Localized peer-to-peer network of set top boxes

A system for providing peer-to-peer network sharing of content, comprising:

• a first edge device in a local network, the first edge device being a first set top box configured to record a start of a program;
• a second edge device in the local network, the second edge device being a second set top box configured to determine that the start of the program has passed and to send a query within the local network identifying content desired by the second edge device, the content including content originally streamed from a hybrid fiber coaxial network, and when the second edge device reaches a storage capacity limit, a temporary backup mode is provided by having the second edge device use an unused storage of the first edge device;
• and
• a local area node located together with the first and second edge devices in the local network, and operable to compare the identified content desired by the second edge device to a recorded portion at the start of the program recorded at the first edge device, determine the desired content is located at the first edge device, and provide the recorded portion of the program for delivery to the second edge device, wherein the local area node identifies the first edge device as having the desired content by performing a concentric ring search that includes searching for the desired content in set top boxes located in a first confined area, expanding the search to a second confined area when the desired content is not found in the first confined area, the second confined area being larger than the first confined area, and searching in an expanding manner until the desired content is located, wherein the first edge device sends at least a portion of the desired content identified in the query from the second edge device when content recorded from the start of the program at the first edge device correlates to the desired content identified in the query from the second edge device, and a remainder of the desired content being provided from another edge device in the local network depending on a network loading of the first edge device with local tasks.

A computer readable storage device including executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, provides peer-to-peer network sharing of content, by:

• recording content at a start of a program at a first edge device in a local network, the first edge device being a first set top box;
• determining via a user at a second edge device within the local network that the start of the program has passed, the second edge device being a second set top box;
• receiving a query at the first edge device from the second edge device within the local network identifying desired content including content originally streamed from a hybrid fiber coaxial network;
• comparing the desired content identified in the query to the content recorded at the start of the program at the first edge device, the comparing being performed at a local area node that identifies the first edge device as having the desired content by performing a concentric ring search that includes searching for the desired content in set top boxes located in a first confined area, expanding the search to a second confined area when the desired content is not found in the first confined area, the second confined area being larger than the first confined area, and searching in an expanding manner until the desired content is located, the local area node and first and second edge devices being located together in the local network;
• sending from the first edge device at least a portion of the desired content identified in the query from the second edge device when content recorded from the start of the program at the first edge device correlates to the desired content identified in the query from the second edge device, and a remainder of the desired content being provided from another edge device in the local network depending on a network loading of the first edge device with local tasks;
• and
• providing a temporary backup mode when the second edge device reaches a storage capacity limit by having the second edge device use an unused storage of the first edge device.