Patent ID: 6438136
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: H04N,H04W,Y02D

Abstract:
A method for scheduling time slots in a communications network channel accessed by multiple communications sources to support on-going video transmissions, the method comprising the steps of:dividing the communication channel into a plurality of frames; dividing each of the frames into a plurality of slots; providing one slot selected from the plurality of slots to one of the multiple communication sources for use in performing video transmissions over the communication channel; providing a subset of slots selected from the plurality of slots for use by the one of the multiple communication sources to request that an additional slot selected from the plurality of slots be provided to the one of the multiple communication sources for use in performing further video transmissions over the communication channel; wherein the number of slots in the subset of the plurality of slots is determined as a function of the video compression cycle rate of the one of the multiple communication sources.