Optimal use of multiple concurrent internet protocol (IP) data streams for voice communications

• US 9,398,506 B1
• Filed: 11/23/2015
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Relay Inc. (Publicis Groupe SA)
• Original Assignee: Bandwidth Inc.
• Inventors: Surmay, Stan, Brownworth, Anders, Kashimba, Jared
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzlo, John
• Application Number:
  US14/948,935
• Time in Patent Office: 239 Days
• Field of Search: 370/230, 370/252, 370/329, 370/401, 370/487
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1095 Inter-network session transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/764 at the destination reformatting of additional data in video clients H04N21/4355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/066 where the auxiliary connection is via an Internet Protocol network interworking of signalling system number 7 (SS7) with Internet Protocol-based session control protocols H04M7/1265, H04M7/127
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0069 in case of dual connectivity, e.g. decoupled uplink/downlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/1446 wherein at least one of the networks is unlicensed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/302 due to low signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/16 Involving different core network technologies, e.g. a packet-switched [PS] bearer in combination with a circuit-switched [CS] bearer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Examples are disclosed for hosting a communication session between a hybrid mobile device and a second communication device in an Internet Protocol (IP) based packet data network. A communications server functions as a bridge service between the hybrid mobile device and the second communication device enabling the exchange of multiple concurrent IP packet data media streams over multiple different IP based networks between the hybrid mobile device and the communications server. An IP data stream over an 802.11 WiFi communication link is characterized as the primary IP data stream and when its quality falls below a first threshold level, the hybrid mobile device will encode a second IP data stream that is the same as the original IP data stream and send a variable percentage of the second IP data stream over a cellular based IP communication link. If the quality of the IP data stream over the 802.11 WiFi communication link improves, a lesser percentage of the second IP data stream is sent over a cellular based IP communication link.

Claims

1. A method of mediating a communication session between a hybrid mobile device and a second communication device in which a communications server functions as a bridge service between the hybrid mobile device and the second communication device for a voice communication session, wherein the communications server is currently sending and receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) packet data media stream over a communication link comprising an 802.11 wireless fidelity (WiFi) network access point connection with the hybrid mobile device and is capable of sending and receiving multiple concurrent IP packet data media streams over multiple different communication links with the hybrid mobile device, the method comprising:

monitoring the quality of service (QoS) for the voice communication session as determined by multiple communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection;

determining whether the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network access point connection are sufficient to sustain a minimum QoS for the voice communication session;

encoding the IP packet data media stream onto a second communication link concurrent with the IP packet data media stream on the WiFi network connection communication link; and

while continuing to send and receive the IP packet data media stream on the WiFi network connection communication link, simultaneously sending and receiving the IP packet data media stream over the second communication link such that an increasing percentage of the IP packet data media stream is sent over the second communication link as the QoS of the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection degrades and a decreasing percentage of the IP packet data media stream is sent over the second communication link as the QoS of the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection improves.

2. The method of claim 1, the different communication links comprising a cellular IP network connection, an 802.16 WiMax IP network connection, a wireless IP network connection operating within a frequency range of 100 MHz and 700 MHz, and a wireless network connection operating within a frequency range of 3.5 GHz and 3.7 GHz.

3. The method of claim 2, the cellular network connection utilizing an IP protocol based on one of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), High Speed Packet Data (HSPD), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSPDA), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Voice-over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), or High Rate Packet Data (HRPD).

4. The method of claim 1, the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection comprising:

detected signal strengths, available networks, jitter, latency, dropped packets, access point signal strength, and link speed.

5. The method of claim 1, the IP packet data media streams comprising a Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) media stream.

6. The method of claim 5, the VoIP media stream comprised of Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) packets.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed within the communications server.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed within the hybrid mobile device.

9. A communications server for mediating a communication session between a hybrid mobile device and a second communication device in which a communications server functions as a bridge service between the hybrid mobile device and the second communication device for a voice communication session, wherein the communications server is currently sending and receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) packet data media stream over a communication link comprising an 802.11 wireless fidelity (WiFi) network access point connection with the hybrid mobile device and is capable of sending and receiving multiple concurrent IP packet data media streams over multiple different communication links with the hybrid mobile device, the communications server comprising:

a memory unit for storing code;

at least one processor for executing the stored code to;

monitor the quality of service (QoS) for the voice communication session as determined by multiple communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection;

determine whether the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network access point connection are sufficient to sustain a minimum QoS for the voice communication session;

encode the IP packet data media stream onto a second communication link concurrent with the IP packet data media stream on the WiFi network connection communication link; and

while continuing to send and receive the IP packet data media stream on the WiFi network connection communication link, simultaneously sending and receiving the IP packet data media stream over the second communication link such that an increasing percentage of the IP packet data media stream is sent over the second communication link as the QoS of the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection degrades and a decreasing percentage of the IP packet data media stream is sent over the second communication link as the QoS of the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection improves.

10. The communications server of claim 9, the different communication links comprising a cellular IP network connection, an 802.16 WiMax IP network connection, a wireless IP network connection operating within a frequency range of 100 MHz and 700 MHz, and a wireless network connection operating within a frequency range of 3.5 GHz and 3.7 GHz.

11. The communications server of claim 10, the cellular network connection utilizing an IP protocol based on one of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), High Speed Packet Data (HSPD), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSPDA), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Voice-over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), or High Rate Packet Data (HRPD).

12. The communications server of claim 9, the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection comprising:

detected signal strengths, available networks, jitter, latency, dropped packets, access point signal strength, and link speed.

13. The communications server of claim 9, the IP packet data media streams comprising a Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) media stream.

14. The communications server of claim 13, the VoIP media stream comprised of Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) packets.

15. At least one machine-readable non-transitory medium for mediating a communication session between a hybrid mobile device and a second communication device in which a communications server functions as a bridge service between the hybrid mobile device and the second communication device for a voice communication session, wherein the communications server is currently sending and receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) packet data media stream over a communication link comprising an 802.11 wireless fidelity (WiFi) network access point connection with the hybrid mobile device and is capable of sending and receiving multiple concurrent IP packet data media streams over multiple different communication links with the hybrid mobile device, the at least one machine-readable non-transitory medium comprising a set of instructions that in response to being executed on a computing device cause the computing device to:

monitor the quality of service (QoS) for the voice communication session as determined by multiple communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection;

determine whether the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network access point connection are sufficient to sustain a minimum QoS for the voice communication session;

encode the IP packet data media stream onto a second communication link concurrent with the IP packet data media stream on the WiFi network connection communication link; and

while continuing to send and receive the IP packet data media stream on the WiFi network connection communication link, simultaneously send and receive the IP packet data media stream over the second communication link such that an increasing percentage of the IP packet data media stream is sent over the second communication link as the QoS of the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection degrades and a decreasing percentage of the IP packet data media stream is sent over the second communication link as the QoS of the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection improves.

16. The at least one machine-readable non-transitory medium of claim 15, the different communication links comprising a cellular IP network connection, an 802.16 WiMax IP network connection, a wireless IP network connection operating within a frequency range of 100 MHz and 700 MHz, and a wireless network connection operating within a frequency range of 3.5 GHz and 3.7 GHz.

17. The at least one machine-readable non-transitory medium of claim 15, the cellular network connection utilizing an IP protocol based on one of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), High Speed Packet Data (HSPD), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSPDA), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Voice-over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), or High Rate Packet Data (HRPD).

18. The at least one machine-readable non-transitory medium of claim 15, the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection comprising:

detected signal strengths, available networks, jitter, latency, dropped packets, access point signal strength, and link speed.

19. The at least one machine-readable non-transitory medium of claim 15, the IP packet data media streams comprising a Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) media stream.

20. The at least one machine-readable non-transitory medium of claim 19, the VoIP media stream comprised of Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) packets.

21. A hybrid mobile device in a communication session with a second communication device in which a communications server functions as a bridge service between the hybrid mobile device and the second communication device for a voice communication session, wherein the hybrid mobile device is currently sending and receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) packet data media stream over a communication link comprising an 802.11 wireless fidelity (WiFi) network access point connection with the communications server and is capable of sending and receiving multiple concurrent IP packet data media streams over multiple different communication links with the communications server, the hybrid mobile device comprising:

a memory unit for storing code;

at least one processor for executing the stored code to;

monitor the quality of service (QoS) for the voice communication session as determined by multiple communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection;

determine whether the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network access point connection are sufficient to sustain a minimum QoS for the voice communication session;

encode the IP packet data media stream onto a second communication link concurrent with the IP packet data media stream on the WiFi network connection communication link; and

while continuing to send and receive the IP packet data media stream on the WiFi network connection communication link, simultaneously send and receive the IP packet data media stream over the second communication link such that an increasing percentage of the IP packet data media stream is sent over the second communication link as the QoS of the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection degrades and a decreasing percentage of the IP packet data media stream is sent over the second communication link as the QoS of the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection improves.

22. The hybrid mobile device of claim 21, the different communication links comprising a cellular IP network connection, an 802.16 WiMax IP network connection, a wireless IP network connection operating within a frequency range of 100 MHz and 700 MHz, and a wireless network connection operating within a frequency range of 3.5 GHz and 3.7 GHz.

23. The hybrid mobile device of claim 22, the cellular network connection utilizing an IP protocol based on one of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), High Speed Packet Data (HSPD), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSPDA), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Voice-over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), or High Rate Packet Data (HRPD).

24. The hybrid mobile device of claim 21, the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection comprising:

detected signal strengths, available networks, jitter, latency, dropped packets, access point signal strength, and link speed.

25. The hybrid mobile device of claim 21, the IP packet data media streams comprising a Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) media stream.

26. The hybrid mobile device of claim 25, the VoIP media stream comprised of Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) packets.