Predictive reservation of a communication link for a packet-based real-time media session

• US 20040240407A1
• Filed: 05/28/2003
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Blinn, Benjamin P., Stewart, Tony A., Ehrsam, John D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,020,098 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/15 in relation to multipoint traffic arrangements for broadcast or multicast in data networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/724 at intermediate nodes, e.g. resource reservation protocol [RSVP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/801 Real time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/824 Applicable to portable or mobile terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/826 Involving periods of time
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/83 based on usage prediction
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/26 Resource reservation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation

Abstract

A method and system for reducing latency in establishment of a real-time communication session, such as an instant chat session for instance. The method and system provides for detecting the occurrence of a triggering event that indicates a user is likely to soon request initiation of a real-time media session, before the user actually makes the request. In response to detection of the triggering event, the method and system then provides for reserving a data connection through which the session can be set up and carried and maintaining that data connection for a certain period of time. Thereafter, if and when the user actually requests initiation of a session, a data connection will already exist, or procedures will have already begun to establish the data connection.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

before a user requests initiation of a real-time media session, a client station detecting a triggering event that indicates the user is likely to soon request initiation of the real-time media session; and

in response to the triggering event, the client station reserving a data connection for use in setting up and engaging in the real-time media session.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

after detecting the triggering event, the client station receiving a user request to initiate the real-time media session; and

in response to the user-request, the client station sending a session initiation message via the data connection to a communication server on a packet-switched network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the client station includes a real-time media application with which the user can interact in order to configure the real-time media session, and wherein the triggering event comprises the user interacting with the real-time media application.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the triggering event comprises the user invoking the real-time media application.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the real-time media application presents a menu of possible targets with which to establish a real-time media session, and wherein the user interacting with the real-time media application comprises the user opening the menu.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the real-time media application presents a menu of possible targets with which to establish a real-time media session, and wherein the user interacting with the real-time media application comprises the user scrolling through the menu.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the real-time media application presents a menu of possible targets with which to establish a real-time media session, and wherein the user interacting with the real-time media application comprises the user selecting a target from the menu.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the real-time media application comprises a push-to-talk application.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein reserving a data connection for use in setting up and engaging in the real-time media session comprises:

reserving a radio link layer connection.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein reserving a data connection for use in setting up and engaging in the real-time media session comprises:

reserving a data-link layer connection.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein reserving a data connection for use in setting up and engaging in the real-time media session comprises:

setting up the data connection.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein reserving a data connection for use in setting up and engaging in the real-time media session comprises:

maintaining the data connection.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein maintaining the data connection comprises sending keep alive signals.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the keep alive signals comprise packet-data.

15. The method of claim 13,

wherein the client station is a mobile station served by a radio access network, wherein the radio access assigns a radio link over which the mobile station can communicate, and wherein the radio access network is arranged to release the radio link after a predefined period of time during which no packet-data flows to or from the mobile station;

and

wherein sending keep alive signals comprises periodically sending packet-data into the radio access network at a period that is shorter than the predefined period, so as to maintain the radio link.

16. A client station comprising:

means for detecting a triggering event that indicates the user is likely to soon request initiation of a real-time media session, before the user requests initiation of the real-time media session;

means for responding to the triggering event by reserving a data connection for use in setting up and engaging in the real-time media session.

17. A client station comprising:

a processor;

data storage;

a real-time media application stored in the data storage and executable by the processor to allow a user to configure a real-time media session;

connection-reservation logic stored in the data storage and executable by the processor to detect user interaction with the real-time media application before the user requests initiation of the real-time media session, and to responsively reserve a data connection over which to set up and engage in the real-time media session;

a session-initiation button that can be actuated by a user to request initiation of the real- time media session; and

session-initiation logic stored in the data storage and executable by the processor in response to user actuation of the session-initiation button, to send a session initiation message via the data connection to a communication server on a packet-switched network.

18. The client station of claim 17, further comprising a wireless communication interface for engaging in wireless communications.

19. A method of reserving a communication link for a real-time media session, the method comprising:

detecting a predetermined trigger, the predetermined trigger comprising user activity that indicates that a user may initiate a real-time media session;

in response to the predetermined trigger, establishing a communication link over an air interface; and

with said communication link already established, receiving a request from the user to initiate the real-time media session.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein establishing a communication link comprises:

establishing a radio link.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein establishing a communication link comprises:

establishing a data link.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein establishing a radio link comprises:

obtaining a traffic channel assignment.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

maintaining the communication link for a predetermined period of time.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein maintaining the communication link comprises:

periodically transmitting data to maintain the traffic channel assignment.

25. A mobile station comprising:

a processor;

data storage; and

machine language instructions stored in the data storage and executable by the processor for;

(a) detecting a predetermined trigger, the predetermined trigger comprising user activity that indicates that a user of the mobile station may initiate a real-time media session,

(b) when the predetermined trigger is detected, establishing a communication link over an air interface,

(c) receiving a user request to initiate a real-time media session, and

(d) in response to the user-request, initiating a real-time media session with the communication link already established.