Method and apparatus for multiple applications on a single ISDN line

• US 6,396,816 B1
• Filed: 12/20/1994
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Astle, Brian, Pohlman, William
• Primary Examiner(s): RAO, SEEMA SRINIVAS
• Application Number:
  US08/360,972
• Time in Patent Office: 2,716 Days
• Field of Search: 370/85.6,94.1,13,79,118,110.1,62,60,263-266,419-421,485-487,462,463,468,477 348/384,17,423,462,467,14,15,14.08-14.09,423.1 379/202,202.01-205.01 375/240
• US Class Current: 370/264
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1682 Allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users, e.g. concentrated multiplexers, statistical multiplexers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/16 in connection oriented networks, e.g. frame relay
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/745 Reaction in network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/765 triggered by the end-points
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/781 Centralised allocation of resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/801 Real time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/805 QOS or priority aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0471 Terminal access circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13096 Digital apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, digital line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13202 Network termination [NT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13216 Code signals, frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13332 Broadband, CATV, dynamic bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13337 Picturephone, videotelephony

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing multiple interactive video teleconferencing sessions over a standard ISDN line is described. Multiple sets of audio, video, and data information are generated and transmitted to a bandwidth allocation device which determines what portion of that information will be transmitted over the ISDN line. Additionally, priority request values are generated that assist the bandwidth allocation device in performing its allocation function such that users interacting with the audio, video and data generation sources will experience acceptable levels of interaction even when bandwidth demand is greater than the supply.

Claims

1. A resource allocation device which supports real-time, interactive communications between a local source and a remote device connected via a communication link, the resource allocation device comprising:

a plurality of bandwidth request elements, wherein at least a first of said plurality of bandwidth request elements (i) receives information from the local source, (ii) generates and transmits an allocation request for a predetermined amount of a total bandwidth provided by the communication link and (iii) encodes said information according to a portion of said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth granted by a bandwidth allocation element;

said bandwidth allocation element coupled to said plurality of bandwidth request elements, said bandwidth allocation element receives said allocation request and dynamically allocates said portion of said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth; and

a selecting element coupled to said bandwidth allocation element and said plurality of bandwidth request elements, said selecting element receives said encoded information from said first bandwidth request element and a control signal from said bandwidth allocation element to cause said first bandwidth request element to selectively transmit said encoded information and other encoded information provided thereto through said communication link to the remote device.

2. The resource allocation device according to claim 1, wherein said allocation request is a packet of information comprising:

a command identifier used to identify said allocation request; and

a plurality of parameters including a requested bandwidth parameter representing said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth requested by said local source for a particular information type and a priority parameter indicating a degree of priority in obtaining said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth.

3. The resource allocation device according to claim 2, wherein a first terminal of the local source transmits information to said first bandwidth request element and a second terminal of the local source concurrently transmits information to said first bandwidth request element causing said first bandwidth request element to generate a first allocation request for a first predetermined amount of said total bandwidth and a second allocation request for a second predetermined amount of said total bandwidth, respectively.

4. The resource allocation device according to claim 3, wherein said bandwidth allocation element dynamically allocates said first predetermined amount of total bandwidth in compliance with said first allocation request, provided said first predetermined amount of said total bandwidth is less than a remaining bandwidth available for said communication link and said first allocation request has greater priority than said second allocation request.

5. The resource allocation device according to claim 3, wherein said bandwidth allocation element dynamically allocates an amount of bandwidth less than said first predetermined amount of total bandwidth contrary to said first allocation request, provided said first predetermined amount is greater than a remaining bandwidth available for said communication link and said first allocation request has greater priority than said second allocation request.

6. The resource allocation device according to claim 3, wherein said bandwidth allocation element dynamically allocates an amount of bandwidth less than both said first predetermined amount and said second predetermined amount, provided a collective sum of said first and second predetermined amounts is greater than a remaining bandwidth available for said communication link and said first and second allocation requests have equal priorities.

7. The resource allocation device according to claim 1, wherein said first bandwidth request element comprises an audio bandwidth request element and a video bandwidth request element.

8. The resource allocation device according to claim 7, wherein said audio bandwidth request element is coupled to said local source (i) to receive uncompressed digitized audio information, (ii) to generate a first allocation request for transmission to said bandwidth allocation element requesting a first predetermined amount of said total bandwidth, (iii) to encode said uncompressed, digitized audio information in response to a portion of said first predetermined amount of said total bandwidth allocated by said bandwidth allocation element and (iv) to transmit said encoded information to said element.

9. The resource allocation device according to claim 1, wherein said communication link is a single channel Narrow Integrated Services Digital Network (“

N-ISDN”

).

10. The resource allocation device according to claim 1, wherein said communication link is a single channel Broad Integrated Services Digital Network (“

B-ISDN”

).

11. A resource allocation device supporting real-time, interactive communications between at least one terminal and a remote terminal via a communication link, the resource allocation device comprising:

request means, coupled to the at least one terminal, for receiving information from the at least one terminal and for generating an allocation request requesting a predetermined amount of total bandwidth associated with the communication link;

allocation means, coupled to said request means, for receiving said allocation request from said request means and dynamically allocating at least a portion of said predetermined amount of total bandwidth for use by said request means in encoding said information; and

select means for selectively transmitting said encoded information through the communication link to the remote terminal, said select means is coupled to both said request means to receive said encoded information and to said allocation means to control said select means.

12. The resource allocation device according to claim 11, wherein said allocation request is a packet of information comprising:

a command identifier used to identify said allocation request; and

a plurality of parameters including a requested bandwidth parameter representing said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth requested by said request means for a particular information type and a priority parameter indicating a degree of priority in obtaining said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth.

13. The resource allocation device according to claim 12, wherein a first terminal transmits information to said request means and a second terminal concurrently transmits information to said request means causing said request means to generate a first allocation request for a first predetermined amount of said total bandwidth and a second allocation request for a second predetermined amount of said total bandwidth, respectively.

14. The resource allocation device according to claim 13, wherein said allocation means dynamically allocates said first predetermined amount of total bandwidth in compliance with said first allocation request, provided said first predetermined amount of said total bandwidth is less than a remaining bandwidth available for said communication link and said first allocation request has greater priority than said second allocation request.

15. The resource allocation device according to claim 13, wherein said allocation means dynamically allocates an amount of bandwidth less than said first predetermined amount of total bandwidth contrary to said first allocation request, provided said first predetermined amount is greater than a remaining bandwidth available for said communication link and said first allocation request has greater priority than said second allocation request.

16. The resource allocation device according to claim 13, wherein said allocation means dynamically allocates an amount of bandwidth less than both said first predetermined amount and said second predetermined amount, provided a collective sum of said first and second predetermined amounts is greater than a remaining bandwidth available for said communication link and said first and second allocation requests have equal priorities.

17. The resource allocation device according to claim 11, wherein said request means comprises an audio bandwidth request element, coupled to the at least one terminal, to (i) receive uncompressed digitized audio information, (ii) generate a first allocation request for transmission to said allocation means requesting a first predetermined amount of said total bandwidth, (iii) encode said uncompressed, digitized audio information in response to a portion of said first predetermined amount of said total bandwidth allocated by said allocation means and (iv) transmit said encoded information to said select means.

18. The resource allocation device according to claim 11, wherein said communication link is a single channel Narrow Integrated Services Digital Network (“

N-ISDN”

).

19. The resource allocation device according to claim 11, wherein said communication link is a single channel Broad Integrated Services Digital Network (“

B-ISDN”

).

20. A communication system supporting real-time, interactive communications with a remote terminal, comprising:

a plurality of terminals, wherein each of said plurality of terminals transmits information through a corresponding information bus line;

a resource allocation device coupled to each of said plurality of terminals through said corresponding plurality of information bus lines, said resource allocation device including

a plurality bandwidth request elements, wherein at least a first of said plurality of bandwidth request elements (i) receives information from one of the plurality of terminals, (ii) generates and transmits an allocation request for a predetermined amount of a total bandwidth provided by a communication link and (iii) encodes said information into an information packet according to a portion of said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth granted by a bandwidth allocation element,

said bandwidth allocation element coupled to said plurality of bandwidth request elements, said bandwidth allocation element receives said allocation request and dynamically allocates said portion of said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth, and

a selecting element coupled to said bandwidth allocation element and said plurality of bandwidth request elements, said selecting element receives (i) information packets from said first bandwidth request element and from other bandwidth request elements of said plurality of bandwidth request elements and (ii) a control signal from said bandwidth allocation element to cause said first bandwidth request element to selectively transmit said information packets through said communication link; and

said communication link coupled to said resource allocation device, said communication link transmits said information packets to at least said remote terminal remotely located from said plurality of terminals.

21. The communication system according to claim 20, wherein said allocation request is a packet of information comprising:

a command identifier to identify said allocation request; and

a plurality of parameters including a requested bandwidth parameter representing said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth requested by one of said plurality of terminals for a particular information type and a priority parameter indicating a degree of priority in obtaining said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth.

22. The communication system according to claim 21, wherein a first terminal transmits information into said bandwidth request element and a second terminal concurrently transmits information into said bandwidth request element causing said bandwidth request element to generate a first allocation request for a first predetermined amount of said total bandwidth and a second allocation request for a second predetermined amount of said total bandwidth, respectively.

23. The communication system according to claim 22, wherein said bandwidth allocation element dynamically allocates said first predetermined amount of total bandwidth in compliance with said first allocation request, provided said first predetermined amount of said total bandwidth is less than a remaining bandwidth available for said communication link and said first allocation request has greater priority than said second allocation request.

24. The communication system according to claim 22, wherein said bandwidth allocation element dynamically allocates an amount of bandwidth less than said first predetermined amount of total bandwidth contrary to said first allocation request, provided said first predetermined amount is greater than a remaining bandwidth available for said communication link and said first allocation request has greater priority than said second allocation request.

25. The communication system according to claim 22, wherein said bandwidth allocation element dynamically allocates an amount of bandwidth less than both said first predetermined amount and said second predetermined amount, provided a collective sum of said first and second predetermined amounts is greater than a remaining bandwidth available for said communication link and said first and second allocation requests have equal priorities.

26. The communication system according to claim 20, wherein said bandwidth request element comprises an audio bandwidth request element and a video bandwidth request element.

27. The communication system according to claim 26, wherein said audio bandwidth request element is coupled to at least one of said plurality of terminals to receive uncompressed digitized audio information from said at least one terminal, to generate a first allocation request for transmission to said bandwidth allocation element requesting a first predetermined amount of said total bandwidth, to encode said uncompressed, digitized audio information in response to a portion of said first predetermined amount of said total bandwidth allocated by said bandwidth allocation element and to transmit said encoded information to said element.

28. The communication system according to claim 20, wherein said communication link is a single channel Narrow Integrated Services Digital Network (“

N-ISDN”

).

29. The communication system according to claim 20, wherein said communication link is a single channel Broad Integrated Services Digital Network (“

B-ISDN”

).

30. A communication system supporting transmissions of information in real-time, said communication system comprising:

first terminal means for transmitting uncompressed, digital information through a plurality of information bus lines;

bus means for transmitting information packets from said first terminal means to a second terminal means remotely located from said first terminal means; and

resource allocation means for dynamically allocating a predetermined amount of bandwidth pertaining to said bus means and for encoding said uncompressed, digital information into said information packets constructed according to said predetermined amount of bandwidth for transmission through said bus means, said resource allocation means being coupled between said terminal means and said bus means.

31. The communication system according to claim 30, wherein said resource allocation device comprises:

request means, being coupled to said first terminal means, for receiving information from said first terminal means and for generating an allocation request requesting a predetermined amount of total bandwidth associated with said bus means;

allocation means, being coupled to said request means, for receiving said allocation request from said request means and dynamically allocating at least a portion of said predetermined amount of total bandwidth for use by said request means in encoding said information; and

select means for selectively transmitting said encoded information through said bus means to a remote terminal, said select means being coupled to both said request means to receive said encoded information and said allocation means to control said select means.

32. The communication system according to claim 31, wherein said bus means is a single channel Narrow Integrated Services Digital Network (“

N-ISDN”

).

33. The communication system according to claim 31, wherein said bus means is a single channel Broad Integrated Services Digital Network (“

B-ISDN”

).

34. A method for conducting multiple video conferencing sessions between at least a first terminal and a second terminal over a communication link having a total bandwidth, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of allocation requests, wherein each of said plurality of allocation requests includes a requested bandwidth parameter representing a predetermined amount of said total bandwidth requested to transmit information to said second terminal and a priority parameter indicating urgency in receiving a predetermined amount of bandwidth;

comparing an amount of bandwidth requested by a first subset of said plurality of allocation requests having a first priority level to said total bandwidth for said communication link;

dynamically allocating at least a selected amount of said total bandwidth;

encoding said information according to said selected amount of said total bandwidth; and

selectively transmitting said encoded information through said communication link to said second terminal.

35. The method according to claim 34 further comprising the steps of:

receiving information from at least said first terminal; and

providing at least one allocation request for a predetermined amount of said total bandwidth associated with said communication link.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein said predetermined amount is less than or equal to said selected amount.

37. The method according to claim 35, wherein said predetermined amount is greater than said selected amount.

38. The method according to claim 34, wherein if said total bandwidth is greater than or equal to said amount of bandwidth requested by said first subset, said allocating step comprising the steps of:

allocating said selected amount of said total bandwidth being equal to said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth requested by said first subset, and

calculating a remaining bandwidth being said bandwidth requested by said first subset subtracted from said total bandwidth, said remaining bandwidth being used for further calculation for a second subset of said plurality of allocation requests having a second priority level.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein if said total bandwidth is less than said amount of bandwidth requested by said first subset, said allocating step comprises the step of:

determining whether a minimum amount of bandwidth needed by each allocation request of said first subset is greater than said total bandwidth, wherein

if said minimum amount of bandwidth needed by each allocation request of said first subset is greater than said total bandwidth

sorting bandwidth request sizes of said first subset of said plurality of allocation requests, and

allocating an equal share of said total bandwidth to each allocation request of said first subset in which said equal share of said total bandwidth is equal to said selected amount of said total bandwidth, and alternatively

providing at least said minimum amount of bandwidth to each allocation request of said first subset if said minimum amount of bandwidth needed by each of said first subset is greater than said total bandwidth, said minimum amount of bandwidth being said selected amount of said total bandwidth.