Method for signaling client rate capacity in multimedia streaming

• US 20040196852A1
• Filed: 02/13/2004
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Curcio, Igor Danilo Diego, Leon, David, Varsa, Viktor, Wang, Ru-Shang, Aksu, Emre Baris
• Application Number:
  US10/778,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20040196852A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/395.21
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 Flow control; Congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/263 Rate modification at the source after receiving feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/6255 queue load conditions, e.g. longest queue first
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/9078 using an external memory or storage device
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/613 for the control of the source by the destination control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components specially adapted for selective content distribution H04N21/637
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/752 adapting media to network capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/756 adapting media to device capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/61 taking into account QoS or priority requirements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2401 Monitoring of the client buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2662 Controlling the complexity of the video stream, e.g. by scaling the resolution or bitrate of the video stream based on the client capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44004 involving video buffer management, e.g. video decoder buffer or video display buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 : involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6332 : directed to client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6373 : for rate control , e.g. request to the server to modify its transmission rate flow control in packet networks H04L47/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6375 : for requesting retransmission , e.g. of data packets lost or corrupted during transmission from serverARQ protocols H04L1/18; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 : directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/643 : Communication protocols network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP], H04L65/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6437 : Real-time Transport Protocol [RTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 : Transmission by the client directed to the server

Abstract

A method for signaling and negotiation between a resource-limited client and a server in a multimedia streaming service regarding packet data delivery. In order to avoid dropping packets at the client side due to its maximum packet rate capability, the client signals to the server declaring the maximum packet rate capability. This capability can be signaled to the client via a capability exchange mechanism or using a multimedia streaming protocol. The client inserts a parameter indicative of the maximum packet data rate capability in a request sent to server. It is up to the server to take the necessary action and make the packet delivery rate adjustment.

Claims

1. A method of controlling streaming data delivery in a multimedia streaming network having a server for providing the streaming data to a client at a packet data rate, said method comprising:

declaring in a message a maximum data rate capability at the client; and

signaling the message to the server.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a request sent to the server via a capability exchange mechanism, and the request comprises a capability profile for indicating the maximum data rate capability.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the maximum data rate capability is indicated by a capability parameter in the capability profile.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the capability parameter is included in an RTSP DESCRIBE request.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the maximum data rate capability is indicated in capability information residing in a capability exchange server, and wherein the request includes a URL pointing to the capability information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the server, responding to the request, retrieves the capability parameter from the capability exchange server via the capability exchange mechanism for adjusting the packet data rate.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising

the server adjusts the packet data rate based on capability parameter in order to conform to the maximum data rate capability at the client.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is signaled to the server via a multimedia streaming control protocol.

9. The method of claim 9, wherein the message comprises a request including a RTSP header extension indicative of the maximum data rate capability.