Patent ID: 6999988

Claim:
In a network that includes at least one origin server and a plurality of network distributed proxy servers (NDPS) in communication with said at least one origin server, each NDPS including an associated cache, a method for constructing a revised cache layout of a media clip at each NDPS in accordance with a lazy caching approach and token exchange, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving rank change information for said media clip from the origin server at said each NDPS; (b) determining a revised cache layout responsive to the rank change information at said each NDPS; (c) receiving a client request for at least one segment of said media clip at one of said each NDPS; (d) returning said at least one requested segment from a cache associated with the one of said each NDPS in the case where a requested segment is stored therein; and (e) otherwise, initiating a token exchange with another NDPS that stores the requested segment, wherein the step of initiating a token exchange with another NDPS that caches the requested segment comprises sending a token from said one of said each NDPS to said another NDPS, wherein said token is adapted for: retaining said at least one segment of said media clip in said revised cache layout if said another NDPS possesses a local token for said at least one segment of said media clip; and replacing said at least one segment of said media clip with at least one other segment of at least one other media clip if said another NDPS does not possess said local token for said at least one segment of said media clip.