US5940391A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for reconfigurable and adaptive stream multicast
Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I LLC
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Filing: 1997-11-25
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Granted: 1999-08-17
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Expires: 2017-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A multimedia stream is multicasted. A request to perform the multicast is received. A plurality of distribution nodes are assigned to provide the multicast to a plurality of receivers. The assignment of a node is based on the transformation capabilities of that node. The multicast is then performed and the assigned node performs its transformation. The transformed multicast is distributed to a receiver which is suitable for receiving the transformed multicast.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Kenneth Malkin
- 👤 Marc Hubert Willebeek-LeMair
- 👤 Philip Shi-lung Yu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:48
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of multicasting a multimedia stream, comprising the steps of: receiving a request to perform a multicast; assigning a plurality of distribution nodes to provide said multicast to a plurality of receivers, an assignment of at least one of said nodes based upon transformation capability of said node; performing said multicast; performing a transformation of said multicast at said node; distributing said transformed multicast to at least one receiver which is suitable for receiving said transformed multicast.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of multicasting a multimedia stream, comprising the steps of: receiving a request to perform a multicast; assigning a plurality of distribution nodes to provide said multicast to a plurality of receivers, an assignment of at least one of said nodes based upon transformation capability of said node; performing said multicast; performing a transformation of said multicast at said node; distributing said transformed multicast to at least one receiver which is suitable for receiving said transformed multicast.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving from a multimedia stream source a request for said transformation to be performed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 1, wherein said multimedia stream includes multiple components, further comprising the step of providing each of said components to a respective type of receiver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 1, wherein said multimedia stream includes at least one of an audio stream and a video stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 3, wherein each of said components is distributed to each respective type of receiver through a respective multicast path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 1, further comprising the step of indicating by said at least one receiver its receiving capability.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 6, wherein said receiver is pointed to said node responsive to said receiver indicating its receiving capability.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 6, wherein said receiver indicates its receiving capability using PICS.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 6, wherein said node indicates its ability to perform said transformation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving from said receiver a request to join said multicast after a plurality of additional receivers have already begun to receive said multicast.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for multicasting a multimedia stream, comprising: a source node for requesting a multicast; a plurality of distribution nodes for distributing said multicast, at least one of said nodes capable of transforming said multicast; a plurality of receivers; and a control node for assigning said plurality of said distribution nodes to provide said multicast to said plurality of receivers based upon transformation capability of at least one of said nodes.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for multicasting a multimedia stream, comprising: a source node for requesting a multicast; a plurality of distribution nodes for distributing said multicast, at least one of said nodes capable of transforming said multicast; a plurality of receivers; and a control node for assigning said plurality of said distribution nodes to provide said multicast to said plurality of receivers based upon transformation capability of at least one of said nodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 11, further comprising a source node for providing said multimedia stream and for requesting said transformation to be performed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus for multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 11, wherein said multimedia stream includes multiple components and each of said components are receivable by a respective type of said plurality of receivers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 11, wherein said multimedia stream includes at least one of an audio stream and a video stream.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 13, wherein each of said components is distributed to each respective type of receiver through a respective multicast path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus for multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said receivers indicates its receiving capability.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 16, wherein said receiver is pointable to said node responsive to said receiver indicating its receiving capability.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus for multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 16, wherein said receiver indicates its receiving capability using PICS.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus for multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 16, wherein at least one of said nodes indicates its ability to perform said transformation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus for multicasting a multimedia stream according to claim 11, wherein said receiver is permitted to join said multicast after a plurality of additional receivers have already begun to receive said multicast.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-08-16 | 2003-02-15 | 2003-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-16 | 2007-02-15 | 2007-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-16 | 2011-02-15 | 2011-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |