Method and System for Extending Memory Capacity of a Mobile Device Using Proximate Devices and Multicasting

Abstract

An improved download capability for mobile devices, without requiring increasing of the local memory of such devices, by providing a set of multimedia devices with the capability to create a cooperative download grid where multiple instrumented devices can be aggregated together according to predefined profiles. This capability is useful in at least two different scenarios. The first is when a SIP enabled device must download a large file having a capacity that is larger than the available memory of the SIP device. The second is when a SIP enabled device must download a file but cannot be connected for a long enough time to accomplish the download. If the SIP device is in proximity to other compatible devices such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), these devices are operable to be dynamically aggregated to provide a download grid with multiprotocol support that allows optimized downloading.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A data processing system for downloading a file, the data processing system comprising a data processor coupled to a memory, wherein the data processor is operable for executing instructions in the memory to perform steps of:
 receiving device properties associated with each device of a plurality of devices;   partitioning the file into a plurality of file extents based upon the device properties;   establishing a communication session with the each device to form a plurality of communication sessions; and   sending the plurality of file extents to the plurality of devices using the plurality of communication sessions.   
     
     
         12 . The data processing system of  claim 11 , wherein the device properties associated with each device includes an amount of memory available for use within the each device. 
     
     
         13 . The data processing system of  claim 12 , wherein the file is partitioned into the plurality of file extents such that a size of a given file extent for a given device of the plurality of devices is less than or equal to the amount of memory available for use within the given device. 
     
     
         14 . The data processing system of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of file extents are concurrently sent to the plurality of devices using the plurality of communication sessions. 
     
     
         15 . The data processing system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of devices are session initiated protocol (SIP) devices and the plurality of communication sessions are SIP sessions. 
     
     
         16 . The data processing system of  claim 15 , further comprising instructions to perform a step of:
 retrieving a list of the plurality of devices from a presence server.   
     
     
         17 . The data processing system of  claim 16 , further comprising instructions to perform a step of:
 retrieving SIP information for the plurality of devices from the presence server.   
     
     
         18 . The data processing system of  claim 11 , wherein the device properties are received by a single one of the plurality of devices. 
     
     
         19 . The data processing system of  claim 18 , wherein the single one of the plurality of devices is a primary session initiated protocol (SIP) device, and the device properties are received using a SIP session between the data processing system and the primary SIP device, and further comprising instructions to perform a step of:
 playing the file by the primary SIP device.   
     
     
         20 . A computer program product stored in a non-transitory computer-recordable media for downloading a file, the computer program product comprising instructions operable by a data processing system for performing the steps:
 receiving device properties associated with each device of a plurality of devices;   partitioning the file into a plurality of file extents based upon the device properties;   establishing a communication session with the each device to form a plurality of communication sessions; and   sending the plurality of file extents to the plurality of devices using the plurality of communication sessions.