Coding and packet distribution for alternative network paths in telecommunications networks
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- encoding, at a first node via a processor, a source stream of data packets into a first stream using a first protocol having a first encoded data rate;
transmitting, at a first time, the first stream from the first node to a second node over a first network path between the first node and the second node;
in response to a decrease in a quality-of-service associated with the first network path at a second time later than the first time, encoding, at the first node, the source stream of data packets into a first sub-stream and a second sub-stream using a second encoding protocol having a second encoded data rate lower than the first encoded data rate;
identifying an intermediate node whose inclusion in a network path provides a known quality of service, wherein the intermediate node is located between the first node and the second node and the first network path does not traverse the intermediate node;
transmitting, from the first node to the second node, the first sub-stream over the first network path and the second sub-stream over a second network path that connects the first node and the second node via the intermediate node, wherein the second sub-stream is combined with a third sub-stream to improve a quality of a content of the second sub-stream, and wherein the third sub-stream is encoded from the source stream;
in response to a further decrease in the quality-of-service associated with the first network path at a third time later than the second time, encoding, at the first node, the source stream of data packets into a second stream using the first protocol having the first encoded data rate; and
transmitting the second data stream from the first node to the second node over the second network path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed that seek to improve the quality of service that is experienced during the transmission of a stream of packets across one or more paths. In particular, a transmitting node encodes a source stream of data (e.g., audio, video, etc.) into one or more sub-streams, and distributes those sub-streams onto multiple network transmission paths. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting node evaluates the quality of service of a first network path that fails to provide a quality-of-service guarantee. When the quality of service of the first network path becomes unsatisfactory, the coding of one or more sub-streams that are being transmitted on a second network path is adjusted. In other words, the coding on a second channel is adjusted in response to the changing conditions on a first channel.
24 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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encoding, at a first node via a processor, a source stream of data packets into a first stream using a first protocol having a first encoded data rate; transmitting, at a first time, the first stream from the first node to a second node over a first network path between the first node and the second node; in response to a decrease in a quality-of-service associated with the first network path at a second time later than the first time, encoding, at the first node, the source stream of data packets into a first sub-stream and a second sub-stream using a second encoding protocol having a second encoded data rate lower than the first encoded data rate; identifying an intermediate node whose inclusion in a network path provides a known quality of service, wherein the intermediate node is located between the first node and the second node and the first network path does not traverse the intermediate node; transmitting, from the first node to the second node, the first sub-stream over the first network path and the second sub-stream over a second network path that connects the first node and the second node via the intermediate node, wherein the second sub-stream is combined with a third sub-stream to improve a quality of a content of the second sub-stream, and wherein the third sub-stream is encoded from the source stream; in response to a further decrease in the quality-of-service associated with the first network path at a third time later than the second time, encoding, at the first node, the source stream of data packets into a second stream using the first protocol having the first encoded data rate; and transmitting the second data stream from the first node to the second node over the second network path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system comprising:
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a processor; and a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising; encoding, at a first node, a source stream of data packets into a first stream using a first protocol having a first encoded data rate; transmitting, at a first time, the first stream from the first node to a second node over a first network path between the first node and the second node; in response to a decrease in quality of-service associated with the first network path at a second time later than the first time, encoding, at the first node, the source stream of data packets into a first sub-stream and a second sub-stream using a second encoding protocol having a second encoded data rate lower than the first encoded data rate; identifying an intermediate node whose inclusion in a network path provides a known quality of service, wherein the intermediate node is located between the first node and the second node and the first network path does not traverse the intermediate node; transmitting, from the first node to the second node, the first sub-stream over the first network path and of the second sub-stream over a second network path that connects the first node and the second node via the intermediate node, wherein the second sub-stream is combined with a third sub-stream to improve a quality of a content of the second sub-stream, and wherein the third sub-stream is encoded from the source stream; in response to a further decrease in the quality-of-service associated with the first network path at a third time later than the second time, encoding, at the first node, the source stream of data packets into a second stream using the first protocol having the first encoded data rate; and transmitting the second data stream from the first node to the second node over the second network path. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
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encoding, at a first node, a source stream of data packets into a first stream using a first protocol having a first encoded data rate; transmitting, at a first time, the first stream from the first node to a second node over a first network path between the first node and the second node; in response to a decrease in quality of-service associated with the first network path at a second time later than the first time, encoding, at the first node, the source stream of data packets into a first sub-stream and a second sub-stream using a second encoding protocol having a second encoded data rate lower than the first encoded data rate; identifying an intermediate node whose inclusion in a network path provides a known quality of service, wherein the intermediate node is located between the first node and the second node and the first network path does not traverse the intermediate node; transmitting, from the first node to the second node, the first sub-stream over the first network path and the second sub-stream over a second network path that connects the first node and the second node via the intermediate node, wherein the second sub-stream is combined with a third sub-stream to improve a quality of a content of the second sub-stream, and wherein the third sub-stream is encoded from the source stream; in response to a further decrease in the quality-of-service associated with the first network path at a third time later than the second time, encoding, at the first node, the source stream of data packets into a second stream using the first protocol having the first encoded data rate; and transmitting the second data stream from the first node to the second node over the second network path. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification