Method for selecting among equivalent files on a global computer network
AssigneeAcceleration Software International Corporation
InventorClinton L. Ballard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A file among equivalent files identified during a search of a global computer network is selected to be downloaded to a local computer. Equivalent files are found frequently where different copies of the same song are stored many times on a global computer network. A portion of all or a subset of the equivalent files are screened during a brief trial download period. Because the files are expected to be located at different sites, the bandwidth of the pathways to the respective files may vary. Amongst other criteria, the file with the best download performance during the trial time period is selected to be downloaded in its entirety.
Claims25
A method for selecting among files on a global computer network, comprising the steps of:
- searching at least a portion of the global computer network for files meeting a search criteria, wherein a list of files meeting said search criteria is identified:
- attempting to download a portion of each file among a subset of the files on said list;
- screening the files attempted to be downloaded based upon selection criteria;
- and
- selecting one of the screened files attempted to be downloaded to be completely downloaded;
- wherein the selection criteria includes at least a download bandwidth performance during a trial downloading time period.
A method for selecting among files on a global computer network, comprising the steps of:
- searching at least a portion of the global computer network for files meeting a search criteria, wherein a list of files meeting said search criteria is identified in which the list of files is a list of equivalent files;
- attempting to download a portion of each file among a subset of the files on said list;
- screening the files attempted to be downloaded based upon selection criteria;
- and
- selecting one of the screened files attempted to be downloaded to be completely downloaded;
- wherein the selection criteria includes at least a download bandwidth performance during a trial downloading time period.
A system for searching a global computer network, comprising:
- means for searching at least a portion of the global computer network for files meeting a search criteria, the searching means producing a list of files meeting said search criteria;
- means for downloading a portion of a subset of files on said list;
- means for screening each file attempted to be downloaded based upon selection criteria, said screening means comprising means for comparing bandwidth performance for each file of the plurality of files which has a portion downloaded;
- and
- means for selecting one of the screened files attempted to be downloaded to be completely downloaded based at least in part on the bandwidth performance associated with the selected file.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.