GRACEFUL DEGRADATION FOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES OVER WIRED AND WIRELESS NETWORKS
First Claim
1. A method for enhancing the ability of a communication device to communicate over a network, the method comprising:
- ascertaining media for transmission from the communication device over the network;
ascertaining at the communication device the usable bit rate on the network; and
performing, depending on the ascertained usable bit rate on the network, one of the following;
(i) transmitting a full bit rate representation of the media for transmission when the ascertained usable bit rate on the network meets or exceeds a bit rate threshold, the bit rate threshold defining a bit rate throughput sufficient for transmitting the full bit rate representation of the media at a rate sufficient to support real-time communication;
(ii) transmitting a reduced bit rate representation of the media for transmission when the ascertained usable bit rate falls below the bit rate threshold, the transmission of the reduced bit rate representation of the media effectively extending the usable range and/or capacity of the network for supporting real-time communication when network conditions would otherwise prevent the transmission of the full bit rate representation of the media at a rate sufficient to support real-time communication;
or(iii) transmitting the media for transmission from storage as network conditions permit when real-time communication of the reduced bit rate representation of the media is not possible or practical due to latency on the network, the transmission of the media from storage effectively extending the usable range and/or capacity of the network beyond the point where real-time communication is not possible or practical with the reduced bit rate representation of the media.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for gracefully extending the range and/or capacity of voice communication systems is disclosed. The method involves the persistent storage of voice media on a communication device. When the usable bit rate on the network is poor and below that necessary for conducting a live conversation, voice media is transmitted and received by the communication device at the available usable bit rate on the network. Although latency may be introduced, the persistent storage of both transmitted and received media of a conversation provides the ability to extend the useful range of wireless networks beyond what is required for live conversations. In addition, the capacity and robustness in not being affected by external interferences for both wired and wireless communications is improved.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for enhancing the ability of a communication device to communicate over a network, the method comprising:
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ascertaining media for transmission from the communication device over the network; ascertaining at the communication device the usable bit rate on the network; and performing, depending on the ascertained usable bit rate on the network, one of the following; (i) transmitting a full bit rate representation of the media for transmission when the ascertained usable bit rate on the network meets or exceeds a bit rate threshold, the bit rate threshold defining a bit rate throughput sufficient for transmitting the full bit rate representation of the media at a rate sufficient to support real-time communication; (ii) transmitting a reduced bit rate representation of the media for transmission when the ascertained usable bit rate falls below the bit rate threshold, the transmission of the reduced bit rate representation of the media effectively extending the usable range and/or capacity of the network for supporting real-time communication when network conditions would otherwise prevent the transmission of the full bit rate representation of the media at a rate sufficient to support real-time communication;
or(iii) transmitting the media for transmission from storage as network conditions permit when real-time communication of the reduced bit rate representation of the media is not possible or practical due to latency on the network, the transmission of the media from storage effectively extending the usable range and/or capacity of the network beyond the point where real-time communication is not possible or practical with the reduced bit rate representation of the media. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification