Flow control method for quality streaming of audio/video/media over packet networks
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting network congestion in a best-effort packet network, said packet network comprising at least one server and at least one client coupled to the at least one server via a link, said apparatus comprising:
- a client media buffer at the at least one client;
a plurality of watermarks dividing said buffer into a plurality of regions depending on a presentation time for data remaining in the buffer; and
a signaling device operatively coupled to the buffer by which said buffer sends signals to the at least one server to enact an error avoidance mechanism when said buffer operates in at least one of the regions,wherein the client media buffer operates in two modes, and wherein a first mode of the two modes comprises;
an active zone including a resume water mark;
an overflow alert zone above the active zone and separated from the active zone by a high water mark;
a prioritized recovery zone below the active zone and separated from the active zone by a low water mark; and
a stream switch zone below the prioritized recovery zone and separated from the prioritized recovery zone by an ultra low water mark.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for client-side detection of network congestion in a best-effort packet network comprising streaming media traffic is disclosed. Said method and apparatus provide for quality streaming media services in a congested network with constrained bandwidth over the last-mile link. A client media buffer detects at least one level of congestion and signals a server to enact at least one error mechanism. Preferred error mechanisms include packet retransmissions, stream prioritization, stream acceleration, changes in media compression rate, and changes in media resolution. Said method and apparatus allow distributed management of network congestion for networks comprising multiple clients and carrying significant streaming media traffic.
-
Citations
10 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for detecting network congestion in a best-effort packet network, said packet network comprising at least one server and at least one client coupled to the at least one server via a link, said apparatus comprising:
-
a client media buffer at the at least one client; a plurality of watermarks dividing said buffer into a plurality of regions depending on a presentation time for data remaining in the buffer; and a signaling device operatively coupled to the buffer by which said buffer sends signals to the at least one server to enact an error avoidance mechanism when said buffer operates in at least one of the regions, wherein the client media buffer operates in two modes, and wherein a first mode of the two modes comprises; an active zone including a resume water mark; an overflow alert zone above the active zone and separated from the active zone by a high water mark; a prioritized recovery zone below the active zone and separated from the active zone by a low water mark; and a stream switch zone below the prioritized recovery zone and separated from the prioritized recovery zone by an ultra low water mark. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
Specification