Virtual Media Server Selection for Communication Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing resources to provide low-latency, high-quality communication services across diverse geographic locations, leading to increased costs and resource inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that dynamically select and instantiate virtual media servers based on participant locations to minimize communication paths, using a service launch controller to launch and manage virtual machines within a server cloud, optimizing hardware resources and providing on-demand services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If virtual media servers are strategically located based on participant locations, then communication latency is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication latencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects and instantiates virtual media servers based on real-time participant locations rather than using static server assignments. The service launch controller continuously monitors participant positions and adapts server selection accordingly, transforming the system from static to dynamic operation to reduce communication latency while managing complexity through automated adaptation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A service launch controller is introduced as an intermediary component that manages the complexity of dynamic server selection. This controller acts as a mediator between participant location data and virtual media server instantiation, centralizing the decision-making logic and isolating the complexity from the core communication system while achieving reduced latency through intelligent routing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If virtual media servers are dynamically instantiated based on demand, then resource efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidapparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service launch controller serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors participant locations, determines optimal server selections, instantiates virtual media servers, and manages resource allocation. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional component, the system achieves high resource efficiency while containing complexity rather than distributing it across multiple specialized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service through automated server instantiation and management. The service launch controller automatically detects when communication sessions require virtual media servers and instantiates them without manual intervention. This automation improves resource efficiency by ensuring servers are available when needed while reducing operational complexity by eliminating manual configuration and management tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If communication paths are minimized by strategic server location, then communication quality improves, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of server location from static to dynamic based on participant positions. By adjusting the spatial parameter of where virtual media servers are instantiated according to real-time location data, the system optimizes communication paths to improve quality while avoiding the fixed infrastructure costs associated with pre-deploying servers at all possible locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If virtual media servers are used to reduce communication paths, then packet loss decreases, but hardware resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket lossVSAvoidhardware resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-instantiating virtual media servers in strategic locations before communication sessions begin. The service launch controller proactively positions virtual servers based on anticipated participant locations, allowing communication paths to be optimized from the outset and reducing packet loss without requiring excessive hardware resources to be available at all possible locations simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11637873B2Method and apparatus for managing communication resources

Publication Date: 2023.04.25 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that performs operations including receiving a request for a communication session, determining participants of the communication session, determining a location of each participant of the communication session, selecting a virtual media server from among a group of media servers according to a location that reduces a communication path among the participants for the communication session, instantiating the virtual media server at a start time of the communication session, grouping the participants of the communication session into end points, and relaying communication session data between the end points. Other embodiments are disclosed.