US6751673B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Streaming media subscription mechanism for a content delivery network
Assignee: Akamai Technologies Inc
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Filing: 2001-01-03
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Granted: 2004-06-15
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Expires: 2021-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A reflector network is used within a content delivery network to enable requesting end users to subscribe to live streams that have been published to CDN entry points. A reflector is a generalized packet router program. The reflector network preferably comprises a hierarchy of reflectors that are located at the various entry points into the CDN, at each edge node at which requesting users may be directed by the CDN to obtain live streams, and at various “reflector” nodes located within at least one intermediate layer (in the hierarchy) between the entry points and the edge nodes. The edge nodes and each reflector node also include a manager program that arranges for feeds. When an end user is directed to an edge node that is not yet receiving the desired stream, the edge node's manager issues a subscription request to a set of reflector nodes. If the reflector node(s) are already receiving the desired stream, their reflector(s) begin sending it to the requesting edge node. If, however, the reflector node(s) are not already receiving the desired stream, their manager programs issue the subscription request to the entry point(s) to start the feed.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Shaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/2866; H04L67/30; H04L67/306; H04L61/00; H04L61/45; H04L61/4505; H04L61/4511; H04L65/00; H04L65/1066; H04L65/1101; H04L65/60; H04L65/61; H04L65/611; H04L65/612; H04L65/65; H04L65/70; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A subscription mechanism for use in a content delivery network (CDN) having a set of content provider entry points, an intermediate layer of set reflectors, and a set of edge nodes to which requesting end users are selectively directed to obtain live data streams that are published to the CDN, wherein an edge node includes a server for delivering the live data streams to requesting end users, the mechanism comprising: code operative at the edge node (a) for determining whether the edge node server is already receiving a live data stream being requested by an end user at the time of such a request from the end user; and (b) for issuing to at least one set reflector a subscription to the live data stream if the edge node server is not already receiving the live data stream, the subscription originating from the edge node; and code operative at the set reflector for (a) determining whether the set reflector is already receiving the live data stream being requested by the edge node; and (b) for issuing to a given entry point the subscription to the live data stream if the set reflector is not already receiving the live data stream, the subscription originating from the set reflector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A subscription mechanism for use in a content delivery network (CDN) having a set of content provider entry points, an intermediate layer of set reflectors, and a set of edge nodes to which requesting end users are selectively directed to obtain live data streams that are published to the CDN, wherein an edge node includes a server for delivering the live data streams to requesting end users, the mechanism comprising: code operative at the edge node (a) for determining whether the edge node server is already receiving a live data stream being requested by an end user at the time of such a request from the end user; and (b) for issuing to at least one set reflector a subscription to the live data stream if the edge node server is not already receiving the live data stream, the subscription originating from the edge node; and code operative at the set reflector for (a) determining whether the set reflector is already receiving the live data stream being requested by the edge node; and (b) for issuing to a given entry point the subscription to the live data stream if the set reflector is not already receiving the live data stream, the subscription originating from the set reflector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The subscription mechanism as described in claim 1 wherein the edge node also includes code for routing the live data stream received from at least one set reflector to the edge node server.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The subscription mechanism as described in claim 1 wherein the set reflector also includes code for routing the live data stream received from the given entry point to the edge node.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The subscription mechanism as described in claim 1 further including code operative at the given entry point for routing the live data stream to the set reflector in response to receipt of the subscription.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The subscription mechanism as described in claim 1 wherein the code operative at the edge node includes code for determining a preferred set of set reflectors to which the subscription is to be issued.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
270 words
A subscription mechanism for use in a content delivery network (CDN) having a set of content provider entry points, an intermediate layer of set reflectors, and a set of edge nodes to which requesting end users are selectively directed to obtain live data streams that are published to the CDN, wherein an edge node includes a server for delivering the live data streams to requesting end users, the mechanism comprising: code operative at the edge node (a) for determining whether the edge node server is already receiving a live data stream being requested by an end user at the time of such a request from the end user, (b) for issuing to at least one set reflector a subscription to the live data stream if the edge node server is not already receiving the live data stream, the subscription originating from the edge node, and (c) for routing the live data stream to the edge node server upon receipt of the live data stream from the set reflector; code operative at the set reflector for (a) determining whether the set reflector is already receiving the live data stream being requested by the edge node, (b) for issuing to a given entry point the subscription to the live data stream if the set reflector is not already receiving the live data stream, and (c) for routing the live data stream to the edge node upon receipt of the live data stream from the given entry point; and code operative at the given entry point for routing the live data stream to the set reflector in response to receipt of the subscription.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
270 words
A subscription mechanism for use in a content delivery network (CDN) having a set of content provider entry points, an intermediate layer of set reflectors, and a set of edge nodes to which requesting end users are selectively directed to obtain live data streams that are published to the CDN, wherein an edge node includes a server for delivering the live data streams to requesting end users, the mechanism comprising: code operative at the edge node (a) for determining whether the edge node server is already receiving a live data stream being requested by an end user at the time of such a request from the end user, (b) for issuing to at least one set reflector a subscription to the live data stream if the edge node server is not already receiving the live data stream, the subscription originating from the edge node, and (c) for routing the live data stream to the edge node server upon receipt of the live data stream from the set reflector; code operative at the set reflector for (a) determining whether the set reflector is already receiving the live data stream being requested by the edge node, (b) for issuing to a given entry point the subscription to the live data stream if the set reflector is not already receiving the live data stream, and (c) for routing the live data stream to the edge node upon receipt of the live data stream from the given entry point; and code operative at the given entry point for routing the live data stream to the set reflector in response to receipt of the subscription.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The subscription mechanism as described in claim 6 wherein the routing code in the edge node, the set reflector and the given entry point is a UDP packet router.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The subscription mechanism as described in claim 6 wherein the server is a streaming media server that delivers streaming media in a given format, wherein the given format is selected from the set of formats consisting of Windows Media, RealSystem and QuickTime.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The subscription mechanism as described in claim 6 wherein the code operative at the edge node includes code for determining a preferred set of set reflectors to which the subscription is to be issued.
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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) | 2007-06-15 | 2007-12-15 | 2008-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-15 | 2011-12-15 | 2012-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-15 | 2015-12-15 | 2016-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |