Method and apparatus for packet-based media communication
First Claim
1. A conference bridge suitable for managing a conference between a plurality of media signal sources generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, said conference bridge comprising:
- a) an input for receiving a plurality of link messages for joining a conference, each link message being associated with a respective media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources, each link message including a data element from which can be derived at least one encoding type that the associated media signal source can support during decoding of encoded media information;
b) a processing unit coupled to said input, said processing unit being operative for;
i. processing the data elements in the plurality of link messages to derive;
(a) a first encoding type supported by each media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources;
(b) a second encoding type different from the first encoding type supported by at least two media signal sources from the plurality of media signal sources and unsupported by at least one of the media signal sources from the plurality of media signal sources;
ii. generating a link message reply signal for transmission to each media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources, the link message reply signals for transmission to the at least two media signal sources supporting the second encoding type conveying the first encoding type and the second encoding type, the link message reply signals for transmission to the media signal sources other than the at least two media signals sources conveying at least the first encoding type;
c) an output coupled to said processing unit for releasing the link message reply signals for transmission to the plurality of media signal sources.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A conference bridge is provided for managing a conference between media signal sources generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information. The media signal sources, in order to enter a conference, generate link messages including respective supported encoding types and transmit the link messages to the conference bridge. The conference bridge receives the link messages and processes them to derive a first common encoding type supported all media signal sources in the conference and a second encoding type supported a subset of media signal sources in the conference. The conference bridge generates link message reply signals conveying the first encoding type and the second encoding type the subset of media signal sources and conveying at least the first encoding type to the media signal sources other than the subset of all media signal sources. Each media signal source is responsive to the link message reply signal to render active at least the first encoding type and selectively render active the second encoding type.
34 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A conference bridge suitable for managing a conference between a plurality of media signal sources generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, said conference bridge comprising:
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a) an input for receiving a plurality of link messages for joining a conference, each link message being associated with a respective media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources, each link message including a data element from which can be derived at least one encoding type that the associated media signal source can support during decoding of encoded media information;
b) a processing unit coupled to said input, said processing unit being operative for;
i. processing the data elements in the plurality of link messages to derive;
(a) a first encoding type supported by each media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources;
(b) a second encoding type different from the first encoding type supported by at least two media signal sources from the plurality of media signal sources and unsupported by at least one of the media signal sources from the plurality of media signal sources;
ii. generating a link message reply signal for transmission to each media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources, the link message reply signals for transmission to the at least two media signal sources supporting the second encoding type conveying the first encoding type and the second encoding type, the link message reply signals for transmission to the media signal sources other than the at least two media signals sources conveying at least the first encoding type;
c) an output coupled to said processing unit for releasing the link message reply signals for transmission to the plurality of media signal sources. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method suitable for managing a conference between a plurality of media signal sources generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, said method comprising:
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a) receiving a plurality of link messages for joining a conference, each link message being associated with a respective media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources, each link message including a data element from which can be derived at least one encoding type that the associated media signal source can support during decoding of encoded media information;
b) processing the data elements in the plurality of link messages to derive;
i. a first encoding type supported by each media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources;
ii. a second encoding type different from the first encoding type supported by at least two media signal sources from the plurality of media signal sources and unsupported by at least one of the media signal sources from the plurality of media signal sources;
c) generating a link message reply signal for transmission to each media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources, the link message reply signals for transmission to the at least two media signal sources supporting the second encoding type conveying the first encoding type and the second encoding type, the link message reply signals for transmission to the media signal sources other than the at least two media signals sources conveying at least the first encoding type;
d) releasing the link message reply signals for transmission to the plurality of media signal sources. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 40)
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19. A computer readable medium including a program element suitable for execution by a computing apparatus for managing a conference between a plurality of media signal sources generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, said computing apparatus comprising:
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a) a memory;
b) a processor operatively connected to said memory unit, said program element when executing on said processor being operative for;
i. receiving a plurality of link messages for joining a conference, each link message being associated with a respective media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources, each link message including a data element from which can be derived at least one encoding type that the associated media signal source can support during decoding of encoded media information;
ii. processing the data elements in the plurality of link messages to derive;
(a) a first encoding type supported by each media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources;
(b) a second encoding type different from the first encoding type supported by at least two media signal sources from the plurality of media signal sources and unsupported by at least one of the media signal sources from the plurality of media signal sources;
iii. generating a link message reply signal for transmission to each media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources, the link message reply signals for transmission to the at least two media signal sources supporting the second encoding type conveying the first encoding type and the second encoding type, the link message reply signals for transmission to the media signal sources other than the at least two media signals sources conveying at least the first encoding type;
iv. releasing the link message reply signals for transmission to the plurality of media signal sources.
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28. A media signal source suitable for generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, said media signal source supporting a plurality of encoding types, said media signal source including:
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a) a processing unit operative for generating a link message indicative of a desire of joining a given conference, the link message including a data element from which can be derived the plurality of encoding types that said media signal source can support;
b) an output unit suitable for releasing the link message for transmission to a conference bridge;
c) an input suitable for receiving a link message reply signal from the conference bridge, the link message reply signal conveying a set of selected encoding types, the set of selected encoding types including at least one encoding type;
d) said processing unit being operative for processing the link message reply signal to render active a subset of encoding types in the plurality of encoding types supported by said media signal source on the basis of the set of selected encoding types conveyed by the link message reply signal, thereby causing media data packets generated by the media signal source to include encoded media information encoded using at least one encoding type of the subset of encoding types.
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34. A method for managing a conference at a media signal source, the media signal source being operative for generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, the media signal source supporting a plurality of encoding types, said method comprising:
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a) generating a link message indicative of a desire of joining a given conference, the link message including a data element from which can be derived the plurality of encoding types that said media signal source can support;
b) releasing the link message for transmission to a conference bridge;
c) receiving a link message reply signal from the conference bridge, the link message reply signal conveying a set of selected encoding types, the set of selected encoding types including at least one encoding type;
d) processing the link message reply signal to render active a subset of encoding types in the plurality of encoding types supported by the media signal source on the basis of the set of selected encoding types conveyed by the link message reply signal, thereby causing the media signal source to generate media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information using the subset of encoding types of said set of selected encoding types conveyed by the link message reply signal.
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38. A media conferencing system comprising:
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a) a plurality of media signal sources, each media signal source being suitable for generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, each media signal source supporting a respective set of encoding types, said media signal source including;
i. a processing unit operative for generating a link message indicative of a desire of joining a given conference, the link message including a data element from which can be derived the plurality of encoding types that said media signal source can support;
ii. an output unit suitable for releasing the link message for transmission to a conference bridge;
iii. an input suitable for receiving a link message reply signal from a conference bridge, the link message reply signal conveying a set of selected encoding types, the set of selected encoding types including at least one encoding type;
iv. said processing unit being operative for processing the link message reply signal to render active a subset of encoding types in the plurality of encoding types supported by said media signal source on the basis of the set of selected encoding types conveyed by the link message reply signal, thereby causing said media signal source to generate media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information using the subset of encoding types of said set of selected encoding types conveyed by the link message reply signal;
b) a conference bridge suitable for interconnecting said plurality of media signal sources, said conference bridge comprising;
i. an input for receiving a plurality of link messages for joining a conference, each link message being associated with a respective media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources, each link message including a data element from which can be derived at least one encoding type that the associated media signal source can support during decoding of encoded media information;
ii. a processing unit coupled to said input, said processing unit being operative for;
(a) processing the data elements in the plurality of link messages to derive;
(i) a first encoding type supported by each media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources;
(ii) a second encoding type different from the first encoding type supported by at least two media signal sources from the plurality of media signal sources and unsupported by at least one of the media signal sources from the plurality of media signal sources;
(b) generating a link message reply signal for transmission to each media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources, the link message reply signals for transmission to the at least two media signal sources supporting the second encoding type conveying the first encoding type and the second encoding type, the link message reply signals for transmission to the media signal sources other than the at least two media signals sources conveying at least the first encoding type;
iii. an output coupled to said processing unit for releasing the link message reply signals for transmission to the plurality of media signal sources.
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39. A conference bridge for managing a conference between a plurality of media signal sources generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, said conference bridge comprising:
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a) a memory element suitable for storing a plurality of records, each record being associated with a media signal source part of the conference, each record declaring at least one encoding type supported by the associated media signal source;
b) an input for receiving media data packets from the plurality media signal sources, each media data packet including;
i. a content portion indicative of encoded media information;
ii. an encoding type portion declaring at least one encoding type associated with the content portion of the media data packet;
c) a processing unit coupled to said input and to said memory unit, said processing unit being operative for;
i. processing the media data packets received at said input to select at least one active media signal sources within the conference on the basis of the content portions of the media data packets, the at least one active media signal source having transmitted at least one given media data packet;
d) an output for releasing the given media data packet for transmission to at least some media signal sources in the plurality of media signal sources.
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41. A method for managing a conference between a plurality of media signal sources generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, said method comprising:
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a) providing a memory element suitable for storing a plurality of records, each record being associated with a media signal source part of a conference, each record declaring at least one encoding type supported by the associated media signal source;
b) receiving media data packets from the plurality media signal sources, each media data packet including;
i. a content portion indicative of encoded media information;
ii. an encoding type portion declaring at least one encoding type associated with the content portion of the media data packet;
c) processing the media data packets received in b) to select at least one active media signal source within the conference on the basis of the content portions of the media data packets, the at least one active media signal source having transmitted at least one given media data packet;
d) releasing the given media data packet for transmission to at least some media signal sources in the plurality of media signal sources. - View Dependent Claims (42)
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43. A computer readable medium including a program element suitable for execution by a computing apparatus for managing a conference between a plurality of media signal sources generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, said computing apparatus comprising:
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a) a memory element suitable for storing a plurality of records, each record being associated with a media signal source part of a conference, each record declaring at least one encoding type supported by the associated media signal source;
b) a processor operatively connected to said memory unit, said program element when executing on said processor being operative for;
i. receiving media data packets from the plurality media signal sources, each media data packet including;
(a) a content portion indicative of encoded media information;
(b) an encoding type portion declaring at least one encoding type associated with the content portion of the media data packet;
ii. processing the media data packets received in i. to select at least one active media signal source within the conference on the basis of the content portions of the media data packets, the at least one active media signal source having transmitted at least one given media data packet;
iii. releasing the given media data packet for transmission to at least some media signal sources in the plurality of media signal sources. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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45. A conference bridge suitable for managing a conference between a plurality of media signal sources generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, said conference bridge comprising:
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a) means for receiving a plurality of link messages for joining a conference, each link message being associated with a respective media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources, each link message including a data element from which can be derived at least one encoding type that the associated media signal source can support during decoding of encoded media information;
b) means for processing the data elements in the plurality of link messages to derive;
(a) a first encoding type supported by each media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources;
(b) a second encoding type different from the first encoding type supported by at least two media signal sources from the plurality of media signal sources and unsupported by at least one of the media signal sources from the plurality of media signal sources;
c) means for generating a link message reply signal for transmission to each media signal source of the plurality of media signal sources, the link message reply signals for transmission to the at least two media signal sources supporting the second encoding type conveying the first encoding type and the second encoding type, the link message reply signals for transmission to the media signal sources other than the at least two media signals sources conveying at least the first encoding type;
d) means for releasing the link message reply signals for transmission to the plurality of media signal sources.
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46. A data structure for storing a media data packet suitable for conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, said data structure comprising:
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a) a first encoding type portion declaring at least one encoding type;
b) a first content portion indicative of media information encoded with the encoding type in the first encoding type portion;
c) a second encoding type portion declaring at least one encoding type;
d) a second content portion indicative of media information encoded with the encoding type in the second encoding type portion, the media information in the first content portion and the second content portion being derive from a common media signal.
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47. A media signal source suitable for generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, said media signal source supporting a plurality of encoding types, said media signal source including:
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a) means for generating a link message indicative of a desire of joining a given conference, the link message including a data element from which can be derived the plurality of encoding types that said media signal source can support;
b) means for releasing the link message for transmission to a conference bridge;
c) means for receiving a link message reply signal from the conference bridge, the link message reply signal conveying a set of selected encoding types, the set of selected encoding types including at least one encoding type;
d) means for processing the link message reply signal to render active a subset of encoding types in the plurality of encoding types supported by said media signal source on the basis of the set of selected encoding types conveyed by the link message reply signal, thereby causing said media signal source to generate media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information using the subset of encoding types of said set of selected encoding types conveyed by the link message reply signal.
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48. A media signal source suitable for generating media data packets conveying encoded media information and encoding type information, said media signal source being suitable for use in a conferencing system including a conference bridge and a plurality of other media signal sources, said media signal source including:
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a) a first input for receiving a plurality of successive segments of a media data signal;
b) a second input suitable for receiving a plurality of media data packets from the conference bridge;
c) a processing unit coupled to said first input and said second input, said processing unit being operative for;
i. generating a plurality of successive media data packets on the basis plurality of said plurality successive segments of a media data signal;
ii. processing the plurality of successive media data packets generated in i. on the basis of the plurality of media data packets received at said second input to identify at least one media data packet in said plurality of successive media data packets unlikely to be retransmitted by said conference bridge;
an output for releasing to the conference bridge the plurality of successive media data packets except the at least one media data packet identifies as being unlikely to be retransmitted by said conference bridge.
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Specification