US 2006/0218275 A1 · System and method for searching peer-to-peer computer networks

Abstract

A method and system for intelligently directing a search of a peer-to-peer network, in which a user performing a search is assisted in choosing a host which is likely to return fast, favorable results to the user. A host monitor monitors the peer-to-peer network and collects data on various characteristics of the hosts which make up the network. Thereafter, a host selector ranks the hosts using the data, and passes this information to the user. The user then selects one or more of the highly-ranked hosts as an entry point into the network. Additionally, a cache may collect a list of hosts based on the content on the hosts. In this way, a user may choose to connect to a host which is known to contain information relevant to the user's search. The host selector may be used to select from among the hosts listed in the cache.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A method for searching a peer-to-peer computer network, comprising:

collecting data about a plurality of computers within the peer-to-peer network, wherein the collected data includes a network location of each of the plurality of computers and information on a number of files contained on each of the plurality of computers;
selecting at least one of the plurality of computers, based on the collected data;
and
routing a search query from a computer to the at least one of the plurality of computers via the network location of the at least one of the plurality of computers.

1 more element

A system for establishing an optimal connection between a computer and a peer-to-peer network, the system comprising:

a monitor for measuring data about a plurality computers within the peer-to-peer network, wherein the measured data includes information on an amount of content available to the network on one or more of the plurality of computers;
and
a selector for selecting at least one of the plurality of computers based on the measured data, wherein the selector provides a network location of the at least one of the plurality of computers to the computer to allow the computer to connect to the at least one of the plurality of computers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for searching peer-to-peer computer networks

Life of this patent

System and method for searching peer-to-peer computer networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27