Patent ID: 8307024
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for assisted peer-to-peer media streaming, said method comprising: receiving a list of potential peer candidates from a peer device; directly initiating a first connection to at least one peer of a peer-to-peer network for receiving media content from said peer-to-peer network, wherein said at least one peer is on said list of potential peer candidates; responsive to a disruption of delivery of said media content over said first connection from said peer, establishing a second connection to a data source outside of said peer-to-peer network and receiving said media content over said second connection with said data source, wherein said data source comprises said media content and wherein said second connection is initiated directly with said data source, and wherein said data source outside of said peer-to-peer network does not act as a peer, and wherein said data source outside of said peer-to-peer network is a reliable retransmission server that guarantees delivery of missing portions of said media content; reestablishing said first connection to at least one peer of said peer-to-peer network; and responsive to said reestablishing said first connection, disconnecting said second connection.