UCBot Application for Optimal Real-Time Media Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the best-quality real-time media path in Unified Communications applications are inadequate, as they prioritize the shortest data path over quality metrics like delay, jitter, and packet loss, leading to suboptimal media transmission quality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Unified Communication BOT (UCBot) application that evaluates and selects the optimal media communications route by performing test media sessions across multiple routes, determining media quality metrics such as delay, jitter, and Mean Opinion Score, and updating routing tables to prioritize routes that meet quality thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the shortest data path is used for routing, then routing efficiency is improved, but media quality (delay, jitter, packet loss) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing data-driven routing specifically for real-time media traffic, distinguishing it from general data traffic routing. The system evaluates media quality metrics (delay, jitter, packet loss) separately for each route and selects the optimal path based on media-specific criteria rather than using a single shortest-path route for all traffic types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes routing parameters dynamically based on traffic type. For real-time media, it uses quality metrics (delay, jitter, packet loss) as routing parameters instead of traditional shortest-path metrics. The routing decision is based on a composite quality score derived from multiple parameters measured during test media sessions.
2Device complexity
If quality metrics are measured at the source only, then measurement simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary routing devices (routers, firewalls, load balancers) that participate in measuring and reporting media quality metrics. These intermediaries capture quality data from test media sessions and provide feedback to the source device, enabling comprehensive end-to-end quality measurement without requiring complex instrumentation at every node.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where quality metrics measured during test media sessions are reported back to the source device. This feedback enables the source to learn about actual media quality on different routes and make informed routing decisions. The feedback mechanism aggregates quality data from multiple sources including intermediaries and destination devices.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining a best or optimal media path or route between communications devices. An exemplary method embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of (i) receiving, at a first communications device, data of a first data communications session, the first data communications session being a first media communications session, the data being media; (ii) selecting an optimal media communications route from a plurality of communications routes between the first communications device and a second communications device; and (iii) communicating the received media of the first media communications session from the first communications device to the second communications device via the selected optimal media communications route. In some embodiments, the optimal media communications route is determined by a UCBot application executing on the first communication device based on media quality metrics for each of the routes determined during test media sessions.