Patent ID: 8090867
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: ascertaining at a sending node if media to be transmitted from the sending node to a receiving node is time sensitive or not time-sensitive, the time-sensitivity of the media determined if the media is part of a conversation and is consumed in either a real-time mode or a time-shifted mode respectively; transmitting the media ascertained as time-sensitive from the sending node to the receiving node, the media initially transmitted at a first bit rate and at a first packetization interval, the first bit rate and the first packetization interval being sufficient for a full bit rate representation of the media to be reviewed upon receipt, the full bit rate representation of the media being derived from when the media was originally encoded; ascertaining if bandwidth on the network is sufficient to support the transmission of the full bit rate representation of the media ascertained as time-sensitive at the first bit rate and first packetization interval; generating a reduced bit rate representation of the media ascertained as time-sensitive when the bandwidth is insufficient; transmitting the reduced bit rate representation from the sending node to the receiving node, the reduced bit rate representation enhancing the timeliness of the delivery of the media ascertained as time sensitive so as to increase the ability of the recipient to review the media upon receipt and continue the the consumption of the media in the real-time mode when the bandwidth on the network is insufficient; transmitting the media ascertained as not time sensitive from the sending node to the receiving node when bandwidth is available in excess of what is needed for the transmission of time-sensitive media; and adjusting the rate of transmission of the media ascertained as not time-sensitive at the sending node based on network conditions by setting a second packetization interval for transmitting packets of the media ascertained as not time-sensitive for network efficiency and adjusting the rate at which the packets are transmitted based on network conditions, whereby the adjusted rate of transmission of the media ascertained as not time-sensitive is set for network efficiency and reliable delivery relative to the timeliness of the delivery of the media ascertained as time-sensitive.