US5838686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System for dynamically allocating a scarce resource
Assignee: Technicolor USA Inc
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Filing: 1994-04-22
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Granted: 1998-11-17
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Expires: 2014-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A system for dynamically allocating a resource is disclosed which includes a plurality of resource users and a resource having a maximum utilization level sharable among the plurality of resource users. A plurality of need analyzers, associated with respective resource users, dynamically generate respective signals (COMPLEXITY), each representing the relative need for the resource by the associated resource user. A plurality of access controllers, associated with respective resource users, control access to the resource by the associated user in response to an allocation signal (CONTROL). A resource allocator dynamically generates allocation signals (CONTROL), representing allocated resource utilization levels for associated users, in response to the plurality of need representative signals (COMPLEXITY) from the need analyzers.
Inventors
- 👤 Mehmet Kemal Ozkan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:48
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/236; H04N21/2365; H04N21/23655; H04J; H04J3/00; H04J3/16; H04J3/1682; H04J3/1688; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/434; H04N21/4347
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A system for dynamically allocating a resource, comprising: a plurality of resource users (5); a resource (15,20) having a maximum utilization level sharable among the plurality of resource users (5); a plurality of need analyzers (10,16), associated with respective resource users (5), for dynamically generating respective signals (COMPLEXITY), each representing the relative need for the resource by the associated resource user (5); a plurality of access controllers (10,14), associated with respective resource users (5), for controlling access to the resource (15,20) by the associated user (5) in response to an allocation signal (CONTROL); and a resource allocator (30), for dynamically generating respective allocation signals (CONTROL) representing allocated resource utilization levels, in response to the plurality of need representative signals (COMPLEXITY) from the need analyzers (10,16); wherein said need representing signals represent the needs of picture signals from different sources, respectively.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A system for dynamically allocating a resource, comprising: a plurality of resource users (5); a resource (15,20) having a maximum utilization level sharable among the plurality of resource users (5); a plurality of need analyzers (10,16), associated with respective resource users (5), for dynamically generating respective signals (COMPLEXITY), each representing the relative need for the resource by the associated resource user (5); a plurality of access controllers (10,14), associated with respective resource users (5), for controlling access to the resource (15,20) by the associated user (5) in response to an allocation signal (CONTROL); and a resource allocator (30), for dynamically generating respective allocation signals (CONTROL) representing allocated resource utilization levels, in response to the plurality of need representative signals (COMPLEXITY) from the need analyzers (10,16); wherein said need representing signals represent the needs of picture signals from different sources, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The resource allocation system of claim 1, wherein the resource allocator (30) generates respective allocation signals (CONTROL) such that a user (5) having a relatively higher need will receive a relatively higher allocation than a user (5) having a relatively lower need.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The resource allocation system of claim 2, wherein the resource allocator (30) generates respective allocation signals (CONTROL) such that a user (5) is allocated a proportion of a maximum utilization level equal to the proportion of the need represented by the need representative signal (COMPLEXITY) associated with that user (5) to the combined need represented by all the need representative signals (COMPLEXITY).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
The resource allocation system of claim 2, wherein: each user (5) is assigned a respective predetermined minimum resource utilization level; and the resource allocator (30) generates respective allocation signals (CONTROL) such that a user (5) is allocated its assigned predetermined minimum resource utilization level, and further allocated a proportion of a remaining resource utilization level, the remaining resource utilization level being equal to the maximum resource utilization level less a previously allocated predetermined minimum resource utilization levels, a further allocated proportion being equal to the proportion of the need represented by the need representative signal (COMPLEXITY) associated with that user (5) to a combined need represented by all the need representative signals (COMPLEXITY).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
The resource allocation system of claim 2, wherein: each user (3) is assigned a respective predetermined weighting factor; and the resource allocator (30) generates respective allocation signals (CONTROL) such that a user (5) is allocated a proportion of the maximum resource utilization level equal to the proportion of the need represented by the need representative signal (COMPLEXITY) associated with this user (5) to the combined need represented by all the need representative signals (COMPLEXITY), weighted by the predetermined weighting factor assigned to the associated user (5).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
130 words
The resource allocation system of claim 2, wherein: each user (5) is assigned a respective predetermined minimum resource utilization level and a predetermined weighting factor; and the resource allocator (30) generates respective allocation signals (CONTROL) such that a user (5) is allocated its assigned predetermined minimum resource utilization level, and further allocated a proportion of a remaining resource utilization level, the remaining resource utilization level being equal to the maximum resource utilization level less a previously allocated predetermined minimum resource utilization levels, a further allocated proportion being equal to the proportion of the need represented by the need representative signal (COMPLEXITY) associated with this user (5) to a combined need represented by all the need representative signals (COMPLEXITY), weighted by the predetermined weighting factor assigned to the associated user (5).
Claim 8
Independent Claim
242 words
A system for dynamically allocating a resource, comprising: a plurality of resource users (5); a resource (15,20) having a maximum utilization level sharable among the plurality of resource users (5); a plurality of need analyzers (10,16), associated with respective resource users (5), for dynamically generating respective signals (COMPLEXITY), each representing the relative need for the resource by the associated resource user (5); a plurality of access controllers (10,14), associated with respective resource users (5), for controlling access to the resource (15,20) by the associated user (5) in response to an allocation signal (CONTROL); a resource allocator (30), for dynamically generating respective allocation signals (CONTROL) representing allocated resource utilization levels, in response to the plurality of need representative signals (COMPLEXITY) from the need analyzers (10,16); said resource allocator (30) generates respective allocation signals (CONTROL) such that a user (5) having a relatively higher need will receive a relatively higher allocation than a user (5) having a relatively lower need; each user (5) is assigned a respective predetermined resource utilization level allocation limit; and a resource allocator (30), after generating respective resource utilization allocation signals (CONTROL), compares the respective resource utilization level allocations to the respective predetermined resource utilization level allocation limits, and if a resource utilization level allocation exceeds an assigned predetermined resource utilization level allocation limit, generates an allocation signal (CONTROL) representing a predetermined resource utilization level allocation limit, instead of the previously generated resource utilization level allocation for the respective user.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
242 words
A system for dynamically allocating a resource, comprising: a plurality of resource users (5); a resource (15,20) having a maximum utilization level sharable among the plurality of resource users (5); a plurality of need analyzers (10,16), associated with respective resource users (5), for dynamically generating respective signals (COMPLEXITY), each representing the relative need for the resource by the associated resource user (5); a plurality of access controllers (10,14), associated with respective resource users (5), for controlling access to the resource (15,20) by the associated user (5) in response to an allocation signal (CONTROL); a resource allocator (30), for dynamically generating respective allocation signals (CONTROL) representing allocated resource utilization levels, in response to the plurality of need representative signals (COMPLEXITY) from the need analyzers (10,16); said resource allocator (30) generates respective allocation signals (CONTROL) such that a user (5) having a relatively higher need will receive a relatively higher allocation than a user (5) having a relatively lower need; each user (5) is assigned a respective predetermined resource utilization level allocation limit; and a resource allocator (30), after generating respective resource utilization allocation signals (CONTROL), compares the respective resource utilization level allocations to the respective predetermined resource utilization level allocation limits, and if a resource utilization level allocation exceeds an assigned predetermined resource utilization level allocation limit, generates an allocation signal (CONTROL) representing a predetermined resource utilization level allocation limit, instead of the previously generated resource utilization level allocation for the respective user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The resource allocation system of claim 7, where the predetermined resource utilization level allocation limit is a maximum resource utilization level allocation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The resource allocation system of claim 7, where the predetermined resource utilization level allocation limit is a minimum resource utilization level allocation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
121 words
The resource allocation system of claim 2, wherein: each user (5) is assigned a respective predetermined resource utilization level allocation increment limit; and the resource allocator (30), after generating respective allocation signals (CONTROL), compares the respective resource utilization level allocations to corresponding resource utilization level allocations represented by immediately preceding respective allocation signals (CONTROL) to determine respective resource utilization level allocation increments, and if a resource utilization level allocation increment exceeds an assigned predetermined resource utilization level allocation increment limit, generates a allocation signal (CONTROL) representing the resource utilization level allocation represented by immediately preceding respective allocation signal changed by the predetermined resource utilization level allocation increment limit, instead of the previously generated resource utilization level allocation for the respective user.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The resource allocation system of claim 10, wherein the predetermined resource utilization level allocation increment limit is a maximum increment of increase of resource utilization level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The resource allocation system of claim 10, wherein the predetermined resource utilization level allocation increment limit is a maximum increment of decrease of resource utilization level.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
155 words
A system for dynamically allocating a resource, comprising: a plurality of resource users (5); a resource (15,20) having a maximum utilization level sharable among the plurality of resource users (5); a plurality of need analyzers (10,16), associated with respective resource users (5), for dynamically generating respective signals (COMPLEXITY), each representing the relative need for the resource by the associated resource user (5); a plurality of access controllers (10,14), associated with respective resource users (5), for controlling access to the resource (15,20) by the associated user (5) in response to an allocation signal (CONTROL); and a resource allocator (30), for dynamically generating respective allocation signals (CONTROL) representing allocated resource utilization levels, in response to the plurality of need representative signals (COMPLEXITY) from the need analyzers (10,16); wherein said need representing signals represent the needs of picture signals from different sources, respectively; and each picture signal represents a picture frame in an MPEG group of pictures (GOP).
Claim 16
Independent Claim
155 words
A system for dynamically allocating a resource, comprising: a plurality of resource users (5); a resource (15,20) having a maximum utilization level sharable among the plurality of resource users (5); a plurality of need analyzers (10,16), associated with respective resource users (5), for dynamically generating respective signals (COMPLEXITY), each representing the relative need for the resource by the associated resource user (5); a plurality of access controllers (10,14), associated with respective resource users (5), for controlling access to the resource (15,20) by the associated user (5) in response to an allocation signal (CONTROL); and a resource allocator (30), for dynamically generating respective allocation signals (CONTROL) representing allocated resource utilization levels, in response to the plurality of need representative signals (COMPLEXITY) from the need analyzers (10,16); wherein said need representing signals represent the needs of picture signals from different sources, respectively; and each picture signal represents a picture frame in an MPEG group of pictures (GOP).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-16 | 2002-05-18 | 2002-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-16 | 2006-05-18 | 2006-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-16 | 2010-05-18 | 2010-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |