Abstract: Nodes in a realtime p2p media distribution can act in the role of ‘Amplifiers’ to increase the total available bandwidth in the network and thus to improve the quality of the realtime media consumed by the viewers. Examples of such media consumptions are TV channels over the Internet, video on demand films, and files, and media files downloaded to be consumed at a later time. Amplifiers are added to the p2p swarm by a mechanism that discovers the need for supplemental bandwidth in the swarm and orders nodes to join the swarm in the role of amplifiers. The amplifiers' main goal is to maximize the amount of bandwidth they supply (upload) to the swarm while minimizing the amount of bandwidth they consume (download).

Abstract: A method for actively allocating available bandwidth to consumer nodes by a resource node delivering time-sensitive multimedia content in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. The method comprises performing a check if the resource node can allocate bandwidth to at least one additional consumer node from the consumer nodes; selecting at least one consumer node from a list of consumer nodes addressable by the resource node; and sending an availability notification to each of the selected at least one consumer node from the list of consumer nodes.

Abstract: A method for loading a buffer of a consumer node operable in a system for streaming multimedia content. The method includes dividing the buffer to sections each section being filled with multimedia data during a different time interval; loading a first section of the buffer by accessing at least one resource node of the multimedia content during a first time interval; and loading a second section of the buffer by accessing at least one reliable node of the multimedia content during a second time interval; wherein the buffer continuously delivers the multimedia content to a display of the consumer node and wherein the at least one reliable node is adapted to guarantee delivery of multimedia content to connected nodes.

Abstract: A method for increasing bit-rate consumed by a consumer node in a real-time peer-to-peer (P2P) network delivering real-time multimedia content. The method comprises determining desirability to switch to a higher bit-rate consumption respective of a current bit-rate consumption; sending requests to resource nodes of the P2P network for supply of additional bandwidth to support a difference between the higher bit-rate consumption and the current bit-rate consumption; connecting to at least one resource node of the P2P network that can supply the additional bandwidth, thereby increasing bit-rate consumption; determining whether there are connection problems due to the increase in bit-rate consumption; and consuming from the at least one resource node the current bit-rate in addition to the additional bandwidth when no connection problems occur and it is established that the consumer node is capable of handling the higher bit-rate consumption of the real-time multimedia content.

Abstract: A method for dynamically allocating upload bandwidth to consumer nodes by a resource node that are communicatively connected by a channel-swarm in a peer-to-peer network. The method comprises periodically computing a dynamic quota value to determine a number of acceptable connections between the resource node and one or more of the consumer nodes connected by the channel-swarm; and allocating an available upload bandwidth to the one or more of the consumer nodes in the channel-swarm based on the computed dynamic quota value.

Abstract: A method for determining a quota for connecting a plurality of consumer nodes to a resource node. The method comprises periodically determining the quota of consumer nodes acceptable for receiving connection requests by the resource node; receiving a connection request from a consumer node to connect to the resource node; and determining based on the quota whether to accept the connection request. In one embodiment the resource node and the consumer nodes are connected in a realtime peer-to-peer network, and the resource node is adapted to distribute multimedia content to the consumer nodes over the network.

Abstract: Nodes in a realtime p2p media distribution can act in the role of ‘Amplifiers’ to increase the total available bandwidth in the network and thus to improve the quality of the realtime media consumed by the viewers. Examples of such media consumptions are TV channels over the Internet, video on demand films, and files, and media files downloaded to be consumed at a later time. Amplifiers are added to the p2p swarm by a mechanism that discovers the need for supplemental bandwidth in the swarm and orders nodes to join the swarm in the role of amplifiers. The amplifiers' main goal is to maximize the amount of bandwidth they supply (upload) to the swarm while minimizing the amount of bandwidth they consume (download).

Abstract: Nodes in a realtime p2p media distribution can act in the role of ‘Amplifiers’ to increase the total available bandwidth in the network and thus to improve the quality of the realtime media consumed by the viewers. Examples of such media consumptions are TV channels over the Internet, video on demand films and files, and media files downloaded to be consumed at a later time. Amplifiers are added to the p2p swarm by a mechanism that discovers the need for supplemental bandwidth in the swarm and orders nodes to join the swarm in the role of amplifiers. The amplifiers' main goal is to maximize the amount of bandwidth they supply (upload) to the swarm while minimizing the amount of bandwidth they consume (download).

Abstract: A resource-node of a peer-to-peer (P2P) network adapted to manage the allocation of resources to channel swarms. Resource allocation is based on a distributed algorithm in which resource-nodes of the P2P network occasionally join and leave channel-swarms. Each resource-node independently decides whether or not to stay in the channel-swarm that it has joined to. These decisions are based on values of a transience parameter set by a transience mechanism of the resource-node.

Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting resource nodes supplying time-sensitive content to a consumer node in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. The method comprises allocating an initial number of resource nodes to provide the time-sensitive content to the consumer node, each of the allocated resource nodes provides a portion of the time-sensitive content to the consumer node; checking if there is a need to receive at least an additional portion of the time-sensitive content from at least one reliable node of the P2P network, and if so, receiving the at least additional portion of the time-sensitive content from the at least one reliable node; and requesting an additional number of resource nodes to provide the at least portion of the time-sensitive content when an access to the at least one reliable node occurs more frequently than a first predetermined threshold value, thereby the number of resource nodes allocated to the consumer node is dynamically adjusted.

Abstract: A method for loading a buffer of a consumer node operable in a system for streaming multimedia content. The method includes dividing the buffer to sections each section being filled with multimedia data during a different time interval; loading a first section of the buffer by accessing at least one resource node of the multimedia content during a first time interval; and loading a second section of the buffer by accessing at least one reliable node of the multimedia content during a second time interval; wherein the buffer continuously delivers the multimedia content to a display of the consumer node and wherein the at least one reliable node is adapted to guarantee delivery of multimedia content to connected nodes.

Abstract: A method for controlling the provision of resource nodes for streaming multimedia content of a channel viewed by consumer nodes in a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: A method for managing the allocation of resources to channel swarms in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. The method is based on a distributed algorithm in which resource-nodes occasionally join and leave channel-swarms. Each resource-node independently decides whether or not to stay in the channel-swarm that it has joined to. These decisions are based on values of a transience parameter set by a transience mechanism.

Abstract: A method for determining a quota for connecting a plurality of consumer nodes to a resource node. The method comprises periodically determining the quota of consumer nodes acceptable for receiving connection requests by the resource node; receiving a connection request from a consumer node to connect to the resource node; and determining based on the quota whether to accept the connection request. In one embodiment the resource node and the consumer nodes are connected in a realtime peer-to-peer network, and the resource node is adapted to distribute multimedia content to the consumer nodes over the network.

Abstract: A method and system for real-time streaming over a peer-to-peer (grid) network. The system is capable of controlling the peers in the network, guaranteeing the overall channel quality, and guaranteeing a secure media delivery over a packet-based network.

Abstract: A method for managing the allocation of resources to channel swarms in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. The method is based on a distributed algorithm in which resource-nodes occasionally join and leave channel-swarms. Each resource-node independently decides whether or not to stay in the channel-swarm that it has joined to. These decisions are based on values of a transience parameter set by a transience mechanism.

Abstract: Nodes in a realtime p2p media distribution can act in the role of ‘Amplifiers’ to increase the total available bandwidth in the network and thus to improve the quality of the realtime media consumed by the viewers. Examples of such media consumptions are TV channels over the Internet, video on demand films and files, and media files downloaded to be consumed at a later time. Amplifiers are added to the p2p swarm by a mechanism that discovers the need for supplemental bandwidth in the swarm and orders nodes to join the swarm in the role of amplifiers. The amplifiers' main goal is to maximize the amount of bandwidth they supply (upload) to the swarm while minimizing the amount of bandwidth they consume (download).

Abstract: Subscribers are able to selectively reveal their availability for communicating to various entities, based on the interaction of one or more customizable policies, preferences and active status of communicating devices. Availability status software comprising one or more agents determines and indicates the availability mode of specifically identified entities. Subscribers are able to establish a personal agent and control policies and preferences remotely using, for example, an internet connected computer-based device. Alternatively, service providers are able to modify the content of the agent of behalf of their subscribers in accordance with predetermined communication preferences (automatic or defined by subscribers).

Abstract: A synchronization method for communication devices via various interfaces such as the web, networked clients, or cellular devices that support WAP or other devices such as PSTN or mobile telephones. Synchronization is performed by the device originating the event sending a request verb indicating the required event to the server. The server sends back an acknowledgment (response) verb to that particular device and an addition verb about the event to all of the subscriber's connected devices (this list includes the device that originated the event if this device is of a type that receives server originated events). A sync maintenance embodiment monitors each device, and when a device is determined to have become unsynchronized, a repair procedure is initiated using status identifiers kept on the devices (Local Status Identifiers) and on the server (Master Status Identifiers) that are sent periodically to the server.

Abstract: A method to allow Internet service subscribers to expose a person-specific personalization of their “visitor web pages”. This service allows a subscriber to build a dedicated web page that is specifically assembled for another person. A visitor, upon accessing the web page, has the capability to review static and dynamic information or to call the subscriber using multimedia communications such as Voice-over-IP or send the subscriber information. The page may contain information that is made available only to the subscriber's family, such as the current active policy of the subscriber and the phone number that is closest to him. Such information is made available via the subscriber's policy.