Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that downloads content to a local device using a decentralized content distribution network is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives a request from an application to download content using the decentralized content distribution network. In addition, the device determines a plurality of nodes in the decentralized content distribution network to download the content. For each of the plurality of nodes, the device attempts to establish communications between the device and that node. In addition, the device downloads a portion of the content from that node if communication is established between the local device and that node, wherein the size of the portion is based on at least a characteristic of that node. Furthermore, the device downloads a portion of the content from a proxy if communication cannot be established between the local device and that node, wherein the size of the portion is based on at least a characteristic of that proxy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that downloads content to a local device using a decentralized content distribution network is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives a request from an application to download content using the decentralized content distribution network. In addition, the device determines a plurality of nodes in the decentralized content distribution network to download the content. For each of the plurality of nodes, the device attempts to establish communications between the device and that node. In addition, the device downloads a portion of the content from that node if communication is established between the local device and that node, wherein the size of the portion is based on at least a characteristic of that node. Furthermore, the device downloads a portion of the content from a proxy if communication cannot be established between the local device and that node, wherein the size of the portion is based on at least a characteristic of that proxy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that downloads content to a local device using a decentralized content distribution network is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives a request from an application to download content using the decentralized content distribution network. In addition, the device determines a plurality of nodes in the decentralized content distribution network to download the content. For each of the plurality of nodes, the device attempts to establish communications between the device and that node. In addition, the device downloads a portion of the content from that node if communication is established between the local device and that node, wherein the size of the portion is based on at least a characteristic of that node. Furthermore, the device downloads a portion of the content from a proxy if communication cannot be established between the local device and that node, wherein the size of the portion is based on at least a characteristic of that proxy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that downloads content to a local device using a decentralized content distribution network is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives a request from an application to download content using the decentralized content distribution network. In addition, the device determines a plurality of nodes in the decentralized content distribution network to download the content. For each of the plurality of nodes, the device attempts to establish communications between the device and that node. In addition, the device downloads a portion of the content from that node if communication is established between the local device and that node, wherein the size of the portion is based on at least a characteristic of that node. Furthermore, the device downloads a portion of the content from a proxy if communication cannot be established between the local device and that node, wherein the size of the portion is based on at least a characteristic of that proxy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that downloads content to a local device using a decentralized content distribution network is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives a request from an application to download content using the decentralized content distribution network. In addition, the device determines a plurality of nodes in the decentralized content distribution network to download the content. For each of the plurality of nodes, the device attempts to establish communications between the device and that node. In addition, the device downloads a portion of the content from that node if communication is established between the local device and that node, wherein the size of the portion is based on at least a characteristic of that node. Furthermore, the device downloads a portion of the content from a proxy if communication cannot be established between the local device and that node, wherein the size of the portion is based on at least a characteristic of that proxy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that downloads content to a local device using a decentralized content distribution network is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives a request from an application to download content using the decentralized content distribution network. In addition, the device determines a plurality of nodes in the decentralized content distribution network to download the content. For each of the plurality of nodes, the device attempts to establish communications between the device and that node. In addition, the device downloads a portion of the content from that node if communication is established between the local device and that node, wherein the size of the portion is based on at least a characteristic of that node. Furthermore, the device downloads a portion of the content from a proxy if communication cannot be established between the local device and that node, wherein the size of the portion is based on at least a characteristic of that proxy.

Abstract: Methods for establishing connection to the Internet using multiple channels. A device takes advantage of several channels available to it internally and/or from neighboring devices to request the various resources of the webpage, and assembles the webpage using the resources arriving from the different channels. When a device has the ability to connect to the Internet using multiple internal channels, the device uses internal heuristics to request the webpage resources using these channels. A cloud exit server may be used to enhance security and to handle requests that may not be handled using multiple channels.

Abstract: Methods for establishing connection to the Internet using multiple channels. A device takes advantage of several channels available to it internally and/or from neighboring devices to request the various resources of the webpage, and assembles the webpage using the resources arriving from the different channels. When a device has the ability to connect to the Internet using multiple internal channels, the device uses internal heuristics to request the webpage resources using these channels. A cloud exit server may be used to enhance security and to handle requests that may not be handled using multiple channels.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring apps between mobile devices without the need to download the app from an app store. Various examples are provided for discovering, authenticating and transmitting the apps among devices directly or via an access point. Even when no connection is available, examples are provided for establishing a mesh network and transferring the app using the mesh network. If not all devices have mesh networking capability, connection such as Bluetooth is used to distribute the mesh network capability and then the mesh network is established.

Abstract: Systems and methods to grand network access to devices. When device attempts access via an access point, the AP initiates social network inquiry to determine whether to provide unrestricted access, restricted access or no access, depending on the social connection between the user and the AP owner. The social network inquiry may be performed by obtaining a social graph from services such as Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. The social network inquiry may also be performed by interrogating a calendar, to determine whether an appointment is indicated for the user associated with the device requesting the access and a user associated with the access point. The social network inquiry may also be performed by interrogating a database to determine whether a specific entry is present, e.g., whether a predetermined “like” is included in lists of “likes” in the Facebook account of the user associated with the device requesting the access.

Abstract: Speeding up webpage loading by utilizing one or a combination of the following techniques: heuristic pre-loading; increasing the number of connections to a server; resource caching; and, distributed DNS caching. A software module is inserted between the browser and the server, so as to perform the heuristic preloading, to increase the number of connections, to perform wireless caching of resources and DNS query responses. The software module may be placed in various places in the technology stack, for example, inside a home router or in a separate box connected to one's router. The module can insert itself by using proxy discovery protocols, or intercepting the traffic going to the router by issuing ARP replies that look as if it is the router. Alternatively, it could overwrite DHCP.

Abstract: A system and a method for collecting passively generated time-stamped location data from mobile devices and using this data to generate social network. The social network utilizes the data to determine a user's friends, family members, coworkers, and other associates. The system and a method improve social networking applications by automatically generating friend lists and user lists, and for automatically keeping these lists up to date. Further, the data can be used for social discovery, including dating, professional networking, and travel applications. The system and method further uses this data to determine a user's hobbies and interests. A recommendation engine may be used to generate recommendations for products, services, and businesses based on passive location data. A system and a method for an advertising system for products, services, and businesses based on passive location data are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively “exchanging” battery power among physically distinct battery-powered devices communicating in a network for optimal conservation of aggregate battery power to preserve and extend the usable life of devices before requiring recharging. The network communication may be wired, wireless, or some combination; the devices may be mobile, fixed, or some combination. This invention improves Internet access where it already exists by making it faster, more reliable, and less expensive. It can also be used to provide Internet service in places where there is none.

Abstract: Secure messaging system wherein both the content and the metadata are protected from adversary attack. A message for an intended recipient is decrypted using the intended recipient's public key. The message is then sent to the intended recipient as well as to multitude of decoys. The decoys are real devices that are clustered with the intended recipient according to some method, such as logical or geographical method. The decoys are unable to decrypt the message with their private key and will drop it. Only the intended recipient will be able to decrypt and read the message. Since the message is sent to many recipients (intended recipient and decoys), an adversary is unable to determine who is communicating with whom.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively “exchanging” battery power among physically distinct battery-powered devices communicating in a network for optimal conservation of aggregate battery power to preserve and extend the usable life of devices before requiring recharging. The network communication may be wired, wireless, or some combination; the devices may be mobile, fixed, or some combination. This invention improves Internet access where it already exists by making it faster, more reliable, and less expensive. It can also be used to provide Internet service in places where there is none.

Abstract: Pairing among computing devices is achieved without any of the device entering discoverable mode. An inquiring device obtains a list of MAC addresses and transmits connection requests using the MAC addresses. Any device within reception distance that has the same MAC address would respond to the request. Upon receiving the response, the two devices would pair up. A beacon may be used to store MAC addresses and related data. Computing devices may send inquiries to the beacon and receive in return MAC addresses corresponding to the inquiry. The devices may then transmit pairing requests using these MAC addresses.

Abstract: Methods for establishing connection to the Internet using multiple channels. A device takes advantage of several channels available to it internally and/or from neighboring devices to request the various resources of the webpage, and assembles the webpage using the resources arriving from the different channels. When a device has the ability to connect to the Internet using multiple internal channels, the device uses internal heuristics to request the webpage resources using these channels. A cloud exit server may be used to enhance security and to handle requests that may not be handled using multiple channels.

Abstract: Transfer policy management methods in a peer-to-peer networking environment such as BitTorrent are provided. A download TPM maximizes the usage of available bandwidth, while focusing on as few torrents as possible. For a given list of torrents, a peer in accordance with the present invention determines how many download connections to maintain at a given time in order to maximize usage of bandwidth. If the variance of per-connection bandwidths exceeds a threshold, more connections are added until either variance does not exceed the threshold or a maximum number of connections are established. A seeding peer determines when to reduce the number of files being seeded by monitoring its average upload rate per torrent. If its average rate falls below a threshold, then the peer stops seeding a file. The file that the peer stops seeding is one to which the peer is making the smallest overall contribution.

Abstract: Pairing among computing devices is achieved without any of the device entering discoverable mode. An inquiring device obtains a list of MAC addresses and transmits connection requests using the MAC addresses. Any device within reception distance that has the same MAC address would respond to the request. Upon receiving the response, the two devices would pair up. A beacon may be used to store MAC addresses and related data. Computing devices may send inquiries to the beacon and receive in return MAC addresses corresponding to the inquiry. The devices may then transmit pairing requests using these MAC addresses.

Abstract: Dynamic rate limiting of background traffic to alleviate congestion in the access network is enabled. ICMP echo round-trip times and ICMP losses to a nearby node outside the local area and just beyond the divergence in end-to-end paths are measured, allowing unambiguous discrimination of nearby from distant congestion points. Using round-trip time samples, either short-run delay or short-run variance in delay can be measured to estimate congestion. When combined with an appropriate control law, background traffic can be rapidly reduced to allow interactive traffic to traverse unhindered through the access network. The described system and methods can be implemented in the application-layer and without any additional support from the network.