Patent ID: 8219700
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: D01D,D01F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of streaming a distributed content file accessible for use within a network of computer end user nodes, wherein the computer end user nodes are interconnected by a communications network, said method comprising: storing segments of the content file, the segments of the content file being redundantly stored across multiple end user nodes, the storing controlled such that only a fragmentary portion of the content file is stored in each of the multiple end user nodes and that storage of the entire content file in a single end user node is prevented, wherein each segment of the content file is stored on more than one end user node, each end user node storing a unique fragmentary portion of the content file relative to the other end user nodes; in response to a request for the content file, determining an optimal set of end user nodes from which a requesting node can download the segments of the content file; transferring the segments from the multiple end user nodes to the requesting node; assembling the segments at the requesting node to obtain the content file; and streaming the content file to a media player at the requesting node.