System for terminating multicast channel and data broadcast when at least two second endpoints do not transmit positive acknowledgement message to first endpoint

Abstract

A method and apparatus for optimizing transmission of data to a plurality of second endpoints in a system wherein a first endpoint is providing data to the plurality of second endpoints each connected by a point-to-point communication channels. This may be useful in teleconferencing applications with a plurality of participants (endpoints) or broadcast server applications. The first endpoint activates a multicast communication channel having a first multicast address and commences broadcast of the data over the multicast communication channel. The first endpoint transmits a request message to each of the plurality of second endpoints in order to query each of the second endpoints whether they can receive transmissions broadcast to the first multicast address. Certain of the plurality of second endpoints transmit an acknowledgment message if they can receive transmissions broadcast to the first multicast address, and the first endpoint receives the acknowledgment message. Then, for each acknowledgment message received from certain of the plurality of second endpoints, the first endpoint deactivates the point-to-point communication channel and the certain of the plurality of second endpoints.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a system wherein a first endpoint is providing data to a plurality of second endpoints each connected by a point-to-point communication channel with said first endpoint, an automatic method for optimizing the transmission of said data to said plurality of second endpoints comprising the following steps:
 a. said first endpoint activating a multicast communication channel having a first multicast address and commencing broadcast of said data over said multicast communication channel;   b. Said first endpoint transmitting a request message to each of said plurality of second endpoints in order to query each of said second endpoints whether they can receive transmissions broadcast to said first multicast address;   c. certain of said plurality of second endpoints transmitting an acknowledgment message and said first endpoint receiving said acknowledgment message;   d. for each said acknowledgment message received from said certain of said plurality of second endpoints which indicates that said certain of said plurality of second endpoints can receive transmissions broadcast to said first multicast address, deactivating said point-to-point communication channel with said first endpoint and said certain of said plurality of second endpoints; and   e. terminating said broadcast of said data and said multicast communication channel if at least two of said plurality of second endpoints do not transmit said acknowledgment messages containing a positive acknowledgment.   
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of receiving detach messages from certain of said plurality of second endpoints, and if at least two of said plurality of second endpoints are not receiving said data, then terminating said broadcast of said data and said multicast communication channel. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein said each acknowledgment message includes a response code. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein said response code indicates whether each said certain of said plurality of second endpoints can receive transmissions broadcast to said first multicast address. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein said data includes teleconference data. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  further comprising, prior to said step of said first endpoint activating said multicast communication channel having a first multicast address, determining whether more than one of said plurality of second endpoints is coupled to said first endpoint on a single communication medium, and if not, aborting said method. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  further comprising, prior to said first endpoint activating said multicast communication channel having said first multicast address, determining whether said single communication medium supports broadcasting to said first multicast address. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein said data includes teleconference data between said first endpoint and said plurality of second endpoints. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus in a first endpoint for transmitting data to a plurality of second endpoints receiving said data from said first endpoint on point-to-point communication channels comprising:
 a. a circuit for activating a multicast communication channel having a first multicast address and commencing broadcast of said data over said multicast communication channel;   b. a circuit for transmitting a request message to each of said plurality of second endpoints in order to query each of said second endpoints whether they can receive transmissions broadcast to said first multicast address;   c. a circuit for receiving acknowledgment messages, if any, from certain of said plurality of second endpoints;   d. a circuit for deactivating each said point-to-point communication channel with said certain of said plurality of second endpoints responsive to receiving each said acknowledgment message; and   e. a circuit for terminating said broadcast of said data and said multicast communication channel if at least two of said acknowledgment messages containing a positive acknowledgment are not received.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a circuit for receiving detach messages from others of said plurality of second endpoints, and if at least two of said plurality of second endpoints are not receiving said data, then terminating said broadcast of said data and said multicast communication channel. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said each acknowledgment message includes a response code. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said response code indicates whether each of said certain of said plurality of second endpoints can receive transmissions broadcast to said first multicast address. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said data includes teleconference data. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a detection circuit operative prior to said first endpoint activating said multicast communication channel having said first multicast address for determining whether more than one of said plurality of second endpoints is coupled to said first endpoint on a single communication medium, and if not, not activating said circuits b and c. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising, prior to activation of said detection circuit a circuit for determining whether said single communication medium supports broadcasting to said first multicast address. 
     
     
       16. A method for merging at least two teleconferences by an initiating member, wherein said initiating member is participating in at least one of said teleconferences, said method comprising:
 providing a membership of a first teleconference and a membership of a second teleconference, wherein said first teleconference has a first unique conference identifier, and said second teleconference has a second unique conference identifier;   transmitting at least a first message, wherein said first message comprises said first and second unique conference identifiers and a request to merge said first teleconference with said second teleconference;   responsive to said first message, at least one of said membership of said first or second teleconferences establishing at least one communications link; and   merging said membership of said first teleconference with said membership of said second teleconference based at least on said first or second unique conference identifier.   
     
     
       17. The method of claim 16, wherein said merging said membership of said first teleconference with said membership of said second teleconference based at least on said first or second unique conference identifier comprises merging based on both of said first and second unique conference identifiers. 
     
     
       18. The method of claim 16, wherein said membership of said first teleconference comprises a plurality of first members, and said membership of said second teleconference comprises a plurality of second members. 
     
     
       19. The method of claim 16, wherein said establishing said at least one communications link comprises establishing a point-to-point communications link between a member of said first teleconference and a member of said second teleconference. 
     
     
       20. The method of claim 16, additionally comprising the step of storing a merged membership, said merged membership based at least in part on said act of merging. 
     
     
       21. The method of claim 20, additionally comprising the step of assigning said merged membership to said first unique conference identifier. 
     
     
       22. The method of claim 16, additionally comprising no longer using at least one of said first and second unique conference identifiers after said merging is performed. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim 16, wherein after said merging is performed, said membership of said first teleconference and said membership of said second teleconference utilize said first identifier to identify the merged teleconference. 
     
     
       24. An apparatus for use in a first teleconference, said first teleconference comprising at least one member, said apparatus adapted to merge at least one member of a second teleconference with said first teleconference, said apparatus comprising:
 a first apparatus adapted to communicate within said first and second teleconferences;   a second apparatus adapted to store and modify a list of members of said first and second teleconferences; and   a computer readable apparatus comprising media adapted to contain a computer program having a plurality of instructions which, when executed:
 transmit a first message to one or more members of at least one of said first or second teleconferences, said first message comprising at least a first unique conference identifier and a second unique conference identifier; 
 responsive to receipt of said first message, cause said one or more members to join said second teleconference to said first teleconference by negotiating one or more communications links; and 
 create a merged teleconference comprised of at least a subset of the members of said first teleconference and said second teleconference. 
   
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said first message further comprises at least a portion of said list of members of said first and second teleconferences. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said negotiating said one or more communications links comprises establishing a point-to-point link between said one or more members of said first or second teleconference and a member of the other teleconference. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said apparatus is associated with a member of both said first and second teleconferences. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said apparatus is an endpoint device within at least one of said first and second teleconferences. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:
 at least one application process;   at least one conferencing process;   at least one transport process;   at least one network process; and   at least one system process.   
     
     
       30. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising at least one wireless network interface adapted to permit transmission of data to or from said apparatus without a wireline medium. 
     
     
       31. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said plurality of instructions additionally, when executed, store a merged membership based at least in part on said merged teleconference. 
     
     
       32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said plurality of instructions additionally, when executed, assign said merged membership to said first unique conference identifier. 
     
     
       33. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said at least one member of said second teleconference comprises an auxiliary source. 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said auxiliary source comprises an auxiliary media source. 
     
     
       35. The method of claim 24, wherein said first message additionally comprises a request to merge said first teleconference with said second teleconference. 
     
     
       36. A method for merging at least two teleconferences by an initiating member, comprising:
 receiving a first message from said initiating member, wherein said first message comprises a merge request, a first unique conference identifier corresponding to a first teleconference, and a second unique conference identifier corresponding to a second teleconference;   determining first and second lists of members, wherein said first list of members corresponds to said first unique conference identifier, and said second list of members corresponds to said second unique conference identifier;   for at least one member of said first or second list, transmitting a second message initiating communication with said at least one member;   receiving a third message, sent in response to said second message, from said at least one member of said first or second list, wherein said third message establishes a connection; and   merging said first and second teleconferences based at least in part on said third message.   
     
     
       37. The method of claim 36, further comprising participating in said first teleconference having said first unique conference identifier, said first teleconference also having merged said at least one member of said first or second list. 
     
     
       38. The method of claim 36, additionally comprising storing a merged membership, said merged membership based at least in part on said act of merging. 
     
     
       39. The method of claim 36, wherein at least one member of said second list comprises an auxiliary source. 
     
     
       40. The method of claim 39, wherein said auxiliary source comprises a media source adapted to provide one or more media services to at least one of said members of said first teleconference. 
     
     
       41. A method for merging at least two conferences by an initiating member, wherein said initiating member is participating in at least one of said conferences, said at least two conferences comprising a first conference and a second conference, said first conference having a first membership and a first unique conference identifier associated therewith, and said second conference having a second membership and a second unique conference identifier associated therewith, said method comprising:
 transmitting at least a first message, wherein said first message comprises said first and second unique conference identifiers and a request to merge said first conference with said second conference, said first message causing at least one of said first membership or said second membership to establish at least one communications link; and   allowing merging said first membership with said second membership based at least on said first or second unique conference identifier.   
     
     
       42. The method of claim 41, additionally comprising the step of storing a merged membership, said merged membership being based at least in part on said merging. 
     
     
       43. The method of claim 42, additionally comprising the step of assigning said merged membership to said first unique conference identifier. 
     
     
       44. The method of claim 43, additionally comprising no longer using at least one of said first and second unique conference identifiers after said merging is performed. 
     
     
       45. The method of claim 41, wherein after said merging is performed, said first and second membership utilize said first unique conference identifier to identify the merged conference. 
     
     
       46. An apparatus adapted to merge at least two conferences, said at least two conferences comprising a first conference and a second conference, said first conference having a first membership and a first conference identifier associated therewith, and said second conference having a second membership and a second conference identifier associated therewith, said apparatus comprising:
 a digital processor;   a storage medium in data communication with said processor, comprising at least one table, said at least one table comprising a plurality of unique conference identifiers and corresponding memberships; and   at least one computer program resident in said storage medium, said at least one program comprising a plurality of instructions which, when executed:
 transmit at least a first message, wherein said first message comprises a request to merge said first conference with said second conference, said first message being configured to cause at least one of said first membership or said second membership to establish at least one communications link; and 
 allow a merge of said first membership with said second membership based at least on said first or second conference identifier. 
   
     
     
       47. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:
 a network interface in communication with said processor; and   a network, said network comprising a plurality of other apparatus in data communication therewith, said other apparatus corresponding to individual ones of said first and second memberships.   
     
     
       48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said merge of said conferences is initiated by an initiating member participating in at least one of said conferences. 
     
     
       49. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said plurality of instructions additionally, when executed, store a merged membership to said table, said merged membership based at least in part on said merged conference. 
     
     
       50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said plurality of instructions additionally, when executed, assign said merged membership to said first conference identifier in said table. 
     
     
       51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said plurality of instructions additionally, when executed, remove said second conference identifier and said second membership from said table. 
     
     
       52. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein at least one member of said second conference comprises an auxiliary source. 
     
     
       53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said auxiliary source comprises a multimedia source. 
     
     
       54. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said apparatus is associated with a member of both said first and second conferences. 
     
     
       55. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said apparatus is an endpoint within at least one of said first and second conferences. 
     
     
       56. An apparatus adapted to merge at least two sessions, said at least two sessions comprising a first session and a second session, said first session having a first membership and a first identifier associated therewith, and said second session having a second membership and a second identifier associated therewith, said apparatus comprising:
 a digital processor;   a storage medium in data communication with said processor; and   at least one computer program resident in said storage medium, said at least one program comprising a plurality of instructions which, when executed:   transmit at least a first message, wherein said first message comprises said first and second unique conference identifiers and a request to merge said first session with said second session, said first message being configured to cause at least one of said first membership or said second membership to establish at least one point-to-point communications link; and   allow a merge of said first membership with said second membership based at least on said first or second identifier and said first message.   
     
     
       57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said first identifier comprises a first session identifier, and wherein said second identifier comprises a second session identifier. 
     
     
       58. A method for attaching an auxiliary media source having a first identifier to an ongoing first conference having a plurality of members and a second identifier, said method comprising:
 identifying at least one of the members of said first conference;   transmitting a first message, wherein said first message comprises a request to provide a media stream from said auxiliary media source to said at least one member;   responsive to said first message, said at least one member establishing at least one communications link with said auxiliary media source; and   associating said auxiliary media source with said first identifier.   
     
     
       59. The method of claim 58, wherein said attaching is initiated by an initiating member, wherein said initiating member is participating in said ongoing first conference. 
     
     
       60. The method of claim 59, wherein said first message additionally comprises said first and second identifiers. 
     
     
       61. The method of claim 59, wherein said initiating member comprises a moderator of said ongoing first conference. 
     
     
       62. The method of claim 61, wherein said media stream is controlled by said moderator. 
     
     
       63. The method of claim 58, wherein said at least one communications link comprises a point-to-point link.