WO2012041410A1

WO2012041410A1 - A method for downloading content via wide area networks to a local area network and a corresponding system

Info

Publication number: WO2012041410A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/002489
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mischa Schmidt; Thilo Ewald
Original assignee: Nec Europe Ltd.
Priority date: 2010-09-29
Filing date: 2011-05-18
Publication date: 2012-04-05

Abstract

A method for downloading content via wide area networks (2, 7), preferably via or from wide area content distribution networks (2, 7) and preferably using Peer-to-Peer technology such as BitTorrent, to a local area network (20), comprising the steps of: performing a search for a predetermined piece of content; receiving a search result comprising at least one found piece of content; selecting at least one found piece of content for download; initiating a download procedure for the selected piece of content; downloading the selected piece of content according to the download procedure to the local area network (20), characterized by identifying content equivalence for the at least one found piece of content according to an at least one content equivalent policy, wherein the content equivalence according to the content equivalent policy is determined independent of the local area network (20) structure and/or local content rendering devices and wherein one of the at least one identified equivalent piece of content is selected for download.

Description

A METHOD FOR DOWNLOADING CONTENT VIA WIDE AREA NETWORKS TO A LOCAL AREA NETWORK AND A CORRESPONDING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a method for downloading content via wide area networks, preferably via or from wide area content distribution networks and preferably using Peer-to-Peer technology such as BitTorrent, to a local area network, and a corresponding system.

In recent years wide area content distribution systems, like the so-called BitTorrent network, the eMule-Kademlia network or the gnutella network, are at least partly server-based peer to peer networks. Each peer within the network may have different content to be provided for users having access to the respective network. The identified content or pieces of content among the different peers are usually searchable by a description and can be identified by a unique identifier.

To download a specific content, for example an audio-file or the like, a user has to search for the specific content in the content distribution network. The user specifies in a user client a description for the content to be searched, for example the name of the audio file. The user receives a result of the searched content or the pieces of content matching the specified description and their corresponding identifiers. The user then selects via the client one or more unique identifiers and initializes a download procedure for the piece or pieces of content to be downloaded. The download procedure depends in general on the type of the corresponding network. The user client may then contact the peers in the network, providing the pieces of content corresponding to the selected identifiers and downloads the pieces of content according to the download procedure.

As mentioned before the BitTorrent network for example uses peer-to-peer unicast communication to download content. To optimize the peer-to-peer download between peers a so-called Application Layer Traffic Optimization (ALTO) may be used. A document relating to Application Layer Traffic Optimization is available under http://tools.ietf.org/id/draft-kiesel-alto-h12-02.txt. The Application Layer Traffic Optimization optimizes the selection of peers, for example by analyzing

CONHR ATION COPY location information of the selected peers for download to reduce a network load and to increase the download efficiency for the content or the pieces of content. A unicast download request may be redirected in the corresponding network based on location information and/or a network workload.

In US 2006/0074810 A1 another optimization procedure is shown. A consumer environment, for example the apartment of the consumer, includes a home network connecting different rendering devices for example an audio content rendering device, a video content rendering device and a further multimedia rendering device. The home network further includes a content storage device, a controller for controlling the home network and a receiver for connecting the home network to the internet for example via an internet service provider. The internet service provider provides content from content providers like digital TV providers, etc. Further the home network includes a content equivalency server. The content equivalency server analyses for example electronic program information provided by the internet service provider to identify equivalent program content. For example the content equivalency server captures metadata when embedded in content descriptions and analyses the metadata regarding equivalent content. The controller displays equivalent content information to a user on a user interface. The user then selects a desired rendering device within its home network to render the content and the content equivalent server selects the selected rendering device available within the home network for rendering the selected equivalent content. The identification of equivalent content is therefore based on a decision if the content may be rendered by a rendering device within the home network.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a system for downloading content in content distribution networks which is more flexible. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for downloading content in content distribution networks which provides traffic optimization in content distribution networks.

In accordance with the invention the aforementioned objects are accomplished by the method of claim 1 and the system according to claim 13. Aceording to claim 1 the method for downloading content via wide area networks, preferably via or from wide area content distribution networks and preferably using Peer-to-Peer technology such as BitTorrent, to a local area network, comprises the steps of

Performing a search for a predetermined piece of content,

Receiving a search result comprising at least one found piece of content,

Selecting at least one found piece of content for download,

Initiating a download procedure for the selected piece of content,

Downloading the selected piece of content according to the download procedure to the local area network,

and is characterized by

Identifying content equivalence for the at least one found piece of content according to an at least one content equivalent policy, wherein the content equivalence according to the content equivalent policy is determined independent of the local area network structure and/or local content rendering devices and wherein one of the at least one identified equivalent piece of content is selected for download.

According to claim 13 the system for downloading content via wide area networks to a local area network, preferably via or from wide area content distribution networks and preferably using Peer-to-Peer technology such as BitTorrent, and preferably for performing a method according to at least one of the claims 1-12, comprises

at least one content storing entity connected to at least one wide area network, at least one client, located in a local area network and connected to said at least one wide area network, for downloading content from at least one content storing entity, search means for searching a predetermined piece of content, identifying means for identifying equivalent content, and storage means for storing at least one content equivalent policy, characterized in that

the identifying means for identifying equivalent content is formed such to identify content equivalence for the at least one found piece of content according to an at least one content equivalent policy, wherein the content equivalence according to the content equivalent policy is determined independent of the local area network structure and/or local content rendering devices and wherein one of the at least one identified equivalent piece of content is selected for download.

According to the invention it has first been recognized that equivalent policies defined preferably by at least one content equivalent parameter allow a very flexible specification of equivalent content by a user for a variety of demands. For example equivalent content may be defined as content which in available in the content distribution network free of charge. Another example may be content in form of audio files which may be defined as equivalent content if the sampled bit rate exceeds a given threshold.

According to the present invention it has been further first recognized that an optimization of network traffic in the wide area content distribution network can be achieved: For example if equivalent content is recognized this content can be downloaded from a peer or a group of peers providing high upload rates to minimize download time for a user. Another example is when equivalent content provided by a plurality of peers is recognized this content can be downloaded from all peers providing a minimized upload traffic usage for the peers, providing therefore for the peers a minimized upload network load.

According to the present invention it has further first recognized that equivalent content does not depend on a specific type of content source, network structure or the like. For example two pieces of content may be defined as equivalent if the two pieces of content are not distinguishable by a user: the two pieces of content may be encrypted with different encryption mechanisms, but a client of a user is capable of decrypting both pieces of content. Therefore the user cannot distinguish both pieces of content. The present invention provides therefore a selection of equivalent content on a higher or macro level simplifying user interaction for searching equivalent content in a wide area content distribution network.

One of the further advantages of the present invention is that the method and the system are very efficient in large-scale environments, like wide area networks. A further advantage is that the present invention is not limited to live-provided content but may also be used for offline provided content.

The definition of the content equivalent policy preferably with content equivalent parameters may be setup in particular ahead of time in a configuration step. These content equivalent parameters and/or policies may be stored in corresponding storage means for later evaluation by equivalent content means or may be specified in signaling for example in content equivalent requests by a user client.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method further includes the step of accessing a database comprising content representation information and/or content equivalent policy information. This provides a fast and reliable access for evaluating equivalent content using the at least one content equivalent policy.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the content equivalent policy comprises at least one content equivalent parameter, which is logically and/or algebraically linked by a logical and/or algebraic function for determining content equivalence. This provides an easy and effective evaluation of equivalent content. For example a pre-evaluation of equivalent content might be performed by using a logical function. This enables a fast separation of non- equivalent content from equivalent content. In a second step an algebraic function might be used to further differentiate the found equivalent content and to determine a preferred piece of content for the selection to download.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention a plurality of content equivalent parameters and/or policies are linked by a logical and/or algebraic function for determining a content equivalent policy. This provides an even easier, effective and flexible way for a user to define a plurality of different policies enabling greater flexibility and better adaption to the needs of a user. A user may also define a group or set of content equivalent parameters for an equivalent policy allowing an easy and flexible search for a predetermined content taking into account different and/or changing requirements. For example during working hour network traffic of peers providing pieces of content may be high. A group of parameters for defining content equivalence may therefore require a minimum number of peers providing equivalent content for download so that a complete download of all pieces of equivalent content does not exceed a predetermined time. Another example may be a set of content equivalent parameters including threshold values for minimum and maximum download content sizes and further including relative date information, so that certain content for example within the last seven days and with a predetermined size is defined as equivalent content. A user may also define a set or subset of content equivalent parameters that need to be met for content equivalence. Alternatively a user may define a set or subset of content equivalent parameters that do not need to be met for two pieces of content to be defined as equivalent. All other parameters then need to match to define that the two pieces of content are equivalent.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention a result of a performed content equivalent policy is compared with a predetermined threshold value. This provides an easy and reliable predefinition of equivalent content sorting out content with "lower equivalence", for example matching the mandatory content equivalent parameters but matching a lower amount of optional content equivalent parameters. It is also possible to define mandatory and optional content equivalent policies for even better adaption needs for a user.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the step of identifying content equivalence comprises a comparison with a preference parameter. The comparison for example of a result of identified equivalent content with a preference parameter might further give a user a great variety of adaption options to his needs. For example a preference parameter may be specified in such a way that already determined equivalent content is compared with a preference parameter in cost for downloading content. The preference parameter may also be provided in form of an algebraic expression, for example determining the smallest cost for download content determined as equivalent.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention at least two content equivalent parameters are weighed against each other. This provides a flexible and simultaneously fast evaluation of equivalent content, offering a user for example a great adaption potential for requests or needs to define equivalent content. For example weighing of parameters might be provided with an algebraic expression or formula, for example a sum, a product or any other suitable algebraic expression, like a combination of sum and product expressions containing weighing constants or corresponding weighing functions depending on network traffic information or any other suitable information, preferably specified by a user. Such a result of the performed algebraic expression or formula may also be ranked. This provides an easy selection of preferred content to be selected for download. For example a user might specify a certain algebraic expression. When applying this algebraic expression multiple equivalent contents might be found, for example above a certain threshold value. For defining or selecting a preferred content for download the results of the applied algebraic expression is ranked and the highest ranked equivalent content is then (pre)selected as preferred content for download. A user may then select an equivalent content for download among the ranked equivalent content.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention a manual and/or automatic generation of at least one content equivalent policy and/or content equivalent parameter is performed according to a predetermined equivalent information. This provides a flexible and easy-to-handle definition of an equivalent content policy. For example a user interface may provide simply a graphical tool specifying different options for defining a policy. A user may then simply choose different equivalent information for example, source must be located in Germany and a download size of equivalent content may not exceed a certain value. After choosing the selected equivalent information is automatically translated into a corresponding algebraic expression. This generated expression forming a content equivalent policy might then be manually edited by a user if necessary. A maximized flexibility is therefore provided for a user.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one content equivalent parameter comprises network, geographic, user equipment and/or user subscription information for determining content equivalence. A set of content equivalent parameters may also comprise user specific, content specific, user equipment specific, legislation specific, operator specific or means for evaluating equivalent content specific information or any combination thereof. Such parameters may also be automatically translated into a content equivalent parameter for evaluating equivalent content. This allows in particular a user an easy and flexible definition of equivalent content and to adapt the definition of equivalent content to a great variety of potential applications. For example a user may add user subscription information to define equivalent content, so that a search for a predetermined content is limited to internet service providers or content service providers to which the user has access via for example login and password. Further aspects and/or information for content equivalent parameters might be specified by language of content, actors in content, producers of content, owners of content, codec used to encode content, used protection mechanism, for example Digital Rights Management system, business related parameters, for example free content, pay per view content or prepaid content or the like, allowed delta in business parameters, for example allowed maximum prize difference, audio format parameters, for example Dolby 5.1. , stereo or the like, video format parameters, for example aspect ratio, resolution of content, bandwidth of content, legal aspects, for example only a certain cut version of content is appropriate for particular countries and/or regions, age of subscriber, language(s) of user, supported device capabilities, for example audio format, video codec, resolution or the like, subscriptions of user, for example the specific DRM type used, tariff information, network load situation, business relation of network operator, for example cost-using of inter-network connections for transferring content, distribution of content, for example cached on a media server, located close to a user, locality of user's device, type of requested or searched content, for example action movie, documentary, animation, news, etc., time-length of content, acceptable delta in time-length of content, size of content, or acceptable delta in size of content, capacity of network links to be used for the content, for example user connected via DSL or interconnection link between network is congested.

According to a further preferred embodiment the method further includes the step of indicating the preferred piece of content to a user and/or confirming the preferred piece of content. This might preferably performed according to a preference parameter. This provides an easy way to enable a user to monitor the search, the evaluation and the selection of equivalent content. The step of indicating may include multiple pieces of content. The preferred piece of content may be determined for example through ordering and/or through a specifying preference parameter. The user may be presented with these multiple equivalent content and the user may select among the multiple equivalent content. A user then might easily choose to use the originally requested content without having to initiate a complete search step for content. Prior to the step of confirming the step of evaluating may provide a guidance of a user for selecting the content to be downloaded, preferably in case a portal server performs a search for content and for querying Content Equivalent Function means for evaluating content equivalence resulting in available and/or preferable content, preferably after the step of confirming. The step of confirming may also include in a sub-step a redirection of content requests, for example interfering with content access procedures.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention at least the step of evaluating is performed prior to the step of initiating the download procedure. A user may then be easily supplied with an optimized search result. Such a step can be preferably be implemented in an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) or a BitTorrent search engine. To provide information about equivalent content an internet service provider or content service provider may provide statistics, for example network traffic information or the like, for evaluating equivalent content. In BitTorrent systems as an example of a content distribution system the evaluating and selecting step might be performed by a webserver hosting the .torrent files and both steps might be performed prior to initiating or contacting a tracker of the BitTorrent system. Another option is to implement the evaluating and selecting step in the tracker of the BitTorrent system itself. The client and the tracker however have to exchange messages containing information about redirection of content requests due to a different location of equivalent content within the BitTorrent network.

According to a further preferred embodiment at least the step of evaluating is performed simultaneously to the step of initiating the download procedure. Simultaneously means preferably that the step of evaluating is a sub-step of the initiation step. This provides a quicker search for content matching for example description provided by a user. Only if the user would like to download a file, equivalent content is evaluated. This also reduces network traffic. For example in a TISPAN IMS based IPTV as a content distribution system this might be implemented in a Service Control Function (SCF) of said IPTV, which determines and negotiates the different Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters within the IPTV network. The Service Control Function (SCF) might implement the evaluating and selecting step for the preferred equivalent content by using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Redirect command. Alternatively a client for initiating the download procedure might perform the evaluating and selecting step prior to a SIP session setup.

According to a preferred embodiment of the system the system further comprises tracker means connected to the client for tracking the predetermined content distributed among the content storing entities. This provides an easy and reliable search for equivalent content preferably within a BitTorrent network.

According to a further preferred embodiment the at least one content equivalent parameter includes network, geographic, user equipment and/or user subscription information. This allows for example a use a great variety of alternatives to adapt the definition of equivalent content to his needs.

Further, a use of the system for IPTV services is possible, preferably IMS based IPTV according to ETSI TS 182 027.

There are several ways how to design and further develop the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous way. To this end it is to be referred to the patent claims subordinate to patent claim 1 on the one hand and to the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention by way of example, illustrated by the figure on the other hand. In connection with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention by the aid of the figure, generally preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching will we explained. In the drawing Fig. 1 is showing a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 2 is showing a system according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 3 is showing a system according to a third embodiment of the present invention and

Fig. 4 is showing a system according to a forth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In Fig. 1 reference sign 1 denotes a system for downloading content in a wide area content distribution network using BitTorrent technology. The system comprises a Wide Area Network 2 with a plurality of BitTorrent peers 2a connected to said Area Network 2. Further a user BitTorrent client 3 is connected to said network 2 to provide a user interface for the BitTorrent functionality for downloading content to a local network 20, for example a home network of a user 10. The user client 3 is connected to a search portal 4 for performing a content search. The search portal 4 is connected to CEF-means 5 for performing a content equivalence function, wherein the CEF-means 5 are further connected to a database 6 for storing and providing content representations. The user client 3 is also connected to a BitTorrent tracker 8. The Network 2 is further connected to a further network 7 via a cross peering point 27. The network 7 comprises a plurality of connected BitTorrent peers 7a. Fur the purpose of the description, BitTorrent peers 2a and 7a can also be referred to as content storing (or providing) entities for the user client 3 as in the described usage they provide the content to the user client 3.

If a user 10 would like to download content, the user 10 uses the user client 3 to input a description specifying the content to be downloaded. The user client 3 queries the search portal 4. The search portal 4 searches for the specified content. ln Fig. 1 the search portal 4 performs its usual search steps and finds for example content A and content B, both matching the search phrase according to the description. The search portal 4 then queries the CEF-means 5 with the results of the search, i. e. content A and content B. When querying the CEF-means 5 the search portal 4 further transmits some client information, e.g. IP-addresses, user ID or the like.

The CEF-means 5 then performs an evaluation, if content A and content B are equivalent. To determine equivalence of content A and B the CEF-means 5 runs one or more preconfigured content equivalent policies defining content equivalency and fetches the content representations of content A and content B from the database 6. After performing the evaluation for content equivalency the CEF-means 5 determines and indicates that for example content A is more suitable for download than content B. For example content B might be located on a peer geographically more far away than the peer hosting content A. The CEF- means 5 then transmits the determined result of equivalency to the search portal 4. The search portal 4 returns in the search result to the user client 3 that content A is more suitable for download. The user client 3 itself then contacts the tracker 8 to download content and initiates normal peer-to-peer download procedure for downloading content A.

Fig. 2 shows a system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows in general a system 1 according to Fig. 1. The difference of the system of Fig. 2 compared with Fig. 1 is, that the tracker 8 instead of search portal 4 is connected the CEF-means 5. The CEF-means 5 is connected to database 6 according to Fig. 1.

If a user 10 would like to download content to his home network 20 using BitTorrent according to the system of Fig. 2, the user 10 uses the BitTorrent user client 3 connected to Wide Area Network 2 to input a description specifying the content to be downloaded. The user client 3 queries the search portal 4. The search portal 4 searches for the specified content and performs its usual search steps and finds for example content A and content B, both matching the search phrase according to the description. The search portal 4 returns the search result of found content A and content B to the user client 3. User 10 may then decide to download content B to his home network 20. The user client 3 then contacts the tracker 8 to download content B. The tracker 8 queries the CEF-means 5 with the results of the search, i.e. content A and content B. When querying the CEF-means 5 the tracker 8 further transmits some client information, e.g. IP-addresses, user ID or the like.

The CEF-means 5 then performs an evaluation or identification, if content A and content B are equivalent. To determine equivalence of content A and content B the CEF-means 5 runs one or more preconfigured content equivalent policies defining content equivalency and fetches the content representations of content A and content B from the database 6. After performing the evaluation for equivalency the CEF-means 5 determines and indicates that for example content A is more suitable for download than content B. For example content B might be hosted on a peer having a lower upload capability than the peer hosting or providing content A. The CEF-means 5 transmits the determined result of equivalency to tracker 8. The tracker 8 returns in the search result to the client 3 that content A is equivalent to content B and that content A is more suitable for download. The user 10 might confirm the tracker recommendation to download content A rather than content B. The confirmation by the user can also be omitted. The user client 3 itself then contacts the tracker 8 to download content 8 and initiates normal BitTorrent peer- to-peer download procedure for downloading content A to the user's home network 20.

Fig. 3 shows a system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In Fig. 3 reference sign 1 denotes an IP Multimedia subsystem based IPTV system.

The system 1 , in general analogue to the system according to Fig.1 , comprises a network 2 with a plurality of so-called media functions 2b, 2c hosting respectively content A and a content B and connected to said network 2. Further a user client 3 is connected to said network 2 to provide a user interface for the network 2 for downloading content. The client 3 is connected to a Service Selection Function (SSF) entity 4' for providing content information and service information. The SSF entity 4' is connected to CEF-means 5 for performing a content equivalence function (CEF), wherein the CEF-means 5 are further connected to a database 6 for storing and providing content representations. The user client 3 is further connected via the IP multimedia subsystem 9 to an application server 11 performing a service control function (SCF), for example a standard IMS Application server. A content B is hosted on media function 2b and a content A is hosted on media function 2c.

If the user 10 wants to view content the user 10 uses the user client 3 to specify content to be viewed by description. The user client 3 queries the SSF entity 4'. The SSF entity 4' performs a search for content according to the specified description and returns content A and content B both matching the description search phrase. The SSF entity 4' then queries CEF-means 5 providing the search result of content A and content B to CEF-means 5. The CEF-means 5 then performs an evaluation, if content A and content B are equivalent. To determine equivalence of content A and B the CEF-means 5 runs one or more preconfigured equivalent policies defining content equivalency and fetches the content representations of content A and content B from the database 6. After performing the evaluation for equivalency the CEF-means 5 determines and indicates that for example content A is more suitable for download than content B based on server load, geographic location and/or other criteria. For example content B might be hosted on a media function with a low upload capability. The CEF-means 5 transmits the determined result of equivalency to the SSF entity 4'. The SSF entity 4' returns in the search result to the client 3 that content A is equivalent to content B and that content A is more suitable for download.

The client 3 then initiates a multimedia session via the IP multimedia subsystem 9 on the application server 11 performing the service control function (SCF). The application server 11 then contacts media function 2b for initiating a corresponding session for viewing content B of media function 2b. Such an initiation might be enabled by using session initiation protocol (SIP) or session description protocol (SDP). The application server then transmits the corresponding session information to the user client 3. User client 3 can then access the media or content B and can control the delivery of content B from media function 2b to the user client 3. Such a control of delivery might be enabled by the realtime streaming protocol (RTSP). The delivery of content might be enabled by the realtime transport protocol (RTP).

For queries the CEF-means 5 may be alternatively or additionally connected to a SIP server, a media server, an application server, a portal or web portal, a peer-to- peer infrastructure, for example a BitTorrent tracker, a BitTorrent client or the like, user equipment, like a mobile phone or the like and/or a content delivery network (CDN) equipment.

Generally speaking, the media functions 2b and 2c can also be referred to as content storing (or providing) entities as they provide the content to user client 3.

Fig. 4 shows a system according to a forth embodiment of the present invention.

The system 1 according to Fig. 4 shows in general a system according to Fig. 3. The system 1 of Fig. 4 however deviates from the system in Fig. 3 in that the SSF entity 4' does not interact with the CEF-means 5. Instead in the system 1 of Fig. 4, the application server 11 performing the service control function (SCF) contacts CEF-means 5 after the result of the search for content is transmitted from the user client 3 to the application server 11 via the IP multimedia subsystem 9. The search for content is initiated by the user client 3 querying the SSF entity 4' and the SSF entity 4' returns the found content, e.g. content A and content B matching the description specified by a user 10 via user client 3.

The application server 11 performing the service control function (SCF) interacts with the CEF-means 5. The CEF-means 5 then performs an evaluation, if content A and content B are equivalent. To determine content equivalence of content A and B the CEF-means 5 runs one or more preconfigured equivalent policies defining content equivalency and fetches the content representations of content A and content B from the database 6. After performing the evaluation for equivalency the CEF-means 5 determines and indicates that for example content B is more suitable for download than content A. The CEF-means 5 transmits the determined result of equivalency to the application server 11. The service control function of application server 11 then redirects the session signaling via SIP or SDP protocol to content B hosted on media function 2b although the user 10 has requested to view content A. The user 10 might confirm the redirection recommendation from media function 2c to media function 2b to download content A rather than content B. The confirmation by the user 10 can also be omitted.

For example in an embodiment related to TISPAN IMS based IPTV according to ETSI TS 182 027 or ETSI 183 063 the CEF means is interconnected with an electronic program guide (EPG) portal as SSF entity, an application server performing a service control function (SCF) or a media delivery function (MDF) entity. In a further embodiment related to a TISPAN CDN according to ETSI 182 019, the CEF-means may be connected to an asset location function (ALF) entity, a CDNCF entity or a charging collection function (CCF) entity. In a further embodiment the CEF-means might be connected to a user's device and upon query may deliver, for example cost optimized content alternatives, for example a lower resolution of video content.

In a further embodiment of an IMS based system, for example TISPAN IMS based IPTV, content may be identified by a Public Service Identity (PSI) or a TV URI according to ETSI 184 009. A user identity in an IMS based system may be provided by an IMS Public User Identity (IMPU) as specified in 3GPP. The CEF- means may be interconnected to a Home Subscriber Server and/or a user profile server function (HSS/UPSF) database entity, a dedicated database or an XML document management server (XDMS) as well as to a media server for fetching parameters. Additionally the CEF-means may also be interconnected to user equipment (UE) and/or to a service control function. UE signaling parameters carried in a SIP and/or SDP may also be included in evaluating equivalent content.

In summary one advantage of the invention is that network traffic can be regulated source-independent and on a macro level. A further advantage is that content may be downloaded in an easy and flexible way by adapting policies for content equivalence, in particular incorporating business demands. A further advantage is that it can be easily added to Internet over-the-top (OTT) services or integrated in managed networks, for example identifying equivalent content that could be easily served in a local server rather than identifying the closest server based on the content selected by a user from a search portal.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind the one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. A method for downloading content via wide area networks (2, 7), preferably via or from wide area content distribution networks (2, 7) and preferably using Peer-to-Peer technology such as BitTorrent, to a local area network (20), comprising the steps of

Performing a search for a predetermined piece of content,

Receiving a search result comprising at least one found piece of content,

Selecting at least one found piece of content for download,

Initiating a download procedure for the selected piece of content,

Downloading the selected piece of content according to the download procedure to the local area network (20),

characterized by

Identifying content equivalence for the at least one found piece of content according to an at least one content equivalent policy, wherein the content equivalence according to the content equivalent policy is determined independent of the local area network (20) structure and/or local content rendering devices and wherein one of the at least one identified equivalent piece of content is selected for download.

2. A method according to claim 1 , further including the step of accessing a database (6) comprising content representation information and/or content equivalent policy information.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content equivalent policy comprises at least one content equivalent parameter, which is logically and/or algebraically linked by a logical and/or algebraic function for determining content equivalence.

4. A method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of content equivalent parameters and/or content equivalent policies are linked by a logical and/or algebraic function for determining a content equivalent policy.

5. A method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a result of a performed content equivalent policy is compared with a predetermined threshold value.

6. A method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the step of identifying content equivalence comprises a comparison with a preference parameter.

7. A method according to at least claim 3, wherein at least two content equivalent parameters are weighed against each other.

8. A method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a manual and/or automatic generation of at least one content equivalent policy and/or content equivalent parameter is performed according to a predetermined equivalent information.

9. A method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein equivalent information includes wide area network, geographic, user equipment and/or user subscription information.

10. A method according to one of claims 1 to 9, further including the step of indicating the preferred piece of content to a user and/or confirming the determined preferred piece of content.

11. A method according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least the step of identifying is performed prior to the step of initiating the download procedure.

12. A method according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least the step of identifying is performed simultaneously to the step of initiating the download procedure.

13. A system (1) for downloading content via wide area networks to a local area network, preferably via or from wide area content distribution networks (2, 7) and preferably using Peer-to-Peer technology such as BitTorrent, and preferably for performing a method according to one of claims 1 to 12, comprising at least one content storing entity (2a, 2b, 2c, 7a) connected to at least one wide area network (2, 7),

at least one client (3), located in a local area network and connected to said at least one wide area network (2, 7), for downloading content from at least one content storing entity (2a, 2b, 2c, 7a),

search means (4) for searching a predetermined piece of content, identifying means (5) for identifying equivalent content, and

storage means (6) for storing at least one content equivalent policy, characterized in that

the identifying means (5) for identifying equivalent content is formed such to identify content equivalence for the at least one found piece of content according to an at least one content equivalent policy, wherein the content equivalence according to the content equivalent policy is determined independent of the local area network structure (20) and/or local content rendering devices and wherein one of the at least one identified equivalent piece of content is selected for download.

14. A system according to claim 13, further comprising tracker means (8) connected to the client (3) for tracking the predetermined content distributed among the content storing entities (2a, 7a).

15. A system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the at least one content equivalent parameter includes network, geographic, user equipment and/or user subscription information.

16. Use of a system (1 ) according to one of claims 13 to 15 for IPTV services, preferably IMS based IPTV according to ETSI TS 182 027.