Media file distribution system and method
First Claim
1. A system for distributing a media file to a client over a computer network, the client having a download agent and being configured to request access to the media file over the computer network, the system comprising:
- a distribution server for receiving the request from the client and for authenticating the client, wherein the distribution server is configured to provide the download agent with a torrent file associated with the media file provided the client has been authenticated;
a server farm containing a plurality of servers each having at least one IP address and each having been pre-seeded with a complete copy of the media file, which is stored on each of the servers; and
an access control module between the server farm and the computer network and configured to restrict access to the plurality of servers to download agents associated with clients authenticated by the distribution server,wherein each of the plurality of servers includes a torrent application configured to receive a download request via its at least one IP address from the download agent and configured to transmit at least a fragment of the media file to the download agent in response to the download request.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A file distribution method and system for distributing media files to authorized recipients. The method and system exploit the advantages of peer-to-peer file distribution protocols, such as BitTorrent, while maintaining security and control over the file distribution. A server farm containing a plurality of servers is placed behind the security of a distribution system, preventing unauthorized client devices from accessing the media files stored on the server farm. Media files are fragmented and stored on each of the plurality of servers within the server farm. Each server on the server farm features at least one IP address and each server is pre-seeded with a complete copy of the fragmented media file. Fragments are distributed to requesting authorized clients in accordance with a peer-to-peer file distribution protocol.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for distributing a media file to a client over a computer network, the client having a download agent and being configured to request access to the media file over the computer network, the system comprising:
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a distribution server for receiving the request from the client and for authenticating the client, wherein the distribution server is configured to provide the download agent with a torrent file associated with the media file provided the client has been authenticated; a server farm containing a plurality of servers each having at least one IP address and each having been pre-seeded with a complete copy of the media file, which is stored on each of the servers; and an access control module between the server farm and the computer network and configured to restrict access to the plurality of servers to download agents associated with clients authenticated by the distribution server, wherein each of the plurality of servers includes a torrent application configured to receive a download request via its at least one IP address from the download agent and configured to transmit at least a fragment of the media file to the download agent in response to the download request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of distributing a media file to a client from a server farm via a computer network, the client having a download agent and being configured to request access to the media file over the computer network, the server farm containing a plurality of servers each having at least one IP address and each having a torrent application configured to receive a download request via its at least one IP address, an access control module being situated between the server farm and the computer network, the method comprising steps of:
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pre-seeding each of the plurality of servers with a complete copy of the media file; receiving the request for access from the client at a distribution server; authenticating the client as an authorized client entitled to have access to the media file; sending the download agent of the authorized client a torrent file associated with the media file if the client has been authenticated; receiving a download request from the download agent through its at least IP address at the access control module; providing that the client has been authenticated, passing the download request from the access control module to one of the content servers; and transmitting at least a fragment of the media file to the download agent in response to the download request. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer-readable medium containing computer-readable instructions for distributing a media file to a client from a server farm via a computer network, the client having a download agent and being configured to request access to the media file over the computer network, the server farm containing a plurality of servers each having at least one IP address and each having a torrent application configured to receive a download request via its at least one IP address, an access control module being situated between the server farm and the computer network, the computer readable instructions comprising:
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instructions for pre-seeding each of the plurality of servers with a complete copy of the media file; instructions for receiving the request for access from the client at a distribution server; instructions for authenticating the client as an authorized client entitled to have access to the media file; instructions for sending the download agent of the authorized client a torrent file associated with the media file if the client has been authenticated; instructions for receiving a download request from the download agent the access control module; instructions for passing the download request from the access control module to one of the content servers through its at least one IP address, providing the client has been authenticated; and instructions for transmitting at least a fragment of the media file to the download agent in response to the download request, wherein the computer-readable medium is non-transitory.
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Specification