Patent ID: 7797440
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A system for managing objects distributed in a network, the system comprising: a plurality of devices coupled to the network, each of the plurality of devices including a storage element for storing data segments pertaining to a plurality of media content which may be requested for playback by the device, wherein the plurality of media content is differentiated according to two or more popularity bands, each of the plurality of media content being assigned to one of the popularity bands based on at least one of: (i) a popularity of the media content, or (ii) a newness of the media content; a server coupled to the network to provide, for storage in a first device of the plurality of devices, one or more of a first plurality of data segments, pertaining to a first media content of the plurality of media content, to enable the first device to initiate playback of the first media content using: (i) the one or more stored data segments, and (ii) a remaining one or more of the first plurality of data segments as provided, at least in part, by other devices in the plurality of devices, wherein the number of data segments, of the first plurality of data segments, to be provided for storage is selectively determined based, at least in part, on the popularity band associated with the first media content; and wherein the server is configured to provide the one or more data segments to the first device prior to receiving a request for playback of the first media content from the first device; wherein the server is configured to provide, for storage in the first device, a greater percentage of data segments of the first plurality of data segments, than a percentage of data segments provided of the second plurality of data segments; and wherein the first media content is reassigned to the second band if the popularity of newness of the first media content drops below a threshold level.