Multimedia distribution in a heterogeneous network

• US 9,225,657 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2013
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Friedman, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Strange, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US13/847,305
• Publication Number:
  US 20130212293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/36 by determining packet size, e.g. maximum transfer unit [MTU]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/365 Dynamic adaptation of the packet size
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/61 taking into account QoS or priority requirements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/04 Protocols for data compression, e.g. ROHC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion

Abstract

The efficiency of real-time distribution of multimedia content over a heterogeneous network is optimized by locally, rather than centrally, adapting the content to conform to the capabilities limitations of the network. Multimedia content travels from a central location along the network backbone. When received by each of a system of dispersed media servers, that media server adapts the content by compensating for any QoS limitations of the downstream network segments. For example, the backbone of the communications network may consist of a satellite uplink. The dispersed media servers receive and replicate the content as required for distribution to unicast segments downstream rather than doing so at the source of the content, and thus multiple streams of identical content need not be carried on the backbone. Each dispersed server is programmed to optimize the transmission to conform to the transmission parameters of each adjacent and downstream segment of the network.

Claims

1. A method for distributing multimedia content, the method comprising:

receiving a first set of instructions for adapting multimedia streams;

determining, by utilizing the first set of instructions that are executed by a processor, that a packet size of a first multimedia stream exceeds a maximum transmission unit of a first network segment;

adapting the first multimedia stream to create a first unicast multimedia stream that does not exceed the maximum transmission unit of the first network segment;

adapting the first multimedia stream to create a second multimedia stream that satisfies a quality of service parameter of a second network segment;

receiving a second set of instructions in response to detecting a change in the maximum transmission unit of the first network segment;

adapting the first multimedia stream to create a second unicast multimedia stream that does not exceed the changed maximum transmission unit, wherein the second unicast multimedia stream is adapted based on the second set of instructions; and

transmitting the second unicast multimedia stream.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting the change in the maximum transmission unit of the first network segment.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the first unicast multimedia stream through the first network segment to a recipient.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising requesting the second set of instructions based on detecting the change in the maximum transmission unit of the first network segment.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising translating a protocol of the first multimedia stream based on a protocol requirement of the first network segment.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the second multimedia stream through the second network segment to a recipient.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising adapting the first multimedia stream to create the first unicast multimedia stream by compressing the first multimedia stream.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising adapting the first multimedia stream to create the first unicast multimedia stream by adjusting the packet size of the first multimedia stream.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second network segments are downstream network segments.

10. A system for distributing media content, the system comprising:

a memory that stores instructions;

a processor that executes the instructions to perform operations, the operations comprising;

receiving a first set of instructions for adapting multimedia streams;

adapting, by utilizing the first set of instructions, a first multimedia stream to create a first unicast multimedia stream that satisfies a recipient quality of service parameter associated with a recipient;

adapting, by utilizing the first set of instructions, the first multimedia stream to create a second multimedia stream that satisfies a different quality of service parameter;

receiving a second set of instructions in response to detecting a change in the recipient quality of service parameter associated with the recipient;

adapting, by utilizing the second set of instructions, the first multimedia stream to provide a second unicast multimedia stream that satisfies the changed recipient quality of service parameter; and

transmitting the second unicast multimedia stream to the recipient.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise adapting the first multimedia stream to create the first unicast multimedia stream by adjusting the packet size of the first multimedia stream.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise translating a protocol of the first multimedia stream based on a protocol requirement of the recipient.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise requesting the second set of instructions based on detecting the change in the recipient quality of service parameter.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise adapting the first multimedia stream to create the first unicast multimedia stream by compressing the first multimedia stream.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise detecting the change in the recipient quality of service parameter associated with the recipient.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting the second multimedia stream that satisfies the different quality of service parameter to the recipient.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise adapting the first multimedia stream to create a third unicast multimedia stream that does not exceed a maximum transmission unit.

18. A computer readable device storing instructions, which when loaded and executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

receiving a first set of instructions for adapting multimedia streams;

adapting, by utilizing the first set of instructions, a first multimedia stream to create a first unicast multimedia stream that satisfies a recipient quality of service parameter associated with a recipient;

adapting, by utilizing the first set of instructions, the first multimedia stream to create a second multimedia stream that satisfies a different quality of service parameter;

receiving a second set of instructions in response to detecting a change in the recipient quality of service parameter associated with the recipient;

adapting, by utilizing the second set of instructions, the first multimedia stream to provide a second unicast multimedia stream that satisfies the changed recipient quality of service parameter; and

transmitting the second unicast multimedia stream to the recipient.

19. The computer-readable device of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise adapting the first multimedia stream to create a third unicast multimedia stream that does not exceed a maximum transmission unit.

20. The computer-readable device of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise adapting the first multimedia stream to create the first unicast multimedia stream by adjusting the packet size of the first multimedia stream.