Automated peer-to-peer file distribution
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, implemented at least in part by a computer, the method comprising:
- establishing communication through a peer-to-peer network, between the computer and members of the peer-to-peer network, whereby the computer is a peer member of the peer-to-peer network, wherein each particular member of the peer-to-peer network, including the computer, has an associated social network list that identifies other members of the peer-to-peer network that are fully trusted by the particular member of the peer-to-peer network;
determining through communication between the computer and members of the peer-to-peer network, that a particular file is available through the peer-to-peer network from a plurality of members of the peer-to-peer network;
selecting a trusted member of the peer-to-peer network based, at least in part, on determining if a member of the peer-to-peer network that has the file is on the social network list associated with the computer;
if a member of the peer-to-peer network is on the social network list associated with the computer, receiving the particular file through the peer-to-peer network from the member of the peer-to-peer network that is on the social network list associated with the computer;
if a member of the peer-to-peer network is not on the social network list associated with the computer;
ascertaining a degree of separation from the computer for each member in the peer-to-peer network that has the file available for distribution;
for each member in the peer-to-peer network that has the file available for distribution, ascertaining a number of other members of the peer-to-peer network that fully trust the member that has the file available for distribution as evidenced by the member that has the file available for distribution being listed in the social network lists associated with the other members of the peer-to-peer network;
assigning a trust level for each member in the peer-to-peer network that has the file available for distribution, wherein the trust level is based upon the ascertained degree of separation from the computer and the number of other members of the peer-to-peer network that fully trust the member that has the file available for distribution; and
selecting a particular member of the peer-to-peer network that has a highest assigned trust level; and
receiving the particular file from the particular member that has the highest assigned trust level through the peer-to-peer network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Automated file distribution is described. A member of a peer-to-peer network receives from a file server, a file to be distributed. The file is then distributed via the peer-to-peer network to other members of the peer-to-peer network. Members of the peer-to-peer network can choose whether or not to receive a file from another member based on a trust level or reputation associated with the member. The trust level may be based, at least in part, on a number of degrees of separation between the members. Furthermore the file is verified, for example, by validating a digital signature associated with the file.
20 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method, implemented at least in part by a computer, the method comprising:
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establishing communication through a peer-to-peer network, between the computer and members of the peer-to-peer network, whereby the computer is a peer member of the peer-to-peer network, wherein each particular member of the peer-to-peer network, including the computer, has an associated social network list that identifies other members of the peer-to-peer network that are fully trusted by the particular member of the peer-to-peer network; determining through communication between the computer and members of the peer-to-peer network, that a particular file is available through the peer-to-peer network from a plurality of members of the peer-to-peer network; selecting a trusted member of the peer-to-peer network based, at least in part, on determining if a member of the peer-to-peer network that has the file is on the social network list associated with the computer; if a member of the peer-to-peer network is on the social network list associated with the computer, receiving the particular file through the peer-to-peer network from the member of the peer-to-peer network that is on the social network list associated with the computer; if a member of the peer-to-peer network is not on the social network list associated with the computer; ascertaining a degree of separation from the computer for each member in the peer-to-peer network that has the file available for distribution; for each member in the peer-to-peer network that has the file available for distribution, ascertaining a number of other members of the peer-to-peer network that fully trust the member that has the file available for distribution as evidenced by the member that has the file available for distribution being listed in the social network lists associated with the other members of the peer-to-peer network; assigning a trust level for each member in the peer-to-peer network that has the file available for distribution, wherein the trust level is based upon the ascertained degree of separation from the computer and the number of other members of the peer-to-peer network that fully trust the member that has the file available for distribution; and selecting a particular member of the peer-to-peer network that has a highest assigned trust level; and receiving the particular file from the particular member that has the highest assigned trust level through the peer-to-peer network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, implemented at least in part by a computer, the method comprising:
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receiving by a first member of a peer-to-peer network, a file to be distributed; automatically sending notifications from the first member of the peer-to-peer network directly to other members of the peer-to-peer network based on each member'"'"'s trust rating where determining each member'"'"'s trust rating comprises; ascertaining a degree of separation from the first member of the peer-to-peer network for each member of the peer-to-peer network; ascertaining a number of times each member of the peer-to-peer network is listed in a social network list associated with each member of the peer-to-peer network, the social network list associated with a particular member of the peer-to-peer network identifying other members of the peer-to-peer network that are fully trusted by the particular member of the peer-to-peer network; and assigning a trust level for each member of the peer-to-peer network, wherein the trust level is based upon the ascertained degree of separation and the number of times a particular member appears in a social network list associated with the members of the peer-to-peer network; and distributing the file through the peer-to-peer network directly from the first member of the peer-to-peer network to at least one of the other members of the peer-to-peer network. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification