VoIP Call Manager Bandwidth Filtering and Priority Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VoIP systems lack administrative control over codec negotiation and bandwidth management, leading to inefficient use of network resources and potential call failures due to insufficient bandwidth allocation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for managing network bandwidth by allowing administrators to filter and prioritize media settings, enabling the negotiation of codecs and allocation of bandwidth across different pools, with the ability to borrow bandwidth from lower priority pools when higher priority pools are saturated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VoIP systems blindly pass through call settings offered by endpoints, then endpoint flexibility is maintained, but bandwidth management control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a call manager as an intermediary component between endpoints and the network. The call manager receives call settings from endpoints, filters and prioritizes them according to administrative policies, and then negotiates with network elements. This mediator structure preserves endpoint flexibility while restoring centralized bandwidth management control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the call settings parameters (codec, frame rate, resolution) by filtering and prioritizing them based on administrative policies. The call manager changes these parameters to ensure bandwidth requirements are met, transforming the blind passage of settings into an controlled parameter adjustment process.
2Reliability
If sufficient bandwidth is allocated for each call, then call reliability is improved, but network resource efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allocating maximum bandwidth to every call, the patent applies partial action by allocating only the minimum necessary bandwidth required for the negotiated codec and media settings. The filtering mechanism ensures sufficient bandwidth for reliability while avoiding excessive allocation that would waste network resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation parameters based on the negotiated codec settings and media types. By changing the bandwidth parameter to match the actual call requirements rather than using fixed high allocation, the system achieves both reliability and resource efficiency.
3Productivity
If multiple media types share the same bandwidth pool, then network resource utilization increases, but call quality consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bandwidth management process into priority-based layers. Different media types (voice, video, data conferencing) are assigned different priority levels, and the filtering mechanism ensures that higher priority media receive adequate bandwidth first. This segmentation allows efficient resource utilization while maintaining call quality consistency through priority-based allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces priority as a new parameter in bandwidth management. By changing the allocation approach to consider priority levels along with bandwidth requirements, the system can efficiently share resources while ensuring that critical media types maintain consistent call quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for using one or more via sites to manage network bandwidth, according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first call manager at a source site receiving an offer message to connect a call. The offer message includes an endpoint media settings list. The first call manager determines a first filtered media preferences list based on a source media settings list and the endpoint media settings list. The first call manager and transmits an invite message to a second call manager at a first via site. The invite message includes the first filtered media preferences list. The first call manager receives from the second call manager a call settings list that includes a description of the call settings negotiated between the source site, the first via site and a destination site.