Patent ID: 7403994
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving a request for transmitting digital information, the request comprising an identification of a user and transmission constraints including a start time after which transmission may begin and an end time by which transmission is to be completed, wherein the digital information comprises a number of packets; determining an estimated time required to transmit the digital information based at least on the number of packets and a network speed; scheduling a transmit time by a local server for the transmission of the digital information based upon at least the start time, the end time, and the estimated time required to transmit; determining a cost for transmitting the digital information based at least on the transmission constraints, the estimated time required to transmit, and the scheduled transmit time; accepting the digital information for transmission only if the estimated time required to transmit is less than or equal to a difference between the transmit time and the end time and if the determined cost is less than or equal to a maximum cost associated with the user; and in response to the digital information being accepted for transmission, transmitting the digital information using a network after the start time and prior to the end time, and billing the determined cost to an account associated with the user.