Patent ID: 8289949
Filing Date: 2012-10-16
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of routing a data stream to end-user nodes of a network, the method comprising: for each of a plurality of possible combinations of routes of said stream to two or more consuming end-user nodes, including at least one possible combination routing via one or more relaying nodes, evaluating a utility function for each of said two or more consuming end-user nodes, the utility function being dependent on route and defining a quantitative measure of end-user benefit that would be derived from the stream at a respective consuming end-user node if the stream is consumed by the respective consuming end-user node; for each of said plurality of possible combinations of routes, determining an overall utility value based on respective evaluations of the utility functions of each of said two or more consuming end-user nodes; selecting one of the plurality of possible combinations of routes for said stream based on the overall utility values of the plurality of possible combinations of routes; and routing the stream to the two or more consuming end-user nodes via the selected combination of routes.