Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing live video to multiple client devices is provided herein. In particular, a router is provided that acts on behalf of all client devices in its network. The router serves multiple groups of client devices with each group being formed by client devices having similar bandwidth requirements. The router then requests and receives video chunks from a network. The router then redistributes the video chunks to the multiple client devices using a multicast transmission. In particular, to minimize the demands on the core network, the router sets up a separate multicast to each group. Live video, of the appropriate quality is then multicast to each group.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that associate “importance” information with chunks of a media presentation. An end-user device or server uses this information to intelligently manage resources when downloading or rendering the media presentation. Many different types of importance information are used. An editor can tag a chunk as important based on the content of the chunk or may give the chunk a rating, or importance can be inferred from download statistics. In some embodiments, the end-user device determines the importance of a chunk based on observations of the behavior of the device's user. The end-user device can send its locally gathered behavioral observations to a server to enhance that server's demographic information. The server can observe its own download behavior to infer importance. The end-user device may choose to either not download, or to download at a low resolution, those chunks deemed to be unimportant, thus saving bandwidth and battery power.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for associating size information with each chunk of a media presentation. This size information is sent to an end-user device. There are many ways to characterize the size of a chunk beyond simply giving the number of bytes in the chunk. Some embodiments send an approximation of the size or a relative size. In some embodiments, a server publishes a “reference” value for a media presentation and then, for each chunk, gives the size relative to that reference value. The device decides whether or not to download the chunk. The device might decide that it is unlikely that the next chunk can be downloaded in time. Then, to avoid the possibility of a video freeze, the device could request the next chunk at a lower resolution. In some situations, the device decides to request a completely different chunk or to not request any chunk at all.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that associate “importance” information with chunks of a media presentation. An end-user device or server uses this information to intelligently manage resources when downloading or rendering the media presentation. Many different types of importance information are used. An editor can tag a chunk as important based on the content of the chunk or may give the chunk a rating, or importance can be inferred from download statistics. In some embodiments, the end-user device determines the importance of a chunk based on observations of the behavior of the device's user. The end-user device can send its locally gathered behavioral observations to a server to enhance that server's demographic information. The server can observe its own download behavior to infer importance. The end-user device may choose to either not download, or to download at a low resolution, those chunks deemed to be unimportant, thus saving bandwidth and battery power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting video is provided herein. A video representation is segmented into video chunks, with each chunk spanning a different time interval. Each chunk may be divided into two or more sub-chunks. During operation, the client requests a sub-chunk of a particular video chunk and then possibly requests an additional sub-chunk of the video chunk. The client then combines and decodes the sub-chunks to provide a reconstructed video chunk for playback on a device. In an embodiment, I-frames of a video chunk are made available in a separate sub-chunk file than P-frames (or B-frames).

Abstract: A method for enabling mobile coverage extension and peer-to-peer communications in an ad hoc network is provided. The method includes communicating at least one message among the plurality of nodes, wherein the at least one message comprises: an ad hoc zone, wherein the ad hoc zone comprises at least one channel selected from a group of channels comprising: at least one synchronization channel for synchronizing out of coverage nodes, at least one access channel for peer-to-peer communications, and at least one ad hoc relay data/traffic channel for exchanging data during data sessions between one or more nodes.

Abstract: A system and method of resource allocation within a communication system is provided. A communication system comprises a plurality of nodes operating in a first architecture network mode, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of nodes are reconfigured to operate in a second architecture network mode in response to a change in one or more network performance requirements. When the plurality of nodes are operating in a distributed architecture network mode, at least a portion of the plurality of nodes are reconfigured to operate in a clustered architecture network mode in response to an increase in one or more network performance requirements. When the plurality of nodes are operating in a clustered architecture network mode, at least a portion of the plurality of nodes are reconfigured to operate in a distributed architecture network mode in response to a decrease in one or more network performance requirements.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for detecting an increase in congestion in a distributed ad hoc network architecture and transitioning from the distributed ad hoc network architecture to a cluster ad hoc network architecture when a sufficient increase in congestion is detected based on one or more congestion level indicator values (CLIVs). Other techniques are provided for detecting a decrease in congestion in cluster ad hoc network architecture and transitioning from the cluster ad hoc network architecture to a distributed ad hoc network architecture when a sufficient decrease in congestion is detected based on one or more congestion level indicator values (CLIVs).

Abstract: A method is provided which enables the connection of nodes out of communication range while minimizing the energy consumption in standby nodes. Specifically, the present invention provides a method to control the wake up rate of standby nodes in a multi-hop communication system. An access point collects, processes, and refines statistical information regarding one or more system parameters; determines a wake up rate based on the statistical information and one or more historical information; and transmits the wake up rate to nodes in its coverage area. A node receives the wake up rate; and periodically changes from a sleep state to a wake up state at the wake up rate to support routing functions for providing multi-hop communication to the one or more access points.

Abstract: A method for enabling mobile coverage extension and peer-to-peer communications in an ad hoc network is provided. The method includes communicating at least one message among the plurality of nodes, wherein the at least one message comprises: an ad hoc zone, wherein the ad hoc zone comprises at least one channel selected from a group of channels comprising: at least one synchronization channel for synchronizing out of coverage nodes, at least one access channel for peer-to-peer communications, and at least one ad hoc relay data/traffic channel for exchanging data during data sessions between one or more nodes.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for distributed admission control (AC) in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET). When the source node transmits a new communication stream (NCS) toward a destination node, other nodes allow transmission of the NCS during a temporary admission period even though the NCS has not yet been admitted. The nodes can determine whether the NCS causes degradation of any existing communication stream(s) (ECSs) supported by that node based on existing QoS requirements associated with the ECSs. In some implementations, nodes which determine that they are unable to support ECSs transmit an indicator which notifies other nodes that admission of the NCS is denied by that node. By contrast, if none of the nodes transmit an indicator during the temporary admission period, then the NCS is “admitted” to the MANET and the source node is permitted to keep transmitting the NCS, a variation thereof or another new communication stream.

Abstract: Energy consumption in a network is reduced by a first node transmitting a message at a first power level and determining if the message is received by a neighboring node of the network. The message is retransmitted at a higher power level if the message is not received by a neighboring node. A second node, in a neighborhood of the first node, selects one of two or more receiver sensitivity levels and senses the received signal strength of the message. The second node activates an energy-consuming functional element to decode the first message only if the received signal is above the selected receiver sensitivity level. The receiver sensitivity levels are selected in accordance with a selection process, such as a random process, that may be adapted.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for detecting an increase in congestion in a distributed ad hoc network architecture and transitioning from the distributed ad hoc network architecture to a cluster ad hoc network architecture when a sufficient increase in congestion is detected based on one or more congestion level indicator values (CLIVs). Other techniques are provided for detecting a decrease in congestion in cluster ad hoc network architecture and transitioning from the cluster ad hoc network architecture to a distributed ad hoc network architecture when a sufficient decrease in congestion is detected based on one or more congestion level indicator values (CLIVs).

Abstract: A system and method of resource allocation within a communication system is provided. A communication system comprises a plurality of nodes operating in a first architecture network mode, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of nodes are reconfigured to operate in a second architecture network mode in response to a change in one or more network performance requirements. When the plurality of nodes are operating in a distributed architecture network mode, at least a portion of the plurality of nodes are reconfigured to operate in a clustered architecture network mode in response to an increase in one or more network performance requirements. When the plurality of nodes are operating in a clustered architecture network mode, at least a portion of the plurality of nodes are reconfigured to operate in a distributed architecture network mode in response to a decrease in one or more network performance requirements.

Abstract: An overlay communication system (120) aides determining a route between nodes (101-103) in an underlay communication system (110). In particular, when a first node (102) wishes to discover a route to a second node (103), the first node notifies the overlay communication system, which notifies all nodes in the underlay communication system of the desire. Both the first and the second nodes begin flooding the underlay system simultaneously. When a node in the underlay system hears both the flood messages from the first and the second node, the overlay communication system is notified and stops all flooding. The route information is then provided to the first and the second nodes via the overlay communication system.

Abstract: A communication system (100) is provided that comprises an overlay communication system and an underlay ad-hoc communication system. Route discovery in the ad-hoc communication system takes place by notifying the overlay communication system of the source and destination nodes. The overlay communication system instructs all base stations between the source and destination nodes to instruct all nodes to participate in route discovery.

Abstract: Methods (300) and corresponding systems (100) for adapting a clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold in a node in a wireless network includes determining a first successful transmission rate of the node and neighboring nodes in the wireless network when the node is set to use a first CCA threshold. Next, a second successful transmission rate of the node and the neighboring nodes is determined when the node is set to use a second CCA threshold. Thereafter, one of the first and the second CCA thresholds is selected based upon the first and second successful transmission rates. The determining a successful transmission rate of the node and neighboring nodes can include counting successful packet indications transmitted by the node and received by the node from the neighboring nodes. Transmitted successful packet indications can include transmitted acknowledgement messages.

Abstract: A system and method for using an ad hoc surrogate device (103, 103?) for reporting a service abnormality where the surrogate mobile device operates on a second communications system, such as a cellular telephone system, to collect and deliver diagnostic or other service abnormality information from a first communications system using Bluetooth, WiFi or the like. Any device utilizing Bluetooth or WiFi can be modified to fulfill the need for reporting service problems without the use of telemetry or other continuous monitoring systems.

Abstract: An overlay communication system (120) aides determining a route between nodes (101-103) in an underlay communication system (110). In particular, when a first node (102) wishes to discover a route to a second node (103), the first node notifies the overlay communication system, which notifies all nodes in the underlay communication system of the desire. Both the first and the second nodes begin flooding the underlay system simultaneously. When a node in the underlay system hears both the flood messages from the first and the second node, the overlay communication system is notified and stops all flooding. The route information is then provided to the first and the second nodes via the overlay communication system.