Resource-adaptive video encoder sharing in multipoint control unit
First Claim
1. In a multimedia communications system, a method of allocating one or more of processor resources and memory resources of a multimedia communications server, the multimedia communications server including at least a first video encoder, the multimedia communications system including a plurality of multimedia participant devices communicably coupleable to the multimedia communications server over at least one network, the method comprising:
- receiving, at the multimedia communications server in a process of joining a multimedia session, a request for use of a video encoder from a respective multimedia participant device, the request including one or more video encoder attributes;
determining, by the multimedia communications server using at least some of the one or more video encoder attributes, a first cost of sharing the first video encoder among the respective multimedia participant device and at least one other multimedia participant device participating in the multimedia session;
determining, by the multimedia communications server, a second cost of implementing an additional video encoder for use with the respective multimedia participant device;
comparing the first cost with the second cost to obtain a comparison result; and
based at least upon the comparison result, performing, by the multimedia communications server, one of sharing the first video encoder with the respective multimedia participant device, and implementing the additional video encoder for use with the respective multimedia participant device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods of video conferencing, in which existing video encoders associated with a multipoint control unit (MCU) can be shared among conference participant devices, depending upon the availability of processor and/or memory resources for the MCU. In making decisions regarding the sharing of video encoders, the systems and methods take into account various parameters associated with potential conference participant devices and the total cost of the processor/memory resources for the MCU, to determine whether a video encoder of the MCU can be shared with, or allocated to, the respective conference participant devices. By determining whether to share or allocate a video encoder of the MCU, depending upon the available processor/memory resources for the MCU, the MCU can be made to operate with increased stability. The systems and methods can be applied to any application that sends the same content to multiple receivers, including announcement and video streaming applications.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. In a multimedia communications system, a method of allocating one or more of processor resources and memory resources of a multimedia communications server, the multimedia communications server including at least a first video encoder, the multimedia communications system including a plurality of multimedia participant devices communicably coupleable to the multimedia communications server over at least one network, the method comprising:
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receiving, at the multimedia communications server in a process of joining a multimedia session, a request for use of a video encoder from a respective multimedia participant device, the request including one or more video encoder attributes; determining, by the multimedia communications server using at least some of the one or more video encoder attributes, a first cost of sharing the first video encoder among the respective multimedia participant device and at least one other multimedia participant device participating in the multimedia session; determining, by the multimedia communications server, a second cost of implementing an additional video encoder for use with the respective multimedia participant device; comparing the first cost with the second cost to obtain a comparison result; and based at least upon the comparison result, performing, by the multimedia communications server, one of sharing the first video encoder with the respective multimedia participant device, and implementing the additional video encoder for use with the respective multimedia participant device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A multimedia communications server for use in a multimedia communications system, the multimedia communications system including a plurality of multimedia participant devices communicably coupleable to the multimedia communications server over at least one network, the multimedia communications server comprising:
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a first video encoder; and a controller including at least one processor operative; to receive, in a process of joining a multimedia session, a request for use of a video encoder from a respective multimedia participant device, the request including one or more video encoder attributes; to determine, using at least some of the one or more video encoder attributes, a first cost of sharing the first video encoder among the respective multimedia participant device and at least one other multimedia participant device participating in the multimedia session; to determine a second cost of implementing an additional video encoder for use with the respective multimedia participant device; to compare the first cost with the second cost to obtain a comparison result; and based at least upon the comparison result, to perform one of sharing the first video encoder with the respective multimedia participant device, and implementing the additional video encoder for use with the respective multimedia participant device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification