DYNAMIC MULTICASTING
First Claim
1. A method for providing content, the method comprising:
- receiving a request to provide content to a first device, wherein a session for providing the content to the first device has not been established;
dynamically determining at least one of;
if a number of requests for the content has exceeded a predetermined threshold number of requests,if a number of requests for the content is predicted to exceed the predetermined threshold number of requests, orif the content is of a predetermined type of content;
if it is dynamically determined that a number of requests for the content has exceeded a predetermined threshold number of requests, the number of requests for the content is predicted to exceed the predetermined threshold number of request, or the content is of a predetermined type of content;
dynamically establishing a multicast session for providing the content; and
providing the content to the first device via the multicast session; and
if it is dynamically determined that a number of requests for the content has not exceeded a predetermined threshold number of requests, the number of requests for the content is not predicted to exceed the predetermined threshold number of request, and the content is not of a predetermined type of content;
establishing a dedicated session for providing the content; and
providing the content to the first device via the dedicated session.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
When multiple mobile devices request the same content, rather than initiating a dedicated session for providing the content to each respective device, a multicast session is dynamically established to provide the content to all the devices. After the multicast session is established, respective additional requesters of the content are dynamically added to the multicast session responsive to each request. In an example configuration, a Service Center receives a request to provide content to a mobile device in a cellular site and determines if multicasting is warranted, the cellular site in which the mobile device is located, and, if warranted, initiates a multicast session and allocates resources for providing the content to the mobile device in that cellular site. As additional requests for the content are received from other mobile devices, the Service Center dynamically, upon each request, adds the requesters to the multicast session.
32 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for providing content, the method comprising:
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receiving a request to provide content to a first device, wherein a session for providing the content to the first device has not been established; dynamically determining at least one of; if a number of requests for the content has exceeded a predetermined threshold number of requests, if a number of requests for the content is predicted to exceed the predetermined threshold number of requests, or if the content is of a predetermined type of content; if it is dynamically determined that a number of requests for the content has exceeded a predetermined threshold number of requests, the number of requests for the content is predicted to exceed the predetermined threshold number of request, or the content is of a predetermined type of content; dynamically establishing a multicast session for providing the content; and providing the content to the first device via the multicast session; and if it is dynamically determined that a number of requests for the content has not exceeded a predetermined threshold number of requests, the number of requests for the content is not predicted to exceed the predetermined threshold number of request, and the content is not of a predetermined type of content; establishing a dedicated session for providing the content; and providing the content to the first device via the dedicated session. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for providing content, the system comprising:
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an input/output portion configured to; receive a request to provide content to a first device, wherein a session for providing the content to the first device has not been established; provide the content to the first device via a multicast session; and provide the content to the first device via a dedicated session; a processing portion configured to; dynamically determine at least one of; if a number of requests for the content has exceeded a predetermined threshold number of requests, if a number of requests for the content is predicted to exceed the predetermined threshold number of requests, or if the content is of a predetermined type of content; dynamically establish the multicast session for providing the content, if it is dynamically determined that a number of requests for the content has exceeded a predetermined threshold number of requests, the number of requests for the content is predicted to exceed the predetermined threshold number of request, or the content is of a predetermined type of content; and dynamically establish the dedicated session for providing the content, if it is dynamically determined that a number of requests for the content has not exceeded a predetermined threshold number of requests, the number of requests for the content is not predicted to exceed the predetermined threshold number of request, and the content is not of a predetermined type of content. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for providing content to a plurality of devices, the method comprising:
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receiving a request to provide content to a first device; determining a first location of the first device; dynamically, upon receipt of the request to provide content to the first device, determining if a session has been established for providing the content to the first device in the first location; if it has been determined that no session has been established for providing the content to the first device in the first location; dynamically establishing a first session for providing the content to the first device in the first location; and providing the content to the first device via the first session; receiving a request to provide the content to at least one other device different from the first device; dynamically, upon receipt of the request to provide the content to the at least one other device, determining a respective at least one location for each of the at least one other device; and for each of the at least one other device having a respective location that is the same as the first location, providing the content thereto via the first session. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for providing content to a plurality of devices, the system comprising:
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an input/output portion configured to; receive a request to provide content to a first device within a first location; receive a request to provide content to at least one other device different from the first device; provide the content to the first device via a first session; for each of the at least one other device having a respective location that is the same as the first location, provide the content thereto via the first session; a processing portion configured to; dynamically determine the first location of the first device; dynamically determine the respective at least one location for each of the at least one other device; dynamically determine if a session has been established for providing the content to the first device in the first location; if it is determined that no session has been established for providing the content to the first device in the first location, dynamically establish the first session; and a memory portion configured to store; an indication of the first location; and an indication of the content being provided to the first location. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification