| Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer connection assistance -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer connection assistanceRelated Patent Categories: Multiplex Communications, Pathfinding Or Routing, Switching A Message Which Includes An Address Header, Having A Plurality Of Nodes Performing Distributed SwitchingMethod and apparatus for peer-to-peer connection assistance description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070160069, Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer connection assistance. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to computing networks and relates more particularly to facilitating data transfers between computing devices. BACKGROUND [0002] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network 100 of nodes (e.g., computing devices) interacting in a peer-to-peer (P2P) manner. Generally, a requesting node 101 sends a search message 105 (e.g., containing keywords relating to data that the requesting node 101 wishes to locate) to one or more intermediate network nodes 111 connected to the requesting node 101. Each intermediate node 111 receives the search message 105 and then forwards the search message 105 to one or more additional nodes 111. Eventually, the search message 105 reaches one or more responding nodes 103 having the requested data. One or more responding nodes 103 then send a response message 107 back to the requesting node 101, e.g., via the intermediate nodes 111. The requesting node 101 then requests the relevant data from a responding node 103 by connecting directly to the responding node 103, e.g., via direct connection 109. [0003] In some cases, the requesting node 101 and the responding node 103 may not be able to connect to or communicate with each other. This condition may be permanent (e.g., the requesting node 101 and the responding node 103 are each behind different firewalls), or it may only be temporary (e.g., a network outage occurring on a path between the requesting node 101 and the responding node 103). In either case, the requesting node 101 and the responding node 103 will be unable, at least immediately, to complete the desired data transfer. Although the requesting node 101 and the responding node 103 might be able to communicate via a series of other nodes 111, the necessary traversal of multiple network links makes this solution not optimal (e.g., due to multiple potential points of failure, response time, etc.). [0004] Thus, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus for peer-to-peer connection assistance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for assisting a peer-to-peer connection between a first node and a second node includes receiving, at a third node, a request for connection assistance from one of the first and second nodes. The third node then connects to both the first node and the second node, receives the data from the first node and delivers the data to the second node. In this manner, data may be transferred between the first and second nodes even if the first and second nodes are unable to directly connect to each other (e.g., due to permanent or temporary limitations). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] So that the manner in which the above recited embodiments of the invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be obtained by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. [0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network of nodes interacting in a peer-to-peer manner; [0008] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for facilitating a data transfer between two nodes that are unable to connect directly to each other; [0009] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for assisting a data transfer between a first and a second network node, according to the present invention; [0010] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for monitoring network traffic and/or data transfers to and from a node, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and [0011] FIG. 5 is a high level block diagram of the connection assistance method that is implemented using a general purpose computing device. [0012] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0013] In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for peer-to-peer connection assistance. Embodiments of the present invention enable data to be transferred between two nodes that are unable to connect directly (but are known to each other) by enabling the two nodes to use a partner node as an intermediary. The desired data is transferred to the partner node, which in turn delivers the data to the requesting node. In this manner, the desired data transfer can take place despite the inability of the transferring parties to connect directly. [0014] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 200 for facilitating a data transfer between two nodes that are unable to connect directly to each other (e.g., due to both nodes being behind different firewalls, a severed network link or high bandwidth usage). The method 200 may be implemented at, for example, the requesting node 101 or the responding node 103 of FIG. 1. [0015] The method 200 is initialized at step 202 and proceeds to step 204, where the method 200 sends a partner request message. That is, the method 200 solicits responses from other nodes in the network that can or will assist the node at which the method 200 is executing in accomplishing a desired data transfer with a second node. In one embodiment, the partner request message includes one or more details about the desired network connection (e.g., "would like to connect remotely to node X"). [0016] In step 206, the method 200 receives at least one partner acknowledgement message from at least one other node in the network that can assist in the execution of the desired data transfer. [0017] In step 208, the method 200 selects a partner node from the one or more nodes that responded to the partner request message with a partner acknowledgement message. In one embodiment, the selection of a partner node is based at least in part on how quickly a potential partner node responds (e.g., the first node to respond to the partner request message) and/or on the attributes (e.g., network speed, such as T1, cable, DSL or modem) of the potential partner node, if such attributes are supplied. [0018] Once the partner node has been selected, the method 200 proceeds to step 210 and connects to the partner node (e.g., via a standard push connection if the node at which the method 200 is executing is behind a firewall). If the method 200 is unable to successfully connect to the selected partner node, the method 200 may select another of the nodes that responded with a partner acknowledgement message. In one embodiment, once the connection is established, the method 200 provides details regarding the desired network connection (e.g., "would like to connect remotely to node X") to the partner node. [0019] The method 200 then commences the desired data transfer via the partner node in step 212. Thus, if the method 200 is executing at a requesting node, the method 200 will receive the desired data from the partner node; if the method 200 is executing at a responding node, the method 200 will deliver the desired data to the partner node, which will in turn deliver the desired data to the requesting node. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer connection assistance... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer connection assistance Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer connection assistance patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer connection assistance or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Methods and systems for managing digital cross-connect matrices using virtual connection points Next Patent Application: Framework for a wireless communication device Industry Class: Multiplex communications ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer connection assistance patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.27304 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
