Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for scheduling multicast transmissions in a wireless network by selecting one of a plurality of multicast groups of a cellular region that is permitted to transmit information during a current timeslot. A method includes receiving data rate request values from wireless user terminals of each of a plurality of multicast groups, assigning a data rate to each multicast group using the data rate request values of wireless user terminals belonging to the respective multicast groups, selecting one of the multicast groups using the assigned data rates, and transmitting information to the selected one of the multicast groups at the associated assigned data rate. In one embodiment, the multicast scheduling algorithm may be a multicast proportional fairness (MPF) scheduling algorithm which attempts to maximize utility value of data received by individual users.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of multicasting video streams. The method includes accessing, at a base station, a first packet from a video stream that includes a plurality of packets. Each packet in the video stream is assigned to either a base layer or at least one enhancement layer. The method also includes encoding the first packet using a coding scheme selected based on whether the first packet is assigned to the base layer or an enhancement layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to enhance existing caches in a network to better support streaming media storage and distribution. Helper machines are used inside the network to implement several methods which support streaming media including segmentation of streaming media objects into smaller units, cooperation of Helper machines, and novel placement and replacement policies for segments of media objects.

Abstract: The new zooming feature of the present invention applies to video service on mobile phones. The feature offers more interaction between the end user and the video server and it provides more interesting viewing. It has the potential to become a service differentiator for video services provided by wireless service providers. Because the bandwidth required for the streams does not change, the only complexity incurred is the control message processing and the only extra storage required is at the video server or the proxy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new approach to enhance existing TV service on mobile phones. In addition to the video streams for TV programs carried over multicast or broadcast channel, a unicast channel is setup for each user to provide content that is interactive and less bandwidth intensive than the video stream for the TV program. Such interactive content could include TV guide, bios for cast members and vote casting for popular TV shows such as “American Idol”. The invention includes a method of providing enhanced content information to a mobile device capable of receiving TV programming, the mobile device having a GUI included therein for displaying the enhanced content information and transmitting information from said mobile device related to the enhanced content. The method comprises the steps of providing a unicast channel to said mobile device and transmitting the enhanced content via said unicast channel, the enhanced content related to a TV program being viewed on said mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network support mechanism, called Sync-VPN, that is transparent to real-time, multi-user distributed applications, such as online multi-player games in which the order of player actions is critical to the outcome. The invention uses a client/server application model, where a server coordinates state updates based on action messages sent by clients. The invention builds on bandwidth-quaranteed VPN service to ensure predictable packet delay and loss characteristics, thereby providing predictable packet service, state update fairness, and player action fairness. A Sync-out mechanism synchronizes delivery of state updates to all players enabling them to react to the same update fairly. A Sync-in mechanism processes action messages from all players in a fair order based on real-time occurrence. Sync-VPN employs a round-trip time estimation algorithm essential to message latency estimation in the Sync-out and Sync-in mechanisms.

Abstract: A system and method for segmenting, distributing and replacing streaming multimedia clips in a network system including at least one origin server connected to a plurality of streaming caches via an interactive distribution network, such as the Internet. The at least one origin server stores a plurality of streaming multimedia clips in an associated memory and segments the clips into a plurality of data segment of exponentially increasing size; the origin server then distributes the plurality of data segments to the plurality of streaming caches where each streaming cache decides whether to store or discard each segment in accordance with a predefined probability. Another aspect of the invention involves replacing stored data segments at each of the plurality of streaming caches as needed. In one embodiment, a hotness rating is computed for each streaming multimedia clip stored in an SC. Clips are replaced as needed based on their hotness rating relative to other clips.

Abstract: A cache replacement system and method for changing the number of cached copies of segments of a media clip in response to rank change for the media clip is disclosed. Whenever rank change for a media clip is detected at an origin server, rank change information is distributed to proxy servers organized in a loosely coupled distributed cache. Each proxy server uses this information to recompute caching probabilities for segments of the media clip in order to determine which segments of the clip to store or discard, thereby forming a new cache layout for the clip at each proxy server. Segments are neither added nor deleted to build the new cache layout until client requests for segments of the clip are received at proxy servers. Upon receiving client requests, construction of the new cache layout occurs on a segment-by-segment basis by employing techniques of lazy caching and token exchange.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimally provisioning connectivity for network-based mobile virtual private network (VPN) services. The method and apparatus includes provisioning each of a plurality of IP service gateways (IPSGs) to support virtual private network (VPN) tunneling between customer premise equipment of a subset of VPN customers and at least one mobile access point (MAP). Each MAP is geographically remote from the plurality of IPSGs, and supports VPN tunneling to mobile nodes of the subset of VPN customers.

Abstract: A method and virtual private network (VPN) system for providing bandwidth guaranteed provisioning in network-based mobile VPN services. The method and system include identifying a set of VPN customers, at least one mobile access point (MAP) and at least one customer premise equipment (CPE) associated with each VPN customer, and at least one IP service gateway (IPSG) for facilitating VPN tunneling between a MAP and a CPE, wherein each MAP is geographically remote from each IPSG. A subset of IPSGs is selected to maximize total profit resulting from provisioning a subset of VPN customers on the selected IPSGs. Total profit from all the customers includes the sum of profits from each customer, where for each customer, the customer profit equals weighted revenue less cost, wherein the cost per customer includes a total tunnel bandwidth cost from the MAP to the CPE, and a cost of provisioning an IPSG node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing existing caching systems to better support streaming media over the Internet and other public network system are disclosed herein. By using helpers inside the network, which operate as caching and streaming agents, existing caching techniques are enhanced to better support streaming media over the Internet. The helpers serve to implement several methods specifically designed to support streaming media, including proxy caching, client request aggregation which describes the use of memory and disk resources at the helpers, and data transfer rate control to reduce start-up latency. The method and apparatus advantageously reduces server and network loads by employing the above methods to overcome arrival time and range heterogeneity in client requests thereby improving the quality perceived by end users.

Abstract: A method of providing at least one restoration path for a primary routing path in a network. The method includes receiving a customer connection request to route information. Costs are assigned for the primary routing path, and the primary routing path is computed based upon the primary routing path costs. A backtracking distance over the primary routing path is determined, and costs for at least one restoration path are assigned. The at least one restoration path may then be computed based upon the at least one restoration path costs.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the shortcoming of the prior art by providing a network support mechanism that is transparent to real-time multi-user distributed applications. In particular, the proposed invention is well suited for the type of online multi-player games in which a fair order of player actions is critical to the outcome. Without fairness support, remote players often receive much delayed data to act on, and their actions cannot compete in time with other players. The present invention proposes a network support mechanism, called Sync-VPN, for real time multi-user distributed applications such as multi-player online games. The approach assumes a client/server application model, where the server is responsible for coordinating state updates based on action messages sent by the clients. The approach addresses three desired features: predictable packet service, state update fairness, and player action fairness.

Abstract: A system and method for segmenting, distributing and replacing streaming multimedia in a network system including at least one origin server connected to a plurality of streaming caches via an interactive distribution network, such as the Internet. The at least one origin server stores a plurality of streaming multimedia clips in an associated memory and segments the clips into a plurality of data segment of exponentially increasing size; the origin server then distributes the plurality of data segments to the plurality of streaming caches where each streaming cache decides whether to store or discard each segment in accordance with a predefined probability. Another aspect of the invention involves replacing stored data segments at each of the plurality of streaming caches as needed. In one embodiment, a hotness rating is computed for each streaming multimedia clip stored in an SC. Clips are replaced as needed based on their hotness rating relative to other clips.

Abstract: A cache replacement system and method for changing the number of cached copies of segments of a media clip in response to a rank change for the media clip. Whenever a rank change for a media clip is detected at an origin server, the rank change information is distributed to a plurality of proxy servers which collectively make up a loosely coupled distributed cache. Upon receiving the rank change information at each proxy server, the caching probabilities for the segments of the media clip are re-computed using the rank change information to determine which segments of the clip to store or discard, thereby forming a new cache layout for the clip at each proxy server. Although each proxy server makes a local determination regarding which segments of the clip to store or discard, segments are neither added or deleted to actually build the new cache layout until such time as client requests for segments of the media clip are received at the proxy servers.