Method for managing bandwidth in a packet-based communication system
First Claim
1. In a communication system using a packet network for distributing packets between endpoints for varying numbers of calls, a method comprising:
- determining, for one or more paths between endpoints, a corresponding one or more call counts defining respective numbers of calls that are supportable by the one or more paths;
receiving a call request that requires use of one or more paths;
granting the call request if it does not exceed the call counts associated with the one or more paths.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A packet-based communication system and method of call control that allows variable numbers of calls of potentially multiple types (e.g., conventional and trunking calls) to proceed concurrently over shared links of an IP network without exceeding available bandwidth. Call counts are determined for one or more paths between endpoints, defining numbers of calls that are supportable by the one or more paths. The call counts may be apportioned between first and second types of call (e.g., between trunking and conventional calls). Upon receiving call requests that require use of one or more paths, the call requests are granted if they do not exceed the call counts associated with the one or more paths. Optionally, the call requests may be denied or busied if they exceed the call counts associated with the one or more paths. As another option, call requests of one type (e.g., trunking calls) may be granted even if there are no remaining call counts allocated for that type by borrowing call counts that are allocated for a second type (e.g., conventional calls) and/or by preempting calls of the second type.
11 Citations
23 Claims
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1. In a communication system using a packet network for distributing packets between endpoints for varying numbers of calls, a method comprising:
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determining, for one or more paths between endpoints, a corresponding one or more call counts defining respective numbers of calls that are supportable by the one or more paths;
receiving a call request that requires use of one or more paths;
granting the call request if it does not exceed the call counts associated with the one or more paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a mixed trunking and conventional communication system using a packet network for distributing packets between endpoints for varying numbers of trunking and conventional calls, a method comprising:
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determining, for at least one path between endpoints, a call count defining a number of calls that is supportable by the path;
determining a trunking allocation of the call count;
determining a conventional allocation of the call count; and
upon receiving call requests for trunking and conventional calls, granting the call requests if they will result in a number of active trunking calls that does not exceed the trunking allocation and a number of active conventional calls that does not exceed the conventional allocation. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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15. A communication system comprising:
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a packet network for distributing packets between endpoints;
a controller for determining, for at least one path between endpoints, a call count defining a number of calls that is supportable by the path, the call count being apportioned between at least a first and second type of call; and
means for granting call requests of the first and second types of call without exceeding the call count.
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Specification