Patent ID: 7492731
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for dynamically optimizing bandwidth allocation in a variable bitrate conference environment, comprising: a) providing conference means having two or more outputs, each of which is capable of outputting data at different rates, thereby supporting two or more endpoints which may have different media rates; b) connecting two or more endpoints to said conference means for participating in said conference; c) whenever more than one video rate is used by participants in said conference: d) reducing the video rate of all the endpoints having a video rate above the highest optimal video rate to said highest optimal video rate, if required, and reducing the video rate of other endpoints having video rate between two consecutive levels of optimal video rates to the lowest level among said levels; and e) whenever a change occurs in either the amount of participating endpoints in the conference or in the declared bitrate capability of the participating endpoints, recalculating the video rates of all the outputs.