Network broadcasting system and method for distributing information from a master cache to local caches

Abstract

The comprehensive global information broadcasting system and implementation thereof is designed to be used to provide a plurality of, what is commonly referred to as, Internet service providers with updated information through the use of high speed satellite links directly to the local Internet service provider from a centralized location. The satellite broadcasting system is combined with servers known as caching or proxy servers located at the client site which serve to store web and other data until the end user needs to access the data and a master cache center which coordinates the selection and transmission of information to those client sites via the satellite broadcasting system. The caching of data objects as close to the end user as possible will require less data to transit the backbone networks. The client site cache communicates to the master cache center via the satellite broadcasting system and, in some cases, the Internet connection. Upon the receipt of a request from an Internet service provider, the information at the master cache will be transmitted from a ground station to a satellite and will be broadcast to all receiving Internet service providers using the broadcast system which overlays a capability onto the existing Internet that will allow real broadcast so that the data object can be transmitted once and received at all subscriber locations. Internet service providers will need to subscribe to the service to be able to receive these satellite transmissions, and in order to register their cache misses which is a way in which a subscriber indicates interest in a data item. A method of implementing this is disclosed using software for updating and optimizing of the local cache sites and capturing and processing the information through the receivers.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An information distribution method in a master caching system, comprising: 
 determining a level of user interest in information content on the Internet based on messages generated by one or more local caching systems, said messages being indicative of user interest in information content at said one or more local caching systems; and    distributing said information content to at least one local caching system beyond said one or more local caching systems when said determined level of user interest has reached a threshold level.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising retrieving said information content via the Internet after said determined level of user interest has reached a threshold level.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising retrieving said information content via the Internet before said determined level of user interest has reached a threshold level.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a message regarding a local caching system miss that occurs when requested information content does not reside in the local caching system.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said threshold level is a predetermined level.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said distributing comprises distributing said information content via a satellite broadcast system.  
     
     
         7 . An information distribution method in a master caching system, comprising: 
 inferring, based at least in part on information received from one or more local caching systems, a level of interest in information content on the Internet by users served by a local caching system beyond said one or more local caching systems;    retrieving said information content; and    distributing said information content to a second local caching system when said level of interest has reached a threshold level.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said received information includes information regarding a local caching system miss that occurs when requested information content does not reside in the local caching system.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said threshold level is a predetermined level.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said information content is retrieved via the Internet.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said retrieving occurs prior to said level of interest reaching said threshold level.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said retrieving occurs after said level of interest reaches said threshold level.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said distributing occurs prior to a request by said second local caching system.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said distributing comprises distributing said information content via a satellite broadcast system.  
     
     
         15 . A computer program product, comprising: 
 computer-readable program code for causing a computer to determine a level of user interest in information content on the Internet based on messages generated by one or more local caching systems, said messages being indicative of user interest in information content at said one or more local caching systems;    computer-readable program code for causing a computer to distribute said information content to at least one local caching system beyond said one or more local caching systems when said determined level of user interest has reached a threshold level; and    a computer-usable medium configured to store the computer-readable program codes.    
     
     
         16 . A computer program product, comprising: 
 computer-readable program code for causing a computer to infer, based at least in part on information received from one or more local caching systems, a level of interest in information content on the Internet by users served by a local caching system beyond said one or more local caching systems;    computer-readable program code for causing a computer to retrieve said information content;    computer-readable program code for causing a computer to distribute said information content to a second local caching system via a network broadcast system when said level of interest has reached a threshold level; and    a computer-usable medium configured to store the computer-readable program codes.    
     
     
         17 . An information distribution system, comprising: 
 means for determining a level of user interest in information content on the Internet based on messages generated by one or more local caching systems, said messages being indicative of user interest in information content at said one or more local caching systems; and    means for distributing said information content to at least one local caching system beyond said one or more local caching systems when said determined level of user interest has reached a threshold level.    
     
     
         18 . An information distribution system, comprising: 
 means for inferring, based at least in part on information received from one or more local caching systems, a level of interest in information content on the Internet by users served by a local caching system beyond said one or more local caching systems;    means for retrieving said information content; and    means for distributing said information content to said second local caching system via a network broadcast system when said level of interest has reached a threshold level.