Patent ID: 8601083

Claim:
A super data node in a data communications network over which a plurality of devices may communicate with each other and with the super data node so as to share content between at least two of the plurality of devices, the super data node comprising: at least one processor; memory configured to retain at least content portions according to temporary-retention rules; and at least one communication port for connecting to the data communications network, wherein the super data node is configured to: receive a first message that identifies first content to be shared between the at least two devices of the plurality of devices; identify a first device of the at least two devices as having the first content available for retrieval; and, responsive to receiving the first message: process the first message to identify the first content and the first device; contact the first device; obtain at least a portion of the first content from the first device; and store the at least a portion of the first content temporarily in the memory according to the temporary-retention rules; wherein the super data node is further configured to: delete at least the portion of the first content according to the temporary-retention rules; receive a request for at least the portion of the first content after deletion of the portion; and, responsive to the received request, automatically: request from a content share server an identity of the first device as a provider of the first content from a database maintained by the content share server, wherein the content share server manages content sharing communications between the at least two devices; and request at least the portion of the first content from the first device based upon the identification of the first device as a provider of the first content.