Methods and apparatus for hybrid multicast and unicast transmissions in a data network
US7423973B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 2004 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/189
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for hybrid multicast and unicast transmissions in a data network. A method is provided for operating a server on a data network. The method includes computing a multicast cost indicator and a unicast cost indicator that are associated with multicast and unicast transmission of data. The method also includes determining that the multicast cost indicator is less than the unicast cost indicator, and generating a transmission schedule that describes when the data will be multicasted on the data network. The method also includes transmitting the transmission schedule, and multicasting the data according to the transmission schedule.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.