214 results about "File sharing system" patented technology

Applications, systems and methods for permitting simultaneous use of a file by two or more computers over a network may include storing the file locally in a local storage device associated with a local computer; providing access to the file by at least one remote computer which is connectable to the local computer via the network, and wherein at least one of the computers is connectable to the network through a firewall element. The file may be stored in at least one remote storage device associated with the at least one remote computer, respectively, and versions of the file contained on the one or more remote storage devices are synchronized with that on the local device by transmitting over the network connecting the one or more remote storage devices with the local device, at least one of Delta files and Inverse Delta files between the remote storage devices and the local storage device. A method of remotely observing computer activity on a second computer remote with respect to a first computer is also provided. Further, file sharing systems and methods are provided for sharing files among computers.

A method of distributing content over a network comprising: providing a content file comprising media content from a content source; providing an advertisement file comprising advertisement content from an advertisement provider, combining said content file and said advertisement file into a combined file in playable format, configured such that a location within said combined file of said advertisement content is substantially indistinguishable without playing said combined file; receiving requests from users for said content; debiting said advertisement provider with an advertisement fee; crediting said content source with said advertisement fee; and downloading said combined file to requesting users for playing thereof. The method allows a copyright holder to be paid for the download whilst the download remains free to the end user. The method may for example be applied to file sharing systems or to websites wishing to offer a ‘freebie’ to induce more site visiting.

A digital media file sharing system includes a fair share server, a user computer, and a second user computer. The fair share server includes a user library information database and a media library, the media library storing digital media files. A user computer includes a user computer media library and the user computer media library stores user digital media files. A second user computer includes a second user computer media library and requests the downloading of a selected digital media file from the user library information database. The second user computer downloads the selected digital media file from the user computer media library. The user computer is allocated a credit in the payment database of the fair share server for providing the selected digital media file to the second user computer.

There is provided a method for exchanging data between a first device and a second device via a network. The method includes (a) communicating a request for the data from the second device to the first device, (b) communicating an identifier for the data from the first device to the second device, (c) communicating the identifier from the second device back to the first device, and (d) communicating the data from the first device to the second device, after the communication of the identifier from the second device back to the first device. The request, the identifier, and the data are formatted in accordance with a protocol that is common to both of the first device and the second device. There is also provided a system for a first device to exchange data with a second device via a network.

A peer-to-peer filing sharing system and method are provided which allow peers in a P2P network system to download segments of a large file in indeterminate order, storing them in a database and making those segments available to other peers in the P2P network system. Given the possibility that only a few peers in the P2P network system may have a complete copy of the file at any given time, the potentially many peers each having a different subset of segments from the total file, can immediately make the segments available to other peers. Given a sufficient number of peers, and a reasonable amount of time, it is highly likely that a complete copy of the file will exist and be distributed throughout the P2P network system, even if the original provider disconnects from the P2P network system or by some other reason becomes unavailable.

A distributed data object sharing system in which a plurality of data objects are replicated across computing nodes. The system may be operable to identify replica conflicts for the data objects and modify tree structures to reflect the conflicts. In one embodiment, a tree structure may represent a plurality of replica versions. Replica versions in conflict with each other may be represented as child versions at branch points in the tree.

According to the present application, systems, devices and methods for sharing media files may promote sharing of media without permitting the media to be downloaded. Such systems, devices and methods for sharing media may further enable lists of files to be shared and responses to be delivered to the media owner during playback by a user. A local device may be utilized to enable the storing and sharing of media that is hosted off the cloud. Streaming from the file sharing system or the local device is facilitated through the system.

An Internet-scale file sharing system includes a client-side file sharing application that allows file-sharing users to identify files to share and transmit metadata corresponding to those files to a metadata repository. A server-side application operating on the metadata repository tracks metadata received from associated file-sharing users, as well as metadata from other affiliated metadata repositories. Each metadata repository acts as a search engine for any querying users and can provide search results based on locally stored metadata alone. Each metadata repository may additionally choose to locally-store popular files from an associated file-sharing user so as to alleviate transmission burdens on that file-sharing user. Associated metadata repositories each periodically synchronize their stored metadata so that all metadata repositories may generate similar search results. In such manner, file-sharing queries need only be performed by the metadata repository receiving the query, and not by all associated metadata repositories.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a file sharing system, method and apparatus which operate on a network and provide peer to peer file sharing. The file delivery system receives data files from third parties, encrypts the data and stores the file in a database. Once the file has been stored, the file delivery system creates "clone' identifiers, or variant target query terms for the file, wherein the clone identifiers are shortcuts or aliases for the file identification that create a set of variations upon which a file can be identified. The "clone' identifiers are stored in a database and are associated with the specific file. Upon request from a user for the file, the file is transmitted to the user. In addition, tracking software is transmitted with the file such that the subsequent downloading of other files from a third party to the user can be monitored and targeted advertisements can be displayed.

Group keys and image group names of image groups to which the owner of a digital camera belongs are transmitted from a server to the digital camera. The image group names are displayed in list form and an image group name is selected from the list. The group key of the selected image group is transmitted from the digital camera to the server. The server sends the digital camera access information for accessing the user computer of another user who belongs to the image group identified by the received group key. The digital camera accesses the user computer based upon the access information and receives the image file desired.

A plurality of data objects may be replicated across a plurality of computing nodes coupled to a network. The network may include a first node operable to initiate an update operation to update a plurality of replicas of a first object. If one or more of the replicas are not reachable then the update operation may update a subset (e.g., a quorum) but not all of the replicas. For each node on which one of the replicas was updated in the update operation, the node may add the object to a list of incoherent objects. The list of incoherent objects may subsequently be used to bring the lagging replicas in sync with the replicas that were updated. In another embodiment, a plurality of replicas of an object may be stored on a plurality of nodes, similarly as described above. A first node that stores a replica of the object may store a first timestamp associated with the replica on the first node. The timestamp may be used to ensure that the replica on the first node is coherent with respect to one or more other replicas by periodically communicating with the one or more other replicas when a threshold amount of time has passed without the replica on the first node receiving an update.

A file sharing system for managing both P2P type and C / S type shard files, wherein a management server accepts from each client a file registration request and a file access request for not only a P2P type shared file, but also a C / S type shared file, and each client executes a subsequent procedure for storing or accessing a shared file according to an acknowledgement response from the management server.

In a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a first slave server includes copy management information associating a master file system identifier with an identifier of a slave server including a copy of the master file system identified by the master file system identifier. The first slave server acquires a copy of a part of a master file system. The copy includes a stub-state object (file or directory). The first slave server searches the copy management information for a slave server to be queried regarding information for materializing the stub-state object. If the slave server to be queried includes the information for materialization, the first slave server materializes the stub-state object using the information for materialization acquired from the queried slave server.

User Relayed Broadcasting (URB) software creates a media file segmentation and distribution system for affordable broadband live media broadcasting over the Internet to vast audiences. It solves the bandwidth problem for live broadcast servers, eliminating the need to choose between quantity and quality when broadcasting live media over the Internet. URB receives a data stream from a conventionally-encoded media source, segments it into small files, uploads the files to users who re-upload them repeatedly in a chain-letter style multiplier network, and then plays the files back continuously through a conventional media player half a minute later. In effect it only simulates live broadcasting—it isn't live and it isn't broadcasting. It is file-sharing, or rather file-distributing, of media files using a very brief create-distribute-redistribute-play cycle and a time-synchronization protocol. Put simply, URB combines features of (1) live web-based media, such as Shoutcast or Icecast; (2) a file-sharing system similar to Gnutella or Napster; and (3) a cyberspace time-synchronization protocol.

An Internet-scale file sharing system includes a client-side file sharing application that allows file-sharing users to identify files to share and transmit metadata corresponding to those files to a metadata repository. A server-side application operating on the metadata repository tracks metadata received from associated file-sharing users, as well as metadata from other affiliated metadata repositories. Each metadata repository acts as a search engine for any querying users and can provide search results based on locally stored metadata alone. Each metadata repository may additionally choose to locally-store popular files from an associated file-sharing user so as to alleviate transmission burdens on that file-sharing user. Associated metadata repositories each periodically synchronize their stored metadata so that all metadata repositories may generate similar search results. In such manner, file-sharing queries need only be performed by the metadata repository receiving the query, and not by all associated metadata repositories.

In the HSM function, when supporting the file system snapshot function, a differential data volume is required for both a high-speed volume and a low-speed volume. Accordingly, when supporting the snapshot function by using a file system provided by the HSM function, a large amount of differential data volume is required. When the manager gives an instruction to acquire a snapshot, a snapshot management program executes snapshot acquisition processing to acquire a snapshot. In this processing, a snapshot reference relation building processing part copies a file storage location management table, and relates the file storage location management table to the acquired snapshot. Then, the snapshot reference relation building processing part checks a file that is migrated to a file system which does not have a differential data volume. Finally, the snapshot reference relation building processing part creates a link of the migrated file to the snapshot which is acquired previous time.

Systems, methods, software, and apparatus are described for facilitating the distribution and management of fragmented content. In one embodiment, a packager packages content into fragments and generates a manifest including policies and metadata associated with the content. A downloader obtains the manifest, and uses it to obtain the content from one or more uploaders. For example, a downloader might forward a search request to one or more trackers, which, in turn, are operable to locate one or more uploaders that can meet the request, subject to any relevant policy limitations. The uploaders forward fragments to the downloader, subject to any relevant policy. The downloader assembles the content from the fragments. The operations and interactions of the entities can be subject to policy limitations associated with the fragments, the content as a whole, or the like.

A peer-to-peer file sharing system includes software components for providing and maintaining a virtual directory in a server system component of the file sharing system. Client system components of the file sharing system cooperate with the server system to facilitate manipulations to the virtual directory.

A method and system for designing file replication schemes in file sharing systems consider node storage constraints and node up / down statistics, file storage costs, and file transfer costs among the nodes, user request rates for the files, and user specified file availability requirements. Based on these considerations, a systematic method for designing file replication schemes can be implemented. The method first determines the number of copies of the files to be stored in the system to achieve the desired goal (e.g., to satisfy file availability requirements, or to maximize the system hit rate), and then selects the nodes at which to store the file copies to minimize the total expected cost. The file replication scheme for a peer-to-peer file sharing system in a distributed and adaptive manner can scale to a large number of nodes and files and can handle changes in the user request pattern over time.

An efficient distributed transaction protocol for a distributed file sharing system is described. One embodiment of the protocol involves a transaction coordinator node sending three messages to participant nodes, where the participant nodes reply to only two of those messages. In one embodiment, the transaction coordinator node may return success to the client application after receiving replies to the second message from the participant nodes. The protocol may provide benefits associated with traditional three-phase commit (3PC) protocols while also decreasing response time latencies experienced by client applications and decreasing network traffic.

A file sharing method and a file sharing system are provided. The system includes a first file processing apparatus and a second file processing apparatus with wireless transmission function to transfer files therebetween. At first, the first file processing apparatus is coupled to the second file processing apparatus. The first file processing apparatus automatically or manually executes a file sharing software to receive desktop information of the second file processing apparatus, and the file sharing software integrates a desktop of the first file processing apparatus with the desktop information to generate a integrated desktop shown on the first file processing apparatus. The second file processing apparatus processes a file in response to a control operation of an icon on the integrated desktop.

A method for controlling distribution of digital content includes fragmenting a digital content file into fragments and tagging at least some of the fragments with corresponding tags to provide tagged fragments for distribution. The tags may be generated using a pseudo-random number (PRN) bit sequence. A digital rights license is generated for the digital content file based on the tags and / or fragments. The digital rights license is configured to allow reassembly of the tagged fragments to provide the digital content file. Later, the fragments may be re-tagged with corresponding second tags to provide second tagged fragments for distribution that are different from the first tagged fragments. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed.

A method of distributing content over a network comprising: providing a content file comprising media content from a content source; providing an advertisement file comprising advertisement content from an advertisement provider, combining said content file and said advertisement file into a combined file in playable format, configured such that a location within said combined file of said advertisement content is substantially indistinguishable without playing said combined file; receiving requests from users for said content; debiting said advertisement provider with an advertisement fee; crediting said content source with said advertisement fee; and downloading said combined file to requesting users for playing thereof. The method allows a copyright holder to be paid for the download whilst the download remains free to the end user. The method may for example be applied to file sharing systems or to websites wishing to offer a ‘freebie’ to induce more site visiting.

A file sharing system for managing both P2P type and C / S type shard files, wherein a management server accepts from each client a file registration request and a file access request for not only a P2P type shared file, but also a C / S type shared file, and each client executes a subsequent procedure for storing or accessing a shared file according to an acknowledgement response from the management server.

A directory view component runs on a host terminal. The directory view component is configured to interface with a file manager application resident on the host terminal. The file manager application provides an interface to a directory of the host terminal. The directory view component interfaces with the file manager to generate view data of the directory for use on a remote device.

Provided is a technique capable of efficiently operating files and directories that are stored in storage located in a physically far place from a file server, without causing a network latency. An index creation program is also loaded in a cloud computing environment, and a flag, which indicates whether or not to execute batch processing to a directory that has been migrated to the cloud side, is provided, whereby it becomes possible to collectively execute index creation processing for the migrated directory on the cloud side. More specifically, upon completion of migration of all files under a given directory to the cloud side, a flag, which indicates whether or not to perform batch processing on the cloud side, is validated for the metadata of the directory. Such a batch processing flag can be held for each application such as applications of the index creation processing and the virus check processing.

With a shared index information file in a file sharing index manager, a distributed file system controls access to files based on access right obtained from the index information. Even when a host terminal operated by a user does not have directory information required, that host terminal may obtain an access right from the file sharing index manager without making access to the host terminals. The host terminals perform local management via file sharing managers to minimize accesses to the host terminals which are required until processing is completed.

The method includes steps: based on media data abstract and integrated file abstract of object file requested by client end to search file source of object file; building up set from files with same media data abstract of object file in file source; feeding back information of file source in the set to the client end initiated the request; based on the received information of file source, the client end initiated the request down loads object files in parallel. The invention also is related to down loading device of multiple sources for video / audio files. Through two times of filtration, the device obtains set of identical or similar file sources of object file. According to characteristic of video / audio files, the invention adds similar file sources of object file so as to raise speed for down loading object file, as well as raise utilization ratio of bandwidth in file sharing system.