Current subscription-based Web services include virus updates, software updates/upgrades, business content (such as research reports, financial data), and consumer content (such as sports scores, weather, stocks, etc.). But as more and more vendors begin distributing their software as a service, they inevitably will need to upgrade that software by distributing new or updated code to users who subscribe to the software as a service. Punch's patented technology provides for an efficient, secure and reliable manner to accomplish this task.

"The inevitable framework of Web services will result in the generation, dissemination and continued updating of information, whether it's files or even software itself," said David Campbell, Punch's founder, chairman and the inventor of the patented technology. "Our patented technology is well suited to provide efficient and secure mechanisms to facilitate such a framework. We've been building information sharing and updating products and services since 1995."

The patented technology embodies the ability of a single device to efficiently and automatically disseminate information to many multiples of other computers or devices, through what the company calls Peer-based (single-point) multicasting, tiered multicasting and targeted multicasting.

Peer-based Multicasting & Updating:
As described in the new patent, devices are organized into at least one immediate family of related devices. When a device within the immediate family receives or generates new or changed information, the device can automatically disseminate the information to the other devices in its immediately family. The device does not need to wait for specific instruction to disseminate the updated information.

Tiered Multicasting & Updating:
As also described in the new patent, the devices can be organized into at least one immediate family and at least one extended family once removed. Hence, when a device in the immediate family receives or generates new or changed information, the information can be distributed to the devices of the immediate family, followed by the devices of the extended family once removed.

Targeted Multicasting & Updating:
In both instances above, the information dissemination can be limited to only those devices of the immediate and extended families, which have previously indicated an interest in or subscribed to the information.

Bandwidth Efficient:
When an update is made to the information, only the module block affected by the update can be disseminated. Similarly, if the update affects an entire module, the new or changed module can be disseminated.

The abstract of the Patent is as follows:

"An information distribution program is provided for automatically distributing information over a network connecting a plurality of computers. Each computer is installed with the information distribution program, which comprises a family construction module, a publication module, a subscription module, and an information tree. The information tree stores the most recent information available to the computer. The family construction module organizes the various computers connected to the network into immediate and extended families of related computers. The publication module automatically distributes, 'publishes' or 'pushes' the information to the immediate and extended family members of a computer, which have shown an interest in the information. The subscription module provides a computer with the ability to show interest in or 'subscribe' to information located on the computers connected to the network."

About Punch Networks Corporation
Based in Seattle, Wash., Punch Networks develops Internet File Management software and services to help people effectively manage changing digital information. The company's flagship product, Punch WebGroups, offers users robust file storage and collaboration features via any Web-enabled device. Instant Folders, Punch's second product, enables Windows folders to send, receive and synchronize files with other machines. Punch Networks licenses co-branded versions of both services to eBusinesses and licenses its server technology to OEMs, software developers and other third parties.

For more information, visit the Punch Networks website at www.punchnetworks.com, email info@punchnetworks.com, or call (206) 343-7661.