Method and apparatus for selecting a media processor to host a conference

• US 20050021619A1
• Filed: 06/30/2003
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unify Inc. (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Enterprise Communications, Inc. (Atos SE)
• Inventors: Gomes de Oliveira, Marcelo
• Granted Patent: US 7,707,296 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• 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 65/4038 with floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code for selecting a media processor to host a conference is provided. According to some embodiments, a multipoint controller may control or be associated with a plurality of media processors. Different media processors may be implemented in software and operating on different hardware platforms. When a request for a media processor is indicated or received and the multipoint controller needs to select or allocate a media processors to host the conference, the multipoint controller may select one of the media processors to support the new conference based on the media processor'"'"'s ability to support more additional participants than the other media processors in the plurality of media processors. In some embodiments, the determination of a media processor'"'"'s ability to support additional participants may be based on the media processor'"'"'s current number of supported participants in conferences and the media processor'"'"'s current CPU utilization percentage.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a media processor to host a new conference, comprising:

receiving an indication of a need for a media processor for a new conference;

determining, for each of a plurality of media processors under control of a multipoint controller, a number of additional participants that can be supported; and

determining one of said plurality of media processors to said host new conference based, at least in part, on said number of additional participants that each of said plurality of media processors can support.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining, for each of a plurality of media processors under control of a multipoint controller, a number of additional participants that can be supported, includes determining a CurrentNbChannels value and a CurrentCPUUtil value for each of said plurality of media processors.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said determining, for each of a plurality of media processors under control of a multipoint controller, a number of additional participants that can be supported, includes determining a NbChannels value for each of said plurality of media processors.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving an indication of a need for a media processor for a new conference includes receiving a request for allocation of a media processor for said new conference.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing data indicative of said one of said plurality of media processors.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

allocating said one of said plurality of media processors to host said new conference.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a MaxCPUUtil value associated with said plurality of media processors.

8. A method for selecting a media processor to host a new conference, comprising:

receiving an indication of a need for a media processor for a new conference;

determining, for each of a plurality of media processors under the control of a multipoint controller, a current number of conference participants and a current CPU utilization; and

determining one of said plurality of media processors to host said new conference based, at least in part, on said current number of conference participants and current CPU utilization for each of said plurality of media processors.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said determining one of said plurality of media processors to host said new conference includes selecting one of said plurality of media processors based on each of said plurality of media processors ability to support participants in said new conference.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said determining one of said plurality of media processors to host said new conference includes selecting one of said plurality of media processors that can support a highest number of participants in said new conference.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said determining one of said plurality of media processors to host said new conference includes determining a number of new participants that can be supported by each of said plurality of media processors.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said determining a number of new participants that can be supported by each of said plurality of media processors includes determining a NbChannels value for each of said plurality of media processors.

13. A system, comprising:

a multipoint controller, wherein said multipoint controller controls a plurality of media processors and said multipoint controller is adapted to select a first media processor from said plurality of media processors to support a new conference based on said first media processor'"'"'s ability to support more additional participants than other media processors in said plurality of media processors.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein at least two of said plurality of media processors are implemented in software and operate on different devices.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said multipoint controller is adapted to determine a current number of conference participants and a current CPU utilization for at least some of said plurality of media processors.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said multipoint controller is adapted to determine said first media processor'"'"'s ability to support additional participants based, at least in part, on said first media processor'"'"'s current number of conference participants and current CPU utilization.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said multipoint controller is adapted to determine a NbChannels value for said first media processor.

18. A system, comprising:

a processor;

a communication port coupled to said processor and adapted to communicate with at least one device; and

a storage device coupled to said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

receive an indication of a need for a media processor for a new conference;

determine, for each of a plurality of media processors under control of a multipoint controller, a number of additional participants that can be supported; and

determine one of said plurality of media processors to host said new conference based, at least in part, on said number of additional participants that each of said plurality of media processors can support.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said processor is further adapted to provide data indicative of said one of said plurality of media processors.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said processor is further adapted to allocate said one of said plurality of media processors to host said new conference.

21. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause said processor to;

receive an indication of a need for a media processor for a new conference;

determine, for each of a plurality of media processors under control of a multipoint controller, a number of additional participants that can be supported; and

determine one of said plurality of media processors to said host new conference based, at least in part, on said number of additional participants that each of said plurality of media processors can support.