System and/or method for bidding

SYSTEM AND/OR METHOD FOR BIDDING

The present invention relates to the transmission of digital objects in a data transmission network.

Information exchange mechanisms using the Internet are being used free of charge for many services. In order to transmit information from a source node to a destination node, one or more intermediaries may transmit information through at least a part of a path connecting the source node and the destination node. These intermediaries typically own, lease, control and/or operate equipment such as routers for transmitting information according to a network protocol such as the Internet Protocol. Significant costs are incurred in the development, maintenance and operation of equipment for intermediaries to deliver information to destination nodes.

Throughout this specification, "in one embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristics related to that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Moreover, certain features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments.

Here, "data transmission network" relates to an infrastructure capable of transmitting data between nodes connected to the data transmission network. For example, a data transfer network includes links capable of transferring data between nodes according to one or more data transfer protocols. Such links include one or more forms of transmission media capable of transferring information from a source to a destination. However, this is merely an example of a data transmission network, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

For data transfer in a data transfer network, a "source node" may initiate data transfer to one or more "destination nodes" coupled to the data transfer network. In certain embodiments, a source node may initiate a data transfer to a destination node based at least in part on a destination address associated with the destination node, although the claimed subject matter is not so limited. Here, in accordance with the communication protocol of the particular embodiment, the source node transmits data to the destination node in one or more "data packets" However, this is merely an example of a method for transmitting data from a source node to a destination node in a data transmission network, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

A node in the data transport network "passes" information via data links to one or more other nodes in the data transport network. In certain embodiments, a first node communicates information to a second node by sending one or more data packets according to a communication protocol. This data packet includes a header part including the address of the intended destination node and a payload including information to be transmitted. If the second node is not the final intended destination, the second node also forwards the data packet to a third node that includes and/or is coupled to the last intended destination node. However, this is only an example of a method for transmitting information in a data transmission network, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

A "digital object" herein relates to information constructed and/or formed in digital form. For example, a digital object includes one or more documents, virtual and/or audio media, and/or combinations thereof. However, this is merely an example of a form of information maintained as a digital object, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. These digital objects are maintained in a compressed formation that enables efficient storage of the digital objects in a storage medium and/or digital transmission within a data transmission network. In another embodiment, these digital objects are encoded for transmission over a secure communication channel. In certain embodiments, the digital object is formed at a source node for transmission to one or more destination nodes, although the claimed invention is not so limited. Further, the digital object is transmitted to one or more destination nodes as one or more data packets that are routed to one or more data nodes according to a communication protocol. However, this is merely an example of a digital object, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

Here, "bid" relates to the expression of a proposal to perform a service. In certain embodiments, a consumer and/or client may receive bids from one or more parties competing for the consumer and/or client's business. A bid specifies the conditions under which the service is performed, such as, for example, price, quality, timeliness and/or reliability. However, this is merely an example of conditions expressed as a bid, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. Also, in certain commercial circumstances, receipt of a bid by a consumer and/or client may be binding on the parties. However, in other commercial aspects, receipt of bids by consumers and/or clients may and may not be binding in and of themselves. Here, further actions by one or more parties result in a binding arrangement. This is merely an example of a bidding, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

"Request for bid" herein relates to the expression of an invitation to provide a bid to perform a service. In certain embodiments, such a bid request may specify a desired service to be performed by the service provider. In some embodiments, the bid request specifies some, but not all, conditions under which the requested service is performed. However, this is merely an example of a bid request, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

In response to receiving a bid from the service provider providing the service, the potential consumer and/or client may provide an "accept message" to the bidding service provider. This acceptance message expresses the consumer's and/or client's willingness to receive service from the service provider in accordance with at least some conditions presented in the received bid. However, this is merely an example of an acceptance message, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, two or more parties may exchange messages in the process of agreeing on a condition under which a service is provided according to a "negotiation protocol". In certain embodiments, the negotiation protocol defines how parties express bids, bid requests and/or accept messages, although the claimed invention is not so limited. In another embodiment, the parties may exchange messages according to a negotiation protocol until certain predetermined conditions and/or circumstances are terminated. Here, such termination may define the agreed conditions under which the service is provided. However, this is merely an example of a negotiation protocol, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

When transferring a digital object from a source node to a destination node over a data transmission network, equipment owned, leased, controlled and/or operated by one or more "intermediaries" or "intermediaries" may transmit digital objects over at least a portion of the data transmission network. At least part of the object can be passed to the destination node. As described below, the term "intermediary" refers to a party transmitting digital objects over at least a portion of a data transmission network or equipment owned, leased, controlled and/or operated by a party to perform such services. can be referred to.

Equipment owned, leased, controlled and/or maintained by an intermediary includes equipment capable of transmitting data to and/or receiving information over a data transmission network. Here, such equipment includes one or more "communication ports" capable of receiving information from a source node and/or transmitting information to a destination node via one or more data transmission media forming a link within the data transmission network. Such communication ports may be connected to, for example, cabling (eg, optical, coaxial, unshielded twisted wire pair cabling, etc.) and/or wireless transmission media (eg, via a terrestrial or satellite link). information may be transmitted and/or received from one of several forms of the same data transmission medium. However, this is merely an example of a communication port for connecting equipment owned, leased, controlled and/or operated by an intermediary to a data transmission network, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

An "instruction" herein relates to an expression representing one or more logical operations. For example, an instruction may be "machine-readable" as it is for performing one or more operations on one or more data objects, and may be translated by a machine. However, this is merely an example of the instruction, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. As another example, referred to herein as a command are coded instructions that have a set of instructions including coded commands and may be executed by processing circuitry. These instructions are encoded in machine language form that can be understood by processing circuitry. Again, this is merely an example of an instruction, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

A "storage medium" herein relates to a medium capable of holding representations perceivable by one or more machines. For example, a storage medium includes one or more storage devices for storing machine-readable instructions and/or information. Such storage devices may comprise one of several media types including, for example, magnetic, optical or semiconductor storage media. However, this is merely an example of a storage medium, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

Here, "logic" relates to a structure in which one or more logical operations are performed. For example, logic includes circuitry to provide one or more output signals based on one or more input signals. Such circuitry includes a finite state machine that receives a digital input and provides a digital output, or a circuit that provides one or more analog output signals in response to one or more analog and/or digital input signals. Such circuitry may be provided in application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Additionally, logic may perform such machine-readable instructions by including them stored in a storage medium coupled to the processing circuitry. However, this is merely an example of a structure providing logic, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

"Agent" herein relates to a process that is performed on a first device and is capable of communicating with a second device over a data transfer network. In certain embodiments, for example, an agent process may collect information related to a first device so that the collected information can be transmitted to a second device. In another embodiment, the agent may receive a control signal from the second device enabling remote control of at least a portion of the first device. However, this is merely an example of how an agent enables communication between devices, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the agent may execute on the processor under the control of machine-readable instructions stored on a storage medium. In other embodiments, agents may run on several types of structures that provide logic. However, this is merely an example of an agent, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

Here, "Quality of Service (QoS)" relates to the characteristics of a data transmission service that provides data to a destination within certain constraints. In certain embodiments, QoS relates to delivering services within expected bandwidth constraints, time constraints and/or error constraints, although the claimed invention is not so limited. Quality of service indicates a characteristic of a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) type protocol, and/or a User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol (UDP/IP) type protocol. In one or more embodiments, quality of service refers to, for example, a threshold error rate at which one or more data packets may not arrive and/or one or more data packets that have arrived may contain information in one or more corrupt bits of information. refers to In one or more embodiments, the quality of service is a threshold at which the number of errors and/or the error rate may not exceed a predetermined value and/or the number and/or error rate when the error/error rate is unacceptable. Although it refers to the range that may be accepted, the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. In certain embodiments, for example, QoS relates to the transmission of digital objects from a source node to a destination node. Here, for example, QoS indicates that all or part of a digital object arrives at a destination node within a limited bandwidth limit, and/or within some time constraint, and/or within a limit of the number of errors and/or an error rate. In another embodiment, QoS limits, at least in part, the effective data rate at which digital objects are transmitted to the destination node. However, this is merely an example of how QoS is applied to the transmission of digital objects, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

"Processing", "computing", "calculation", "selection", "formation", "enable", "prohibition", " Uses of terms such as "identifying", "initiating", "receiving", "transmitting", "determining" and/or the like are executed by a computing platform, such as a computer or similar electronic computing device, and the processor, memory of the computing platform. actions to manipulate and/or transform data expressed as physical electronic and/or magnetic quatity and/or other physical quantities within registers and/or other information storage, transmission, reception and/or display devices; / or processing. Moreover, unless specifically stated otherwise, processes described herein with reference to flowcharts and the like are performed and/or controlled in whole or in part by a computing platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Non-limiting and non-exclusive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts to the various drawings, unless otherwise specified.

1 is a configuration diagram of a data transmission network according to an embodiment.

2 is a block diagram of a router owned, leased, controlled and/or operated by an intermediary to transmit at least a portion of a digital object to a destination node according to an embodiment.

3 is a block diagram of a data transmission network for transmitting a digital object to two or more destination nodes according to an embodiment.

4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for initiating transmission of a digital object from a source node according to one embodiment.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed on a bid request received from an intermediary according to an embodiment.

6 is a block diagram of a data transmission network for transmitting a digital object from a source node to a destination node through two or more intermediaries.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed on a bid request received from an intermediary, according to an embodiment.

8 is a schematic diagram of a data transmission network comprising a first network for transmitting digital objects from a source node to a destination node and a second network for facilitating bidding between an intermediary;

9 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for initiating transmission of a digital object to one or more destination nodes according to an embodiment of the data transmission network of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for facilitating bidding for services that deliver digital objects to one or more destination nodes in accordance with one embodiment of the data transport network of FIG. 8 ;

1 is a configuration diagram of a data transmission network according to an embodiment. Source node 2 and destination node 18-24 may be connected to, for example, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), digital subscriber line (DSL), coaxial/optical cable (eg using satellite and/or terrestrial links) or The data transmission network 25 is accessed using one of several data transmission access technologies, such as wireless access. However, this is merely an example of a method for a node to obtain access to a data transmission network, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. The data transmission network 25 may transmit data packets between nodes in a network topology according to the Internet Protocol (IP). However, this is merely an example of a communication protocol used to transmit all or part of a digital object from a source node to a destination node, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. Here, in the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the source node 2 and the destination nodes 18-24 access the data network 25 via the facilities of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 10 , 16 . For example, the source node 2 and/or the destination node 18-24 include subscribers of the respective ISPs that enable access to the data transmission network 25 for a subscription fee. However, the ISP is merely an example of how the source and/or destination node accesses the data transmission network, and the claimed invention is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, the source node 2 and/or the destination nodes 18-24 comprise one of several types of devices capable of transmitting and/or receiving digital objects. In certain embodiments, the source node and/or destination node 18-24 may have a communication port adapted to transmit and/or receive data from an ISP over a data transmission medium using one or more of the aforementioned access technologies ( not shown). In addition to the communication port, the source node 2 and/or the destination node 18-24 use a processor, one or more memory devices, and suitable input/output devices for communication between the processor and the processes running on the communication port. computing platform that Here, such processes executing on the computing platform are controlled, at least in part, by machine-readable instructions stored within one or more memory devices of the computing platform. In a particular embodiment, the computing platform at the source node 2 executes one or more processes to form and/or form a digital object for transmission over the data transmission network 25 . However, this is merely an example of how the source node 2 forms and/or forms a digital object for transmission over a data transmission network, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. In another particular embodiment, the computing platform at the destination node executes one or more processes to use the digital object received from the data transfer network 25 via the communication port. However, this is merely an example of how the destination node processes the digital object received from the data transmission network, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, equipment owned, leased, controlled and/or operated by intermediary 12 transfers digital objects between ISP 10 and ISP 16 . The link connecting the intermediary to the ISP 10 and ISP 16 includes one of several data transmission networks, such as, for example, cabling (eg, fiber optic, coaxial and/or unshielded twisted pair cabling). However, this is merely an example of a transmission medium used to transmit a digital object in a data transmission network, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

1 , the ISP 10 transmits the digital object to the ISP 16 via one of multiple paths including at least one corresponding intermediary 12 . Here, according to a specific embodiment, the ISP 10 transmits the digital object to the ISP 16 via one of the intermediaries 12a, 12b, 12c. As will be described below, according to a particular embodiment, the source node 2 and/or the ISP 10 assigns the digital object to the ISP based, at least in part, on one or more bids received from the intermediaries 12a, 12b, 12c. Select a specific intermediary (12) for delivery to (16). However, this is merely an example of a method of selecting an intermediary to deliver a digital object, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, the intermediary 12 routes between the ISP 10 and the ISP 16 digital objects of one or more data packets formed according to a specific network protocol, such as the Internet Protocol (IP). These data packets are intermediary according to one of several data link layer protocols such as, for example, Ethernet, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Delay and/or Synchronous Optical Network/Synchronous Digital Layer (SONET/SDH) data link protocols. (12) and the data link connecting the ISPs. In embodiments using a wireless communication link, data packets are delivered over the wireless communication link according to one of several satellite and/or terrestrial wireless data link protocols, such as, for example, IEEE standards 802.11 and 802.16. However, this is merely an example of a data link protocol used to forward data packets in a data transmission network, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, the intermediary unit 12 comprises one or more routers for forwarding data packets from the source node 2 to the destination node. 2 is a block diagram of a router 28 owned, leased and/or operated by an intermediary to transmit at least a portion of a digital object to a destination node according to an embodiment. The router 28 includes one or more input communication ports 24 for receiving data packet communications according to one or more of the protocols mentioned. Here, the one or more input communication ports 24 may receive all or part of the digital object from the ISP 10 (and transmitted from the source node 2 ). The router 28 also includes one or more output communication ports 26 for transmitting data packet communications in accordance with one or more of the protocols mentioned. Here, the one or more output communication ports 26 may transmit all or part of the digital object to the ISP 16 (which will then be transmitted to one or more destination nodes).

According to one embodiment, router 28 includes logic to determine how to forward packets received at input communication port 24 to output communication port 26 . For example, the router 28 determines an output communication port 26 for forwarding the received data packet based at least in part on information associated with the received data packet, such as, for example, a destination address. Here, according to a particular embodiment, the router 28 determines the output port 26 to which to forward the received data packet according to one or more lookup tables associating the destination IP address with the output port 26 . However, this is merely an example of how a router determines an output port for forwarding a data packet, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, even though there is a valid destination address associated with the received data packet, the router 28 receives the received data packet based, at least in part, on information such as the destination and/or source associated with the data packet or other information associated with the data packet. Select whether or not to forward the received data packet.

According to one embodiment, the logic of the mentioned router 28 for controlling the routing of data packets from the input communication port 24 to the output communication port 26 is one or more computing including one or more processors and memory devices. including platform. The memory device includes machine-readable instructions executing on one or more processors for controlling routing of data packets. Optionally, router 28 includes one or more ASIC devices for routing control, and/or a combination of one or more ASICs and one or more computing platforms for routing control. However, this is merely an example of the logic used within the router to control data packet forwarding, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, the intermediary 12 (see FIG. 1 ) uses one or more routers 28 to forward the digital object to the destination node. The digital object received from the source node 2 in the first router is transferred to the second router, where the first router and the second router are owned, leased, controlled and/or operated by the intermediary unit 12 . Here, the first router receives the digital object from the ISP 10 and delivers the received digital object to the second router directly or through one or more other routing devices. Then, the second router forwards the digital object received from the first router to the ISP 16 . However, this is merely an example of how an intermediary uses multiple routers to transfer digital objects from a source node to a destination node, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, the intermediary unit 12 and/or the ISP 10, 16 multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) according to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), Network Working Group, RFC 3031, 2001. ) is used. Here, the ISP 10 includes a "label edge router (LER)" capable of assigning a label value to a packet received from the source node 12 for transmission to the destination node. The one or more routers of the intermediary unit 12 comprise a "label switch router (LSR)" that makes forwarding decisions for received data packets based at least in part on a label value assigned to the received data packets. At the network hop between the IPS 10 and the ISP 16, the LSR associated with the intermediary 12 strips off the current label of the received data packet and the next downstream LSR sends the data packet to its destination. Apply a new label indicating how to transmit LSRs connected to deliver a digital object from the ISP 10 to the ISP 16 are labeled (e.g., (selected from a label structure such as a label stack) to form a Label Switch Path (LSP) determined at least in part. However, this is merely an example of how a digital object is transmitted between nodes of a data transmission network using MPLS, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

3 is a block diagram of a data transmission network 100 for transmitting a digital object to two or more destination nodes according to an embodiment. The source node 102 transmits the digital object to one or more destination nodes coupled to one or more ISPs 116 . Next, two or more intermediaries 112 are used to deliver the digital object to two or more destinations. According to one embodiment, a digital object formed for transmission to a destination node is copied at the ISP 110 or intermediary 112 for transmission to multiple destinations.

According to one embodiment, digital objects are segmented and/or partitioned into smaller sub-digital objects for transmission via two or more intermediaries. Here, in certain embodiments, a sub-digital object is as large as a large digital object, or as small as a null-state object containing no data, or for example a packet, a sub-packet, a set of packets and / or a range of medium size containing a set of bits constituting a sub-digital object. According to one embodiment, the sub-digital objects constituting the digital object are transmitted indirectly to the destination through the data transmission network using the same or different paths, but the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. Conforming to QoS requirements, for example, an intermediary bids for a service that transmits individual sub-digital objects of a large digital object as described herein. Here, for example, the digital object is large enough that it is desirable to divide the digital object into one or more sub-digital objects, for example at the source node and/or one or more intermediary nodes, wherein the one or more sub-digital objects are Sub-digital objects are reassembled at one or more intermediate nodes and/or one or more destination nodes with their own individual routing requirements, quality of service, routing paths, etc. In one or more embodiments, this sub-digital concept is analogous to data transfer using packets, where a sub-digital object has a higher-level configuration than a packet, but a lower-level configuration than a larger digital object. For example, a multimedia object is partitioned into a video sub-digital object and an audio sub-digital object and/or a multimedia object is partitioned into a service-digital object corresponding to a scene contained within the multimedia object, although as described in the claims. The invention is not limited thereto. Such a digital object suitable to be divided into one is when the digital object is an image. In one or more embodiments, the transmission of such objects includes, for example, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission systems and/or spatial division, multiple-access systems in which two or more sub-digital objects are transmitted in parallel over two or more links. do. In certain embodiments, a network suitable for segmenting a digital object into one or more sub-digital objects includes at least a portion of a network operating in conformance with an Institute of Electrical and Electroninics Engineers (IEEE) 802.12-like standard, such as a WiMax-like standard, The invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

As in the data transmission network 25 described above, the intermediary unit 112 includes one or more routers (eg, routers 28) for forwarding data packets to the destination node. In addition, the data transmission network 100 uses MPLS to transmit the digital object to its destination and selects a specific intermediary.

3 , a single intermediary 112b may deliver the digital object from the ISP 110 to a destination node connected to the ISPs 116a , 116b , and/or 116c . On the other hand, the intermediary unit 112a or the intermediary unit 112c alone cannot transmit the digital object to the destination node connected to all three ISPs 116a, 116b, and 116c. To transmit a digital object to a destination node connected to all three ISPs 116a, 116b, 116c, the ISP 110 and/or the source node 102 uses an intermediary 112b or intermediary 112a, 112c. choose

According to the embodiment of the data transmission network shown in FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 3 , a cost is incurred for the intermediary to deliver the digital object from at least a part of the data transmission network. To offset these costs, the intermediary receives compensation from the source node, the ISP and/or the party associated with the destination in exchange for sending the digital object over a portion of the network. According to one embodiment, the intermediary provides a bid specifying the conditions under which the intermediary transmits the digital object over at least a portion of the data transmission network. The party to reward the intermediary chooses from a number of bids for businesses that transmit digital objects over at least part of the network. However, this is merely an exemplary embodiment, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, any node, such as an intermediary node and/or an ISP acting on behalf of another node such as a source node, an intermediary node, an ISP, and/or destination node 118, for example, facilitates the transmission of the digital object. request. Similarly, a source node and/or a destination node may be, for example, between a source node and/or a destination node and/or between at least one source node and/or destination node, an intermediary node, and/or one or more proxy nodes. Requesting and/or otherwise agreeing to transfer a digital object together as a result of a handshake. In one or more embodiments, the handshake is referred to as a challenge handshake authentication protocol (CHAP) type authentication between the network server and the client device, although the claimed invention is not so limited. The handshake occurs through direct communication between two or more nodes and/or optionally the handshake occurs through indirect communication between the two or more nodes using, for example, e-mail or other suitable protocol. In one or more embodiments, a "proxy server" is operative to provide, perform, process and/or intercept requests for, and/or to provide, perform, process and/or intercept requests for, for a given other server, node, and/or client device, and/or a first server, node, and/or node. and/or a server, node, and/or client device that operates in overlapping operation between the client device and a second server, node, and/or other client device. Such proxy servers operate to provide, perform, process and/or intercept requests on behalf of and/or for such servers, nodes and/or client devices and/or to at least one of the servers, nodes, and/or client devices. Although in one or more embodiments represent other servers, nodes and/or client devices in a data transfer network, in practice the servers, nodes, and/or client devices may have such proxies acting as their agents. do. Such proxy servers and/or agents are implemented as one or more source nodes, source ISPs, intermediary nodes, receiving ISPs, and/or destination nodes and/or other nodes in the data transport network. In one or more embodiments, such a proxy server and/or agent is used to perform one or more specific functions as part and/or as processes of the overall process of transferring a digital object over a data transfer network. For example, if a digital object is a large sized object that can be divided into one or more small sized sub-digital objects and/or packets for more efficient transmission, then a proxy server dedicated to this division of the digital object is used . Functions other than these specific functions of the proxy server and/or agent are, for example, compression, decompression, recombination, and the like. However, this is merely an example of how the proxy server and/or agent operates in a data transmission network, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 200 for initiating transmission of a digital object from a source node in accordance with an embodiment of a data transmission network 25 , 100 . All or part of process 200 is performed by logic at the source node. In certain embodiments, as described below, portions of process 200 are performed at a proxy server (eg, an unauthenticated ISP or node in a data transfer network) capable of communicating with the source node and one or more intermediaries. . At block 202, the source node forms a digital object for transmission to one or more destination nodes. In certain embodiments, the computer operator forms the digital object through interaction with a graphical user interface (GUI) of the computing platform associated with and/or connected to the source node. However, this is only an example of how a digital object is formed, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. In certain embodiments, the digital object is formed into one or more data packets according to a network protocol such as the IP protocol. As such, one or more data packets include a header portion having a destination IP address associated with the destination node. If the digital object is to be sent to more than one destination node, block 202 forms a plurality of sets of data packets for the destination node having the corresponding destination IP address. According to certain embodiments, such multiple sets of data packets are copied from the source node ISP and/or intermediary to be transmitted to the corresponding multiple destinations, although the claimed invention is not limited thereto. However, this is merely an example of copies of the data packets of the digital object being transmitted to a plurality of intermediaries, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

A specific intermediary in the data transmission network may or may not transmit the digital object to the destination node. For example, in the particular embodiment of the data transmission network 100 shown in FIG. 3 , there is no link between the intermediary 112a and the ISP 116c, and there is no link between the intermediary 112c and the ISP 116a. There are no links to connect. Accordingly, the intermediary unit 112a sees that the digital object cannot be delivered to the destination nodes 118c, 120c, 122c. Similarly, the intermediary 112c sees that the digital object cannot be delivered to the destination nodes 118a, 120a, 122a. In other embodiments, the intermediary may or may not deliver the digital object to the destination based at least in part on other factors independent of whether the intermediary is connected to a source node and/or a destination node by a link. Here, for example, such an intermediary node is deemed to be unable to deliver based, at least in part, on known equipment faults, inability to deliver digital objects according to the desired QoS, etc. However, this is merely an example of how and/or why the intermediary cannot deliver the digital object to the destination, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

At block 204 the source node and/or proxy server identifies an intermediary that may forward the digital object to one or more destination nodes. In one embodiment, the source node and/or proxy server identifies an intermediary capable of delivering the digital object based at least in part on information in the database. This database is maintained at the source node and/or proxy server, and identifies specific intermediaries that can connect to the source node and receive digital objects for transmission. Such a database may also contain, for example, the ability to deliver digital objects while achieving a certain QoS, their operational status (e.g., functionality, down for maintenance, malfunctioning, etc.), and the destinations to which intermediaries deliver digital objects. It relates to information related to an intermediary, such as information. However, this is merely an example of information related to an intermediary in a database for the purpose of identifying an intermediary capable of delivering a digital object to a destination, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

At block 206 , the source node and/or proxy server initiates transmission of bid requests to one or more intermediaries and requests bids for services that deliver digital objects to one or more destination nodes. Here, the bid request is transmitted through an in-band management channel of a link that transmits a data packet of a digital object transmitted between the source and the relay unit. Optionally, the bid request is forwarded to the intermediary by a link separate from the link carrying the digital object. The source node and/or proxy server forwards the bid request to the intermediary according to one of several communication protocols. In certain embodiments, for example, the source node and/or proxy server communicates the bid request in one or more data packets using User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol (UDP/IP). However, this is merely an example of how the source node and/or the proxy server forwards the bid request to one or more intermediaries, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, a digital transmission form (DTF) includes metadata associated with a digital object that is stored, presented and/or transmitted independently of the associated digital object. In certain embodiments, DTFs associated with digital objects are transmitted between nodes within a data transmission network (eg, source node, ISP, and/or intermediary) using the data path used to transmit the digital object, although as claimed in the claims. The invention described is not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, the DTF associated with the digital object is transmitted between nodes in a data transfer using a data path distinct from the data path used to transmit the digital object. However, this is merely an example of how the DTF is transmitted between nodes in a data transmission network, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

According to a particular embodiment, the bid request is formed as a DTF transmitted in one or more messages according to a negotiation protocol. Here, the DTF includes predetermined fields specifying a condition for a bid request used for a service of transmitting a digital object to a destination node. These predetermined fields may include, for example, the size of the transmitted digital object (eg, bits, bytes, cells, packets, etc.), destination address(es), QoS, compression formation, stability, encoding, and/or billing number, etc. It is used to provide the same information to the bidders. Optionally, the DTF contains a predetermined field definition schema and/or a reference to the schema itself, and/or to a field value expressed, for example, in an XML format. However, this is merely an example of a predetermined field used in the DTF to provide a bid request, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

As noted above, DTF facilitates the bidding process for services that deliver relevant digital objects to their destinations. In certain embodiments, in addition to transmitting a digital object as a result of a bid, the data transmission network allows for the transmission of other data traffic that does not require acceptance of a bid as a result of the formation and/or transmission of a DTF, although as claimed in the claims. The invention described in is not limited thereto. Here, for example, the parties have an existing agreement and/or route for traffic delivery that reduces the need for bidding. However, this is only an example of how the data transmission network forwards data traffic without the use of DTF, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

As mentioned, a source node delivers a digital object to one or more destination nodes. Also, as pointed out above, a particular intermediary may not be able to send a digital object to all desired destination nodes. Thus, in a particular embodiment, another bid request message is forwarded to another intermediary (eg, as determined at block 204 ) based in part on known capabilities of the particular intermediary when delivering the digital object to a particular destination. Referring to the example of Figure 3, according to a particular embodiment, the source node 102 forms a digital object for transmission to the destination nodes 118a, 118b, 118c. The intermediary unit 112a receives one or more bid requests for delivery of the digital object to the destination node 118a, 118b, but not for delivery of the digital object to the destination node 118c. Similarly, the intermediary unit 112c receives one or more bid requests for delivery of the digital object to the destination node 118b, 118c, but not for delivery of the digital object to the destination node 118a.

In the embodiment described above, block 204 identifies one or more intermediaries that may deliver the digital object to the destination node. However, in an alternative embodiment, block 206 forwards the bid request to any identifiable intermediary node, regardless of whether such intermediary node is determined to be able to provide the desired service. This allows the intermediary to decide for itself whether it can deliver the digital object to its destination under the terms of the bid. Accordingly, the use of block 204 in an identifiable intermediary is merely an optional embodiment, and the claimed invention is not so limited.

After a period of time after sending the bid request to the intermediary in block 206, the source node and/or proxy server expresses the ability and/or intent to deliver the digital object to one or more destinations according to conditions established in the one or more incoming bids. Receive one or more bids from one or more intermediaries. Such conditions in the bidding include, for example, price, QoS, expected delivery time and/or maximum latency. However, this is merely an example of a condition in which an intermediary provides a bid for the transmission of a digital object to one or more intermediaries, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

Upon receiving one or more bids from one or more destinations, the source node and/or proxy server processes the received bids at block 208 . Block 208 selects one or more intermediaries for delivering the digital object to one or more destination nodes based at least in part on the one or more received bids. In certain embodiments, to deliver the digital object to a particular destination node, block 208 selects an intermediary specifying the lowest price in its bid for this service. Optionally, block 208 selects an intermediary specifying the lowest bid for a minimum specific QoS associated with delivering the digital object to the destination node. In certain embodiments, the acceptance and/or rejection of bids, and/or termination of the bidding process is determined based at least in part on a predetermined negotiation protocol, although the claimed invention is not so limited. Here, for example, these negotiation protocols may include the formation of bids, mechanisms for rejecting bids that arrive late (eg, after a timeout period), and other intermediaries providing services for parties wishing to bid to deliver digital objects in advance. -Determine refusal of a bid, etc. because it has existing relationships.

Negotiation protocols may also include, for example, bid requests, bids, bid request approval and/or bids, refusal and/or acceptance of bids, broadcast results of bid requests and subsequent bids, and/or future bids for services delivering digital objects. Defines multiple message types including changes to . However, this is merely an example of a message defined as part of a negotiation protocol, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

Upon selecting an intermediary that delivers the digital object to the destination node, the source node and/or proxy server initiates forwarding of data packets through which the selected intermediary forwards the digital object to one or more destination nodes. For example, in certain embodiments using the mentioned MPLS protocol, the source node and/or proxy server causes the nodes in the data transport network to act as LERs. Here, this LER associates a switch label identifying the digital object and how the digital object is handled by the receiving LSR with the data packet carrying the digital object. The LER then forwards the data packet carrying the digital object to the input communication port of the router, which acts as an LSR that is owned, leased, controlled and/or operated by a selected intermediary. However, this is merely an example of a method in which such a selected intermediary is configured to forward a data packet carrying a digital object to a destination node, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 300 of operating according to a bid request received from an intermediary, according to an embodiment. Process embodiment 300 is executed by logic associated with an intermediary, such as, for example, the computer system described above. However, this is merely an example of logic capable of executing a process operating according to a bid request, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, the intermediary receives at block 302 a message including a bid request (eg, in the form of a DTF). As described, the bid request is transmitted from a source node and/or a proxy server according to a communication protocol using an in-band message transmitted within the link for transmitting the digital object. As such, the intermediary receives the bid request at the input communication port of the router that can receive the data packet carrying the digital object from the source node. Optionally, the intermediary receives the bid request at a communication port coupled to a link in another network dedicated to sending and/or receiving messages including bid requests, bids, and/or other administrative messages. However, this is merely an example of a method in which a bid request is received by an intermediary unit, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

Block 304 determines a condition of a bid for a service for transmitting the digital object to the destination node. As described above, these bids specify the conditions and/or rules under which the intermediary agrees to the business of delivering the digital object to the destination node. Block 304 may be, at least in part, from capital equipment costs (eg, routers and related supporting equipment), operating costs (eg, including asset maintenance, rental fees, power, personnel), current and/or projected capacity, current and and/or expected asset utilization, prior experience and/or history, pre-existing contracts with other parties, supplier propensity, expected bidding behavior from competing intermediaries to deliver digital objects to their destinations, and specific QoS for delivery of digital objects. Determine these terms and/or provisions based on the anticipated needs and/or ability to provide. However, this is merely an example of information used by the intermediary to determine the conditions of a bid for transmitting the digital object to the source node, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

After determining the conditions of the bid at block 304 , the intermediary sends the bid at block 306 to some nodes and/or proxy servers. Such bids are transmitted to the source node and/or proxy server via a communication port capable of receiving the digital object from the source node and/or transmitting the digital object to the destination in the data transmission network. Optionally, the bid is sent in an out-of-band message over another data link. However, this is merely an example of a link used to transmit a message including a bid, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the message comprising the bid is transmitted according to one of several protocols, such as, for example, UDP/IP and/or a proprietary protocol. However, this is merely an example of a communication protocol used to transmit a bid to a source node and/or a proxy server, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

Depending on the particular embodiment, the intermediary receiving the bid request at block 302 may, for example, be unable to deliver the digital object to a particular destination and/or to satisfy the requested QoS service, this particular attorney or class of attorney, etc. You choose not to respond to a bid request for one of several reasons, such as lack of ability. Optionally, the intermediary sends a message to the source node and/or the proxy server instructing the intermediary not to bid for the business delivering the digital object in question. In another embodiment, the intermediary transmits the reason for not participating in the bidding process.

After sending the bid at block 306, the process 300 waits for a response from the source node and/or proxy server indicating that the sent bid has been accepted or rejected. Acceptance messages from these source nodes and/or proxy servers take the form of messages transmitted in-band with digital objects or out-of-band messages in individual networks. In one embodiment, for example, determining 308 determines acceptance of a bid upon receipt of one or more data packets addressed to a destination node at an input communication port carrying at least a portion of the digital object, thereby sending an acceptance hint message. to provide. In an alternative embodiment, decision 308 determines to reject the bid if no data packets carrying the portion of the digital object are received at the input communication port within a predetermined period after transmission of the bid at block 306 . In another alternative embodiment, decision block 308 determines whether the bid has been accepted or rejected based on an explicit accept or reject message received from the in-band and/or out-of-band data link. However, this is merely an example of how the intermediary determines acceptance and/or rejection of a bid for a service delivering a digital object, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

In response to the indication that the bid has been accepted, decision 308 may forward the digital object to the destination node at block 310 . According to an embodiment in which the intermediary includes one or more routers capable of acting as, for example, an LSR in an MPLS network, block 310 enables one or more routers in the LSP to forward data packets to one or more destination nodes. . Data packets identified as carrying digital objects based on the associated switch label are forwarded via the LSP to one or more destination nodes. According to one embodiment, the intermediary receives the data packet carrying the digital object at the input communication port of the original router. A data packet carrying a digital object along an LSP (or possibly multiple LSPs for one or more destination nodes) traverses one or more routers until transmitted from the output port of the final router through the destination node. In an alternative embodiment, an interior gateway protocol (IGP) is used to route the traffic. However, this is merely an example of how an intermediary can deliver a digital object to a destination, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

In response to the indication that the bid has been rejected, decision 308 prohibits delivery of the digital object to the destination node at block 312 if the bid has been rejected. In a particular embodiment, for example, block 312 inhibits forwarding of data packets received at the router's input port by dropping packets received at the router's input port without informing the provider. However, this is merely an example of how the intermediary prohibits the delivery of the digital object to the destination node, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

As noted above, bid requests and/or related bids involve the delivery of digital objects to multiple destination nodes. Here, in certain embodiments, the source node and/or proxy server accepts a portion of a bid to deliver a digital object to one destination node, and rejects a portion of a bid to deliver a digital object to one or more other destination nodes. do. Thus, in this particular embodiment, the decision step 308 enables delivery of the digital object to some destination nodes (related to the accepting portion of the bid) and delivery of the digital object to other destination nodes (related to the rejecting portion of the bid). forbid However, this is only an example of how the intermediary handles partial acceptance of a bid for a service delivering a digital object, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

6 is a block diagram of a data transmission network 400 for transmitting digital objects from a source node to one or more destination nodes via two or more intermediaries. The source node 402 connected to the data transmission network 400 through the ISP 410 wants to transmit the digital object to the destination node connected to the ISP 416 . ISP 410 forwards the digital object to intermediaries 412a, 412b and/or 412c without any intermediate network hops. However, intermediaries 412a, 412b and/or 412c need not necessarily deliver the digital object to the destination node without the assistance of one or more downstream intermediaries. Here, at least one downstream intermediary 413a, 413b, 413c, 413d, 413e, 413f and/or any single intermediary 412a, 412b and/or 412c must be able to deliver the digital object to the ISP 416. or 413g) to pass the digital object. Similarly, no single intermediary 413a, 413b, 413c, 413d, 413e, 413f, and/or 413g will route the digital object through the n intermediaries 415a, 415b and/or 415c to the ISP 416 . You cannot pass digital objects to

In response to a bid request for a service that delivers a digital object from the ISP 410 to the destination node 404 , 406 and/or 408 according to a particular embodiment, the intermediary 412a , 412b and/or 412c downstream provide a bid comprising a condition based at least in part on a cost associated with delivering the digital object via one of the intermediaries 413a - 413g. During process 300 (see FIG. 5 ) according to the particular embodiment of the response to the bid request, at block 304 , intermediaries 412a, 412b, and/or 412c may include one or more downstream intermediaries 413a through 413g. Send a bid request to Upon receiving bids from one or more downstream intermediaries, intermediaries 412a, 412b, and/or 412c may configure the ISP 410 based at least in part on conditions from the one or more bids received from the one or more downstream intermediaries. Determine the bidding conditions for the transmission of the digital object received from. Intermediaries 412a , 412b and/or 412c complete process 300 as previously described. When determining a bid in response to a bid request from intermediaries 412a, 412b, and/or 412c, intermediaries 413a through 413g send downstream intermediaries 415a, 415b and/or 415c as described above. solicit and/or receive bids from

7 illustrates a process example 450 of operating upon a bid request received at the principal side according to one embodiment, according to a particular embodiment, the process example 450 includes a bid request from a source node and/or a proxy server. executed by one or more intermediaries 412 in response. In another embodiment, process example 450 is executed by one or more downstream intermediaries 413 in response to a bid request from intermediary 412 . At block 452 , the intermediary receives a bid request as described above with respect to block 302 of FIG. 5 . However, when receiving a bid request from the downstream intermediary unit 413 , the bid request originates from the intermediary unit 412 . Block 454 identifies one or more downstream intermediaries that may send the digital object to the destination node as described above with respect to block 204 of process 200 .

Block 456 formulates and sends a downstream bid request to the downstream intermediary identified in block 454 . Conditions established in such bid requests are based, at least in part, on conditions established in one or more bid requests received at block 452 . In a particular embodiment, for example, the bid request formulated at block 456 specifies a digital object, specifies one or more destination nodes, and one as noted above with respect to block 206 of FIG. 4 . It indicates how the digital object is transmitted to the above destination nodes. At block 456, the formulated bid request is sent to one or more downstream intermediaries as in-band and/or out-of-band messages as described with respect to block 206 above.

At block 458 , the intermediary receives one or more bids in response to the bid request sent at block 456 . The bid received at this block 458 has the same conditions as it had with the bid received at block 208 as described above. Here, process example 450 waits for a response following transmission of a bid request at block 456 for a predetermined period following transmission of one or more bid requests. Next, block 460 determines conditions for responding to the bid request received at block 452 for one or more bids. The conditions established in such a bid are based, at least in part, on conditions established in one or more bids received at block 456 . Here, for example, block 460 determines a price associated with a response to the bid request received at block 452 based at least in part on costs associated with one or more bids received at block 458 . However, this is merely an example of a method for determining the conditions of a bid for a service for transmitting a digital object to a destination, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

The above description describes the process by which an intermediary makes a bid for a business that provides a service for delivering digital objects to a source node. In a particular embodiment, the data transmission network connects the source node and/or ISP with an intermediary, and transmits the digital objects in the data packet over a link that connects the intermediary with the destination node. In a further embodiment, a network separate from the data transmission network used to deliver the digital object facilitates the exchange of administrative messages, such as, for example, bid requests, bids and their status. This enables centralized development of the operation of bids and billing for the delivery of digital objects over data transmission networks.

8 is a schematic diagram of a data transfer network 500 including a first network for transferring digital objects from a source node to a destination node and a second network for facilitating billing between an intermediary. The source node 502 is coupled to the data transmission network 500 by an ISP 510 . The source node 502 transmits the digital object to one or more destination nodes 518 via the ISP 510 , the intermediary 512 and/or the ISP 516 . For illustrative purposes, nodes are connected by data links of a first network represented by solid lines, and nodes are connected by data links of a second network represented by dotted lines. According to a particular embodiment, the data link represented by the solid line may transmit the digital object to the destination via the corresponding part of the first network. Also, the data link represented by the dotted line may transmit control messages, such as bid request, bid and accept messages, between the server 522 and other nodes in the data transmission network 500 , for example.

According to one embodiment, the source node 502 sends to the intermediary 512 a bid request for a service that delivers the digital object to one or more destination nodes 508 as described above. Intermediary 512 responds to bids for these services as described above. However, in this particular embodiment, server 522 may, among other things, source node 502 , ISP 510 over a data link in a second network for sending and/or receiving bid requests to intermediary 512 . and/or communicate with an intermediate node.

According to one embodiment, the agent process example 520 is executed on one or more intermediaries 512 to communicate with the server 522 . For example, in certain embodiments, an instance of the agent process example 520 is executed by logic, such as machine-readable instructions, that may be executed on a computer system operated by one or more intermediaries 512 . . Intermediary unit 512 also includes an out-of-band communication port capable of communicating on a second network distinct from the communication port used to convey the digital object on the first network. In certain embodiments, the agent process 520 communicates with the server 522 through this out-of-band communication port.

According to one embodiment, the link of the second network comprises one of several forms of transmission media, for example the cabling and/or wireless media mentioned. However, this is merely an example of a transmission medium used to transmit a message in the second network, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto. According to a particular embodiment, the message is configured to be transmitted over a link of a second network using one of the mentioned data link layer protocols and transmitted to the second network according to one of the mentioned network protocols. However, this is also merely an example of a data link and/or network protocol, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, the bidding process for services transferring digital objects from a source node 502 to one or more destination nodes 518 depends at least in part on a server 522 and/or an agent process example 502 . . 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 600 of initiating a digital object transfer to one or more destination nodes in accordance with one embodiment of a data transfer network 500 . In certain embodiments, for example, process example 600 is executed by logic at source node 502 and/or ISP 510 . At block 602 , the digital object is formulated as described above with respect to block 202 of FIG. 4 . However, rather than passing the bid request directly to the intermediary, process 600 forwards the bid request to the server 522 (eg, via a second network). 10, server 522 facilitates the bidding process between intermediaries 512 for services delivering digital objects to destination nodes, and selects intermediaries for delivering digital objects. make it easy Block 606 receives information (eg, via a second network) from server 522 that may forward the digital object to the selected intermediary. For example, block 606 receives a network address and/or some other identifier associated with the selected intermediary 512 through which the ISP 510 sends a data packet carrying the digital object to the selected intermediary 512 . . Next, block 608 initiates transmission of the digital object to the selected intermediary based at least in part on forwarding the command received at block 606 .

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process 700 that facilitates bidding for services that deliver digital objects to the data transport network of FIG. 8 . Block 702 receives a bid request from the source node 502 and/or the ISP 510 (eg, sent at block 604 ) from the second network. Next, block 704 broadcasts the bid request to one or more intermediaries 512 via the second network. Upon receiving the bid request from the second network, an instance of the agent 520 executing in the relevant intermediary processes the bid request and provides the bid as described above with respect to FIG. 5 . However, in this particular embodiment, the instance of the agent 520 receives the bid request from the server 522 over the second network and sends the bid.

In one embodiment, process example 700 first identifies an intermediary 512 that may deliver a digital object to a destination as described above with respect to block 204 (see FIG. 4 ), followed by block 704 . ) to limit the bidding request to these possible intermediaries (512). Optionally, process example 700 relies on a response and/or absence of response to a bid request to determine the intermediary's capabilities as described above.

Upon receiving a bid from an instance of agent 520 , process example 700 may result in one or more bids based at least in part on conditions established in the received bid as described above with respect to block 208 (see FIG. 4 ). It selects one or more intermediaries 512 to deliver the digital object to its destination. Next, block 708 provides information (eg, selected intermediary) used for transmitting the digital object over a second network to the source node 502 and/or the ISP 510 based at least in part on the one or more selected intermediaries. transmit (s) network address(es)).

According to one embodiment, server 522 maintains billing information for client source nodes and/or ISPs. For example, server 522 maintains an account owned by the intermediary for digital object delivery that occurred as a result of the bidding process mentioned above. In a particular embodiment, block 701 updates the account of the source node 502 and/or the ISP 510 according to the terms of the bid provided by the intermediary 512 selected to deliver the digital object to the destination node. . For example, server 522 associates the account with the number of accounts provided in the field of the DTF as part of the bid request received at block 702 . However, this is merely an example of maintaining and/or updating an account generated in the digital object transfer, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

In another specific embodiment, server 522 coordinates periodic billing generated by nodes using the services of intermediaries that forward objects within the data transport network. The server 522 facilitates connection billing and/or payment to an intermediary that performs the service of delivering the digital object. In one embodiment, server 522 maintains a credit account of a party (eg, a source node and/or an ISP) using the services of an intermediary in transferring digital objects. Here, server 522 charges payment to the intermediary for services performed on behalf of the party on the party's credit account. However, this is merely an example of a method of coordinating periodic billing for services performed by the intermediary, and the invention described in the claims is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 3 above, a source node delivers a digital object to a plurality of destination nodes through a plurality of paths. The first intermediary is selected to forward the digital object to the one or more destination nodes via the first path, and the second intermediary is selected to transmit the digital object to the one or more other destination nodes via the second path. It is clear that the embodiment of Figures 8-10 facilitates bidding between intermediaries for services that deliver digital objects to multiple destinations by multiple routes. Here, the server 522 provides information for delivering the digital object in block 708 to two or more intermediaries corresponding to multiple paths.

6 and 7 illustrate a method and/or system for digital object transmission to a destination node by passing the digital object through two or more intermediaries . Here, according to a particular embodiment, the second network connects the server 522 to the source node and/or the ISP as well as an intermediary capable of receiving the digital object from the ISP. In response to a bid request from server 522 , an instance of agent 520 (executing an intermediary coupled to the second network) obtains a bid from one or more downstream intermediaries (not shown). The instance of the agent 520 determines the conditions of the bid as described above in process example 450 , and sends the bid to the server 522 via the second network. Upon accepting the one or more bids, the server 522 sends one or more accept messages to one or more instances of the agent 520 via the second network. Optionally, as described above, acceptance implies reception of one or more data packets at an intermediary carrying all or part of the digital object. Concurrent with this indication of acceptance (explicit and/or implied), the instance of agent 520 accepts one or more bids received from one or more downstream intermediaries as described above.

While the foregoing has been illustrated and described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Additionally, many modifications are possible to accommodate specific circumstances to the teachings of the claimed subject matter without departing from the central concepts described herein. It is therefore not intended that the claimed subject matter be limited to the specific embodiments described, moreover, that the claimed subject matter includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the claimed subject matter and their equivalents.