Patent ID: 8230100
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of distributing a layered media stream via a managed server and a peer-to-peer network, the method comprising: hosting, by the managed server, a media content stream comprising a plurality of media information layers, wherein at least two combinable layers of said plurality of media information layers may be combined into a renderable bitstream, and wherein layers in combination comprise an improvement to the renderable bitstream; receiving by the managed server a request from a client for said media content stream, wherein said client is currently eligible to receive via a plurality of sources said at least two combinable layers, but wherein said client is currently eligible to receive from the managed server only a subset of said combinable layers, said client being ineligible to receive from the managed server at least an ineligible one of said combinable layers; making said subset of said combinable layers available to a client from the managed server; and making said ineligible one of said combinable layers available from the managed server to a distribution peer within the peer-to-peer network so as to make said ineligible one of said combinable layers available to said client and other peers within the peer-to-peer network from said distribution peer.