Patent ID: 7664864
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: G06F,G09G,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for responding to a request for a file, comprising: receiving a request for a file from a client system to a file server; forwarding the request from the file server to a selection server, wherein the file server is distinct from the selection server; selecting by the selection server a first content distribution network, that does not include the file server or the selection server, from a plurality of content distribution networks based upon the selection server's analysis of predetermined selection criteria that includes attributes associated with the client system in combination with the selection server's analysis of attributes associated with the plurality of content distribution networks that can satisfy the client system's request from among the plurality of content distribution networks, wherein the attributes associated with the plurality of content distribution networks include at least prior performance of the plurality of content distribution networks, and the attributes associated with the client system includes at least customer preference weighting and one or more display characteristics of a display device of the client system; providing information regarding the first content distribution network to the client system to cause the client system to send the request for a version of the file appropriate for the one or more display characteristics to the first content distribution system network; verifying that the first content distribution network contains the version of the requested file; and when the first content distribution network does not contain the version of the requested file, providing the version of the requested file from the file server to the first content distribution network.