A method for improving searches in a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing system that includes a plurality of server computers. A content file,... Show moreA method for improving searches in a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing system that includes a plurality of server computers. A content file, identified by a descriptor including at least one metadata term and a mathematical identifier that uniquely identifies the content file in one of the server computers, is selected for searching. Other server computers are searched to find one or more matching content files; one that has a descriptor with a mathematical identifier matching the mathematical identifier of the first content file. The descriptors of the matching content files are returned to the searching server computer and used to expand the local descriptor. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing system is provided with an enhanced search method for a client computer therein. The method includes masking... Show moreA peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing system is provided with an enhanced search method for a client computer therein. The method includes masking at least one term in a multi-term query entered into a client computer of the P2P system to obtain a masked query and routing the masked query to a plurality of server computers. The masked query is compared to a file descriptor of server files in each of the plurality of server computers to identify a plurality of matching server files. The server computers return to the client computer as search results the file descriptor and a mathematical identifier for each of the plurality of matching server files. The server computer may return to the client computer only a subset of the plurality of the matching server files. Enhanced P2P file searching accuracy is provided. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing system is provided with an enhanced search method for a client node therein. A search from the client... Show moreA peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing system is provided with an enhanced search method for a client node therein. A search from the client contains a primary search of metadata words and a secondary search of content file keys taken from the primary search results. The results of the secondary search are then used to rerank the results of the primary search before the client displays the results of the search to the user. Metadata distribution schemes can also be used to further enhance the utility of the system. Enhanced P2P file searching accuracy is thus provided. Applications for selective peer-to-peer communication may further be employed. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
