Peer-to-peer network content object information caching

This application is a continuation of and claims benefit of priority to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/868,110, filed Jun. 15, 2004 which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

The present invention is directed to caching remote directory information and media content in a peer-to-peer network, and in particular to a method that caches such directory information in response to requests for specific items of the directory information.

The increased use of electronic devices, such as digital cameras, DVDs, PCs, wireless Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), stereos and TVs has resulted in increased interest in networking these devices, particularly in a home environment. Devices such as television receivers (TVs) and stereos can act as “players” to play content while devices like digital versatile disc (DVD) players, personal computers (PCs) and video cameras can act as sources of content termed “receivers.” Networking these devices allows content from a networked receiver node to play on a networked player node provided the nodes support a common content format and protocol. Further, node devices can support both player and receiver functionality. For example, a PC, that is connected to a global information network such at the Internet, can receive on-line content from the network for rendering on a remote node player. When equipped with DVD player software, this same PC allows DVD content to play on the PC. Applying this example to a home environment, a networked DVD receiver node located in the den, and typically used with the den TV, can provide content that is reproduced on a PC located in the master bedroom. In this home example, a master bedroom DVD is unnecessary. Accordingly, sharing content on the network can reduce the need for multiple receiver devices and players throughout the home.

There are several peer-to-peer network descriptions that both support player and receiver nodes. Ease of use is especially desirable in the home environment. Available content and node capabilities are desirably discoverable by other nodes. Moreover, it may be desirable to have a master controller for directing a specific content from one receiver node on the network to a networked player node.

Among the peer-to-peer network descriptions providing these features is Universal Plug and Play (UPnP). UPnP provides services to enumerate available content available on the network. UPnP Context Directory Service (CDS) allows users to browse descriptions of content available to network nodes. Further, users can search content for certain attributes such as a movie title. User interfaces on controller nodes provide user access to CDS functionality on local and remote nodes.

While the CDS capabilities support such remote browsing and searching, the user experience may be less than desirable. During high network traffic periods, browsing and searching across the network often results in a sluggish user experience.

The present invention relates to a peer-to-peer network system and methods of reducing network requests for network data thereby avoiding network delays and reducing the sluggish response experienced by users. Further, the present invention reduces response time for network requests originating within the local node. In one aspect of the invention, a local network node maintains a cache of content object information from prior data requests that were received by the local node. In another aspect of the invention, content object information is requested across the network only if it is not already stored in the local node cache memory. In yet another aspect of the invention, the local node resizes a request for content object information to cause a larger amount of the object information than was requested to be retrieved and stored in the cache memory. According to yet another aspect of the invention, the local node anticipates a future request for content object information based on past requests, requests the anticipated remote data before it is actually requested and then caches the content object information when it is received.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary peer-to-peer networking system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary remote media server for the peer to-peer networking system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary peer-to-peer networking system having a server node and control node with user interface.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary peer-to-peer networking system having a server node and wireless control node with user interface.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary peer-to-peer networking system suitable for use in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow-chart diagram useful in describing remote data caching.

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