Patent ID: 8902753
Filing Date: 2014-12-02
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for affecting a bit rate of a session, the method comprising: determining, by a bandwidth management module, to introduce a desired change in a bit rate allocated by a bit rate allocator for streaming a portion of a first stream; wherein the first stream flows from a source entity to a target entity; wherein the source and target entities are coupled to the bit rate allocator and to the bandwidth management module; wherein the bit rate allocator to sets the bit rate allocated to the streaming of the portion in response to a bit rate associated with the first stream; wherein the bandwidth management module (a) differs from the bit rate allocator, (b) is coupled to the bit rate allocator, and (c) is located between the target entity and the bit rate allocator; modifying, by the bandwidth management module, a value of the bit rate associated with the first stream to provide a modified value; wherein when the desired change is an increase in the bit rate, the modifying comprises sending, by the bandwidth management module, a message that indicates that the network has more available bandwidth than the network actually has; wherein when the desired change is a decrease in the bit rate, the modifying comprises sending, by the bandwidth management module, a message that indicates a false state of congestion in the network; wherein the modifying causes the bit rate allocator to introduce the desired change in the bit rate allocated for streaming the portion; and causing the bit rate allocator module to be aware to the modified value without instructing the bit rate allocator to introduce the desired change.