Codec selection to improve media communication
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsShmuel Shaffer, Michael E. Knappe, Joseph F. Khouri, Robert T. Bell, Robert E. Gleichauf
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A communication system includes an endpoint that performs codec selection based on at least one network parameter. In a particular embodiment, a communication session exchanges voice information, and the codec selection improves the overall voice quality of the communication session.
Claims40
An apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of codecs for a communication session, comprising:
- a network interface operable to receive a plurality of assessment packets;
- a plurality of codecs;
- and
- a processor coupled to the network interface and the codecs, the processor operable to determine at least one network parameter based on the assessment packets, the processor further operable to select one of a plurality of codecs using the at least one network parameter, the processor further operable to request additional bandwidth if the selected codec requires more bandwidth, and the processor further operable to release excess bandwidth if the selected codec requires less bandwidth.
Logic encoded in media for selecting one of a plurality of codecs for a communication session, the logic operable to perform the following steps:
- receiving a plurality of assessment packets;
- determining at least one network parameter based on the assessment packets;
- selecting one of a plurality of codecs using the at least one network parameter;
- requesting additional bandwidth if the selected codec requires more bandwidth;
- releasing excess bandwidth if the selected codec requires less bandwidth;
- and
- communicating media using the selected codec.
An apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of codecs for a communication session, the apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving a plurality of assessment packets;
- means for determining at least one network parameter based on the assessment packets;
- means for selecting one of a plurality of codecs using the at least one network parameter;
- means for requesting additional bandwidth if the selected codec requires more bandwidth;
- means for releasing excess bandwidth if the selected codec requires less bandwidth;
- and
- means for communicating media using the selected codec.
A method for selecting one of a plurality of codecs for a communication session, the method comprising the following steps performed by an endpoint participating in the communication session:
- receiving a plurality of assessment packets;
- determining at least one network parameter based on the assessment packets;
- selecting one of a plurality of codecs using the at least one network parameter;
- requesting additional bandwidth if the selected codec requires more bandwidth;
- releasing excess bandwidth if the selected codec requires less bandwidth;
- and
- communicating media using the selected codec.
A method for selecting one of a plurality of codecs for a communication session, the method comprising the following steps performed by an endpoint participating in the communication session:
- receiving a plurality of assessment packets;
- determining at least one network parameter based on the assessment packets;
- selecting one of a plurality of codecs using the at least one network parameter, wherein the selected codec requires less bandwidth;
- retaining excess reserved bandwidth to facilitate a potential switch to a codec requesting more bandwidth than the selected code;
- and
- communicating media using the selected codec.
A method for selecting one of a plurality of codecs for a communication session, the method comprising the following steps performed by an endpoint participating in the communication session:
- receiving a plurality of assessment packets;
- determining at least one network parameter based on the assessment packets;
- selecting one of a plurality of codecs using the at least one network parameter, wherein the selected codec requires more bandwidth which is unavailable;
- storing the at least one network parameter as a first network parameter;
- receiving a plurality of second assessment packets using the selected codec;
- determining at least one second network parameter based on the assessment packets;
- comparing the first network parameter to the second network parameter to determine whether to switch to the selected codec;
- and
- communicating media using the selected codec.
A method for selecting one of a plurality of codecs for a communication session, the method comprising the following steps performed by an endpoint participating in the communication session:
- receiving a plurality of assessment packets;
- determining at least one network parameter based on the assessment packets;
- selecting one of a plurality of codecs using the at least one network parameter;
- reserving, at the initiation of the communication session, a sufficient bandwidth for the least bandwidth efficient codec supported by the endpoint;
- maintaining the reservation of the sufficient bandwidth when the selected codec requires less than the sufficient bandwidth;
- and
- communicating media using the selected codec.
A method for selecting one of a plurality of codecs for a communication session, the method comprising the following steps performed by an endpoint participating in the communication session:
- receiving a plurality of assessment packets;
- determining at least one network parameter based on the assessment packets;
- communicating a plurality of additional assessment packets to a remote endpoint;
- selecting one of a plurality of codecs using the at least one network parameter, wherein selecting one of the plurality of codecs comprises negotiating with the remote endpoint to select a codec;
- and
- communicating media using the selected codec.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.