List Passing in a Background File Sharing Network
First Claim
1. A method in a peer-to-peer file sharing client for background file sharing in a peer-to-peer file sharing network using list passing, the method comprising:
- generating a request for a list file for background file sharing;
sending the request to a peer in a foreground swarm within the peer-to-peer file sharing network;
receiving a list file from the peer in the foreground swarm, wherein the list file satisfies the request;
selecting a file fragment from the list file for background file sharing;
requesting the selected file fragment from the peer in a background swarm for background file sharing;
receiving the at least one file fragment from the background swarm; and
uploading the at least one file fragment to one or more peers in the background swarm,wherein the at least one file fragment is part of a file that is not being downloaded in the foreground.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanism is provided for distributing file fragments in the background of a segmented peer-to-peer network using list passing between peers. Rather than trading actual content, peers may trade file names or file fragment identifiers. Upon receiving a new file name or identifier, a peer may request that file from the network, either in the background or the foreground. For example, once a client begins background file sharing in a swarm, the client may propagate file information for files it possesses to all or a portion of the peers in a swarm. Those clients then have the file information for a file without the user having to locate and specifically request that file. The file list may piggyback on a file fragment that is transferred as a result of a file sharing request.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method in a peer-to-peer file sharing client for background file sharing in a peer-to-peer file sharing network using list passing, the method comprising:
-
generating a request for a list file for background file sharing; sending the request to a peer in a foreground swarm within the peer-to-peer file sharing network; receiving a list file from the peer in the foreground swarm, wherein the list file satisfies the request; selecting a file fragment from the list file for background file sharing; requesting the selected file fragment from the peer in a background swarm for background file sharing; receiving the at least one file fragment from the background swarm; and uploading the at least one file fragment to one or more peers in the background swarm, wherein the at least one file fragment is part of a file that is not being downloaded in the foreground. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A computer program product comprising a computer recordable medium having a computer readable program recorded thereon, wherein the computer readable program, when executed on a computing device, causes the computing device to:
-
generate a request for a list file for background file sharing; send the request to a peer in a foreground swarm within the peer-to-peer file sharing network; receive a list file from the peer in the foreground swarm, wherein the list file satisfies the request; select a file fragment from the list file for background file sharing; request the selected file fragment from the peer in a background swarm for background file sharing; receive the at least one file fragment from the background swarm; and upload the at least one file fragment to one or more peers in the background swarm, wherein the at least one file fragment is part of a file that is not being downloaded in the foreground. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; generate a request for a list file for background file sharing; send the request to a peer in a foreground swarm within the peer-to-peer file sharing network; receive a list file from the peer in the foreground swarm, wherein the list file satisfies the request; select a file fragment from the list file for background file sharing; request the selected file fragment from the peer in a background swarm for background file sharing; receive the at least one file fragment from the background swarm; and upload the at least one file fragment to one or more peers in the background swarm, wherein the at least one file fragment is part of a file that is not being downloaded in the foreground. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification