Showing papers on "Upload published in 2005"

The bittorrent p2p file-sharing system: measurements and analysis

Abstract: Of the many P2P file-sharing prototypes in existence, BitTorrent is one of the few that has managed to attract millions of users. BitTorrent relies on other (global) components for file search, employs a moderator system to ensure the integrity of file data, and uses a bartering technique for downloading in order to prevent users from freeriding. In this paper we present a measurement study of BitTorrent in which we focus on four issues, viz. availability, integrity, flashcrowd handling, and download performance. The purpose of this paper is to aid in the understanding of a real P2P system that apparently has the right mechanisms to attract a large user community, to provide measurement data that may be useful in modeling P2P systems, and to identify design issues in such systems.

Interactive music playlist sharing system and methods

Abstract: A community media playlist sharing system is disclosed, wherein system users can upload media playlists which are automatically converted to a standardized format, media playlists can be shared with other users of the community media playlist sharing system, users can link to other playlists and obtain media from playlists automatically from third party points of purchase, users can provide recommendations, ratings and rankings relative to other playlists by system users and receive recommendations from other users and an editorial staff, participate in social networking functions including forums, discussions, weblogs, playlist topic groups and inter-user communications based on affinity for similar playlists, create playlists manually, automatically, or in real time, and wherein system users can obtain points for participation and popularity in the system and obtain profit by meta-affiliate sharing of profit for purchases of music made through playlists submitted by that user as well as through playlist toolbars distributed to third party websites.

Measurements, analysis, and modeling of BitTorrent-like systems

Abstract: Existing studies on BitTorrent systems are single-torrent based, while more than 85% of all peers participate in multiple torrents according to our trace analysis. In addition, these studies are not sufficiently insightful and accurate even for single-torrent models, due to some unrealistic assumptions. Our analysis of representative Bit-Torrent traffic provides several new findings regarding the limitations of BitTorrent systems: (1) Due to the exponentially decreasing peer arrival rate in reality, service availability in such systems becomes poor quickly, after which it is difficult for the file to be located and downloaded. (2) Client performance in the BitTorrent-like systems is unstable, and fluctuates widely with the peer population. (3) Existing systems could provide unfair services to peers, where peers with high downloading speed tend to download more and upload less. In this paper, we study these limitations on torrent evolution in realistic environments. Motivated by the analysis and modeling results, we further build a graph based multi-torrent model to study inter-torrent collaboration. Our model quantitatively provides strong motivation for inter-torrent collaboration instead of directly stimulating seeds to stay longer. We also discuss a system design to show the feasibility of multi-torrent collaboration.

Portable media device and method for presenting viewing content during travel

Abstract: A portable media device for use in cooperation with passenger entertainment systems installed in vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The portable media device is configured to communicate with one or more content sources, which provide viewing content and which may be proximate to, and/or remote from, the portable media device. Preferably being configured to wirelessly communicate with the content sources, the portable media device can select content from any available content source and can download and present the selected content in any conventional manner. The selected content can be streamed to the portable media device for contemporaneous presentation and/or stored by the portable media device for viewing at any time, including after disembarking the vehicle once travel is completed. As desired, the portable media device likewise can be configured to transmit appropriate upload content to the content sources.

Optical reader system comprising local host processor and optical reader

Abstract: There is provided an optical reader system that can include an optical reader and a host processor which may be in communication via a communication link. In one embodiment a communication link between an optical reader and a host processor can be a wireless communication link. The optical reader in one embodiment can receive from the host processor a trigger instruction. In another embodiment the optical reader can receive from the host processor a single frame instruction. The optical reader in another embodiment can receive from the host processor an image upload instruction.

System and method for locating and communicating with personnel and equipment in a facility

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for identifying, locating, authorizing by proximity and communicating with equipment and personnel in a facility that generally employs a series of limited range transceivers for location determination and a distributed wireless data network for data transfer. The system employs unique RF transceiver tags on personnel and equipment that are each uniquely identified and registered with a facility control application that oversees activities in the facility. The tags are tracked by RF communication based upon their proximity to one or more fixed-base networked access points and relays (which transfer location data by RF back to access points) within four range zones. Location data on all tags is uploaded periodically to a location server that interfaces with the facility control server. Tag data is monitored by the facility control server to track, authorize and deauthorize certain data transfers, movements and activities in accordance with rules established for each tag (or type of tag) within the facility control server's application. Wireless networking (WiFi, for example), in combination with the RF-derived location information, allows the facility control server to correlate and transmit data to staff in conjunction with location and proximity. WiFi can transmit authorizations, deauthorizations and general data based upon triggers established by proximity and location. Likewise, data can be transmitted over WiFi from readers etc. from personnel and equipment located and identified by the system.

Personal media channel

Abstract: Exemplary systems, engines, and methods allow a multimedia service subscriber to upload personal media content to a multimedia service. The personal media content is then distributed to selected recipients over a personal media channel that is offered only to the selected recipients.

MMM2: mobile media metadata for media sharing

Abstract: Cameraphones are rapidly becoming a global platform for everyday digital imaging especially for networked sharing of media from mobile devices. However, their constrained user interfaces and the current network and application infrastructure encumber the basic tasks of transferring, finding, and sharing captured media. We have deployed a prototype context-aware cameraphone application for mobile media sharing (MMM2) that aims to overcome these difficulties. MMM2 leverages the point of capture and of sharing to gather metadata, and uses metadata to support sharing. Based on the early results of the first 6 weeks of a six-month trial involving 60 users, indications are that with MMM2 users are actively capturing and sharing photos. The ability to automatically upload photos from a cameraphone to a web-based photo management application and to automatically suggest sharing recipients at the time of capture based on Bluetooth-sensed co-presence and sharing frequency promise to reduce the current difficulty of mobile media sharing.

Computer-implemented system and method for automated image uploading and sharing from camera-enabled mobile devices

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for automatically capturing a set of images with a camera-enabled mobile device and for uploading the set of images to a network server is disclosed. The present invention further includes creating an animation of two or more images of the set of images automatically captured by the camera-enabled mobile device.

Method and system for automated, no downtime, real-time, continuous data protection

Abstract: A data management system or 'DMS' provides an automated, continuous, real-time, substantially no downtime data protection service to one or more data sources associated with a set of application host servers. To facilitate the data protection service, a host driver embedded in an application server captures real-time data transactions, preferably in the form of an event journal that is provided to other DMS components. The driver functions to translate traditional file/database/block I/O and the like into a continuous, application-aware, output data stream. The host driver includes an event processor that provides the data protection service, preferably by implementing a finite state machine (FSM). In particular, the data protection is provided to a given data source in the host server by taking advantage of the continuous, real-time data that the host driver is capturing and providing to other DMS components. The state of the most current data in DMS matches the state of the data in the host server; as a consequence, the data protection is provided under the control of the finite state machine as a set of interconnected phases or 'states.' The otherwise separate processes (initial data upload, continuous backup, blackout and data resynchronization, and recovery) are simply phases of the overall data protection cycle. As implemented by the finite stâte machine, this data protection cycle preferably loops around indefinitely until, for example, a user terminates the service. A given data protection phase (a given state) changes only as the state of the data and the environment change (a given incident).

Public relations communication methods and systems

Abstract: An arrangement for distributing information (1) from Information Providers (IP) to Information Recipients (IR) that utilizes the email system and the Internet to communicate with popular hardware devices - computers, PDAs, cellular phones, etc. IRs receive information anonymously and only the information desired. IPs do not need to 'spam' the world in the hope of getting their information into the right hands because it is organized in a manner that allows IRs to receive exactly what they are looking for. Information is provided by an IP to an IR in response to a request from an IR. A PR server organizes and stores information uploaded by IPs, retrieves information requested by an IR and sends an automated response to the IR. A web domain is associated with the PR server provides a common email addressing scheme for communicating between the PR server and the IRs.

Optimal peer selection for P2P downloading and streaming

Abstract: In a P2P system, a client peer may select one or more server peers to download a specific file. In a P2P resource economy, the server peers charge the client for the downloading. A server peer's price would naturally depend on the specific object being downloaded, the duration of the download, and the rate at which the download is to occur. The optimal peer selection problem is to select, from the set of peers that have the desired object, the subset of peers and download rates that minimizes cost. In this paper we examine a number of natural peer selection problems for both P2P downloading and P2P streaming. For downloading, we obtain the optimal solution for minimizing the download delay subject to a budget constraint, as well as the corresponding Nash equilibrium. For the streaming problem, we obtain a solution that minimizes cost subject to continuous playback while allowing for one or more server peers to fail during the streaming process. The methodologies developed in this paper are applicable to a variety of P2P resource economy problems.

Efficient one-to-many content distribution method in a peer-to-peer computer network

Abstract: A content distribution method and system for distributing content over a peer-to-peer network such that the full potential throughput of the network is achieved. The content distribution method divides the content to be distributed into many small blocks. Each of the content blocks then is assigned to a node, which can be a content-requesting node, a non-content-requesting node or a source node. Content is assigned based on a capacity of the node, where nodes having a larger capacity are assigned a greater number of content blocks and nodes having a smaller capacity are assigned a fewer content blocks. The capacity generally is defined as the upload bandwidth of the node. Redistribution queues are employed to control the throughput of the distribution. This bandwidth control strategy ensures that upload bandwidths of the peer and source nodes are fully utilized even with network anomalies such as packet losses and delivery jitters.

Systems and methods for creating customized applications

Abstract: A method of improving functionality of a client device comprises creating resource files for customizing content from one or more particular websites or third-party servers, storing the resource files on a customization server, downloading one or more of the resource files to the client device, downloading content from the particular websites or third-party servers, and rendering a rich user interface or application to interact with the website in accordance with the downloaded resource files. In some embodiments, the client device is a mobile device such as a handheld computer or a cellular telephone having a limited display area.

An empirical study of free-riding behavior in the maze p2p file-sharing system

Abstract: Maze is a P2P file-sharing system with an active and large user base. It is developed, deployed and operated by an academic research team. As such, it offers ample opportunities to conduct experiments to under-stand user behavior. Embedded in Maze is a set of incentive policies designed to encourage sharing and contribution. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of the incentive policies and how users react to them. We found that in general the policies have been effective. But they also encourage the more selfish users to cheat by whitewashing their ac-counts as a variation of Sybil attack. We examine multiple factors that may contribute to the free-riding behavior. Our conclusions are that upload speed, NAT and amount of shared files are not the problems, and selfish behavior is demonstrated more by shorter online time. Since free-riders are also avid consumers of popular files, we suggest a two-pronged approach to reduce free-riding further: mechanisms to direct queries to sources that would otherwise be free-riders, and policies to encourage users make their resources more available.

Method and system for generating real-time directions associated with product promotions

Abstract: A method and system for generating customized incentives involving electronic distribution of coupons to remote personal computers based on proximity of the computer to a retail center are disclosed. A repository, such as an online service provider or a web site on the Internet, stores packages of incentive data for downloading automatically or on demand to a user's computer. A plurality of data fields is used to associate a user's location with a specific incentive. The incentive data corresponds to remote user computers in a predetermined geographic area. Means for identifying remote user computers in a predetermined geographic area and means for providing direction data, such as maps, etc. to the remote user computer are disclosed.

Method for electronically packaging a user's personal computing environment on a computer or device, and mobilizing it for transfer over a network

Abstract: A computer system using open source software and operating systems is enabled over a global computer network to provide universal, selected applications. The applications can be accessed from a local personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), remote dedicated computer terminal, or like devices. Selected applications may include word processing, calendar, address book, picture viewing, music playing, games, email, Internet access, and the like. Personal data, such as pictures, music, games, “favorite places”, email addresses, and application settings are saved to the local client device and to a centralized customer support server. An included software manager ensures that the most current version of each application is used, and, if not available on the client, it can be uploaded, if necessary.

System and method for managing content on mobile platforms

Abstract: A content management system for providing comprehensive content management for one or more vehicle information systems and methods for manufacturing and using same. The content management system includes a content control system for providing content storage and controlling the overall functionality of the content management system. Being configured to communicate with a selected vehicle information system in a wired and/or wireless manner, the content management system can upload content to update the vehicle information system for access during subsequent travel. The content management system likewise can download content, such as performance data compiled during prior travel, from the vehicle information system. The content management system thereby can provide ensured comprehensive content management under the control of the content control system.

Method and system for tracking client software use

Abstract: A method and system for tracking client software use is disclosed. User data, specifically user interaction with a client-installed software application, is collected in data files and the data files are dynamically uploaded over a global computer system, such as the Internet, to a remote analysis system. The data files are parsed for on-going analysis of feature usage. Typically, for any action that a user performs in the software application, several items are recorded in a data file, such as a user ID, an absolute time-stamp, the method invoked including application source (if the software application includes more than one application), and details such as the dialog invoked, button pressed, menu used, menu item selected, application launch, application termination, as well as environment variables, such as operating system, screen resolution, etc.

Supervision of high value assets

Abstract: Electronic devices in a local area network (LAN), e.g., a DVD video recorder, plasma display, and audio controller in a home network, are protected by a security system that is networked with the devices. In one aspect, the security system periodically polls the devices to confirm that they are present in the LAN. If a device does not respond, an alarm is set. Installation of the electronic device in an unauthorized network is detected by verifying the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the device, such as when the device attempts to contact a server that provides services such as downloading new or updated software to the device, performing remote programming, and uploading diagnostic data. The devices may encrypt their messages using encryption codes that are unique individually or for a specified group of electronic devices.

Mutualcast: An Efficient Mechanism for One-To-Many Content Distribution

Abstract: In this paper, we propose Mutualcast, a new delivery mechanism for content distribution in peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. Compared with prior one-to-many content distribution approaches, Mutualcast achieves full utilization of the upload bandwidths of the peer nodes, thereby maximizing the delivery throughput. Mutualcast splits the to-be-distributed content into many small blocks, so that the more resourceful nodes may redistribute more blocks, and the less resourceful nodes may redistribute fewer blocks. Each content block is assigned to a single node for distribution, which can be a content-requesting peer node, a non-content-requesting peer node, or even the source node. The throughput of the distribution is controlled by redistribution queues between the source and the peer nodes. Furthermore, Mutualcast can be reliable and synchronous. Thus, it can be applied to file/software downloading, media streaming, real-time audio/video conferencing, etc.

Analysis of multimedia workloads with implications for internet streaming

Abstract: In this paper, we study the media workload collected from a large number of commercial Web sites hosted by a major ISP and that collected from a large group of home users connected to the Internet via a well-known cable company. Some of our key findings are: (1) Surprisingly, the majority of media contents are still delivered via downloading from Web servers. (2) A substantial percentage of media downloading connections are aborted before completion due to the long waiting time. (3) A hybrid approach, pseudo streaming, is used by clients to imitate real streaming. (4) The mismatch between the downloading rate and the client playback speed in pseudo streaming is common, which either causes frequent playback delays to the clients, or unnecessary traffic to the Internet. (5) Compared with streaming, downloading and pseudo streaming are neither bandwidth efficient nor performance effective. To address this problem, we propose the design of AutoStream, an innovative system that can provide additional previewing and streaming services automatically for media objects hosted on standard Web sites in server farms at the client's will.

Network for mass distribution of configuration, firmware and software updates

Abstract: A network for mass broadcast of update packages to electronic devices makes it possible to efficiently broadcast update packages for configuration, firmware and software updates. A broadcast server in the network employs broadcast means to broadcast update packages. An electronic device capable of receiving these broadcast update packages comprises a listening client that is capable of listening to a broadcast channel and downloading an update package broadcast by the broadcast server. The listening client makes use of a listening parameters that are set by the DM server in order to facilitate the download from the broadcast server.

Method and user interface for downloading audio and video content filters to a media player

Abstract: A client server arrangement for downloading media content filters from a server device to a client device. The media content filters define portions of a separate audio visual presentation containing potentially objectionable subject matter. Depending on user selections, identified portions of the audio/visual presentation may be skipped and/or muted during play. In one particular implementation, the client device, e.g., a DVD player, is configured to initiate a connection with a server device. Upon successful connection, the server device transmits one or more media content filters to the client device. The client device may be configured to determine whether a particular media content filter is available, to facilitate deletion of some existing media content filters in order to secure adequate memory space, and to ensure that the media player has an active account, before initiating a connection with the server device. The server device may be configured to determine whether the media player is associated with an active user account, whether a requested filter is available, and whether adequate memory space is available at the media player, before transmitting media content filters to the client device.

Secure software upload in an intelligent vehicle via wireless communication links

Abstract: The demand for drive-by-wire, telematics, entertainment, multimedia, pre-crash warning, highway guidance, remote diagnostic, etc will significantly increase the complexity of a vehicle's software modules From time to time, the vehicle's software may need to be updated due to many reasons such as the introduction of new features in vehicles, changing the navigation map, fixing software bugs, etc Software updates must be done in secure modes to avoid any future disasters due to malfunctions of the vehicle In this paper, we propose an architecture for secure software uploads in vehicles We provide a detailed description of the secure software upload process

Web-enabled engine reprogramming

Abstract: Program instructions and/or data used in vehicle computers can be downloaded into the vehicle from a personal computer, which obtains the information from a web server. Different types of programmed modifications can be readily downloaded into a vehicle simply by downloading the appropriate program. Once the program instructions and/or data are downloaded, they can be copied into a vehicle computer using available interfaces, such as the onboard diagnostic system connector (OBD-2) available on many vehicles.

Real time update notification

Abstract: Computer method and apparatus for communicating information between a plurality of client computers by means of a communications network. A data server computer coupled to the network communicates data from the data server computer to one or more of a plurality of client computers in response to a request for data by a client computer in the form of a hypertext transfer protocol update request. The data server computer sends the data made available from the data server computer in response to a data update request from one of the plurality of client computers to said data server computer. A communications server computer coupled to the communications network for communicating the fact that the data on the server has been updated by communicating a client to client message from the client computer that updated the data on the data server computer to other client computers thereby prompting said other client computers to request updated data from the data server computer.

Multi-format data coding, managing and distributing system and method

Abstract: A multi-format data coding, managing and distributing system includes a data center with a server including an extensible video engine (EVE), which is adapted for transcoding video content into multiple formats. A method of the present invention includes the steps of creating, uploading, transcoding and distributing video content. The content is managed by the system and method, including storage in a video vault.

Batch is back: CasJobs, serving multi-TB data on the Web

Abstract: The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) science database describes over 230 million objects and is over 1.6 TB in size. The SDSS Catalog Archive Server (CAS) provides several levels of query interface to the SDSS data via the SkyServer website. Most queries execute in seconds or minutes. However, some queries can take hours or days, either because they require non-index scans of the largest tables, or because they request very large result sets, or because they represent very complex aggregations of the data. These "monster queries" not only take a long time, they also affect response times for everyone else - one or more of them can clog the entire system. To ameliorate this problem, we developed a multiserver multiqueue batch job submission, execution, and tracking system for the CAS called CasJobs. The transfer of very large result sets from queries over the network is another serious problem. Statistics suggested that much of this data transfer is unnecessary; users would prefer to store results locally in order to allow further joins and filtering. To allow local analysis, a system was developed that gives users their own personal databases (MyDB) at the server side. Users may transfer data to their MyDB, and then perform further analysis before extracting it to their own machine. MyDB tables also provide a convenient way to share results of queries with collaborators without downloading them. CasJobs is built using SOAP XML Web services and has been in operation since May 2004.

Pctel14100U method and system for automatic data transfer on a network-connected device

Abstract: A service provider interface protocol, when embedded into a network-capable device, can automatically connect the device to a wired or wireless network. This automatic device connectivity can include automatic logging on, automatic authentication and seamless, automatic data upload to, or download from, another location on the network. Configuration parameters for the automatic authentication, upload and download locations and other related device configurations can be stored within the network server-side management system.