Patent ID: 9113182
Filing Date: 2015-08-18
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving media content at a network device, wherein the media content includes a first adaptive bitrate rendition (ABR) chunk and a second ABR chunk; sending the media content from the network device to each of a plurality of source devices; receiving, at the network device, a request for the media content from a destination device distinct from the network device; determining at a first time, by the network device based on pricing tier data stored in a database, a file, or a combination thereof, that a first monetary cost associated with providing the media content from a first source device is less than a second monetary cost associated with providing the media content from a second source device, wherein the pricing tier data indicates a monetary cost associated with serving data from each of the plurality of source devices, and wherein the pricing tier data indicates variation in price based on an amount of data routed through a first network that includes the first source device, an amount of data routed through a second network that includes the second source device, a time of day, or any combination thereof; in response to determining at the first time that the first monetary cost is less than the second monetary cost, sending by the network device a first notification that the first source device is to provide the first ABR chunk of the media content to the destination device; after sending the first notification, determining at a second time, by the network device based on the pricing tier data, that the first monetary cost exceeds the second monetary cost; and in response to determining at the second time that the first monetary cost exceeds the second monetary cost, sending by the network device a second notification that the second source device is to provide the second ABR chunk of the media content to the destination device.