Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Steve Waterhouse

Yaroslav Faybishenko

Gene H Kan

David M Doolin

Thomas J Camarda

John Beatty

Douglass R Cutting

Sherif Boutros

In a system and method for the distribution of identities and reputation on a network, identity and reputation information may be distributed among nodes on a network (e.g. nodes on a peer-to-peer network). Embodiments may allow nodes on the network to evaluate other nodes' reputation using the distributed reputation information. Embodiments may allow nodes to iteratively increase confidence in a determined reputation of a node by determining the reputation of nodes that provide reputation information corresponding to the node. Embodiments may allow nodes to adjust a reputation of other nodes using results of transactions and prior reputations. Determined or adjusted reputation information and/or transaction information may be distributed among the nodes on the network. In one embodiment, transaction information may be divided into segments and the segments may be distributed among the nodes on the network.

Distributed identities

A distributed network search mechanism may be provided for consumers coupled to a network to search information providers coupled to the network. Consumers may make search requests according to a query routing protocol. A network hub may be configured to receive search requests from consumers. The hub may also receive registration requests from information providers according to the query routing protocol. Information providers register with the hub to indicate search queries in which they are interested in receiving. When a query request is received, the hub resolves the query request with a provider registration index. The hub matches search query information from the query request with provider registrations to determine which providers have registered to receive search queries like the current search query. The hub then routes the search query to matching providers according to the query routing protocol.

Distributed information discovery through searching selected registered information providers

A system and method for providing a distributed search mechanism in a network. Network nodes operating as consumer or requesting nodes generate the search requests. Nodes operating as hubs are configured to route the search requests in the network. Individual nodes operating as provider nodes receive the search request and in response may generate results according to their own procedures and return them. Communication between nodes in the network may use a common query protocol. Hub nodes may resolve the search requests to a subset of the provider nodes in the network, for example by matching search requests with registration information from nodes. Provider nodes results may be may customize at various stages.

System and method for distributed real-time search

A system and method for adapters to provide nodes of a network access to a distributed search mechanism. Network nodes operating as consumer or requesting nodes generate search requests. Nodes operating as hubs are configured to route messages in the network. Individual nodes operating as provider nodes receive search requests and may generate results according to their own procedures in return. Hub nodes may resolve the search requests to a subset of the provider nodes in the network, for example by matching search requests with registration information from nodes. Communication between nodes in the network may use a common query protocol. Adapters may be implemented in the network to reformat messages exchanged in the network. Adapters may customize results. Adapters may enable nodes to function in a distributed search mechanism.

System and method for multiple data sources to plug into a standardized interface for distributed deep search

A system and method for selecting or ordering search results received from members of a distributing search network in response to a search request. Network nodes operating as consumer or requesting nodes generate the search requests. Nodes operating as hubs are configured to route the search requests in the network. Individual nodes operating as provider nodes receive the search request and in response may generate results according to their own procedures and return them. Communication between nodes in the network may use a common query protocol. Hub nodes may resolve the search requests to a subset of the provider nodes in the network, for example by matching search requests with registration information from nodes. Search results may be selected, ordered, and/or consolidated for use by the requesting nodes by nodes receiving a plurality of the search results.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Steve Waterhouse