Abstract: A “Media Sharer” operates within peer-to-peer (P2P) networks to provide a dynamic peer-driven system for streaming high quality multimedia content, such as a video-on-demand (VoD) service, to participating peers while minimizing server bandwidth requirements. In general, the Media Sharer provides a peer-assisted framework wherein participating peers assist the server in delivering on-demand media content to other peers. Participating peers cooperate to provide at least the same quality media delivery service as a pure server-client media distribution. However, given this peer cooperation, many more peers can be served with relatively little increase in server bandwidth requirements. Further, each peer limits its assistance to redistributing only portions of the media content that it also receiving. Peer upload bandwidth for redistribution is determined as a function of surplus peer upload capacity and content need of neighboring peers, with earlier arriving peers uploading content to later arriving peers.

Abstract: A method and system that enhances a user's performance while interacting with an interactive internet application such as a Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game is provided. The network latency experienced by users participating in the MMO game is minimized by dynamically determining an optimal transmission action for a message generated by the MMO game. In one embodiment, determining the optimal transmission action for a message includes dynamically determining the optimal number of redundant Forward Error Correction (FEC) packets to add to a message prior to transmitting a message to a receiving device. The optimal number of FEC packets is determined based on a wide range of varying network conditions.

Abstract: A “Media Sharer” operates within peer-to-peer (P2P) networks to provide a dynamic peer-driven system for streaming high quality multimedia content, such as a video-on-demand (VoD) service, to participating peers while minimizing server bandwidth requirements. In general, the Media Sharer provides a peer-assisted framework wherein participating peers assist the server in delivering on-demand media content to other peers. Participating peers cooperate to provide at least the same quality media delivery service as a pure server-client media distribution. However, given this peer cooperation, many more peers can be served with relatively little increase in server bandwidth requirements. Further, each peer limits its assistance to redistributing only portions of the media content that it also receiving. Peer upload bandwidth for redistribution is determined as a function of surplus peer upload capacity and content need of neighboring peers, with earlier arriving peers uploading content to later arriving peers.

Abstract: A plurality of network addresses from a distributed client is obtained, at least a first portion of the obtained network addresses including resolved network address responses to distributed client requests for resolved network addresses corresponding to one or more network location indicators associated with a first web service. Test content is obtained, based on one or more of the network addresses included in the first portion. It is determined whether the obtained test content includes unauthorized content.

Abstract: A “Media Sharer” operates within peer-to-peer (P2P) networks to provide a dynamic peer-driven system for streaming high quality multimedia content, such as a video-on-demand (VoD) service, to participating peers while minimizing server bandwidth requirements. In general, the Media Sharer provides a peer-assisted framework wherein participating peers assist the server in delivering on-demand media content to other peers. Participating peers cooperate to provide at least the same quality media delivery service as a pure server-client media distribution. However, given this peer cooperation, many more peers can be served with relatively little increase in server bandwidth requirements. Further, each peer limits its assistance to redistributing only portions of the media content that it also receiving. Peer upload bandwidth for redistribution is determined as a function of surplus peer upload capacity and content need of neighboring peers, with earlier arriving peers uploading content to later arriving peers.

Abstract: A plurality of network addresses from a distributed client is obtained, at least a first portion of the obtained network addresses including resolved network address responses to distributed client requests for resolved network addresses corresponding to one or more network location indicators associated with a first web service. Test content is obtained, based on one or more of the network addresses included in the first portion. It is determined whether the obtained test content includes unauthorized content.

Abstract: MD-FEC is considered an efficient way to generate a large number of descriptions. However, typically, MD-FEC introduces significant redundancy across streams. MD-FEC encoded streams (descriptions) are adapted based on feedback. Specifically, the bits sent in each description by a supplying peer are adapted based on the number of available descriptions in its receiving peer. The adaptive delivery eliminates unnecessary bits in the original MD-FEC streams (descriptions), and significantly reduces the consumed uplink bandwidth at supplying peers. The saved bandwidth can be used to accommodate more video sessions or for other applications.

Abstract: A method and system that enhances a user's performance while interacting with an interactive internet application such as a Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game is provided. The network latency experienced by users participating in the MMO game is minimized by dynamically determining an optimal transmission action for a message generated by the MMO game. In one embodiment, determining the optimal transmission action for a message includes dynamically determining the optimal number of redundant Forward Error Correction (FEC) packets to add to a message prior to transmitting a message to a receiving device. The optimal number of FEC packets is determined based on a wide range of varying network conditions.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer novel video streaming scheme is described in which each peer stores and streams videos to the requesting client peers. Each video is encoded into multiple descriptions and each description is placed on a different node. If a serving peer disconnects in the middle of a streaming session, the system searches for a replacement peer that stores the same video description and has sufficient uplink bandwidth. Employing multiple description coding in a peer-to-peer based network improves the robustness of the distributed streaming content in the event a serving peer is lost. Video quality can be maintained in the presence of server peers being lost. The video codec design and network policies have a significant effect on the streamed video quality. The system performance generally improves as the number of descriptions M for the video increases, which implies that a higher video quality can be obtained with the same network loading.

Abstract: View-upload decoupled (“VUD”) peer-to-peer (P2P) video distribution is provided, in which each peer is assigned to one or more channels to upload, with the assignments made independent of what the peer is viewing. For each assigned channel, the peer distributes (that is, uploads) the channel. This effectively creates semi-permanent distribution swarms for each channel, which are formed by peers responsible for uploading that channel. This can minimize problems associated with channel churn because peers may remain in their assigned distribution groups even if they switch channels. To minimize cross-channel overhead associated with VUD P2P video distribution, substream swarming, in which a peer in a distribution swarm only downloads a small portion of the video stream, called a substream, and uploads the substream to multiple viewers, may be provided.

Abstract: View-upload decoupled (“VUD”) peer-to-peer (P2P) video distribution is provided, in which each peer is assigned to one or more channels to upload, with the assignments made independent of what the peer is viewing. For each assigned channel, the peer distributes (that is, uploads) the channel. This effectively creates semi-permanent distribution swarms for each channel, which are formed by peers responsible for uploading that channel. This can minimize problems associated with channel churn because peers may remain in their assigned distribution groups even if they switch channels. To minimize cross-channel overhead associated with VUD P2P video distribution, substream swarming, in which a peer in a distribution swarm only downloads a small portion of the video stream, called a substream, and uploads the substream to multiple viewers, may be provided.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer novel video streaming scheme is described in which each peer stores and streams videos to the requesting client peers. Each video is encoded into multiple descriptions and each description is placed on a different node. If a serving peer disconnects in the middle of a streaming session, the system searches for a replacement peer that stores the same video description and has sufficient uplink bandwidth. Employing multiple description coding in a peer-to-peer based network improves the robustness of the distributed streaming content in the event a serving peer is lost. Video quality can be maintained in the presence of server peers being lost. The video codec design and network policies have a significant effect on the streamed video quality. The system performance generally improves as the number of descriptions M for the video increases, which implies that a higher video quality can be obtained with the same network loading.

Abstract: In a live video P2P system using substream trading, a peer device's video quality is generally commensurate with its upload rate. Such substream trading provides in a P2P live video streaming system provides incentives and can accommodate a variety of video coding schemes. In particular, substream trading with layered video has many desirable properties, including differentiated service, short start-up delays, synergies across peer device types, and protection against free-riders.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer novel video streaming scheme is described in which each peer stores and streams videos to the requesting client peers. Each video is encoded into multiple descriptions and each description is placed on a different node. If a serving peer disconnects in the middle of a streaming session, the system searches for a replacement peer that stores the same video description and has sufficient uplink bandwidth. Employing multiple description coding in a peer-to-peer based network improves the robustness of the distributed streaming content in the event a serving peer is lost. Video quality can be maintained in the presence of server peers being lost. The video codec design and network policies have a significant effect on the streamed video quality. The system performance generally improves as the number of descriptions M for the video increases, which implies that a higher video quality can be obtained with the same network loading.

Abstract: MD-FEC is considered an efficient way to generate a large number of descriptions. However, typically, MD-FEC introduces significant redundancy across streams. MD-FEC encoded streams (descriptions) are adapted based on feedback. Specifically, the bits sent in each description by a supplying peer are adapted based on the number of available descriptions in its receiving peer. The adaptive delivery eliminates unnecessary bits in the original MD-FEC streams (descriptions), and significantly reduces the consumed uplink bandwidth at supplying peers. The saved bandwidth can be used to accommodate more video sessions or for other applications.

Abstract: A distributed incentive mechanism is provided for peer-to-peer (P2P) streaming networks, such as mesh-pull P2P live streaming networks. Video (or audio) may be encoded into multiple sub-streams such as layered coding and multiple description coding. The system is heterogeneous with peers having different uplink bandwidths. Peers that upload more data (to a peer) receive more substreams (from that peer) and consequently better video quality. Unlike previous approaches in which each peer receives the same video quality no matter how much bandwidth it contributes to the system, differentiated video quality, commensurate with a peer's contribution to other peers, is provided, thereby discouraging free-riders.

Abstract: A “Media Sharer” operates within peer-to-peer (P2P) networks to provide a dynamic peer-driven system for streaming high quality multimedia content, such as a video-on-demand (VoD) service, to participating peers while minimizing server bandwidth requirements. In general, the Media Sharer provides a peer-assisted framework wherein participating peers assist the server in delivering on-demand media content to other peers. Participating peers cooperate to provide at least the same quality media delivery service as a pure server-client media distribution. However, given this peer cooperation, many more peers can be served with relatively little increase in server bandwidth requirements. Further, each peer limits its assistance to redistributing only portions of the media content that it also receiving. Peer upload bandwidth for redistribution is determined as a function of surplus peer upload capacity and content need of neighboring peers, with earlier arriving peers uploading content to later arriving peers.