Linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer system and method for optimizing throughput speed and preventing data starvation

• US 20080273541A1
• Filed: 05/03/2007
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABroadcasting Company
• Original Assignee: ABroadcasting Company
• Inventors: Pharn, Art
• Granted Patent: US 8,159,949 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/400
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1008 based on parameters of servers, e.g. available memory or workload monitoring of computer activity G06F11/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1044 Group management mechanisms management of multicast group membership H04L12/185; reconfiguring of node membership in a computing system to eliminate errors G06F11/1425
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1046 Joining mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a system and method is described for formulating a linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-network that analyzes capabilities of a plurality of nodes, and creating at least two linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-networks by forming a first group of nodes of the plurality of nodes having similar capabilities and establishing serial connections between nodes of the first group of nodes to form a first linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-network.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

analyzing capabilities of a plurality of nodes; and

creating a first linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-network of a plurality of linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-networks by forming a first group of nodes of the plurality of nodes having similar capabilities and establishing serial connections between the first group of nodes.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing of the capabilities of the plurality of nodes includes determining transmission rates supported by each of the plurality of nodes.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein analyzing of the capabilities of the plurality of nodes includes determining a physical locale of each of the plurality of nodes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the creating of the first linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-network includes establishing a connection between a first node and a second node of the first group of nodes so that the second node receives audio-video content from the first node.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the creating of the first linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-network includes establishing a connection to a server by a first node and issuing a request to join the first linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-network while concurrently and temporarily receiving audio-video content directly from an external source during processing of the request.

6. The method of claim 5, where the creating of the first linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-network further includes establishing connections over firewalls supported by the first node and a second node to which the first node is requesting to receive the audio-video content.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising disconnecting by the first node from the external source so that content received by the first node is the audio-video content from the second node.

8. A method comprising:

transmitting a first message by a first node, the first message to request permission to join a first sub-network being a grouping of nodes having similar capabilities;

receiving an address of a second node being a point of connection to the first sub-network upon confirmation that the first node possesses suitable device characteristics to join the first sub-network; and

initiating messages by the first node and the second node, the messages to pierce firewalls supporting by both the first node and the second node for establishing a flow of audio-video content from the second node to the first node.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein prior to receiving the address of the second node, the method further comprising:

receiving a response to the first message from a server, the response including a unique address assigned to the first node by the server; and

transmitting a second message to the server to commence establishing a connection to the first sub-network.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein prior to transmitting the first message, the method further comprises transmitting a message from the second node to provide the server with the point of connection to the first sub-network.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

issuing a message by the first node to a content server requesting data to be downloaded while attempting to join the first sub-network.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

discontinuing the downloading of the data and communications with the content server upon joining the first sub-network and establishing communications with the second node.

13. A system receiving and transferring audio-video content over a linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-network for display, comprising:

a first node; and

a second node that requests and establishes communications with the first node, receives the audio-video content and routes the audio-video content to the second node for viewing, the second node receiving the audio-video content from a separate source during establishment of communications with the first node and when capabilities of the second node fall below a minimal threshold.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the second source is a content server.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the first node and the second node are computers.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the capabilities of the second node is a predetermined data transmission rate.