Patent ID: 6396816
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: H04J,H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A resource allocation device which supports real-time, interactive communications between a local source and a remote device connected via a communication link, the resource allocation device comprising:a plurality of bandwidth request elements, wherein at least a first of said plurality of bandwidth request elements (i) receives information from the local source, (ii) generates and transmits an allocation request for a predetermined amount of a total bandwidth provided by the communication link and (iii) encodes said information according to a portion of said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth granted by a bandwidth allocation element; said bandwidth allocation element coupled to said plurality of bandwidth request elements, said bandwidth allocation element receives said allocation request and dynamically allocates said portion of said predetermined amount of said total bandwidth; and a selecting element coupled to said bandwidth allocation element and said plurality of bandwidth request elements, said selecting element receives said encoded information from said first bandwidth request element and a control signal from said bandwidth allocation element to cause said first bandwidth request element to selectively transmit said encoded information and other encoded information provided thereto through said communication link to the remote device.