Abstract: Embodiments may relate to pruning a distributed database for a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. A node may transmit a first multicast beacon over the P2P network. The node may receive a unicast synchronization request in response to the first multicast beacon, the unicast synchronization request comprising a removed list for the distributed database. The node may compare the removed list to a locally stored node list to determine a node removal. The node may determine if there is a failure in a node information call made to a node relating to the node removal. The node may, subsequent to a determination of the failure, update the locally stored node list based on the node removal. The node may transmit a second multicast beacon comprising the node removal. Nodes receiving the second multicast beacon may update a locally stored removed list using the node removal.

Abstract: Rain fade mitigation methods and data broadcast systems that provide improved performance in a rain fade environment. The systems distribute data derived from a transmitting processor by way of a data distribution system to one or more receivers located at remote locations. The transmitting processor may include forward error correction processing software that is used to add forward error correction bits to data packets to be transmitted. When error correction bits are added to the data prior to transmission, the receivers include forward error correction software that processes the received data packets to reconstruct the original data. Data packets with or without error correcting bits may be transmitted two times to the remote locations, which times are separated by a time delay having a duration that is related to a rain fade event, which time delay is sufficient to allow data reconstruction in the presence of the rain fade event.

Abstract: Improved data broadcasting systems 10 and methods 60 that distribute data to personal computers 16. The architecture of the data broadcasting system includes a content acquisition management system 20 having a publishing element 25, a broadcasting element 26, and a subscribing element 27. The publishing element packages data and data processing instructions for broadcast. The broadcasting element broadcasts the packaged data and data processing instructions. The subscribing element receives the packaged data from the broadcasting element and processes the data in accordance with the data processing instructions contained in the received data. An exemplary data distribution method comprises the following steps. Data and data processing instructions are packaged 61 for broadcast. The packaged data and data processing instructions are broadcast 62. The packaged data and data processing instructions are received 63 at remotely located personal computers.

Abstract: A file transmission acknowledgement system and method that indicates the success or failure of a file transfer from a content provider to client computers using a data distribution system. A transmitting processor transmits a file processed by a transmitting processor. One or more personal computers and/or server computers simultaneously receive the transmitted file by way of respective receivers. A reception algorithm on the server or personal computers determines if the file was successfully or unsuccessfully received by the respective computer. A receipt generation algorithm on the one or more server or personal computers generates a receipt acknowledgement or a receipt non-acknowledgement. A return path communication circuit is provided between the server or personal computers and the transmitting processor for delivering the acknowledgements to the transmitting processor. An algorithm on the transmitting processor collates the receipt transmissions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring very large data files to a remote location. The systems and methods fragment the very large data file into smaller ordered blocks using file conversion software loaded onto a computer processor. The ordered fragmented files or blocks transmitted to the remote location using a data distribution system. For example, the data distribution system may include a transmitter, a satellite transmission link, and a receiver at each remote location. At each remote location, received ordered fragmented files or blocks are reassembled in accordance with the original ordering scheme using file conversion software loaded on a computer. This produces the original very large data file. Once the very large data file is reassembled, it may be processed or archived.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating between information service provider systems (ISPS) and customer premise equipment (CPE) is provided.