Multipoint Conferencing Through Single-Port Multiplexing for Faster Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multipoint conferencing session protocols face issues such as slow connection establishment due to multiple rounds of back-and-forth communication, increased security risks from opening numerous ports, and dropped calls due to client device roaming, particularly when using Interactive Connectivity Establishment (ICE) protocols like Session Traversal Utilities for Network Address Translation (STUN) or Traversal Using Relays around Network Address Translation (TURN).
Innovation Solution
A conferencing computing device employs a transport manager with multiple transport providers and queues, using dispatch data structures to sort packets based on source IP addresses and endpoint identifiers, allowing concurrent multipoint conferencing sessions to be multiplexed through a single port, reducing the need for multiple port openings and enhancing connection reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If multiple ports are opened for concurrent multipoint conferencing sessions, then connection establishment speed improves, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple conferencing sessions into a single port by implementing a session manager that handles multiple sessions through one port. The session manager uses session identifiers and dispatch data structures to route packets for different sessions through the same port, eliminating the need for multiple separate ports while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The single port is designed to perform multiple functions by handling different conferencing sessions simultaneously. The transport provider and session manager enable the port to serve multiple sessions with different characteristics through packet sorting and queue management, making the port universal rather than dedicated to a single session.
2Reliability
If multiple ports are opened for concurrent multipoint conferencing sessions, then connection reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The session manager acts as an intermediary between multiple sessions and the single port. It manages session state, handles packet routing, and coordinates communication between sessions and the transport provider, thereby reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from managing multiple ports directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments sessions into distinct logical units with unique identifiers, allowing each session to be managed independently within the session manager. This segmentation enables reliable session handling while keeping the overall port management structure simple and organized through separate session contexts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ICE protocols are used for connection establishment, then adaptability to different network conditions improves, but connection establishment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The session manager performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing session state and preparing dispatch data structures before actual conferencing begins. This preliminary setup reduces the number of back-and-forth communication rounds needed during connection establishment, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining ICE protocol adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A conferencing computing device, including memory storing one or more dispatch data structures. The conferencing computing device may further include a processor configured to receive a plurality of input packets at a port from a plurality of sender computing devices. Based on input packet data and the one or more dispatch data structures, for each input packet, the processor may to add that input packet to a queue of a transport provider bound to the port. The processor may transmit the plurality of input packets to a plurality of application program instances and instantiate a respective plurality of concurrent multipoint conferencing sessions. The processor may transmit a plurality of output packets from the plurality of application program instances to a plurality of recipient computing devices. The plurality of output packets may be multiplexed through the port and each have a multiplexed local socket address of the port.