Distributed Server Network for Providing Triple and Play Services to End Users
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed server framework for distributing streamed electronic content to users. The framework includes a central server connected to regional edge servers, which are connected to local groups of access servers closest to the users. A file sharing protocol maintains hit lists indicating the relative popularity of various content. To reduce the traffic load from the central server and regional servers, popular material is stored on the access servers; less popular material is stored on the edge servers; and seldom requested material is stored on the central server. A sliding window and cursor mechanism enable smart distribution of hot material and breaking news among the access servers.
93 Citations
39 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A distributed server framework for providing triple and play services to end users, using a streaming technique, said framework comprising:
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a central server having a central data store for storing large amounts of data material; a plurality of regional edge servers connected to the central server, the edge servers having a regional data store for temporary storing of fragments of the data material; and a plurality of local groups of access servers connected to the regional servers, the access servers having an access data store for temporary storage of fragments of the data material; wherein the access servers of a given group are connected to a given edge server over respective first links, the edge servers are connected to the central server over respective second links, and the access servers within each group are inter-connected over third links; wherein each access server is connected to a multiplexer/demultiplexer to which equipment of a limited number of end users are connected; the central server, edge servers and access servers each having client/server file sharing software for communication over the first, second, and third links using an IP-based file sharing protocol, wherein when the software is run on a processor of each server, the servers are caused to; (a) diffuse file fragments of data material requested by end users from the central server to the edge servers and to the access servers, and (b) store diffused file fragments at respective edge servers and access servers for a respective predefined time in accordance with the frequencies by which the stored data material is requested by end users. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An access server for distributing an individualized stream of data material to user equipments adapted to be connected to the access server through a multiplexer/demultiplexer, the access server comprising:
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a file sharing client/server protocol; stream generation means; and data storage means; wherein the file sharing client/server protocol includes; means for maintaining a hit list for counting the number of times an identified fragment of a data material is requested by the file sharing client/server protocol; and time out means for deleting an identified fragment if there are no hits on the identified fragment during a predefined time. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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38. An edge server located at an edge between an IP-based transport network and an access network, the edge server for distributing data material to access servers in the access network, said edge server comprising:
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a file sharing client/server protocol; stream generation means; and data storage means; wherein the file sharing client/server protocol includes; a tracker comprising a list having as entries, identified fragments of data material and associated with each entry an address to an access server on which the identified fragment is stored; a hit list for counting the number of times an identified fragment of a data material is requested by the file sharing client/server protocol; and time out means for deleting an identified fragment if there are no hits on the identified fragment during a predefined time. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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Specification