System for distributing files and transmitting/receiving distributed files

Abstract

A system for distributing files and transmitting/receiving the distributed files includes a file distribution/transmission/reception module depending upon an application program executable in a client computer and is performed in a background process of an application program execution module. The file distribution/transmission/reception module receives the files designated by a host computer from a network and then stores the received files, while the application program is executed. The file distribution/transmission/reception module transmits corresponding files to another client computer if the corresponding files exist, in response to another client computer's request for transmission of files designated on the host computer. The system distributes a load of the network and increases a file transmission rate by receiving and storing distributed transmission files while the application program is executed, and reduces the network load associated with a file storage computer by receiving the transmission files from the file storage computer and from other client computers.

1 . A method for distributing files over a network to a plurality of clients, comprising: 
 employing a module at each client as a background process to receive and store a file designated at a host;    employing an application program at each client as a foreground process while the module is performing as the background process; and    in response to a request by one of the plurality of clients for the file designated at the host, providing the requested file from at least one of the host or another one of the plurality of clients.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 performing an authentication procedure on a client that is requesting the file designated at the host; and    if the client is authenticated by the procedure, communicating a result of the procedure to the host, wherein the host enables the providing of the file to the client based on the result.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the requested file further comprises enabling the module to transmit the requested file for the other one of the plurality of clients.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising enabling a first processor occupancy ratio of the module to be relatively smaller than a second processor occupancy ratio of the application program.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the requested file, further comprises if a client and at least one other of plurality of clients are on a sub-network and the file is available at the one other client on the sub-network, enabling the one other client to provide the file to the client.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the requested file, further comprises if the file is unavailable from any other of the plurality of clients on a sub-network and the file is available at one other client on the network, enabling the one other client on the network to provide the file to the client.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the requested file, further comprises if the file is unavailable from any other of the plurality of clients, enabling the host to provide the file to the client.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a list to each of the plurality of clients, wherein the list indicates each client that is storing a copy of the file designated at the host.  
   
   
       9 . A host for enabling distribution of files over a network to a plurality of clients, comprising: 
 a memory for storing data;    a processor for enabling actions based on processing of the stored data, including: 
 enabling a module at each client to perform as a background process to receive and store a file designated at the host;  
 enabling an application program at each client to perform as a foreground process while the module is performing as the background process; and  
 in response to a request by one of the plurality of clients for the file designated at the host, enabling the requested file to be provided from at least one of the host or another one of the plurality of clients.  
   
   
   
       10 . The host of  claim 9 , wherein the processor enables further actions, comprising: 
 enabling an authentication procedure to be performed on a client that is requesting the file designated at the host; and    if the client is authenticated by the procedure, enabling communication of a result of the procedure to the host, wherein the host enables the providing of the file to the client based on the result.    
   
   
       11 . The host of  claim 9 , wherein the providing of the requested file further comprises enabling the module to transmit the requested file for the other one of the plurality of clients.  
   
   
       12 . The host of  claim 9 , further comprising enabling a first processor occupancy ratio of the module to be relatively smaller than a second processor occupancy ratio of the application program.  
   
   
       13 . The host of  claim 9 , wherein the providing of the requested file, further comprises if a client and at least one other of plurality of clients are on a sub-network and the file is available at the one other client on the sub-network, enabling the one other client to provide the file to the client.  
   
   
       14 . The host of  claim 9 , wherein the providing of the requested file, further comprises if the file is unavailable from any other of the plurality of clients on a sub-network and the file is available at one other client on the network, enabling the one other client on the network to provide the file to the client.  
   
   
       15 . The host of  claim 9 , wherein the providing of the requested file, further comprises if the file is unavailable from any of the plurality of clients, the host provides the file to the client.  
   
   
       16 . The host of  claim 9 , wherein the processor enables further actions, comprising providing a list to each of the plurality of clients, and wherein the list indicates each client storing a copy of the file designated at the host.  
   
   
       17 . A client for enabling distribution of files over a network to a plurality of clients, comprising: 
 a memory for storing data;    a processor for enabling actions based on processing of the stored data, including: 
 employing a module as a background process to receive and store a file designated at the host;  
 employing an application program as a foreground process while the module is performing as the background process; and  
 if the file designated at the host is available at the client, providing the file to another one of the plurality of clients in response to a request for the file by the same other one of the plurality of clients.  
   
   
   
       18 . The client of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 enabling an authentication procedure to be performed on the client in response to requesting the file designated at the host; and    wherein a result of the authentication procedure is communicated to the host, and wherein based on the result the host enables the providing of the file to the client.    
   
   
       19 . The client of  claim 17 , wherein the providing of the requested file further comprises enabling the module to transmit the file to another one of the plurality of clients.  
   
   
       20 . The client of  claim 17 , further comprising enabling a first processor occupancy ratio of the module to be relatively smaller than a second processor occupancy ratio of the application program.  
   
   
       21 . The client of  claim 17 , wherein the providing of the requested file, further comprises if the client and at least one other client are on a sub-network and the file is available at the one other client on the sub-network, enabling the one other client to provide the file to the client.  
   
   
       22 . The client of  claim 17 , wherein the providing of the requested file, further comprises if the file is unavailable from any other of the plurality of clients on a sub-network and the file is available at one other client on the network, enabling the one other client on the network to provide the file to the client.  
   
   
       23 . The client of  claim 17 , wherein the providing of the requested file, further comprises if the file is unavailable from any of the plurality of clients, the host provides the file to the client.  
   
   
       24 . The client of  claim 17 , further comprising receiving a list from the host, wherein the list indicates each client that is storing a copy of the file designated at the host.  
   
   
       25 . A file folder that includes processor executable data for distributing files over a network to a plurality of clients, wherein the execution of the data enables actions, comprising: 
 enabling a module at each client to perform as a background process to receive and store a file designated at a host;    enabling an application program at each client to perform as a foreground process while the module is performing as the background process; and    in response to a request by one of the plurality of clients for the file designated at the host, enabling the requested file to be provided by at least one of the host or another one of the plurality of clients.    
   
   
       26 . The file folder of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 enabling an authentication procedure to be performed on a client that is requesting the file designated at the host; and    if the client is authenticated by the procedure, enabling communication of a result of the procedure to the host, wherein the host enables the providing of the file to the client based on the result.    
   
   
       27 . The file folder of  claim 25 , wherein providing the requested file further comprises enabling the module to transmit the requested file for the other one of the plurality of clients.  
   
   
       28 . The file folder of  claim 25 , wherein the actions further comprise enabling a first processor occupancy ratio of the module to be relatively smaller than a second processor occupancy ratio of the application program.  
   
   
       29 . The file folder of  claim 25 , wherein providing the requested file, further comprises if a client and at least one other of plurality of clients are on a sub-network and the file is available at the one other client on the sub-network, enabling the one other client to provide the file to the client.  
   
   
       30 . The file folder of  claim 25  wherein providing the requested file, further comprises if the file is unavailable from any other of the plurality of clients on a sub-network and the file is available at one other client on the network, enabling the one other client on the network to provide the file to the client.  
   
   
       31 . The file folder of  claim 25 , wherein providing the requested file, further comprises if the file is unavailable from any other of the plurality of clients, enabling the host to provide the file to the client.  
   
   
       32 . The file folder of  claim 25 , wherein the actions further comprise providing a list to each of the plurality of clients, wherein the list indicates each client that is storing a copy of the file designated at the host.