SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING DATA OVER A NETWORK
First Claim
1. A file distribution system for a plurality of endpoint elements in a network, comprising:
- a content ingestion element for receiving a digital file, the content ingestion element transcoding the digital file and dividing the transcoded digital file into fragments, the fragments being stored in mass storage means of the content ingestion element;
a network control element for controlling the content ingestion element to distribute each of the fragments to a set of endpoint elements, the set of endpoint elements being selected from the plurality of endpoint elements based on a network topology, the network control element providing addresses corresponding to supplying endpoint elements selected from the set of endpoint elements in response to a transaction request; and
, a receiving endpoint element for transmitting the transaction request and for receiving the addresses of the supplying endpoint elements, the receiving endpoint element retrieving each of the fragments directly from each of the supplying endpoint elements.
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Abstract
A system and method for the distribution of digital media content makes use of a network control element to manage the fragmentation of the digital content and to distribute the fragments of the digital content to different endpoint elements in the network. The network control element responds to endpoint element requests for the digital media content by allowing the various endpoint elements to store the fragments of the digital media content and to transfer the fragments to the requesting endpoint element under the control of the network management element. This spreads the network traffic across the network and prevents the development of a single bottleneck in the distribution network.
27 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A file distribution system for a plurality of endpoint elements in a network, comprising:
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a content ingestion element for receiving a digital file, the content ingestion element transcoding the digital file and dividing the transcoded digital file into fragments, the fragments being stored in mass storage means of the content ingestion element;
a network control element for controlling the content ingestion element to distribute each of the fragments to a set of endpoint elements, the set of endpoint elements being selected from the plurality of endpoint elements based on a network topology, the network control element providing addresses corresponding to supplying endpoint elements selected from the set of endpoint elements in response to a transaction request; and
,a receiving endpoint element for transmitting the transaction request and for receiving the addresses of the supplying endpoint elements, the receiving endpoint element retrieving each of the fragments directly from each of the supplying endpoint elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for downloading a digital file from a network, comprising:
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a) dividing the digital file into fragments;
b) selecting a set of endpoint elements from a plurality of endpoint elements in the network for receiving each of the fragments;
c) distributing each of the fragments to each of the endpoint elements of the set of endpoint elements;
d) transmitting a request for the digital file from a receiving endpoint element;
e) providing addresses corresponding to supplying endpoint elements to the receiving endpoint element in response to the request, the supplying endpoint elements being selected from the set of endpoint elements;
f) retrieving by the receiving endpoint element, the fragments stored in the supplying endpoint elements; and
,g) assembling the fragments into the digital file. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification