Transcoding multimedia information within a network communication system

A method for transcoding audio information using a service module disposed within a network communication system, the method comprising:

• breaking a connection between a transmitter and a receiver to form a first channel between the transmitter and the service module and a second channel between the service module and the receiver;
• redirecting a digital audio stream communicated from the transmitter to the receiver to the service module via the first channel, the digital audio stream encoded at the transmitter at a first transmission rate;
• estimating an available transmission rate of the second channel;
• if the first transmission rate is greater than the available transmission rate, transcoding the digital audio stream at the service module to conform the digital audio stream to the available transmission rate;
• and
• transmitting the transcoded audio stream from the service module to the receiver over the second channel;
• wherein the step of transcoding comprises:
• requesting a plurality of versions of the digital audio stream from the transmitter, each version encoded at a different transmission rate;
• and
• multiplexing between the plurality of versions to form a sequence of frames that have an average transmission rate that approximates the estimated available transmission rate.

A method for transcoding multimedia information within a network communication system, the method comprising:

• intercepting digital multimedia information communicated between a transmitter and a receiver, the digital multimedia information encoded at the transmitter at a first transmission rate;
• estimating an available transmission rate of a receiver-side connection, wherein the estimating comprises measuring trip time of data packets communicated between the service module and receiver via the second channel;
• if the first transmission rate is greater than the available transmission rate, transcoding the digital multimedia information to conform the digital multimedia information to the available transmission rate;
• and
• transmitting the transcoded multimedia information to the receiver over the receiver-side connection at a transmission rate determined from the estimated available transmission rate.

A method for transcoding multimedia information within a network communication system, the method comprising:

• intercepting digital multimedia information communicated between a transmitter and a receiver, the digital multimedia information encoded at the transmitter at a first transmission rate;
• estimating an available transmission rate of a receiver-side connection;
• if the first transmission rate is greater than the available transmission rate, transcoding the digital multimedia information to conform the digital multimedia information to the available transmission rate;
• and
• transmitting the transcoded multimedia information to the receiver over the receiver-side connection at a transmission rate determined from the estimated available transmission rate;
• wherein the step of transcoding comprises:
• requesting a plurality of versions of the digital multimedia information from the transmitter, each version encoded at a different transmission rate;
• and
• multiplexing between the plurality of versions to form a sequence of frames that have an average transmission rate that approximates the estimated available transmission rate.

A system for transcoding multimedia information within a network communication system, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory unit, operably coupled to the processor, for storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to operate so as to:
• intercept digital multimedia information communicated between a transmitter and a receiver, the digital multimedia information encoded at the transmitter at a first transmission rate;
• estimate an available transmission rate of a receiver-side connection by measuring a trip time of data communicated between the service module and the receiver;
• if the first transmission rate is greater than the available transmission rate, transcode the digital multimedia information to conform the digital multimedia information to the available transmission rate;
• and
• transmit the transcoded audio stream to the receiver over the receiver-side connection at a transmission rate determined from the estimated available transmission rate.

A system for transcoding multimedia information within a network communication system, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory unit, operably coupled to the processor, for storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to operate so as to:
• intercept digital multimedia information communicated between a transmitter and a receiver, the digital multimedia information encoded at the transmitter at a first transmission rate;
• estimate an available transmission rate of a receiver-side connection;
• if the first transmission rate is greater than the available transmission rate, transcode the digital multimedia information to conform the digital multimedia information to the available transmission rate;
• and
• transmit the transcoded audio stream to the receiver over the receiver-side connection at a transmission rate determined from the estimated available transmission rate:
• wherein the instructions which cause the processor to operate so as to transcode cause the processor to operate so as to:
• request a plurality of versions of the digital multimedia information from the transmitter, each version encoded at a different transmission rate;
• and
• multiplex between the plurality of versions to form a sequence of frames that have an average transmission rate that approximates the estimated available transmission rate.