Patent ID: 7912090
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method to for video communication, the method comprising operations for: estimating bandwidth conditions of a network to determine a suitable target bit rate at which to transmit bi-level and full-color video; transmitting bi-level or full-color video over the network at a transmission bit rate, the transmission bit rate being a function of the bandwidth conditions; periodically probing bandwidth capability of the network to identify similar, additional, or decreased bandwidth availability as compared to estimated bandwidth conditions, wherein periodically probing bandwidth capability of the network further comprises sending redundant data and bi-level or full-color video data across the network at the transmission bit rate; responsive to the probing operation, holding, decreasing, or increasing the transmission bit rate, the increasing and decreasing operations respectively targeting an upper or lower bit rate indicated by the bandwidth conditions; and switching from bi-level to full-color video transmission, or vice versa, as a function of when the transmission bit rate respectively reaches the upper bit rate or the lower bit rate.