Method and architecture for distributed video switching using media notifications

• US 7,929,012 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2006
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ramalingam, Thiyagesan, Ismail, Nermin, Friedrich, Walter, Fry, Steven G., Wu, Duanpei
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo; Stella L
• Application Number:
  US11/327,541
• Publication Number:
  US 20070153712A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,930 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.08, 348/14.09, 370/260, 370/263
• US Class Current: 348/14.09
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/355 Application aware switches, e.g. for HTTP
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4046 with distributed floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/152 Multipoint control units therefor

Abstract

Disclosed are video conferencing systems, devices, architectures, and methods for using media notifications to coordinate switching between video in a distributed arrangement. An exemplary media switch in accordance with embodiments can include: a first interface configured for a first type communication with an endpoint; a second interface configured for the first type communication with another media switch, the second interface being configured to receive a first video stream having a first characteristic and a second video stream having a second characteristic; a third interface configured for a second type communication with a stream controller, the stream controller being configured to provide a notification; and a fourth interface configured for the second type communication with a controlling server, whereby the media switch is configured to re-target an active stream in response to the notification or a difference between the first and second characteristics.

Claims

1. A media switch configured for use in a distributed video conference, the media switch comprising:

a first interface configured for a first type communication with an endpoint;

a second interface configured for the first type communication with another media switch, the second interface being configured to receive a first video stream having a first characteristic and a second video stream having a second characteristic;

a third interface configured for a second type communication with a stream controller, the stream controller being configured to provide a notification; and

a fourth interface configured for the second type communication with a controlling server,

whereby the media switch is configured to re-target an active stream in response to the notification or a difference between the first and second characteristics.

2. The media switch of claim 1, wherein the media switch includes a router configured by software.

3. The media switch of claim 1, wherein the first type communication includes in-band media.

4. The media switch of claim 3, wherein the in-band media includes real time protocol (RTP).

5. The media switch of claim 1, wherein the second type communication includes a signaling protocol.

6. The media switch of claim 5, wherein the signaling protocol includes session initiation protocol (SIP).

7. The media switch of claim 1, wherein the difference between the first and second characteristics includes packets having a different source IP address.

8. The media switch of claim 1, wherein the difference between the first and second characteristics includes packets having a different contributing source (CSRC).

9. The media switch of claim 1, wherein the difference between the first and second characteristics includes packets having a unique real time protocol (RTP) header extension.

10. The media switch of claim 1, wherein the difference between the first and second characteristics includes an I-frame.

11. A method of controlling streams in a distributed video conference, the method comprising:

monitoring packets of a first type protocol in a media switch;

identifying a stream change using one or more identification techniques applied to the monitored packets;

changing a current speaker stream to a last speaker stream when the media switch owns the current speaker stream; and

forwarding an active speaker stream to one or more endpoints.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more identification techniques includes finding packets having a different source IP address.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more identification techniques includes finding packets having a different contributing source (CSRC).

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more identification techniques includes finding packets having a unique real time protocol (RTP) header extension.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more identification techniques includes notification via an I-frame.

16. The method of claim 11, further including monitoring notification in a second type protocol.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second type protocol includes session initiation protocol (SIP).

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the stream change is identified using a faster of the one or more identification techniques and the notification.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the stream change is in response to a loudest speaker in the distributed video conference.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the first type protocol includes in-band media.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the in-band media includes real time protocol (RTP).

22. The method of claim 11, further including sending a unicast transmission from a last speaker location to an active speaker location.

23. A computer readable medium on which is stored a sequence of instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the processors to perform the method of:

controlling streams in a distributed video conference, the method comprising;

monitoring packets of a first type protocol in a media switch;

identifying a stream change using one or more identification techniques applied to the monitored packets;

changing a current speaker stream to a last speaker stream when the media switch owns the current speaker stream; and

forwarding an active speaker stream to one or more endpoints.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the one or more identification techniques includes finding packets having a different source IP address.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the one or more identification techniques includes finding packets having a different contributing source (CSRC).

26. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the one or more identification techniques includes finding packets having a unique real time protocol (RTP) header extension.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the one or more identification techniques includes notification via an I-frame.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 23, further including monitoring notification in a second type protocol.

29. The computer readable medium of claim 28, wherein the second type protocol includes session initiation protocol (SIP).

30. The computer readable medium of claim 28, wherein the stream change is identified using a faster of the one or more identification techniques and the notification.

31. A means for controlling streams in a distributed video conference, comprising:

a means for monitoring packets of a first type protocol in a media switch;

a means for identifying a stream change using one or more identification techniques applied to the monitored packets;

a means for changing a current speaker stream to a last speaker stream when the media switch owns the current speaker stream; and

a means for forwarding an active speaker stream to one or more endpoints.