Patent ID: 6532284
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A method for optimizing bandwidth pricing for a data transmission system electronically connected to a source of bandwidth spot prices, the data transmission system transmitting data as packets to a predetermined destination, which method comprises:determining whether delaying transmission of data to the predetermined destination is appropriate; providing acceptable price for transmitting said data that can be transmitted at a later time; providing maximum acceptable time delay for transmitting said data that can be transmitted at a later time; providing said acceptable price and said maximum acceptable time delay within each packet formed from dividing said data; determining whether a data packet should be stored in a storage device by looking for presence of said acceptable price within said data packet; if said acceptable price is not found within said data packet, sending said data packet to the predetermined destination, and if said acceptable price is found within said data packet, storing said data packet in the storage device; comparing said acceptable price within said data packet with a spot bandwidth price from the source; and transmitting said data packet to the predetermined destination if said spot bandwidth price is at or below said acceptable price or if said maximum acceptable time delay for said packet has been reached.