Controlled peer-to-peer network
First Claim
1. An apparatus for broadcasting a signal to a plurality of clients, the apparatus comprising:
- a network management center configured to receive connection information requests from the plurality of clients, and to provide connection information to at least one of the plurality of clients; and
a broadcast center, cooperative with the network management center, configured to receive the connection information, and to provide the signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An internet broadcast system is provided that uses a fixed amount of bandwidth, making low fixed demands on broadcast server resources, regardless of the number of recipients. The system can provide content authentication, source authentication, a clear path to the source of intellectual property rights abuse, and reduced security vulnerability of local content, and enables clients receiving streamed content from a server to communicate back to the server using content-sensitive “user experience elements”. The apparatus includes a network management center that receives connection information requests from the plurality of clients, providing connection information to at least one of the plurality of clients; and includes a broadcast center that receives the connection information, and provides the signal. The broadcast center receives a connection request, and also provides the signal only after receiving the connection request, and then uses the connection request with the connection information to provide the signal.
83 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An apparatus for broadcasting a signal to a plurality of clients, the apparatus comprising:
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a network management center configured to receive connection information requests from the plurality of clients, and to provide connection information to at least one of the plurality of clients; and
a broadcast center, cooperative with the network management center, configured to receive the connection information, and to provide the signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for adding a client to a peer-to-peer network so as to add clients in a controlled manner, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a network management center, a connection information request from a requesting client; and
sending, from the network management center, connection information to both the requesting client and a broadcasting client also as to facilitate communication between the broadcasting client and the requesting client, thereby adding the requesting client. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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Specification