Patent ID: 7764665

Claim:
A method for delivering real time data across a network comprising the steps of: determining a packet flow schedule for at least one data packet to reach at least one node in a path across said network; and reserving bandwidth for use by said at least one packet in said path according to said packet flow schedule wherein said packet flow schedule is calculated to implement controlled delays in transmission of said at least one data packet between said at least one node, wherein a packet is intentionally delayed before begin transmitted in order to arrive at a destination at a preferred time, wherein each of said at least one node is associated with a dedicated transmit function schedule interval and a dedicated receive function schedule interval, wherein said reserving bandwidth further comprises utilizing historical data to maximize immediate use of a switch by rerouting packets through other switches in anticipation of an upcoming busy period as indicated by said historical data; determining an optimal path for said at least one data packet to travel in said network, wherein said determining an optimal path comprises: computing a fastest schedule through a network of switches; and accounting for delays in said switches and in nodes between said switches; and skewing receive appointment windows by an amount to accommodate a delay encountered along said path such that a delayed packet does not miss an assigned appointment and be declared unscheduled.