Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 71
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A device, comprising: a processor; a network interface configured to couple the device to a network; and a memory comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable within the device to: obtain two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources from one or more peer nodes on the network, wherein the one or more peer nodes participate in a peer-to-peer environment on the network to discover each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share content, and wherein the two or more mechanisms for accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes; and access the set of peer-to-peer platform resources using the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A device, comprising: a processor; a network interface configured to couple the device to a network; and a memory comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable within the device to: obtain two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources from one or more peer nodes on the network, wherein the one or more peer nodes participate in a peer-to-peer environment on the network to discover each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share content, and wherein the two or more mechanisms for accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes; and access the set of peer-to-peer platform resources using the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more advertisements for the set of resources.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more core mechanisms for accessing the set of resources.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include a mechanism for accessing a peer resolver service for sending search queries to other peer nodes in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer resolver protocol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include a mechanism for accessing a peer information service for obtaining information about peer nodes' capabilities and status in accordance with a peer information protocol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include a mechanism for accessing a pipe binding service for finding a physical location of a pipe endpoint and binding the pipe endpoint to a peer node in accordance with a pipe binding protocol, wherein a pipe endpoint corresponds to a network interface of a peer node.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include a mechanism for accessing an endpoint routing service for obtaining network route information to peer nodes in accordance with an endpoint routing protocol.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the program instructions are further operable to: terminate participation of the device in the peer-to-peer environment; maintain the two or more mechanisms in memory of the device; and access the two or more maintained mechanisms to again participate in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the program instructions are further operable to: terminate participation of the device in the peer-to-peer environment; obtain one or more updated mechanisms for accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources from the one or more peer nodes; and access the set of peer-to-peer platform resources using the one or more updated mechanisms to again participate in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein to obtain the two or more mechanisms, the program instructions are further executable to locate one or more peer nodes on the peer-to-peer network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein, to obtain the two or more mechanisms, the program instructions are further executable to: send a message to a particular peer node of the one or more peer nodes requesting the two or more mechanisms; and receive the two or more mechanisms from the peer node in response to the request.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to execute the program instructions to: obtain the two or more mechanisms during an initialization process of the device; and access the set of resources using the two or more mechanisms during the initialization process of the device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
157 words
A peer node, comprising: a processor; a network interface configured to couple the peer node to a network; a memory operable to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by the processor to: receive a request from a device on the network, wherein the request specifies one or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources for use by the device in participating in a peer-to-peer environment; provide two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources to the device on the network in response to the request; and wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
157 words
A peer node, comprising: a processor; a network interface configured to couple the peer node to a network; a memory operable to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by the processor to: receive a request from a device on the network, wherein the request specifies one or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources for use by the device in participating in a peer-to-peer environment; provide two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources to the device on the network in response to the request; and wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The peer node as recited in claim 13 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more advertisements for the set of resources.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The peer node as recited in claim 13 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more core mechanisms for accessing the set of resources.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
141 words
The peer node as recited in claim 13 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more of a mechanism for accessing a peer resolver service for sending search queries to other peer nodes in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer resolver protocol, a mechanism for accessing a peer information service for obtaining information about peer nodes' capabilities and status in accordance with a peer information protocol, a mechanism for accessing a pipe binding service for finding a physical location of a pipe endpoint and binding the pipe endpoint to a peer node in accordance with a pipe binding protocol, wherein a pipe endpoint corresponds to a network interface of a peer node, and a mechanism for accessing an endpoint routing service for obtaining network route information to peer nodes in accordance with an endpoint routing protocol.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The peer node as recited in claim 13 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to: maintain version information for each of the two or more mechanisms; and if a particular mechanism of the two or more mechanisms is updated to a new version, provide the new version of the mechanism to the device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
229 words
A peer computing system, comprising: a plurality of peer nodes operable to couple to a network, wherein the plurality of peer nodes are configure to implement a peer-to-peer environment on the network in accordance with one or more peer-to-peer platform protocols for enabling the plurality of peer nodes to discovery each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share network resources in the peer-to-peer environment; one of the plurality of peer nodes operable to maintain two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources on the network, wherein the two or more mechanisms are obtainable by devices on the network to enable the devices to participate in the peer-to-peer environment, wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes on the network; and a device operable to: couple to the network; obtain the two or more mechanisms from the peer node on the network; and access the set of resources using the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
229 words
A peer computing system, comprising: a plurality of peer nodes operable to couple to a network, wherein the plurality of peer nodes are configure to implement a peer-to-peer environment on the network in accordance with one or more peer-to-peer platform protocols for enabling the plurality of peer nodes to discovery each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share network resources in the peer-to-peer environment; one of the plurality of peer nodes operable to maintain two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources on the network, wherein the two or more mechanisms are obtainable by devices on the network to enable the devices to participate in the peer-to-peer environment, wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes on the network; and a device operable to: couple to the network; obtain the two or more mechanisms from the peer node on the network; and access the set of resources using the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more advertisements for the set of resources.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more core mechanisms for accessing the set of resources.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the plurality of peer nodes are members peers in a peer group that provides a common set of services to member peers of the peer group.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
142 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more of a mechanism for accessing a peer resolver service for sending search queries to other peer nodes in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer resolver protocol, a mechanism for accessing a peer information service for obtaining information about peer nodes' capabilities and status in accordance with a peer information protocol, a mechanism for accessing a pipe binding service for finding a physical location of a pipe endpoint and binding the pipe endpoint to a peer node in accordance with a pipe binding protocol, wherein a pipe endpoint corresponds to a network interface of a peer node, and a mechanism for accessing an endpoint routing service for obtaining network route information to peer nodes in accordance with an endpoint routing protocol.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
61 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the one of the plurality of peer nodes is further operable to: maintain version information for each of the two or more mechanisms; and if a particular mechanism of the two or more mechanisms is updated to a new version, provide the new version of the mechanism to the device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the device is operable to: terminate participation of the device in the peer-to-peer environment; maintain the two or more mechanisms in memory of the device; and access the two or more maintained mechanisms to again participate in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
70 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the device is operable to: terminate participation of the device in the peer-to-peer environment; obtain one or more updated mechanisms for accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources from the one of the plurality of peer nodes; and access the set of peer-to-peer platform resources using the one or more updated mechanisms to again participate in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 18 , wherein to obtain the two or more mechanisms, the device is operable to locate the one of the plurality of peer nodes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
62 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 18 , wherein, to obtain the two or more mechanisms, the device is operable to: send a message to the one of the plurality of peer nodes requesting the two or more mechanisms; and receive the two or more mechanisms from the one of the plurality of peer nodes in response to the request.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the device is operable to: obtain the two or more mechanisms during an initialization process of the device; and access the set of resources using the two or more mechanisms during the initialization process of the device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
200 words
A peer computing system, comprising: means for a plurality of peer nodes on a network to implement a peer-to-peer environment on the network in accordance with one or more peer-to-peer platform protocols for enabling the plurality of peer nodes to discovery each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share network resources in the peer-to-peer environment; means for maintaining two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources on the network, wherein the two or more mechanisms are obtainable by devices on the network to enable the devices to participate in the peer-to-peer environment, wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes on the network; and means for obtaining the two or more mechanisms on the network; and means for accessing the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
200 words
A peer computing system, comprising: means for a plurality of peer nodes on a network to implement a peer-to-peer environment on the network in accordance with one or more peer-to-peer platform protocols for enabling the plurality of peer nodes to discovery each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share network resources in the peer-to-peer environment; means for maintaining two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources on the network, wherein the two or more mechanisms are obtainable by devices on the network to enable the devices to participate in the peer-to-peer environment, wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes on the network; and means for obtaining the two or more mechanisms on the network; and means for accessing the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 29 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more advertisements for the set of resources.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 29 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more core mechanisms for accessing the set of resources.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 29 , wherein the plurality of peer nodes are members peers in a peer group that provides a common set of services to member peers of the peer group.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
51 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 29 , further comprising: means for maintaining version information for each of the two or more mechanisms; and if a particular mechanism is updated to a new version of the mechanism, means for providing the new version of the mechanism to the device.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
57 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 29 , further comprising: means for terminating participation of a device in the peer-to-peer environment; means for maintaining the two or more mechanisms in memory of the device; and means for accessing the two or more maintained mechanisms to allow the device to again participate in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
71 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 29 , further comprising: means for terminating participation of a device in the peer-to-peer environment; means for obtaining one or more updated mechanisms for allowing the device to access the set of peer-to-peer platform resources; and means for accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources using the one or more updated mechanisms to allow the device to again participate in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 29 , wherein the means for obtaining the two or more mechanisms comprise means for locating a peer node on the network providing the two or more mechanisms.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
61 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 29 , wherein means for obtaining two or more mechanisms comprises: means for sending a message to one of the plurality of peer nodes requesting the two or more mechanisms; and means for receiving the two or more mechanisms from the one of the plurality of peer nodes in response to the request.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
48 words
The peer computing system as recited in claim 29 , further comprising: means for obtaining the two or more mechanisms during an initialization process of a device; and means for accessing the set of resources using the two or more mechanisms during the initialization process of the device.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
150 words
A method comprising: a device obtaining two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources from one or more peer nodes on the network, wherein the one or more peer nodes participate in a peer-to-peer environment on the network to discover each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share content, and wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes; and the device accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources using the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
150 words
A method comprising: a device obtaining two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources from one or more peer nodes on the network, wherein the one or more peer nodes participate in a peer-to-peer environment on the network to discover each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share content, and wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes; and the device accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources using the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 39 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more advertisements for the set of resources.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 39 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more core mechanisms for accessing the set of resources.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as recited in claim 39 , further comprising: the device terminating participation of the device in the peer-to-peer environment; the device maintaining the two or more mechanisms in memory of the device; and the device accessing the two or more mechanisms to again participate in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method as recited in claim 39 , further comprising: the device terminating participation of the device in the peer-to-peer environment; the device obtaining one or more updated mechanisms for accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources from the one or more peer nodes; and the device accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources using the one or more updated mechanisms to participate in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 39 , wherein obtaining the two or more mechanisms comprises the device locating one or more peer nodes on the peer-to-peer network.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method as recited in claim 39 , wherein obtaining the two or more mechanisms comprises: the device sending a message to a particular peer node of the one or more peer nodes requesting the two or more mechanisms; and the device receiving the two or more mechanisms from the peer node in response to the request.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as recited in claim 39 , further comprising: the device obtaining the two or more mechanisms during an initialization process of the device; and the device accessing the set of resources using the two or more mechanisms during the initialization process of the device.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
124 words
A method comprising: a peer node on a network receiving a request from a device on the network, wherein the request specifies two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources for use by the device in participating in a peer-to-peer environment; the peer node providing the two or more mechanisms to the device in response to the request; and wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
124 words
A method comprising: a peer node on a network receiving a request from a device on the network, wherein the request specifies two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources for use by the device in participating in a peer-to-peer environment; the peer node providing the two or more mechanisms to the device in response to the request; and wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 47 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more advertisements for the set of resources.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 47 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more core mechanisms for accessing the set of resources.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method as recited in claim 47 , further comprising: the peer node maintaining version information for each of the two or more mechanisms; and if a particular mechanism of the two or more mechanisms is updated to a new version, the peer node providing the new version of the mechanism to the device.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
212 words
A method, comprising: a plurality of peer nodes on a network, implementing a peer-to-peer environment on the network in accordance with one or more peer-to-peer platform protocols for enabling the plurality of peer nodes to discovery each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share network resources in the peer-to-peer environment; one of the plurality of peer nodes maintaining two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources on the network, wherein the two or more mechanisms are obtainable by devices on the network to enable the devices to participate in the peer-to-peer environment, wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes on the network; and a device on the network obtaining the two or more mechanisms from the peer node on the network; and the device accessing the set of resources using the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
212 words
A method, comprising: a plurality of peer nodes on a network, implementing a peer-to-peer environment on the network in accordance with one or more peer-to-peer platform protocols for enabling the plurality of peer nodes to discovery each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share network resources in the peer-to-peer environment; one of the plurality of peer nodes maintaining two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources on the network, wherein the two or more mechanisms are obtainable by devices on the network to enable the devices to participate in the peer-to-peer environment, wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes on the network; and a device on the network obtaining the two or more mechanisms from the peer node on the network; and the device accessing the set of resources using the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 51 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more advertisements for the set of resources.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 51 , wherein the two or more mechanisms include one or more core mechanisms for accessing the set of resources.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as recited in claim 51 , wherein the plurality of peer nodes are members peers in a peer group that provides a common set of services to member peers of the peer group.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method as recited in claim 51 , further comprising: the one of the plurality of peer nodes maintaining version information for each of the two or more mechanisms; and if a particular mechanism of the two or more mechanisms is updated to a new version, the one of the plurality of peer nodes providing the new version of the mechanism to the device.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as recited in claim 51 , further comprising: the device terminating participation of the device in the peer-to-peer environment; the device maintaining the two or more mechanisms in memory of the device; and the device accessing the two or more mechanisms to again participate in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method as recited in claim 51 , further comprising: the device terminating participation of the device in the peer-to-peer environment; the device obtaining one or more updated mechanisms for accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources from the one or more peer nodes; and the device accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources using the one or more updated mechanisms to participate in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method as recited in claim 51 , wherein obtaining the two or more mechanisms comprises: the device sending a message to the one of the plurality of peer nodes requesting the two or more mechanisms; and the device receiving the two or more mechanisms from the one of the plurality of peer nodes in response to the request.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
164 words
A tangible, computer-readable medium configured to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement: a device obtaining two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources from one or more peer nodes on the network, wherein the one or more peer nodes participate in a peer-to-peer environment on the network to discover each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share content, and wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes; and the device accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources using the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
164 words
A tangible, computer-readable medium configured to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement: a device obtaining two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources from one or more peer nodes on the network, wherein the one or more peer nodes participate in a peer-to-peer environment on the network to discover each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share content, and wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes; and the device accessing the set of peer-to-peer platform resources using the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
138 words
A tangible, computer-readable medium configured to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement: a peer node on a network receiving a request from a device on the network, wherein the request specifies two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources for use by the device in participating in a peer-to-peer environment; the peer node providing the two or more mechanisms to the device in response to the request; and wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
138 words
A tangible, computer-readable medium configured to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement: a peer node on a network receiving a request from a device on the network, wherein the request specifies two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources for use by the device in participating in a peer-to-peer environment; the peer node providing the two or more mechanisms to the device in response to the request; and wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
226 words
A tangible, computer-readable medium configured to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement: a plurality of peer nodes on a network, implementing a peer-to-peer environment on the network in accordance with one or more peer-to-peer platform protocols for enabling the plurality of peer nodes to discovery each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share network resources in the peer-to-peer environment; one of the plurality of peer nodes maintaining two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources on the network, wherein the two or more mechanisms are obtainable by devices on the network to enable the devices to participate in the peer-to-peer environment, wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes on the network; and a device on the network obtaining the two or more mechanisms from the peer node on the network; and the device accessing the set of resources using the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
226 words
A tangible, computer-readable medium configured to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement: a plurality of peer nodes on a network, implementing a peer-to-peer environment on the network in accordance with one or more peer-to-peer platform protocols for enabling the plurality of peer nodes to discovery each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share network resources in the peer-to-peer environment; one of the plurality of peer nodes maintaining two or more mechanisms for accessing a set of peer-to-peer platform resources on the network, wherein the two or more mechanisms are obtainable by devices on the network to enable the devices to participate in the peer-to-peer environment, wherein the two or more mechanisms include: a mechanism for accessing a discovery service for discovering resources in the peer-to-peer environment in accordance with a peer discovery protocol; and a mechanism for accessing a membership service for applying for membership in accordance with a peer membership protocol in one or more peer groups each comprising a set of cooperating peer nodes on the network; and a device on the network obtaining the two or more mechanisms from the peer node on the network; and the device accessing the set of resources using the two or more mechanisms to participate as a peer node in the peer-to-peer environment.