Multicast Media Notification for VoIP Queued Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication systems face challenges when there are more communication session requests than available unicast media encoders, leading to delays and potential data loss during the transition from unicast to broadcast delivery in VoIP environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a call control device with multicast media encoders that provide notifications to queued endpoints when unicast media encoders are unavailable, using a single or multiple multicast media encoders configured for different encoding formats to manage communication session requests efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If unicast media encoders are used to serve communication session requests, then each endpoint receives dedicated media streams, but the system cannot accommodate more requests than available encoder resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple unicast media encoder functions into a single multicast media encoder. The multicast encoder generates a single media stream that is distributed to multiple endpoints simultaneously, replacing the need for multiple separate unicast encoders and thereby increasing system productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multicast media encoder is designed to serve multiple communication session requests simultaneously, making a single encoder resource universal rather than dedicated to one endpoint. This multi-functionality allows the system to accommodate more requests than the number of physical encoders.
2Productivity
If the system switches from unicast to multicast delivery, then more endpoints can be served with fewer encoders, but data loss may occur during the transition
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by preparing multicast media streams in advance and maintaining buffers of media data before transitions are needed. When switching from unicast to multicast delivery, pre-buffered data ensures continuous playback without gaps or data loss, maintaining reliability during the mode transition.
3Ease of operation
If multicast media notifications are provided to queued endpoints, then user experience is maintained during waiting periods, but additional encoding resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates simplified copies of media content specifically for notification purposes. Instead of full-quality unicast encoder output, the multicast encoder generates notification streams with appropriate quality levels for holding messages and status information, providing acceptable user experience during waiting periods without requiring full unicast encoder capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
Multicast media notifications are provided when unicast media encoders are unavailable to serve endpoints that send a communication session request to a call control device. When the call control device receives a communication session request from an endpoint, a determination is made as to whether any one of a plurality of unicast media encoders is available for the communication session request. When it is determined that none of the plurality of unicast media encoders is available, the endpoint is connected to a multicast media encoder that presents a multicast media notification to the endpoint.