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Abstract

A broadcast system architecture implementing a method for distributing data for a multi-user application (e.g., a shared virtual world) between client systems. Included are a plurality of server systems communicatively coupled in a network and a digital broadcast source. A first group, a second group and a third group of client systems are communicatively coupled to the server systems, wherein a client system is coupled to a single server system. The first group and second group of client systems execute a partition of the multi-user application. Data are forwarded from a client system in the first group of the client systems to a first server system, wherein the data represent a change to the partition executed by the client system. The data are forwarded from the first server system to other server systems, wherein the other server systems each comprise at least one client system that interfaces with the partition. The data are forwarded from these other server systems to the second group of client systems interfacing with the partition. The data are also forwarded from the first server system to a broadcast source. The data are broadcast from the broadcast source to the third group of client systems not presently interfacing with the partition. The broadcast source distributes the data rapidly to a large number of users so that the consistency of the multi-user application is maintained for all users.

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First Claim