Dynamically optimizing delivery of multimedia content over a network

• US 8,719,373 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2012
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Terrace Licensing LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Attanasio, Luisa, Carbone, Giancarlo, Ciano, Giuseppe, Lecciso, Francesco, Pichetti, Luigi, Sidoti, Stefano
• Primary Examiner(s): Daftuar, Saket K
• Application Number:
  US13/714,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20130103800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/223, 709/224, 709/225, 709/226, 709/227, 709/228, 709/229, 709/240, 709/203, 709/220, 709/231, 725/117, 725/119, 725/131, 455/414.1, 370/352, 370/522, 370/254, 370/331, 379/88.17, 379/207.02, 710/15, 710/16, 710/17, 710/18, 710/19
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/28 characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks] wireless communication networks H04W ; arrangements for dividing the transmission path H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/283 Processing of data at an internetworking point of a home automation network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM] H04L51/04; selective video distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1066 Session management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1086 session scope modification
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1089 by adding media; by removing media
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/75 Media network packet handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/756 adapting media to device capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 : Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2066 : Call type detection of indication, e.g. voice or fax, mobile of fixed, PSTN or IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 : wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42374 : where the information is provided to a monitoring entity such as a potential calling party or a call processing server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 : involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25825 : involving client display capabilities, e.g. screen resolution of a mobile phone optimising the visualisation of content during browsing in the Internet G06F16/9577; processing of terminal status or physical abilities in wireless networks H04W8/22; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25833 : involving client hardware characteristics, e.g. manufacturer, processing or storage capabilities allocation of resources considering hardware capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5044; allocation of resources considering software capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5055
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2662 : Controlling the complexity of the video stream, e.g. by scaling the resolution or bitrate of the video stream based on the client capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44227 : Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4424 : Monitoring of the internal components or processes of the client device, e.g. CPU or memory load, processing speed, timer, counter or percentage of the hard disk space used error monitoring in general G06F11/30; arrangements for monitoring conditions of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/32; diagnosis, testing or measuring for television receivers H04N17/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38

Abstract

A method includes connecting a communications device to an Internet Multimedia Subsystem network. The method includes transmitting presence information indicating multimedia capabilities of the communications device and requesting multimedia content from a multimedia server to cause the multimedia server to transmit multimedia content. The method includes detecting connection of a peripheral device to the communications device and determining that the multimedia capabilities have increased due to the connection of the peripheral device. The method includes updating the presence information to indicate the increased multimedia capabilities and transmitting the updated presence information to cause the multimedia server to transmit the multimedia content adjusted for the increased multimedia capabilities indicated in the updated presence information. The method includes receiving the multimedia content adjusted for the increased multimedia capabilities and presenting at least some of the adjusted multimedia content on the peripheral device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

connecting a communications device to an Internet Multimedia Subsystem network, wherein the communications device comprises a mobile device that includes at least one of a laptop computer and a mobile phone;

transmitting presence information indicating multimedia capabilities of the communications device;

requesting multimedia content from a multimedia server to cause the multimedia server to transmit multimedia content to the communications device according to the multimedia capabilities indicated in the presence information;

detecting connection of a peripheral device to the communications device, wherein the peripheral device comprises a media device that includes at least one of a television, a monitor, a speaker, and a stereo system;

determining that the multimedia capabilities have increased due to the connection of the peripheral device;

updating the presence information to indicate the increased multimedia capabilities;

transmitting the updated presence information to cause the multimedia server to transmit the multimedia content adjusted for the increased multimedia capabilities indicated in the updated presence information, wherein the increased multimedia capabilities are caused by the connection of the peripheral device to the communications device;

receiving the multimedia content adjusted for the increased multimedia capabilities; and

presenting at least some of the adjusted multimedia content on the peripheral device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the multimedia capabilities comprise, one or more of, supported audio and video codecs, supported image formats, supported document file types, maximum screen resolution, screen aspect ratio, and number of audio channels.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting the presence information indicating the multimedia capabilities of the communications device further comprises sending a session initiation protocol REGISTER message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting connection of the peripheral device to the communications device further comprises determining external multimedia capabilities of the peripheral device.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

detecting disconnection of the peripheral device;

determining that the multimedia capabilities have decreased due to the disconnection of the peripheral device;

updating the presence information to indicate the decreased multimedia capabilities; and

transmitting the updated presence information to cause the multimedia server to transmit the multimedia content according to the decreased multimedia capabilities indicated in the updated presence information.

6. A method comprising:

detecting connection of a peripheral device to a communications device, wherein the communications device comprises a mobile device that includes at least one of a laptop computer and a mobile phone, and wherein the peripheral device comprises a media device that includes at least one of a television, a monitor, a speaker, and a stereo system;

determining that the multimedia capabilities have increased due to the connection of the peripheral device;

transmitting presence information indicating the increased multimedia capabilities of the communications device, wherein the increased multimedia capabilities are caused by the connection of the peripheral device to the communications device;

requesting multimedia content from a multimedia server to cause the multimedia server to transmit multimedia content to the communications device according to the increased multimedia capabilities indicated in the presence information;

detecting disconnection of the peripheral device from the communications device;

determining that the multimedia capabilities have decreased due to the disconnection of the peripheral device;

updating the presence information to indicate the decreased multimedia capabilities;

transmitting the updated presence information to cause the multimedia server to transmit the multimedia content adjusted for the decreased multimedia capabilities indicated in the updated presence information, wherein the decreased multimedia capabilities are caused by the disconnection of the peripheral device to the communications device; and

presenting the multimedia content on the communications device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said detecting disconnection of the peripheral device further comprises determining external multimedia capabilities of the peripheral device.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said presenting the multimedia content on the communications device further comprises receiving the multimedia content adjusted for the increased multimedia capabilities.

9. A computer program product for dynamically optimizing delivery of multimedia content over a network, the computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory computer usable storage medium having computer usable program code embodied therewith, the computer usable program code comprising;

computer usable program code configured to,

connect a communications device to an Internet Multimedia Subsystem network, wherein the communications device comprises a mobile device that includes at least one of a laptop computer and a mobile phone;

transmit presence information indicating multimedia capabilities of the communications device;

request multimedia content from a multimedia server to cause the multimedia server to transmit multimedia content to the communications device according to the multimedia capabilities indicated in the presence information;

detect connection of a peripheral device to the communications device, wherein the peripheral device comprises a media device that includes at least one of a television, a monitor, a speaker, and a stereo system;

determine that the multimedia capabilities have increased due to the connection of the peripheral device;

update the presence information to indicate the increased multimedia capabilities;

transmit the updated presence information to cause the multimedia server to transmit the multimedia content adjusted for the increased multimedia capabilities indicated in the updated presence information, wherein the increased multimedia capabilities are caused by the connection of the peripheral device to the communications device; and

present at least some of the adjusted multimedia content on the peripheral device.

10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the multimedia capabilities comprise, one or more of, supported audio and video codecs, supported image formats, supported document file types, maximum screen resolution, screen aspect ratio, and number of audio channels.

11. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein said computer usable program code being configured to transmit the presence information indicating the multimedia capabilities of the communications device comprises the computer usable code being configured to send a session initiation protocol REGISTER message.

12. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein said computer usable program code being configured to detect connection of the peripheral device to the communications device comprises the computer usable code being configured to determine external multimedia capabilities of the peripheral device.

13. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein said computer usable program code being configured to:

detect disconnection of the peripheral device;

determine that the multimedia capabilities have decreased due to the disconnection of the peripheral device;

update the presence information to indicate the decreased multimedia capabilities; and

transmit the updated presence information to cause the multimedia server to transmit the multimedia content according to the decreased multimedia capabilities indicated in the updated presence information.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein said computer usable program code being configured to detect disconnection of the peripheral device comprises the computer usable code being configured to determine external multimedia capabilities of the peripheral device.

15. A computer program product for dynamically optimizing delivery of multimedia content over a network, the computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory computer usable storage medium having computer usable program code embodied therewith, the computer usable program code comprising;

computer usable program code configured to,

detect connection of a peripheral device from a communications device, wherein the communications device comprises a mobile device that includes at least one of a laptop computer and a mobile phone, wherein the peripheral device comprises a media device that includes at least one of a television, a monitor, a speaker, and a stereo system;

determine that the multimedia capabilities have increased due to the connection of the peripheral device;

transmit presence information indicating the increased multimedia capabilities of the communications device;

request multimedia content from a multimedia server to cause the multimedia server to transmit multimedia content to the communications device according to the increased multimedia capabilities indicated in the presence information;

detect disconnection of the peripheral device;

determine that the multimedia capabilities have decreased due to the disconnection of the peripheral device;

update the presence information to indicate the decreased multimedia capabilities;

transmit the updated presence information to cause the multimedia server to transmit the multimedia content according to the decreased multimedia capabilities indicated in the updated presence information, wherein the decreased multimedia capabilities are caused by the disconnection of the peripheral device from the communications device; and

present the multimedia content on the communications device.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a set of one or more processors;

a network interface;

a multimedia capabilities management unit operable to;

connect the apparatus to an Internet Multimedia Subsystem network, wherein the apparatus comprises a mobile device that includes at least one of a laptop computer and a mobile phone;

transmit presence information indicating multimedia capabilities of the apparatus;

request multimedia content from a multimedia server to cause the multimedia server to transmit multimedia content to the communications device according to the multimedia capabilities indicated in the presence information;

detect connection of a peripheral device to the apparatus, wherein the peripheral device comprises a media device that includes at least one of a television, a monitor, a speaker, and a stereo system;

determine that the multimedia capabilities have increased due to the connection of the peripheral device;

update the presence information to indicate the increased multimedia capabilities; and

transmit the updated presence information to cause the multimedia server to transmit the multimedia content according to the increased multimedia capabilities indicated in the updated presence information, wherein the increased multimedia capabilities are caused by the connection of the peripheral device to the apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said the multimedia capabilities management unit being operable to transmit the presence information indicating the multimedia capabilities of the communications device further comprises the multimedia capabilities management unit being operable to send a session initiation protocol REGISTER message.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said the multimedia capabilities management unit being operable to detect connection of the peripheral device further comprises the multimedia capabilities management unit being operable to determine external multimedia capabilities of the peripheral device.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprises the multimedia capabilities management unit being operable to:

detect disconnection of the peripheral device;

determine that the multimedia capabilities have decreased due to the disconnection of the peripheral device;

update the presence information to indicate the decreased multimedia capabilities; and

transmit the updated presence information to cause the multimedia server to transmit the multimedia content according to the decreased multimedia capabilities indicated in the updated presence information.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said the multimedia capabilities management unit being operable to detect disconnection of the peripheral device further comprises the multimedia capabilities management unit being operable to determine external multimedia capabilities of the peripheral device.