Mediated multi-source peer content delivery network architecture
First Claim
1. A content distribution system supporting the transfer of a content file present on a plurality of peer computers to a recipient computer, said content distribution network comprising:
- a) a content catalog containing an identification of a content file and a plurality of location identifiers, wherein each location identifier includes an identification of a peer computer and of a named subunit of said content file; and
b) a control processor, coupled to said content catalog and coupleable through a network connection to a recipient computer, wherein said control processor, responsive to a request identifying said content file provided by said recipient computer, provides a content file manifest to said recipient computer, said content file manifest including said plurality of location identifiers;
whereby said recipient computer can retrieve and assemble corresponding named subunits of said content file from said peer computers to obtain said content file.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hierarchical content distribution system includes a seeding server, a plurality of geographically distributed content platforms, and a distribution controller, all interconnected by a communications network. The seeding server initially receives content files for distribution to various content platforms that provide for the persistent storage of the content files. Each content platform includes a content file server responsive on-demand to requests for the transfer of content files. The distribution controller autonomously monitors the transfers of content files and selectively issues transfer directives to the content platforms to modify the distribution of content files among the content platforms. The content file servers respond to received transfer directives by issuing requests for the transfer of the directive identified content files, thereby conforming the specific distribution of content files to an optimal distribution pattern as determined by the distribution controller based on usage patterns.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A content distribution system supporting the transfer of a content file present on a plurality of peer computers to a recipient computer, said content distribution network comprising:
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a) a content catalog containing an identification of a content file and a plurality of location identifiers, wherein each location identifier includes an identification of a peer computer and of a named subunit of said content file; and b) a control processor, coupled to said content catalog and coupleable through a network connection to a recipient computer, wherein said control processor, responsive to a request identifying said content file provided by said recipient computer, provides a content file manifest to said recipient computer, said content file manifest including said plurality of location identifiers; whereby said recipient computer can retrieve and assemble corresponding named subunits of said content file from said peer computers to obtain said content file.
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2-19. -19. (canceled)
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20. A content distribution system supporting the hierarchical storage and distribution of streaming media content, said content distribution system comprising:
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a) a location database storing location identifiers for named content segments, wherein defined series of named content segments represent respective streaming media content files and wherein the location identifiers identify the persistent storage locations of respective ones of named content segments; and b) a control server, coupled to said location database and a communications network, said control server determining a distribution plan for said named content segments within a distributed storage network, wherein said distributed storage network includes a seeding server and a plurality of network computers interconnected by said communications network, wherein said seeding server and said network computers include segment caches for persisting pluralities of named content segments, and wherein named content segments are progressively transferred between said segment caches through said communications network in accordance with said distribution plan, said control server recording to said location database location identifiers for named content segments as transferred. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification