Patent ID: 7779135
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: D01D,D01F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A hierarchical content distribution system comprising: a) a seeding server coupled to a communications network, said seeding server receiving content files for distribution; b) a plurality of content platforms that are geographically distributed, interconnected by said communications network, and provide for the persistent storage of content files, each said content platform including a content file server responsive on-demand to received requests for the transfer of content files, wherein said content file server is further responsive to transfer directives for issuing requests for the transfer of content files; and c) a distribution controller coupled to said communications network that autonomously monitors the transfers of content files, said distribution controller selectively issuing transfer directives to said plurality of content platforms to modify the distribution of content files among said plurality of content platforms, said transfer directives comprising a persistent storage directive for caching of one or more segments of a content file by at least one of a plurality of end-user peer computer systems of the plurality of content platforms to permit the at least one of the end-user peer computer systems to retrieve the cached segments of the content file and distribute it to others of the plurality of end-user peer computer systems.