A computer program product according to claim 51, wherein the first executable portion is adapted to assign at least one of the clients by dividing a transfer period into at least one transfer window, determining a length of the at least one transfer window based upon the size of the content, the transfer speed, and the probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer, and assigning at least one of the clients to at least one group, the at least one group being associated with the at least one transfer window.

58. A computer program product according to claim 51 further comprising:

a second executable portion for transferring content at least one of from at least one of the clients to the server and to the server from at least one of the clients based upon the at least one group.

59. A computer program product according to claim 58 further comprising:

a third executable portion for determining if a current time is within at least one transfer window associated with at least one group including at least one client; and

a fourth executable portion for instructing the respective at least one client to transfer content at least one of to a server and from the server if the current time is within at least one transfer window.

60. A computer program product according to claim 59, wherein the third executable portion is adapted to repeatedly determine if a current time is within at least one transfer window associated with at least one group including at least one client at a predetermined interval such that, if the respective at least one client experiences an interruption in transferring the content, the fourth executable portion is adapted to instruct the respective at least one client to thereby permit the respective at least one client to resume transferring the content.