Patent ID: 8281034

Claim:
A method for a first device to negotiate servicing of subscriptions to real-time information feeds from a network including peer devices, wherein the real-time information feeds comprise real-time information that is delivered to subscribers on an ongoing basis as such real time information becomes available, the method for the first device comprising: identifying a first set of real-time information feeds, wherein the first set of real-time information feeds corresponds to one or more of the real-time information feeds to which the first device is subscribed; distributing the first set of real-time information feeds to the network for reception by one or more of the peer devices; identifying a second set of real-time information feeds for subscription by the first device, wherein the second set of real-time information feeds corresponds to one or more real-time information feeds to which the first device is not subscribed; receiving one or more requests from the network for information feeds from the first set, wherein each request is associated with a peer device; and in response to a received request: providing a requested information feed from the first set to the network for reception by a requesting peer device in exchange for a real-time information feed in the second set for a period of time; receiving the real-time information feed in the second set from the requesting peer device during the period of time; determining a value of continued information feed exchange with the requesting peer device as a function of a volume of data transfer corresponding to the real time information feed in the second set per unit of time during the period of time, wherein the function assigns higher values to feeds having larger data volumes per unit of time, and wherein the volume of data transfer per unit of time provides a measure of data transfer demand on the requesting peer device pursuant to servicing a subscription to the real-time information feed in the second set; assigning a priority level to the requesting peer device, wherein the assigned priority level: is higher for requesting peer devices having access to one or more real-time information feeds from the second set than for requesting peer devices failing to have access to one or more real-time information feeds in the second set; is assigned at least in part according to the determined value of continued information feed exchange with the requesting peer device; and providing requested information feeds from the first set to the network for reception by one or more requesting peer devices based at least in part on assigned priority levels of the one or more requesting peer devices.