Packet-based multimedia communications system having one or more wireless links
First Claim
1. A communication system comprising:
- a wireless packet network;
a plurality of host devices coupled to the wireless packet network, the plurality of host devices including at least a source device and a destination device; and
a service controller, coupled to the wireless packet network and in communication with the plurality of host devices, for managing one or more communications services between the source device and destination device over the wireless packet network.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A packet-based, multimedia communication system is disclosed that extends IP host functionality to wireless terminals serviced by wireless links. A service controller of the communication system manages communications services such as voice calls, video calls, web browsing, video-conferencing and/or internet communications over a wireless packet network between source and destination host devices. A multimedia content server of the communication system provides access to one or more requested multimedia communication services. A bandwidth manager of the communication system determines an availability of bandwidth for the service requests and, if bandwidth is available, reserves bandwidth sufficient to support the service requests. Wireless link manager(s) of the communication system manage wireless communication resources required to support the service requests. Methods are disclosed herein including the service controller managing a call request for a video/audio call; the multimedia content server accommodating a request for multimedia information (e.g., web browsing or video playback request); the bandwidth manager accommodating a request for a reservation of bandwidth to support a video/audio call; execution of a two-way video calls, video playback calls, and web browsing requests.
199 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A communication system comprising:
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a wireless packet network;
a plurality of host devices coupled to the wireless packet network, the plurality of host devices including at least a source device and a destination device; and
a service controller, coupled to the wireless packet network and in communication with the plurality of host devices, for managing one or more communications services between the source device and destination device over the wireless packet network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A communication system comprising:
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a wireless packet network;
a multimedia content server coupled to the wireless packet network and having access to one or more requested multimedia communication services;
a service controller, operably connected to the multimedia content server, for managing service requests associated with the one or more requested multimedia communication services;
a bandwidth manager, operably coupled to the service controller, for determining an availability of bandwidth for the service requests and, if bandwidth is available, reserving bandwidth sufficient to support the service requests; and
a wireless link manager, operably coupled to the bandwidth manager, for managing wireless communication resources required to support the service requests. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. In a communication system including a service controller coupled to a wireless packet network, a method comprising the service controller performing the steps of:
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receiving, from a requesting device, a call request for a type of video/audio call;
identifying a source and destination device associated with the call;
requesting a reservation of bandwidth to support the call;
if the reservation is available, authorizing the call to proceed; and
if the reservation is not available, rejecting the call request. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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16. In a communication system including a multimedia content server coupled to a wireless packet network, a method comprising the multimedia content server performing the steps of:
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receiving, from a requesting device, a request for multimedia information to be delivered to a destination device;
retrieving the requested multimedia information; and
sending the requested multimedia information to the destination device.
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21. In a communication system including a bandwidth manager coupled to a wireless packet network, a method comprising the bandwidth manager performing the steps of:
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receiving, from a requesting device, a request for a reservation of bandwidth to support a video/audio call;
determining an amount of bandwidth required for the call;
if the amount of bandwidth is available, granting the reservation; and
if the amount of bandwidth is not available, denying the reservation. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. In a wireless packet network communication system including a video server, a method comprising the video server performing the steps of:
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receiving, from a requesting device, a request for video playback to a destination device;
requesting, from a service controller, authorization for video playback of one or more packets of video information associated with the request, to the destination device; and
if authorization is received, retrieving the one or more packets of video information and sending the one or more packets to the destination device. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39)
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36. In a communication system including a first and second wireless terminal operably connected to a service controller via a wireless packet network including one or more wireless links, a method comprising:
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receiving, by the service controller from the first wireless terminal, a call request for a two-way video call with the second wireless terminal;
determining, by the service controller, an availability of bandwidth to support the call;
in response to a positive determination of availability, sending, from the service controller to the first wireless terminal, a message authorizing the call to proceed.
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40. In a communication system including a wireless terminal operably coupled to a wireless packet network, a method comprising the wireless terminal performing the steps of:
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receiving information via a wireless link, the information comprising one of;
an assignment granting permission for the wireless terminal to send an inbound message over the wireless link; and
an outbound message to be presented to a user of the wireless terminal;
if the information is an assignment, sending the inbound message over the wireless link; and
if the information is an oubound message, presenting the outbound message to the user. - View Dependent Claims (41)
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Specification