Peer Network File Origin Tracing via Watermark Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In client-server networks, the server bears the sole load of information distribution, leading to excessive costs for high-performance servers that are underutilized once the information demand decreases, and peer networks lack efficient methods to identify the origin of files when they are distributed outside the network.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the marking of files in a peer network with unique watermarks, comparison of these watermarks to determine the originating station, and centralized or decentralized storage of watermark information to ensure efficient resource utilization and secure file tracing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-performance server is used to handle information distribution in a client-server network, then the server can handle high load from many clients requesting new information, but the cost of the server system becomes excessive and the server capacity is underutilized when the number of requests drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information distribution function by dividing the server's load-bearing capacity among multiple peer nodes in the network. Each peer node is assigned a portion of the distribution task, transforming a centralized server system into a distributed peer network where information is shared collectively, thus avoiding the need for a single high-performance server and improving resource utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each peer node capable of performing both client and server functions simultaneously. Each node can request information as a client and also serve information to other nodes as a server, enabling multi-functionality that eliminates the need for dedicated high-performance servers while maintaining efficient information distribution across the network.
2Ease of manufacture
If files are distributed in a peer network without watermarking, then resource utilization is efficient and costs are reduced, but the origin of distributed files cannot be identified when files are disseminated outside the network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies watermarking technology to embed unique identification information from each peer node into files before distribution. This preliminary action ensures that the origin of each file can be traced back to its source node, preventing loss of origin information even when files are disseminated outside the network, while maintaining the simplicity and efficiency of peer-to-peer distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
Files which are available for dissemination in a controlled peer-to-peer network are provided with a watermark comprising a large number of watermark elements. Upon download, the composition of the parts of the file which are obtained from a plurality of source stations provides a new watermark which can clearly be associated with the target station. By storing information about forwarded watermark elements of a network server, it is possible to reconstruct for each file the network station from which this file originates.