Abstract: Methods and systems for blockchain and smart contract-supported decentralized computation are provided. A computation task from a task initiator node is registered on a blockchain by invoking a smart contract, and assigned to an edge computing node within a decentralized computing network, with task details sent by the task initiator node to the edge computing node through a secure peer-to-peer connection. The task initiator node and the edge computing node may select each other using peer discovery methods based on reputation scores. The edge computing node determines a solution to the computation task. The solution may be verified off-chain by the task initiator node, and a token reward may be given to the edge computing node by the smart contract upon solution verification.

Abstract: Methods and systems for blockchain and smart contract-supported decentralized computation are provided. A computation task from a task initiator node is registered on a blockchain, and assigned to an edge computing node within a decentralized computing network, with task details sent by the task initiator to the edge computing node through a secure peer-to-peer connection. The edge computing node determines a solution to the computation task. The solution may be verified on-chain by a smart contract, and a token reward from the task initiator may be given to the edge computing node by the smart contract correspondingly. The solution may alternatively be verified off-chain by the task initiator node, and a token reward may be given to the edge computing node by the smart contract upon solution verification.

Abstract: Methods and systems for caching and delivering data files among peer nodes in a decentralized data delivery edge network using a tracker server are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method utilized by the tracker server includes first, receiving a peer list request from a viewer peer node in the network for accessing one or more target fragments of a data file. Next, extracting, from the received peer list request, a content type of the data file, and a viewer location of the viewer peer node. Then, generating a cacher peer list by selecting, from peer nodes currently active in the network, one or more cacher peer nodes to provide access to the one or more target fragments of the data file. Finally, transmitting the generated cacher peer list to the viewer peer node. The method may be utilized in a hybrid network comprising peer-to-peer (P2P) connections implemented on top of a content delivery network (CDN).

Abstract: Methods and systems for decentralized storage are provided. To store a file in a decentralized network, a source node in the decentralized network first divides the file into a plurality of file portions. For each given file portion, a corresponding peer storage node is located in the decentralized network, where a distance between the corresponding peer storage node and the given file portion is below a given threshold, where the distance is computed based on an identifier of the corresponding peer storage node, and an identifier of the given file portion, and where the given threshold is associated with a storage capacity of the corresponding peer storage node. The source node then transmits each given file portion to the corresponding peer storage node, and generates a file identifier for the file, based on the identifiers of the plurality of file portions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for blockchain and smart contract-supported decentralized computation are provided. A computation task from a task initiator node is registered on a blockchain, and assigned to an edge computing node within a decentralized computing network, with task details sent by the task initiator to the edge computing node through a secure peer-to-peer connection. The edge computing node determines a solution to the computation task. The solution may be verified on-chain by a smart contract, and a token reward from the task initiator may be given to the edge computing node by the smart contract correspondingly. The solution may alternatively be verified off-chain by the task initiator node, and a token reward may be given to the edge computing node by the smart contract upon solution verification.

Abstract: Methods and systems for caching and delivering data files among peer nodes in a decentralized data delivery edge network using a tracker server are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method utilized by the tracker server includes first, receiving a peer list request from a viewer peer node in the network for accessing one or more target fragments of a data file. Next, extracting, from the received peer list request, a content type of the data file, and a viewer location of the viewer peer node. Then, generating a cacher peer list by selecting, from peer nodes currently active in the network, one or more cacher peer nodes to provide access to the one or more target fragments of the data file. Finally, transmitting the generated cacher peer list to the viewer peer node. The method may be utilized in a hybrid network comprising peer-to-peer (P2P) connections implemented on top of a content delivery network (CDN).

Abstract: Methods and systems for caching and delivering data contents among peer nodes in a decentralized data delivery edge network are disclosed. The network comprises peer-to-peer (P2P) connections implemented on top of a content delivery network (CDN) having CDN servers that provide data resources to network nodes. Such a hybrid network comprises viewer peer nodes, edge cacher peer nodes, tracker servers, and a payment service module. An edge cacher peer node sends its client statistics to a tracker server, wherein the client statistics comprises a cacher location and a performance specification. In return, the tracker server provides caching instructions according to which the edge cacher peer node downloads fragments of a data file from a CDN server, for later transmission to other viewer peer nodes within the decentralized data delivery edge network.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for reducing malicious attacks on a first device in a computer network comprising a plurality of devices. The method may include, receiving by the first device, a request for a service from a second device. Next, determining that the second device is suspicious based on the request. Next, generating a verifiable delay function (VDF) based on the determination and transmitting the VDF to the second device. Then, receiving a solution associated with the VDF after a predetermined time duration, and verifying that the solution is correct. Finally, generating, based on the verification, a response to the request for the service from the second device. The network can include a client-server network, a decentralized network, or a decentralized data streaming network; the first device can include a server device, a first peer node, or a cacher peer node; and the second device can include a client device, a second peer node, or a viewer peer node.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for implementing decentralized digital rights management (DRM) within a decentralized network, satisfying an important need of content owners. First, the method implemented by a source cacher node includes broadcasting, to one or more viewer peer nodes in the decentralized network, a notification of the source cacher node's intent to transmit a data stream. Then, recording a smart contract on a blockchain associated with the decentralized network, the smart contract associated with the data stream and allowing the authentication of a viewer peer node through the smart contract by an ownership of a non-fungible token (NFT) in order to receive a data key to decrypt the data stream. Next, receiving a request from an authenticated viewer peer node for receiving the data stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems for caching and delivering data contents among peer nodes in a decentralized data delivery edge network are disclosed. The network comprises peer-to-peer (P2P) connections implemented on top of a content delivery network (CDN) having CDN servers that provide data resources to network nodes. Such a hybrid network comprises viewer peer nodes, edge cacher peer nodes, tracker servers, and a payment service module. An edge cacher peer node sends its client statistics to a tracker server, wherein the client statistics comprises a cacher location and a performance specification. In return, the tracker server provides caching instructions according to which the edge cacher peer node downloads fragments of a data file from a CDN server, for later transmission to other viewer peer nodes within the decentralized data delivery edge network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering data contents among peer nodes in a decentralized data delivery network are disclosed. The network comprises peer-to-peer (P2P) connections implemented on top of a content delivery network (CDN) having CDN servers that provide fragments of data files to network nodes. Such a hybrid network comprises viewer peer nodes, edge cacher peer nodes, tracker servers, and optionally a payment server. A viewer peer node sends a peer list request to a tracker server for peer discovery in accessing a data file, and in response the tracker server provides a peer list by selecting active cacher nodes based on network locations and/or geolocations of neighboring nodes, and a content data type of the desired data file. A software development kit (SDK) is provided for integration into existing third-party content viewers so that the functionality of the hybrid network is available to users via existing content viewers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for incentivizing the delivery of data contents among peer nodes in a decentralized data delivery network are disclosed. The network comprises peer-to-peer (P2P) connections implemented on top of a content delivery network (CDN) having CDN servers that provide data resources to network nodes. Such a hybrid network comprises viewer peer nodes, edge cacher peer nodes, tracker servers, and a payment service module. A micropayment pool is created on a blockchain by the payment service module. A cacher peer node downloads a data resource from a CDN server, and shares portions of the data resource with viewer peer nodes in the hybrid network. In return, the cacher peer node receives from the payment service module, off-chain transactions that encode cumulative payment amounts from the micropayment pool to the cacher peer node. A last off-line transaction is submitted to the blockchain to claim a total payment amount.

Abstract: Methods and systems for incentivizing the delivery of data contents among peer nodes in a decentralized data delivery network are disclosed. The network comprises peer-to-peer (P2P) connections implemented on top of a content delivery network (CDN) having CDN servers that provide data resources to network nodes. Such a hybrid network comprises viewer peer nodes, edge cacher peer nodes, tracker servers, and a payment service module. A micropayment pool is created on a blockchain by the payment service module. A cacher peer node downloads a data resource from a CDN server, and shares portions of the data resource with viewer peer nodes in the hybrid network. In return, the cacher peer node receives from the payment service module, off-chain transactions that encode cumulative payment amounts from the micropayment pool to the cacher peer node. A last off-line transaction is submitted to the blockchain to claim a total payment amount.

Abstract: Methods and systems for micropayment support to blockchain-incentivized, decentralized data streaming and delivery are disclosed. To receive a blockchain-based payment for streaming a data resource to multiple users, a caching node first joins a payment-authorized peer group and is notified upon the creation of a micropayment pool. After delivering a portion of the data resource to each user, a service receipt signed by the recipient user is obtained, and submitted to a payment server together with a payment authentication certificate. An updated off-chain transaction is obtained from the payment server, for later submission to the blockchain to claim a total payment from the micropayment pool.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering data contents among peer nodes in a decentralized data delivery network are disclosed. The network comprises peer-to-peer (P2P) connections implemented on top of a content delivery network (CDN) having CDN servers that provide fragments of data files to network nodes. Such a hybrid network comprises viewer nodes, edge cacher nodes, tracker servers, and optionally a payment server. A smart tracker provides caching instructions to guide cachers in storing, delivering, and relaying content to viewer nodes. The smart tracker also provides peer lists to viewer nodes, by selecting active cacher nodes to provide access to data fragments, based on network locations and/or geolocations of neighboring nodes, and a content data type of the desired data file. A software development kit (SDK) is provided for integration into existing third-party content viewers so that the functionality of the hybrid network is available to users via existing content viewers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering data contents among peer nodes in a decentralized data delivery network are disclosed. The network comprises peer-to-peer (P2P) connections implemented on top of a content delivery network (CDN) having CDN servers that provide fragments of data files to network nodes. Such a hybrid network comprises viewer nodes, edge cacher nodes, tracker servers, and optionally a payment server. A smart tracker provides caching instructions to guide cachers in storing, delivering, and relaying content to viewer nodes. The smart tracker also provides peer lists to viewer nodes, by selecting active cacher nodes to provide access to data fragments, based on network locations and/or geolocations of neighboring nodes, and a content data type of the desired data file. A software development kit (SDK) is provided for integration into existing third-party content viewers so that the functionality of the hybrid network is available to users via existing content viewers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating multi-resolution spherical videos, comprising receiving a plurality of video recordings recorded by a viewpoint, wherein the viewpoint is a camera array comprising a plurality of cameras arranged around a viewpoint center; and generating a spherical video from the plurality of video recordings by non-concentric spherical projection, wherein each of the plurality of video recordings is mapped to respective portions of a projection sphere, wherein a center of the projection sphere is positioned at a non-zero distance away from the viewpoint center, and wherein a visual resolution of the spherical video in a first portion of the projection sphere is higher than a visual resolution of the spherical video in a second portion of the projection sphere.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a highlight video of a critical gaming moment from a source computer game running on a game server are disclosed. The method, when executed by a processor accessible by a processing server, comprises receiving video recordings recorded using at least two game virtual cameras positioned at predetermined locations during a source game play, wherein at least one of the game virtual cameras was inserted into the source computer game using a SDK or a game connector module. Next, analyzing the received recordings to extract visual, audio, and/or metadata cues; generating highlight metadata; and detecting the critical gaming moment based on the highlight metadata. Finally, generating a highlight video of the critical gaming moment from the received video recordings based on the highlight metadata. In some embodiments, the highlight videos can be used to drive additional traffic to the game tournament and/or streaming platform operator.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a highlight video of a critical gaming moment from a source computer game running on a game server are disclosed. The method, when executed by a processor accessible by a processing server, comprises receiving video recordings recorded using at least two game virtual cameras positioned at predetermined locations during a source game play, wherein at least one of the game virtual cameras was inserted into the source computer game using a SDK or a game connector module. Next, analyzing the received recordings to extract visual, audio, and/or metadata cues; generating highlight metadata; and detecting the critical gaming moment based on the highlight metadata. Finally, generating a highlight video of the critical gaming moment from the received video recordings based on the highlight metadata. In some embodiments, the highlight videos can be used to drive additional traffic to the game tournament and/or streaming platform operator.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating spherical game videos for virtual reality (VR) streaming and replay are disclosed. The method, when executed by a processor, comprises first recording game environment around a virtual camera array inserted into a source computer game that lacks spherical video output, using a first subset of virtual cameras within the virtual camera array. Next, receiving game metadata of a source game play of the source game, configuring a local game play according to the received game metadata, recording a video of the local game play using a second subset of virtual cameras, wherein the second subset of virtual cameras is not equal to the first subset of virtual cameras, and generating a spherical video from the recorded game environment and the recorded local game play. The present invention aids the mass adoption of VR technology by easily generating VR content from existing computer games.