Content distribution tracking through wireless mesh networks

1. A method of tracking a distribution of a content selection throughout a wireless mesh network, the method comprising:

enabling a wireless device in the wireless mesh network to exchange the content selection according to a distribution plan that is based on a desired content placement goal that specifies a desired circulation of the content selection;

exchanging the content selection using the distribution plan;

recording, at the time that the content selection was exchanged, a network topology for the wireless mesh network in response to exchanging the content selection, wherein the network topology includes a description of a location of the wireless device in the wireless mesh network relative to a location of a remote device with which the wireless device exchanged the content selection, and distribution statistics reflecting the distribution of the content selection;

generating a message with the recorded network topology for a reporting agent that includes the description of the location of the wireless device in the wireless mesh network relative to a location of the remote device with which the wireless device exchanged the content selection and the distribution statistics;

reporting the message to the reporting agent;

recording, at periodic intervals following reporting of the message to the reporting agent, an updated network topology for the wireless mesh network;

periodically reporting the updated network topology to the reporting agent;

analyzing the updated network topology to generate a modified distribution plan optimizing the distribution statistics of the content selection according to the desired content placement goal; and

exchanging the content selection according to the modified distribution plan.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving at least one other topology besides the wireless network topology;

generating a model of a distribution pattern;

receiving a placement instruction with placement objectives based on the desired content placement goal; and

generating a distribution plan for distributing the content selection in the wireless mesh network based on the model and the placement objectives.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein receiving the placement instruction with the placement objectives includes generating a distribution plan with a larger circulation using a reduced number of wireless devices initially receiving the content selection directly from a content provider.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein recording the network topology includes recording path information related to a distribution path used to exchange the content selection between a providing device and a receiving device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein recording the network topology includes recording bandwidth utilization across one or more links in the wireless network as the content selection is exchanged.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein recording the network topology includes recording a description of which applications are being used across one or more links in the wireless network as the content selection is exchanged.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein recording the network topology includes recording identification information for other devices in the wireless mesh network as the content selection is exchanged.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein recording the identification information for the other devices includes recording a description of at least one user on the other devices.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein recording the network topology includes recording a routing table for the wireless mesh network.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein exchanging the content selection includes streaming the content selection from a first wireless device to a second wireless device such that the second wireless device only stores a portion of the content selection.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining that at least one other device should distribute the content selection;

identifying a staging device to distribute the content selection;

loading the content selection from a originating device to available storage on the staging device; and

instructing the staging device to enable access by additional devices to the content selection.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein identifying the staging device includes identifying a wireless device associated with a user authorizing the wireless device to act in a promotional configuration.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting a broadcast message with an indication of which content selections are available on a first device.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting a broadcast message with an indication of user preferences for a first device.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting a broadcast message with an indication of which content selections are available in the wireless mesh network.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting a broadcast message with an indication of user preferences in the wireless mesh network.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting a request for a particular selection or a content selection responsive to a particular interest.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless device comprises a wireless-enabled portable media device.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein exchanging the content selection includes exchanging an audio selection.

20. A system configured to track a distribution a content selection throughout a wireless mesh network, the system comprising:

a processor executing instructions to:

enable a wireless device in the wireless mesh network to exchange the content selection according to a distribution plan that is based on a desired content placement goal that specifies a desired circulation of the content selection;

exchange the content selection using the distribution plan;

record, at the time that the content selection was exchanged, a network topology for the wireless mesh network in response to exchanging the content selection, wherein the network topology includes a description of a location of the wireless device in the wireless mesh network relative to a location of a remote device with which the wireless device exchanged the content selection, and distribution statistics reflecting the distribution of the content selection;

generate, for subsequent reporting, a message with the network topology for a reporting agent that includes the description of the location of the wireless device in the wireless mesh network relative to a location of the remote device with which the wireless device exchanged the content selection and the distribution statistics;

report the message to the reporting agent;

record, at periodic intervals following reporting of the message to the reporting agent, an updated network topology for the wireless mesh network;

periodically report the updated network topology to the reporting agent;

analyze the updated network topology to generate a modified distribution plan optimizing the distribution statistics of the content selection according to the desired content placement goal; and

exchange the content selection according to the modified distribution plan.

21. A system configured to track a distribution of a content selection throughout a wireless mesh network, the system comprising:

means for enabling a wireless device in the wireless mesh network to exchange the content selection according to a distribution plan that is based on a desired content placement goal that specifies a desired circulation of the content selection;

means for exchanging the content selection using the distribution plan;

means for recording, at the time that the content selection was exchanged, a network topology for the wireless mesh network in response to exchanging the content selection, wherein the network topology includes a description of a location of the wireless device in the wireless mesh network relative to a location of a remote device with which the wireless device exchanged the content selection, and distribution statistics reflecting the distribution of the content selection;

means for generating, for subsequent reporting, a message with the network topology for a reporting agent that includes the description of the location of the wireless device in the wireless mesh network relative to a location of the remote device with which the wireless device exchanged the content selection and the distribution statistics;

means for reporting the message to the reporting agent;

means for recording, at periodic intervals following reporting of the message to the reporting agent, an updated network topology for the wireless mesh network;

means for periodically reporting the updated network topology to the reporting agent;

means for analyzing the updated network topology to generate a modified distribution plan optimizing the distribution statistics of the content selection according to the desired content placement goal; and

means for exchanging the content selection according to the modified distribution plan.