Multimedia Conference Node Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia conferencing systems face challenges in load balancing and resource optimization, particularly in handling real-time HD multimedia data traffic, which leads to inefficient bandwidth usage and fixed communication topologies that are not adaptable to changing demands.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically balance media data processing load and optimize bandwidth usage by reconfiguring nodes during an ongoing conference, transferring processing tasks between nodes based on predefined load and bandwidth thresholds, allowing for transparent changes in communication topology without affecting connected terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed communication topology is used in multimedia conferencing systems, then the system structure is simple and stable, but the system cannot adapt to changing bandwidth demands and leads to inefficient resource utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the communication topology to change dynamically during ongoing conferences. The system can reconfigure which nodes perform transcoding and media processing based on real-time bandwidth availability and processing capacity, allowing the topology to adapt from static to dynamic while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of nodes by switching between different processing modes (transcoding vs. forwarding) based on load conditions. Nodes can change their function assignment dynamically, transforming the system from fixed parameter configuration to flexible parameter adjustment according to real-time needs.
2Productivity
If all media processing is performed at a single node, then the processing function is centralized and simple to manage, but the node becomes a bottleneck and cannot handle high HD multimedia traffic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media processing function across multiple nodes instead of concentrating it at a single node. The system divides the processing load by assigning different nodes to handle different parts of the conference traffic, enabling parallel processing and eliminating the bottleneck effect of a single centralized node.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically assigns processing tasks to different nodes based on real-time load conditions. When a node approaches its processing capacity limit, the system can redirect additional traffic to other available nodes, creating a dynamic load distribution mechanism that maintains high productivity without fixed structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If nodes perform transcoding of mixed conference signals, then the system can handle diverse video streams and formats, but the processing load and CPU usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transcoding function across multiple nodes rather than requiring all nodes to perform complete transcoding operations. The system can distribute transcoding tasks to nodes with available processing capacity, reducing the CPU load on any single node while maintaining the ability to handle diverse video streams through the distributed transcoding capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Load balancing in a multimedia conference is disclosed, involving one or more internal terminals (Terminal 3) and one or more internal nodes (Node B) separated from one or more external terminals (Terminal 1, Terminal 2) and one or more external nodes (Node A) by a firewall. Media data from at least one of said terminals received at at least a first one of said nodes are forwarded through the firewall to at least a second one of the nodes, and received media data at the at least a second one of said nodes are processed by the second one of the nodes. At a first event, reconfiguration is performed of said first one of said nodes to process received media data and of said second one of said nodes to forward received media data to said first one of said nodes. At a second event, loading is done of at least a part of said received media data being processed at the first one or second one of said nodes to at least a third one of said nodes.