Abstract: A method includes receiving at a directory server a notification from a client system, where the notification indicates that the first client received a corrupt packet of a playfile from a first peer. The method also includes determining if the first peer is a poor quality peer, updating a first peer score for the first peer if the first peer is not a poor quality peer, identifying a second peer that is not on a blacklist, and providing a peer identification associated with the second peer to the client system.

Abstract: A method includes receiving demand information for a first segment of a media content item and receiving demand information for a second segment of the media content item. The method includes assigning the first segment to a first set of distribution nodes of a media content distribution system based at least partially on the demand information for the first segment and based at least partially on a first cost function and assigning the second segment to a second set of distribution nodes of the media content distribution system based at least partially on the demand information for the second segment and based at least partially on a second cost function. The media content distribution system includes a plurality of distribution nodes and each distribution node is configured to provide media content items to at least some of a plurality of endpoints.

Abstract: A content monitor includes a processor that at least receives requests from a plurality of clients for content, instructs each client to retry their respective request at a first later time if the request is received before a first time, counts the requests to determine if a number of the requests exceeds a threshold if the request is received before a second time, instructs each client to retry their respective request at a second later time if the counted number of requests does not exceed a first threshold, instructs each client to join a multicast group to receive the content when the number of requests exceeds the first threshold, and counts a number of late clients joining the multicast group after a first portion of the content has been sent to the multicast group.

Abstract: A method of receiving content includes joining an in-progress multicast stream to receive a first portion of a content. The method further includes sending a request to a peer for a catch-up portion of the content, the request including a deadline for delivery of the content, and receiving the catch-up portion of the content from the peer prior to the deadline.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a first level distribution node of a plurality of first level distribution nodes of a hierarchical media distribution system (HMDS), a request for a content item (associated with segments corresponding to a time order) from a first endpoint device. The method includes, in response to receiving the request, sending, from the first level distribution node, a first data stream corresponding to a first segment of the content item to the first endpoint device and sending first information (indicating the request and a first end time of the first data stream) to a second level distribution node of a plurality of second level distribution nodes of the HMDS. The method includes receiving, from the second level distribution node, a second data stream corresponding to a second segment before the first end time has been reached and sending the second data stream to the first endpoint device.

Abstract: A content monitor includes a processor that at least receives requests from a plurality of clients for content, instructs each client to retry their respective request at a first later time if the request is received before a first time, counts the requests to determine if a number of the requests exceeds a threshold if the request is received before a second time, instructs each client to retry their respective request at a second later time if the counted number of requests does not exceed a first threshold, instructs each client to join a multicast group to receive the content when the number of requests exceeds the first threshold, and counts a number of late clients joining the multicast group after a first portion of the content has been sent to the multicast group.

Abstract: A method for transferring content includes requesting the content from a serving peer and sending the content to a requesting peer. Requesting the content includes sending a request to a tracker, receiving a request token, a path identifier, and a first peer identifier from the tracker, and sending a request message to a second peer. The first peer identifier includes an identity of a first peer, and the request message includes the request token, the path identifier, and the first peer identifier. Sending the content includes receiving the request token and the path identifier from a third peer, sending a return message to a fourth peer, and transferring the content from the serving peer to the requesting peer through a transfer path. The return message includes the path identifier and a second peer identifier. The second peer identifier includes an identity of a fifth peer. The transfer path includes at least the second, fourth, and fifth peers.

Abstract: A method for transferring content includes requesting the content from a serving peer and sending the content to a requesting peer. Requesting the content includes sending a request to a tracker, receiving a request token, a path identifier, and a first peer identifier from the tracker, and sending a request message to a second peer. The first peer identifier includes an identity of a first peer, and the request message includes the request token, the path identifier, and the first peer identifier. Sending the content includes receiving the request token and the path identifier from a third peer, sending a return message to a fourth peer, and transferring the content from the serving peer to the requesting peer through a transfer path. The return message includes the path identifier and a second peer identifier. The second peer identifier includes an identity of a fifth peer. The transfer path includes at least the second, fourth, and fifth peers.

Abstract: A method includes receiving demand information for a first segment of a media content item and receiving demand information for a second segment of the media content item. The method includes assigning the first segment to a first set of distribution nodes of a media content distribution system based at least partially on the demand information for the first segment and based at least partially on a first cost function and assigning the second segment to a second set of distribution nodes of the media content distribution system based at least partially on the demand information for the second segment and based at least partially on a second cost function. The media content distribution system includes a plurality of distribution nodes and each distribution node is configured to provide media content items to at least some of a plurality of endpoints.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for measuring and controlling chemical reactions that produce thermoplastic polymers by utilizing a stoichiometry correction during a reaction cycle to produce thermoplastic resins with desired properties. The thermoplastic polymer is made from at least one first monomer having a first reactive end group and at least one second monomer having a second reactive end group by reaction of the first reactive end group with the second reactive end group and has a glass transition temperature of greater than 130° C.

Abstract: A system for resource provisioning for content delivery of multiple services is disclosed. The system may be configured to offer multiple services, wherein at least one first offered service is delivery of prerecorded content and at least one second offered service is content delivered according to a deadline. In at least one embodiment, the first offered service may be video content, and the second offered service may be broadcast television content. The system may also be configured to deliver at least a portion of the first offered service in advance of use of that portion of the first offered service such that resource demand in connection with delivery of service content of the second offered service at peak delivery may be reduced. As such, fewer resources are needed to provide uninterrupted service of the first and second offered services.

Abstract: A content monitor includes a processor that at least receives requests from a plurality of clients for content, instructs each client to retry their respective request at a first later time if the request is received before a first time, counts the requests to determine if a number of the requests exceeds a threshold if the request is received before a second time, instructs each client to retry their respective request at a second later time if the counted number of requests does not exceed a first threshold, instructs each client to join a multicast group to receive the content when the number of requests exceeds the first threshold, and counts a number of late clients joining the multicast group after a first portion of the content has been sent to the multicast group.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data identifying new media content items to be added to a media distribution system that provides media content on demand to a plurality of endpoints. The media distribution system includes a plurality of distribution nodes, and each of the distribution nodes is coupled to a subset of the endpoints. Historical demand is determined during a particular time period for existing media content items that include content available via at least one of the distribution nodes before the data was received. The method includes forecasting demand for media content items, including new media content items and existing media content items, based on the historical demand. Each media content item is assigned to, and stored at, at least one corresponding distribution node based at least partially on a cost function and the forecasted demand.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at a directory server a notification from a client system, where the notification indicates that the first client received a corrupt packet of a playfile from a first peer. The method also includes determining if the first peer is a poor quality peer, updating a first peer score for the first peer if the first peer is not a poor quality peer, identifying a second peer that is not on a blacklist, and providing a peer identification associated with the second peer to the client system.

Abstract: A content delivery system includes a unicast content delivery module, a multicast content delivery module, and a content monitor module. The unicast content delivery module is configured to provide content using a unicast protocol, and the multicast content delivery module is configured to provide the content using a multicast protocol. The content monitor module is configured to receive requests from a plurality of clients for the content, count the requests to determine if the number of requests exceeds a threshold, and instruct the plurality of clients to receive the content from the multicast content delivery module when the number of requests exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A method of obtaining content includes receiving a playfile. The playfile includes a chunk ID corresponding to a chunk of the content, a packet ID corresponding to a packet of the chunk, and a hash of the packet. The method further includes obtaining the chunk from a peer, determining a calculated hash for the packet, and discarding the chunk when the calculated hash does not match the hash in the playfile.

Abstract: A method for transferring content includes requesting the content from a serving peer and sending the content to a requesting peer. Requesting the content includes sending a request to a tracker, receiving a request token, a path identifier, and a first peer identifier from the tracker, and sending a request message to a second peer. The first peer identifier includes an identity of a first peer, and the request message includes the request token, the path identifier, and the first peer identifier. Sending the content includes receiving the request token and the path identifier from a third peer, sending a return message to a fourth peer, and transferring the content from the serving peer to the requesting peer through a transfer path. The return message includes the path identifier and a second peer identifier. The second peer identifier includes an identity of a fifth peer. The transfer path includes at least the second, fourth, and fifth peers.

Abstract: A method for purifying an oxydiphthalic anhydride comprises diluting a first mixture comprising an oxydiphthalic anhydride, a solvent, a catalyst, and an inorganic salt with a solvent, to provide a second mixture having a solids content of 10 to 30 percent based on total weight of the second mixture; filtering and washing the solids of the second mixture at a temperature below the crystallization point temperature of the oxydiphthalic anhydride to provide a third mixture; hydrolyzing the third mixture by adding water and a water-soluble acid to form a fourth mixture; heating the fourth mixture; then cooling to provide a solid-liquid mixture, optionally decanting a portion of the liquid, rediluting the remaining solid-liquid mixture, then filtering to provide a solid component; washing the solid component with water to provide a fifth mixture of oxydiphthalic tetraacid and water; ring closing the oxydiphthalic tetraacid to provide oxydiphthalic anhydride, and filtering the oxydiphthalic anhydride.

Abstract: A content delivery system includes a unicast content delivery module, a multicast content delivery module, and a content monitor module. The unicast content delivery module is configured to provide content using a unicast protocol, and the multicast content delivery module is configured to provide the content using a multicast protocol. The content monitor module is configured to receive requests from a plurality of clients for the content, count the requests to determine if the number of requests exceeds a threshold, and instruct the plurality of clients to receive the content from the multicast content delivery module when the number of requests exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for measuring and controlling chemical reactions that produce thermoplastic polymers by utilizing a stoichiometry correction during a reaction cycle to produce thermoplastic resins with desired properties. The thermoplastic polymer is made from at least one first monomer having a first reactive end group and at least one second monomer having a second reactive end group by reaction of the first reactive end group with the second reactive end group and has a glass transition temperature of greater than 130° C.