Real time optimization over a shared communication channel

• US 20060159126A1
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Inventors: Leow, Siew Kiat, Lim, Song Gee, Cheu, Eng Yeow
• Granted Patent: US 7,554,989 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/468
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0041 Arrangements at the transmitter end
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/08 by repeating transmission, e.g. Verdan system H04L1/1858 and H04L1/189 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1809 Selective-repeat protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2001/0094 Bus

Abstract

There is provided a method and apparatus for sending an encoded signal between a host station and a client station in which the host station encodes data, encodes the error data resulting from that encoding process and generates user data. Thus, the host station generates three types of data and it accords different priorities to those three data types. The first type of data, the encoded original data is accorded the highest priority and is guaranteed delivery to a client station. Thus, a minimum signal quality is guaranteed at the client end. The second type of data, user data, is accorded a lower priority and will be delivered to the client station if there is available bandwidth once the encoded original data has been successfully delivered. The third type of data, encoded error data is accorded the lowest priority and is only delivered to the client station if there is available bandwidth once the encoded original data and the user data have been delivered. A minimum signal quality is ensured with enhancement allowed if possible. The receiving client station(s) may or may not be capable of decoding the error data and the quality at a particular client station will depend on whether it does so or not.

Claims

1. A method for sending an encoded signal from a host station to a client station, the method comprising the steps of:

a) encoding data to generate encoded data A and error data;

b) optionally generating user data B;

c) encoding the error data to generate encoded error data C;

d) transmitting the encoded data A;

e) if there is user data B and available bandwidth, transmitting user data B; and

f) if there is available bandwidth, transmitting encoded error data C.

2. A method for receiving an encoded signal from a host station at a client station, the method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving encoded data A, user data B and encoded error data C;

b) processing the user data B;

c) decoding the encoded data A to generate decoded data;

d) decoding the encoded error data C to generate decoded error data;

and

generating the signal from the decoded data and the decoded error data.

3. A method for sending an encoded audio signal from a host station to a client station, the method comprising the steps of:

a) encoding audio data to generate encoded audio data A and error data;

b) optionally generating user data B;

c) encoding the error data to generate encoded error data C;

d) transmitting the encoded audio data A;

e) if there is user data B and available bandwidth, transmitting user data B; and

f) if there is available bandwidth, transmitting encoded error data C.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the user data B is generated in response to a client request received at the host station from the client station.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the client request comprises a request from the client station for a re-send of the encoded audio data A.

6. A method for receiving an encoded audio signal from a host station at a client station, the method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving encoded audio data A, user data B and encoded error data C;

b) processing the user data B;

c) decoding the encoded audio data A to generate decoded audio data;

d) decoding the encoded error data C to generate decoded error data; and

e) generating the audio signal from the decoded audio data and the decoded error data.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of sending a client request from the client station to the host station.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the client request comprises a request from the client station for a re-send of the encoded audio data A.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the user data B is generated by the host station in response to a client request sent by the client station to the host station.

10. A method for sending an audio signal between a host station and a client station, the method comprising the steps of:

a) the host station encoding audio data to generate encoded audio data A and error data;

b) the host station optionally generating user data B;

c) the host station encoding the error data to generate encoded error data C;

d) the host station transmitting the encoded audio data A;

e) if there is user data B and available bandwidth, the host station transmitting user data B;

f) if there is available bandwidth, the host station transmitting the encoded error data C;

g) the client station receiving the encoded audio data A and the user data B;

h) the client station processing the user data B;

i) the client station decoding the encoded audio data A to generate decoded audio data;

j) the client station generating the audio signal from the decoded audio data.

11. A host station for sending an encoded audio signal to a client station, the host station comprising:

a first encoder for encoding audio data, the first encoder being arranged to generate encoded audio data A and error data;

a processor for generating user data B;

a second encoder for encoding the error data, the second encoder being arranged to generate encoded error data C; and

a transmitter arranged;

a) to transmit encoded audio data A;

then

b) if there is user data B and available bandwidth, to transmit user data B;

then

c) if there is available bandwidth, to transmit encoded error data C.

12. The host station of claim 11 wherein the processor is arranged to generate user data B in response to a client request received at the host station from the client station.

13. The host station of claim 12 further comprising a receiver for receiving client requests from the client station.

14. The host station of claim 12 wherein the client request comprises a request from the client station for a re-send of the encoded audio data A.

18. Apparatus for sending an encoded audio signal between a host station and a client station comprising a host station according to claim 11 and at least one client station according to claim 15.

15. A client station for receiving an encoded audio signal from a host station, the client station comprising:

a receiver arranged to receive encoded audio data A, user data B and encoded error data C;

a processor for processing the user data B;

a first decoder for decoding the encoded audio data A, the first decoder being arranged to generate decoded audio data; and

a second decoder for decoding the encoded error data C, the second decoder being arranged to generate decoded error data; and

a generator arranged to generate the audio signal from the decoded audio data and the decoded error data.

16. The client station of claim 15 further comprising a transmitter for transmitting client requests to the host station.

17. The client station of claim 16 wherein the client requests comprise requests for a re-send of the encoded audio data A.