US6415280B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Identifying and requesting data in network using identifiers which are based on contents of data
Assignee: MOUNT SHASTA ACQUISITION LLC
•
Filing: 1999-04-01
•
Granted: 2002-07-02
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Expires: 2019-04-01
Abstract
Abstract In a system in which a set of data items are distributed across a network of servers, at least some of the data items being cached versions of data items from a source server, a content delivery method includes determining a data identifier for a particular data item, the data identifier being determined using a given function of the data comprising the particular data item; and responsive to a request for the particular data item, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data item, providing the particular data item from a given one of the servers of the network of servers. The request for the particular data item may be resolved based on a measure of availability of at least one of the servers, where the measure of availability may be a measurement of bandwidth to the server; a measurement of a cost of a connection to the server, and/or a measurement of a reliability of a connection to the server. The function used to determine the identifier may be a message digest function or a hash function.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Farber
- 👤 Ronald D. Lachman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/10; G06F16/16; G06F16/164; G06F16/13; G06F16/17; G06F16/174; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/912; Y10S707/913; Y10S707/914; Y10S707/915; Y10S707/916; Y10S707/922; Y10S707/953; Y10S707/959; Y10S707/961; Y10S707/964; Y10S707/966; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99932; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99942
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 75
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
In a system in which a set of data files are distributed across a network of servers, at least some of the data files being cached versions of data files from a source server, wherein the source server is distinct from the servers in the network, a content delivery method comprising: determining a data identifier for a particular data file on the source server, the data identifier being determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function to determine the data identifier comprises the contents of the particular data file; and responsive to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, said providing being based on the data identifier of the requested data item.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a system in which a set of data files are distributed across a network of servers, at least some of the data files being cached versions of data files from a source server, wherein the source server is distinct from the servers in the network, a content delivery method comprising: determining a data identifier for a particular data file on the source server, the data identifier being determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function to determine the data identifier comprises the contents of the particular data file; and responsive to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, said providing being based on the data identifier of the requested data item.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the given function is a message digest function or a hash function.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein the given function is selected from the functions: MD 4 , MD 5 , and SHA.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the given function randomly distributes its outputs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein, for a particular data file, the given function produces a substantially unique value based on the data comprising the data file.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein a data file may comprise a file, a portion of a file, a page in memory, a digital message, a digital image, a video signal or an audio signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein certain processors in the network communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said data identifier for said particular data file, as determined using said given function, will change when the particular data file is modified.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a system in which a set of data files are distributed across a network of servers, some of the data files being cached from a source server distinct from the servers in the network, a content delivery method comprising: determining a data identifier for a particular data file on the source server, the data identifier being determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function to determine the data identifier comprises the contents of the particular data file; and responsive to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, causing a copy of the particular data file to be provided from a given one of the servers of the network of servers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a system in which a set of data files are distributed across a network of servers, some of the data files being cached from a source server distinct from the servers in the network, a content delivery method comprising: determining a data identifier for a particular data file on the source server, the data identifier being determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function to determine the data identifier comprises the contents of the particular data file; and responsive to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, causing a copy of the particular data file to be provided from a given one of the servers of the network of servers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers; determining a data identifier for a particular data file, the data identifier being determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function to determine the data identifier comprises the contents of the particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, said providing being based on the data identifier of the particular data file.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers; determining a data identifier for a particular data file, the data identifier being determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function to determine the data identifier comprises the contents of the particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, said providing being based on the data identifier of the particular data file.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 10 further comprising: determining whether the data identifier corresponds to a data identifier of any data file present on the given server.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 11 further comprising: based on said determining, if the data identifier does not correspond to a data file present on the given server, locating the particular data file from another server.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 12 further comprising: obtaining, on the given server, a local copy of the particular data file, from the other server.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein at least some of the data files distributed across the network of servers are cached versions of data files from another server, distinct from the network of servers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 10 further comprising: resolving the request for the particular data file based on a measure of availability of at least one of the servers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein the measure of availability is based on one or more of: (a) a measurement of bandwidth to the server; (b) a measurement of a cost of a connection to the server, and (c) a measurement of a reliability of a connection to the server.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
105 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein the data file is a compound data file made up of various component data files, the method further comprising: for each component data file of at least some of the component data files: (a) determining a data identifier for the component data file, the data identifier for the component file determined using the given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function to determine the data identifier comprises the contents of the component data file; and (b) providing the component data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
117 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers; for a particular data file having a particular name specifying a location in the network at which the data file may be located, determining another name for the particular data file, the other name including a data identifier determined using a given function of the data, where said data used by the given function comprises the contents of the particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including the other name of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
117 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers; for a particular data file having a particular name specifying a location in the network at which the data file may be located, determining another name for the particular data file, the other name including a data identifier determined using a given function of the data, where said data used by the given function comprises the contents of the particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including the other name of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 18 wherein at least some of the data files are cached versions of data files from another server which is distinct from the network of servers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 18 further comprising: resolving the request for the particular data file based on a measure of availability of at least one of the servers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as in claim 20 wherein the measure of availability is based on one or more of: (a) a measurement of bandwidth to the server; (b) a measurement of a cost of a connection to the server, and (c) a measurement of a reliability of a connection to the server.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method as in claim 18 wherein the particular data file is a compound data file comprising various component data files, the method further comprising: for at least one component data file: (a) determining a data identifier for the component data file, the data identifier determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function comprises the contents of the component data file; and (b) providing the component data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
115 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers, at least some of the data files being cached versions of data files from another server, distinct from the network of servers; determining a data identifier for a particular data file, the data identifier determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function comprises the contents of the particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
115 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers, at least some of the data files being cached versions of data files from another server, distinct from the network of servers; determining a data identifier for a particular data file, the data identifier determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function comprises the contents of the particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
121 words
A content delivery method, comprising: causing a set of data files to be distributed across a network of servers, at least some of the data files being cached versions of data files from another server distinct from the network of servers; determining a data identifier for a particular data file, the data identifier determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function comprises the contents of the particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, causing the particular data file to be provided from a given one of the servers of the network of servers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
121 words
A content delivery method, comprising: causing a set of data files to be distributed across a network of servers, at least some of the data files being cached versions of data files from another server distinct from the network of servers; determining a data identifier for a particular data file, the data identifier determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function comprises the contents of the particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, causing the particular data file to be provided from a given one of the servers of the network of servers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
109 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers, the network of servers being organized into a set of regions; determining a data identifier for a particular data file, the data identifier determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function comprises the contents of the data file; in response to a client request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, providing the client with the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers within the region.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
109 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers, the network of servers being organized into a set of regions; determining a data identifier for a particular data file, the data identifier determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function comprises the contents of the data file; in response to a client request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, providing the client with the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers within the region.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a system in which a set of data files are distributed across a network of servers, at least some of the data files being cached versions of data files from a source server distinct from the network of servers, a content delivery method comprising: responsive to a request for a particular data file, the request including at least a data identifier of the particular data file, wherein the data identifier is determined by applying a message digest function MD 5 to the data, wherein said data used by the MD 5 function to determine the data identifier is the contents of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, wherein a data file may be a file, a portion of a file, a page in memory, a digital message, a digital image, a video signal or an audio signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a system in which a set of data files are distributed across a network of servers, at least some of the data files being cached versions of data files from a source server distinct from the network of servers, a content delivery method comprising: responsive to a request for a particular data file, the request including at least a data identifier of the particular data file, wherein the data identifier is determined by applying a message digest function MD 5 to the data, wherein said data used by the MD 5 function to determine the data identifier is the contents of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, wherein a data file may be a file, a portion of a file, a page in memory, a digital message, a digital image, a video signal or an audio signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
137 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers, at least some of the data files being cached versions of data files from another server distinct from the network of servers; determining a data identifier for a particular data file, the data identifier determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function comprises the contents of the particular data file, and wherein the given function randomly distributes its outputs; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, said providing being based on the data identifier of the particular data item.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
137 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers, at least some of the data files being cached versions of data files from another server distinct from the network of servers; determining a data identifier for a particular data file, the data identifier determined using a given function of the data, wherein said data used by the given function comprises the contents of the particular data file, and wherein the given function randomly distributes its outputs; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, said providing being based on the data identifier of the particular data item.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as in claim 27 further comprising: maintaining accounting information relating to the data files; and using the accounting information as a basis for a value-based accounting system in which charges are based on an identity of the data files.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 28 wherein the maintaining of accounting information includes at least some of: (a) tracking which data files have been stored on a system; and (b) tracking which data files have been transmitted from a server.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 28 further comprising: ensuring that a data file is not used by an unauthorized party.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
85 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers; determining an MD 5 hash of the contents of a particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the MD 5 hash of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, said providing being based on the MD 5 hash of the particular data file.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
85 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers; determining an MD 5 hash of the contents of a particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the MD 5 hash of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, said providing being based on the MD 5 hash of the particular data file.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 31 further comprising: resolving the request for the particular data file based on a measure of availability of at least one of the servers.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as in claim 32 wherein the measure of availability for a server is based on one or more of: (a) a measurement of bandwidth to the server; (b) a measurement of a cost of a connection to the server, and (c) a measurement of reliability of a connection to the server.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
128 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers; for a particular data file having a particular data identifier specifying a location in the network at which the particular data file may be located, determining another data identifier for the particular data file, the other data identifier including a data identifier determined using a message digest function of the contents of the particular data file; in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including the other data identifier of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, said providing being based on the other data identifier which was determined using the message digest function.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
128 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers; for a particular data file having a particular data identifier specifying a location in the network at which the particular data file may be located, determining another data identifier for the particular data file, the other data identifier including a data identifier determined using a message digest function of the contents of the particular data file; in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including the other data identifier of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, said providing being based on the other data identifier which was determined using the message digest function.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
106 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers, at least some of the data files being cached versions of data files from another server, said other server being distinct from the network of servers; determining a data identifier for a particular data file, the data identifier including a hash of the contents of the particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
106 words
A content delivery method, comprising: distributing a set of data files across a network of servers, at least some of the data files being cached versions of data files from another server, said other server being distinct from the network of servers; determining a data identifier for a particular data file, the data identifier including a hash of the contents of the particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including at least the data identifier of the particular data file, providing the particular data file from a given one of the servers of the network of servers.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of delivering a data file in a network comprising a plurality of processors, some of the processors being servers and some of the processors being clients, the method comprising: storing the data file is on a first server in the network and storing copies of the data file on a set of servers in the network distinct from the first server; and responsive to a client request for the data file, the request including a hash of the contents of the data file, causing the data file to be provided to the client.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of delivering a data file in a network comprising a plurality of processors, some of the processors being servers and some of the processors being clients, the method comprising: storing the data file is on a first server in the network and storing copies of the data file on a set of servers in the network distinct from the first server; and responsive to a client request for the data file, the request including a hash of the contents of the data file, causing the data file to be provided to the client.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as in claim 36 wherein the data file has a contextual name comprising a pathname including a processor name and a file name, the method further comprising: associating the contextual name of the data file with the hash of the contents of the data file.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of delivering a data file in a network comprising a plurality of processors, some of the processors being servers and some of the processors being clients, the method comprising: storing the data file is on a first server and storing copies of the data file on a set of servers distinct from the first server; and responsive to a client request for the data file, the request including a value determined as a given function of the contents of the data file, providing the data file to the client.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of delivering a data file in a network comprising a plurality of processors, some of the processors being servers and some of the processors being clients, the method comprising: storing the data file is on a first server and storing copies of the data file on a set of servers distinct from the first server; and responsive to a client request for the data file, the request including a value determined as a given function of the contents of the data file, providing the data file to the client.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as in claim 38 wherein the data file has a contextual name comprising a pathname including a processor name and a file name, the method further comprising: associating the contextual name of the data file with the value determined as the given function of the data in the data file.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of delivering a data file in a network comprising a plurality of processors, some of the processors being servers and some of the processors being clients, wherein some processors in the network communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol, wherein a key is required to identify a data file on the network and wherein ordinarily the key is a name or address for the data file, the method comprising: storing some data files on a first server in the network and storing copies of some of the data files on a set of cache servers distinct from the first server; determining a different cache key from the ordinarily used cache key, the different cache key being a function of the contents of the data it represents; and responsive to a client request for the data file, the request including the different cache key for the data file, providing the data file to the client.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of delivering a data file in a network comprising a plurality of processors, some of the processors being servers and some of the processors being clients, wherein some processors in the network communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol, wherein a key is required to identify a data file on the network and wherein ordinarily the key is a name or address for the data file, the method comprising: storing some data files on a first server in the network and storing copies of some of the data files on a set of cache servers distinct from the first server; determining a different cache key from the ordinarily used cache key, the different cache key being a function of the contents of the data it represents; and responsive to a client request for the data file, the request including the different cache key for the data file, providing the data file to the client.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 40 wherein the function is a message digest function or a hash function.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 41 wherein the function is selected from the functions: MD 4 , MD 5 , and SHA.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 40 wherein the function randomly distributes its outputs.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
123 words
A framework operative in a computer network in which users of client processors connect to a content server, the framework comprising: a set of content servers, distinct from the content provider server, for hosting at least some of the data files that are normally hosted by the content provider server; a mechanism constructed and adapted to determine an identifier for a data file as a given function of the contents of a data file in the network; wherein, in response to requests for a data file, generated by one of the client machines the request including an identifier based on the given function of the contents of the particular data file, the particular data file is served from one of the content servers.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
123 words
A framework operative in a computer network in which users of client processors connect to a content server, the framework comprising: a set of content servers, distinct from the content provider server, for hosting at least some of the data files that are normally hosted by the content provider server; a mechanism constructed and adapted to determine an identifier for a data file as a given function of the contents of a data file in the network; wherein, in response to requests for a data file, generated by one of the client machines the request including an identifier based on the given function of the contents of the particular data file, the particular data file is served from one of the content servers.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
A framework as in claim 44 wherein the given function is a message digest function or a hash function.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
23 words
A framework as in claim 45 wherein the given function is selected from the functions: MD 4 , MD 5 , and SHA.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
A framework as in claim 44 wherein the given function randomly distributes its outputs.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
A framework as in claim 44 wherein processors in the network communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
39 words
A framework as in claim 44 wherein the data file has a contextual name, the framework further comprising: a mechanism constructed and adapted to associate the contextual name of the data file with the identifier for the data file.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
25 words
A framework as in claim 49 wherein the contextual name of the data file comprises a pathname including a processor name and a file name.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
36 words
A framework as in claim 44 wherein a data file may be a file, a portion of a file, a page in memory, a digital message, a digital image, a video signal or an audio signal.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a network comprising a plurality of processors, some of the processors functioning as servers and some of the processors functioning as clients, wherein some processors in the network communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol, wherein a key is required to identify a data file on the network and wherein ordinarily the key is a name or address for the data file, a method of delivering a data file: storing some data files on a first server in the network and storing copies of some of the data files from the first server on a set of cache servers distinct from the first server; for a particular data file, determining a different cache key from the ordinarily used cache key for the data file, the different cache key being determined using a message digest function MD 5 of the data, wherein said data used by the MD 5 function comprises the contents of the particular data file; and responsive to a client request for the particular data file, the request including the different cache key for the data file, causing the particular data file to be provided to the client, wherein the data file may be a file, a portion of a file, a page in memory, a digital message, a digital image, a video signal or an audio signal.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a network comprising a plurality of processors, some of the processors functioning as servers and some of the processors functioning as clients, wherein some processors in the network communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol, wherein a key is required to identify a data file on the network and wherein ordinarily the key is a name or address for the data file, a method of delivering a data file: storing some data files on a first server in the network and storing copies of some of the data files from the first server on a set of cache servers distinct from the first server; for a particular data file, determining a different cache key from the ordinarily used cache key for the data file, the different cache key being determined using a message digest function MD 5 of the data, wherein said data used by the MD 5 function comprises the contents of the particular data file; and responsive to a client request for the particular data file, the request including the different cache key for the data file, causing the particular data file to be provided to the client, wherein the data file may be a file, a portion of a file, a page in memory, a digital message, a digital image, a video signal or an audio signal.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
139 words
A framework operative in a computer network in which users of client processors connect to a content server, wherein processors in the network communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol, the framework comprising: a mechanism constructed and adapted to determine a given function of a data file in the network, the given function being a message digest function or a hash function; a set of content servers, distinct from the content provider server, for hosting at least some of the data files that are normally hosted by the content provider server; wherein, in response to requests for a data file, generated by one of the client machines the request including an identifier based on the given function of the contents of the particular data file, the particular data file is served from one of the content servers.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
139 words
A framework operative in a computer network in which users of client processors connect to a content server, wherein processors in the network communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol, the framework comprising: a mechanism constructed and adapted to determine a given function of a data file in the network, the given function being a message digest function or a hash function; a set of content servers, distinct from the content provider server, for hosting at least some of the data files that are normally hosted by the content provider server; wherein, in response to requests for a data file, generated by one of the client machines the request including an identifier based on the given function of the contents of the particular data file, the particular data file is served from one of the content servers.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
165 words
A content delivery method in a network in which at least some processors in the network communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol, the method comprising: for a particular data file having a particular name specifying a location in the network at which the data file may be located, determining another name for the particular data file, the other name including a data identifier determined using message digest function MD 5 of the data, wherein said data used by the MD 5 function comprises the contents of the particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including the other name of the particular data file, causing the particular data file to be provided from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, wherein the data file may be a file, a portion of a file, a page in memory, a digital message, a digital image, a video signal or an audio signal.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
165 words
A content delivery method in a network in which at least some processors in the network communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol, the method comprising: for a particular data file having a particular name specifying a location in the network at which the data file may be located, determining another name for the particular data file, the other name including a data identifier determined using message digest function MD 5 of the data, wherein said data used by the MD 5 function comprises the contents of the particular data file; and in response to a request for the particular data file, the request including the other name of the particular data file, causing the particular data file to be provided from a given one of the servers of the network of servers, wherein the data file may be a file, a portion of a file, a page in memory, a digital message, a digital image, a video signal or an audio signal.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
201 words
A method, in a network comprising a plurality of processors, some of the processors functioning as servers and some of the processors functioning as clients, wherein some processors in the network communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol, wherein a key is required to identify a file on the network and wherein ordinarily the key is a name or address for the file, the method comprising: storing some files on a first server in the network and storing copies of some of the files from the first server on a set of cache servers distinct from the first server; for a particular file, determining a different cache key from the ordinarily used cache key for the file, the different cache key being determined using a message function MD 5 of the data, wherein said data used by the MD 5 function comprises the contents of the particular file; and responsive to a client request for the particular file, the request including the different cache key for the file, causing the particular file to be provided to the client, wherein the data in the file may represent a digital message, a digital image, a video signal or an audio signal.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
201 words
A method, in a network comprising a plurality of processors, some of the processors functioning as servers and some of the processors functioning as clients, wherein some processors in the network communicate with each other using a TCP/IP communication protocol, wherein a key is required to identify a file on the network and wherein ordinarily the key is a name or address for the file, the method comprising: storing some files on a first server in the network and storing copies of some of the files from the first server on a set of cache servers distinct from the first server; for a particular file, determining a different cache key from the ordinarily used cache key for the file, the different cache key being determined using a message function MD 5 of the data, wherein said data used by the MD 5 function comprises the contents of the particular file; and responsive to a client request for the particular file, the request including the different cache key for the file, causing the particular file to be provided to the client, wherein the data in the file may represent a digital message, a digital image, a video signal or an audio signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-01 | 2005-12-31 | 2006-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-01 | 2009-12-31 | 2010-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-01 | 2013-12-31 | 2014-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |