Method for Providing an Attribute Bounded Network of Computers

Abstract

An attribute bounded network of computers is created. Computers in the distributed computer network are identified by specific attributes (e.g., a geographically bounded region) and a server is used to distribute processing assignments (e.g., addresses of electronic documents to be indexed) based upon the identified attributes. A peer-to-peer computer network is also provided based upon geographically bounded regions, the peer-to-peer computer network can be used to share electronic documents. A virtual community can be created within a peer-to-peer computer network by identifying peer computer connections based upon associated attributes (e.g., a geographically bounded region). The attribute bounded network of computers provides indexes having fresher data by allowing spidering of electronic documents more often than can be done by a central server indexing site.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 044,291, filed Jan. 10, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 265,024, filed on Jan. 30, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 261,025, filed on Jan. 11, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 267,508, filed on Feb. 8, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 268,060, filed on Feb. 13, 2001 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 282,124, filed on Apr. 9, 2001. The entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to computer networks, and more specifically to providing an attribute bounded network of computers.[0003]Two of the major challenges facing the World Wide Web (“Web”) are the freshness of data (frequency of update) and depth (quality of coverage) of indexes on data. When a search engine spiders a Web site to update an index, the index is fresh at t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a method for creating a network of computers for distributed processing. The invention allows for the allocation of distributed computing resources based on the attributes of the computers in the network. The invention also allows for the creation of virtual communities based on geographically bounded regions. The technical effects of the invention include improved reliability and timeliness of processed results, as well as improved efficiency and control over distributed computing resources."

Problems solved by technology

The prior art present many problems when attempting to provide a network of computers, specifically a network of computers for distributed processing.

Pre-distributed computing models present problems in that the user of the client computer has no control over what pages his computer spiders.

In fact, a client computer could end up spidering pages of Web sites that are against the users direct beliefs, values, or affiliation.

For example, a vegetarian may not want his client computer to be used to index pages on preparing meat products.

SETI@home also suffers from problems in allocating distributed computing resources, it does not have the capability to assign blocks based upon any attributes defined by the client computers.

Existing pure peer-to-peer systems, such as Gnutella, do not provide a mechanism to limit the breath (i.e., the set of computers to contact at a specific level) or the depth (i.e., the number of levels) based upon an attribute bounded region.

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