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Selecting communication link between client and server

  • US 6,308,221 B1
  • Filed: 06/30/1998
  • Issued: 10/23/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein a client system can communicate with a server system via any one of a plurality of communication links, a method of selecting a communication link for communicating with the server system, comprising steps for:

  • identifying a first communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system;

    identifying a first cost and a first data transfer rate associated with use of the first communication link;

    identifying a second communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system;

    identifying a second cost and a second data transfer rate associated with use of the second communication link;

    determining whether a prime usage time period applies to either of the first or second communication links;

    if a prime usage time period applies and a communication request is not within the prime usage time period, or if no prime usage time period applies, preferring the more expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system if the more expensive communication link has a higher data transfer rate than the less expensive communication link, and otherwise, preferring the less expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system; and

    communicating with the server system via the preferred communication link.

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