(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY(PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`27 March 2003 (27.03.2003)
`
`
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 03/025726 Al
`
`GI)
`
`International Patent Classification’:
`1/28, 1/30, 1/32, 11/30, HO4N 7/173
`
`GO06F 1/26,
`
`(21)
`
`International Application Number:
`
`=PCT/US02/27014
`
`(22)
`
`International Filing Date: 23 August 2002 (23.08.2002)
`
`(US). VASILEVSKY, Alexander [US/US]; 5 Gooseneck
`Lane, Westford, MA 01886 (US). WATLINGTON,
`John [US/US]; 4 Pinewood Rd., Acton, Ma 01720 (US).
`LIVELY,David, F. [US/US]; 6 Cranberry Lane, Hudson,
`MA 01749 (US). KOKOVIDIS, Georgios [US/US]; 2
`Bemis Ave., Waltham, Ma 02453 (US).
`
`(25)
`
`Filing Language:
`
`(26)
`
`Publication Language:
`
`English
`
`(74)
`
`Agent: RADKE,Terrance, J.; Lucash Gesmer & Upde-
`grove LLP, 40 Broad Street, Boston, MA 02109 (US).
`
`English
`
`(81)
`
`Designated States (national): AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
`AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, CU,
`CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH,
`GM, HR, HU, ID,IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC,
`LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW,
`MX, MZ, NO, NZ, OM, PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG,
`SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ,
`VC, VN, YU, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`Designated States (regional): ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
`KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW),
`Eurasian patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
`European patent (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE,
`ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, SK,
`
`[Continued on next page]
`
`(30)
`
`Priority Data:
`60/323 ,618
`60/350,431
`60/372,490
`
`20 September 2001 (20.09.2001)
`19 January 2002 (19.01.2002)
`12 April 2002 (12.04.2002)
`
`US
`US
`US
`
`(71)
`
`Applicant (for all designated States except US): UCEN-
`TRIC HOLDINGS,INC. [US/US]; 2 Clock TowerPlace,
`Suite # 350, Maynard, MA 01754 (US).
`
`(84)
`
`(72)
`(75)
`
`Inventors; and
`Inventors/Applicants (for US only): SPARRELL,Carl-
`ton, J. [US/US]; 3A Wadden Ct., Marblehead, MA 01945
`
`(54) Title: CENTRALIZED RESOURCE MANAGER WITH PASSIVE SENSING SYSTEM
`
`SERVER IR REMOTE
`
`CONTROL DEVICE
`
`(57) Abstract: A centralized resource manager (300)for distributed networks managesresources available on the network, such as
`network bandwidth, CPUallocation, TV tuners (48), MPEG encoders (114), disk bandwidth, and input/output devices. The cen-
`tralized resource manager (300)also allocates the resources of network clients (46) and a network-associated media server (14), in
`responseto requests for media services via the distributed network. The centralized resource manager may include means for discov-
`ering when devices are added or removed from the network; a current, IR, or electromagnetic Field sensing system for determining
`whenvideo devices are turned offso that resources associated with any device not in use may be reallocated elsewhere; or a power
`switching system (307) for controlling the ON or OFF state of such devices so that resources associated with any device in the OFF
`state may be reallocated elsewhere.
`
`SONY- Ex.-1007
`Sony Corporation - Petitioner
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`WO 03/025726 Ad
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`__IMINIIITINAIUNTAAITTANUTTARA
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`TR), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ,
`GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Published:
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid-
`ance Notes on Codes andAbbreviations" appearing at the begin-
`ning ofeach regular issue ofthe PCT Gazette.
`
`—_with international search report
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`CENTRALIZED RESOURCE MANAGERWITH PASSIVE SENSING SYSTEM
`
`PRIORITY CLAIM
`The present patent application claims priority of the following co-pending,
`commonly owned patent applications:
`60/323,618 filed September 20, 2001 (Atty. Dkt. UCN-016);
`60/350,431 filed January 19, 2002 (Atty. Dkt. UCN-019); and
`60/372,490filed April 12, 2002 (Atty. Dkt. UCN-032).
`
`INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
`The presentapplication for United States Patent claims the benefit of and
`incorporates herein by reference the contents of the following commonly owned
`U.S. Patent Applications:
`09/365,726 filed August 3, 1999,entitled “Multi-Service In-Home Network
`
`With an Open Interface”;
`09/809,770 (Atty. Dkt. UCN-006) filed March 16, 2001, entitled “Home
`Area Network Including Arrangementfor Distributing Television Programming
`
`Over Local Cable”;
`60/193,813, filed March 31, 2000, entitled “Home Area Network”;
`60/313,209 (Atty. Dkt. UCN-011), filed August 17, 2001, entitled
`“Delivering Multimedia Over Home Area Networks”;
`|
`60/313,228,filed August 17, 2001, entitled “Web Services Provisioning
`
`Architecture”,
`60/327,627 (Atty. Dkt. UCN-012),filed October 5, 2001, entitled “Home
`
`Area Network Centralized Video Recorder”;
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`60/345,966 (Atty. Dkt. UCN-017), filed November 7, 2001, entitled “Digital
`
`Video Recording System Supporting Concurrent Playback Using Advanced
`
`Program Information”;
`
`10/017,675 (Atty. Dkt. UCN-018) filed December 15, 2001, entitled
`
`“Centralized Digital Video Recording and Playback System Accessible To Multiple
`
`Reproduction And Control Units Via A Home Area Network”;
`
`10/032,218 (Atty. Dkt. UCN-015) filed December 21, 2001, entitled
`“Digital Video Recording and Reproduction System And Method Suitable For Live-
`Pause Playback Utilizing Intelligent Buffer Memory Allocation”;
`
`10
`
`60/323,618 (Atty. Dkt. UCN-016) filed September 20, 2001, entitled
`
`“Home Network Platform, Architecture and System”;
`
`60/350,431 (Atty. Dkt. UCN-019) filed January 18, 2002, entitled ‘Home
`
`Area NetworkTraffic Management with a Networked Personal Video Recorder”;
`
`60/350,431 (Atty. Dkt. UCN-032) filed April 11, 2002, entitled “Centralized
`
`15
`
`Resource Manager.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to home networks having multiple
`
`digital content storage, access and/or display elements, and in particular, relates
`
`20
`
`to a centralized resource managerthat utilizes a passive sensing mechanism to
`
`control, allocate and otherwise manage distributed network resources in. such
`
`home networks.
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`25
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`30
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`The conceptoflinking multiple digital entertainment devices in a home
`
`networkinfrastructure has become widely accepted. It is now possible to
`
`interconnect a plurality of these devices -- including televisions and video
`recording devices, audio recording and playback devices, personal computers,
`and telephony devices -- in a network having sufficient bandwidth to distribute
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`media content(eg., movies, audio/stereo) and data throughout a home, as
`desired by the individual users, so that the resources of the devices may be
`
`shared. However, the sharing of these multiple devices in a home-based
`network presents new problemsin allocating and managing the resources of the
`
`various devicesin an efficient manner.
`
`Members of the Home Audio Video Interactive (HAVi) alliance have
`developed a protocol for dealing with distributed devices across a bus
`architecture (typically IEEE 1394 or FireWire), using concepts of resource
`
`managementand reservation. Under the HAVi protocol, certain devices will
`
`10
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`allow partial or total reservation of their resources. These devices include their
`
`own local resource manager component. A device wishing to reserve resources
`
`will communicate with the local resource manager associated with that device.
`
`If
`
`another device has reserved these resources, the device requesting these
`
`resources may negotiate with the resource holder by communicating messages
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`15
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`through the local resource managerof the device in question.
`
`However, the HAVi methodologyis limited in several ways. First, the
`
`device wishing to establish a complete media pipeline/session is responsible for
`
`establishing the reservations with each of the components. Thisis inefficient,
`
`and can possibly result in deadlock timing situations from competing reservation
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`20
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`requests. Second, only devices on the networkproviding local resource
`
`managers may be reserved.- There is no proxy device for reserving the resources
`
`of “dumb”devices(i.e., devices having no local resource manager associated
`
`therewith) on the network. Third, the distributed nature results in added
`complexity for each device that must support a local resource manager.
`UPnP and Jini are similar resource discovery and control tools. Both of
`these lack any robust resource managementtools. They are also implemented
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`25
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`in a mannersimilar to HAVi, in that all devices are responsible for supporting the
`
`protocol, and support distributed, not centralized, interaction.
`
`—
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`In addition, Tivo, ReplayTV, and others have developed personal video
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`30
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`recording (PVR) products, which allow a userto digitally store television
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`programs and other media content for later viewing. Each of these products
`supports the reservation of a tuner to support a scheduled recordingof television
`shows. However, neither supports distributed networks or distributed resource
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`management.
`Accordingly, there exists a need for devices and systems that support
`
`distributed networks and centralized managementof distributed network
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`resources.
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`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention overcomes the disadvantagesof prior art systems,
`by providing a centralized resource manager, rather than relying on a plurality of
`
`local resource managers. The invention requires only one device to act as a
`centralized resource manager, enables the centralized resource managerto
`assign network resources in the mostefficient manner, and provides proxy
`
`reservations where necessary for devices on the distributed network that do not
`
`include a local resource manager.
`
`The centralized resource managerof the invention can be linked with a -
`
`media server and each client device in the distributed network. The centralized
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`20
`
`resource manageridentifies, assigns, and reserves available network resources in
`
`response to user requests for processing media content so that the functionality
`
`of the distributed network is centralized, in a manner which mostefficiently uses
`
`the resources of the distributed network. Managed resources can include,
`amongothers, network bandwidth, CPUallocation, TV tuners, MPEG encoders
`
`25
`
`and decoders, disk bandwidth, applications, and input/output devices.
`
`In a home-networking environment, a centralized resource manager
`
`allocates network resources in the following manner.
`
`In one embodiment,
`
`requests are made to the centralized resource manager in response to requests
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`30
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`received from a user for viewing or recording television programming material,
`or from agent processes acting on behalf of the user, such as an agent process
`using user profile or history information to predict that a user that has watched,
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`for example, several James Bondtitles in the past would likely wish to record
`“Thunderball” and automatically schedule that recording on the user's behalf.
`Whena request is received from a user or agent process for viewing or recording
`television programming material, which may include viewing or recording
`television programming material available at a scheduled future time and
`channel, the centralized resource manager implements a reservation protocol
`(e.g., least-cost algorithm) to define a pipeline or session, using the available
`network resources embodied in the media server and client devices,to fulfill the
`user’s request. The centralized resource manageridentifies available network
`resources that match the requirements imposed by the user request using a
`
`scheduling algorithm to determine the availability of such network resources
`whenthe program will be viewed or recorded.
`
`Once an audio-video pipeline has been defined from the available network
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`resources, these network resources are assigned and reserved for the
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`15
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`appropriate time, and a reservation identifier is returned to the scheduling
`
`application. The reservation is stored in a reservation table for use by the
`centralized resource managerin connection with any future user requests. The
`reservation identifier may include identification of the specific resources
`assigned, which would allow the requesting application to communicate with,
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`20
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`configure, and control the assigned resources.
`
`In another aspect of the invention, the audio-video pipeline can be
`constructed using a least cost algorithm to minimize the use of network
`bandwidth.
`In a further aspect of the present invention, in response to the user
`
`scheduling an event, the centralized resource manager checksto seeif a disk
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`storage device in the network hassufficient disk space to record the media
`
`program.
`
`If the disk space is insufficient, the centralized resource manager
`
`searchesfor any files that may be deleted. The user may be alerted by
`
`displaying a message on thetelevision screen or alerted when there are
`
`insufficient network resources to process the user’s current request.
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`In another aspect of the invention, the centralized resource manager can
`include an interface to a service provider that allows the service provider to
`
`reserve resources in response to the service provider scheduling an event. Ina
`
`further aspect of the invention, the centralized resource manager communicates
`
`with a service provider Network Operation Center over a WAN interface when the
`
`service provider wishes to reserve resources for events such as pushing of
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`special content or software upgrades.
`
`The centralized resource manager canalso include sensing systems that
`
`are operable to determine when devices are added or removed from the
`
`network. These means mayinclude a current, infrared (IR), or electro-magnetic
`
`field (EMF) sensing systems for detecting when video devices are turned off so
`
`that the network resources associated with that video device may bereallocated.
`
`The IR sensing system is operative to detect and process signals from a typical
`
`IR remote control device, and thereby determine the on/off state of the
`
`corresponding video device, so that resources associated with that device can be
`
`automatically reallocated.
`
`The centralized resource managercan also include a power switching
`system that is operable to control the on/off state of devices attached to the
`
`network. . This system mayinclude the ability to plug devices into a switched
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`powersupply allowing the centralized resource manager to determine the
`
`powering on and off of the devices such that network resources associated with
`
`these devices may be automatically reallocated when the devices are determined
`
`to be in an OFFstate.Atypical IR or radio-frequency (RF) remote control device
`can be used to allow the user to command turning on andoff of any device
`equipped with a power switching system.
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`The present invention may be implemented in a single network that uses
`videoclients, audio clients, PC, and other devices. Various networking protocols
`and architectures can be used, including wireless LANs.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`These and other features and advantages of the present invention will
`
`become apparentto thoseskilled in the art from the description below, with
`reference to the following drawing figures, in which:
`FIG. 1 generally illustrates a home network having a centralized resource
`manager (CRM) in accordance with the present invention.
`
`FIG. 2 shows another example of a network using the CRM ofthe present
`
`invention.
`
`,
`
`FIG. 3 illustrates a basic audio-video pipeline configuration suitable for use
`
`with the present invention.
`FIG.4illustrates another audio-video pipeline configuration.
`FIG.5 illustrates yet another audio-video pipeline configuration, utilizing
`LAN resources.
`FIG.6 illustrates still another audio-video pipeline configuration, utilizing
`the resources of two clients.
`FIG. 7 showsa basic block diagram of a media server and a typical client
`as taught in the present invention.
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`15
`
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a CRM according to
`the present invention.
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`20
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`FIG.9illustrates another aspect of the present invention which includes a
`
`current sensing system to detect the ON or OFFstatus of a television set.
`
`FIG. 10 illustrates an example ofcircuitry used to implement the current
`
`sensing system of FIG. 9.
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`FIG. 11 shows an example using an IR sensing system to detect the ON or
`
`OFFstatus of a television set to automatically contro! resource allocation.
`
`FIG .12 showsfurther detail of the embodimentof FIG. 11.
`
`FIG. 13 is a flowchart of one methodfor prioritizing resource allocation
`using IR signals from the IR sensing system.
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`FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an alternative method for prioritizing resource
`allocation using IR signals from the IR sensing system.
`
`FIG.
`
`15 illustrates another aspect of the present invention in which an
`
`electro-magnetic field sensing system is used to detect the ON or OFFstatus of a
`
`television set.
`
`FIG. 16 showsfurther detail of the embodimentof FIG 15.
`
`FIG. 17 showsfurther detail of the embodiment of FIG 15.
`
`FIG. 18 illustrates another aspect of the present invention in which a
`
`power switch is used to control the ON or OFFstatus of a television set to
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`facilitate the automatic reallocation of resources.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Overview: The present invention is directed to a centralized resource
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`manager (CRM) that can be linked to a plurality of networked devicesin a
`
`distributed network. One such network could be a home network having digital
`
`entertainment, computing, and communication devices. Examples of network
`
`services include audio and video processing (e.g., recording audio and/or video
`
`content for storage or real-time use), distributing audio and/or video content for
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`real-time presentation to a user(e.g., listening to a stereo system or viewing and
`
`listening via a television set), and data and graphics processing (e.g., creation,
`
`modification, display, storage, or rendering of data or graphics by using a PC or
`
`other devices or applications).
`networksare set forth below.
`
`Illustrative descriptions of distributed home
`.
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`In accordance with known networkpractice, each of the devices or
`
`‘functional systems in the network can have resources that can be used by the
`
`functional system in conjunction with the services it provides.
`
`In the following
`
`discussion, network devices or functional systems are divided into two broad
`
`categories: client devices and atomic devices. A client device is any functional
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`system that includes a local resource manager that provides a mechanism for
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`control of resources useable by that client device. Such resources can belocal
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`resources, ie. integral to the client device, and/or remote resources, @.g.,
`resources non-integral to the client device but available thereto via a server. An
`
`atomic device is any functional system that does not include a local resource
`
`manager.
`
`In accordance withthe invention, while local resource managers exercise
`
`control over the set of resources useable by their respective client devices, the
`
`centralized resource manager controls not only these resources, but also the
`
`resources of atomic devices(i.e., proxy control) and the resources of the
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`distributed network as a whole. Any conflict in the exercise of contro! over
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`resources between the centralized resource manager and the respective local
`
`resource manager can beresolved in favor of the centralized resource manager.
`
`In response to a user or agent process requestto provide a service, e.g.,
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`a media processing service such as recording a movie distributed by an external
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`provider, the centralized resource manager exercises master control over the
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`network resources by identifying network resources that are available to fulfill
`
`the user (or agent process) request, assigning specific network resources from
`
`the available network resources to define a media pipeline or session thatfulfills
`
`the user request, and reserving the network resources defining the media
`
`pipeline to fulfill the user (or agent process) request. The reserved network
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`resources can be used immediately or scheduled for use at a future date. Once
`
`the reserved network resources have been usedto fulfill the user or agent
`
`process request, the centralized resource managerfrees these network
`resources, changing their status from “reserved”to “available”.
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`Exemplary Architectures: Referring to FIG. 1, a distributed network 10 is
`shown that embodies the present invention of a centralized resource manager
`12, which is contained within a media server 14. This centralized resource
`
`manager 12 is used in a distributed home network 10, and more specifically, in
`connection with home networked personal video recording and media
`
`distribution equipment. The centralized resource manager 12 also supports
`other client and atomic devices and services, such as PCs, telephones, network
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`attached storage, webpads, and PDAs,interlinked with the home-based
`
`distributed network 10.
`
`In FIG. 1, the distributed home network 10 includes a
`
`LAN 16, which interlinks televisions 18, 20, 22, personal computers 24, 26, audio
`recording and playback devices 28, 30 and a standard telephone 32. Utilizing a
`wireless local area network (WLAN)capability 34, the distributed home network
`
`10 is also shownto support links to a remote television 36, a webpad 38, a
`
`laptop computer 40 and a PDA 42.
`
`The centralized resource manager 12 of FIG. 1 is responsible for
`
`identifying, managing and reserving network resourcesfor client and/or atomic
`
`devices comprising the distributed home network 10. The centralized resource
`
`manager 12 can exercise master control of current network resources, and can
`expand the network resources by the addition of client and/or atomic devices to
`the distributed home network 10. Representative examples of network resources
`for the distributed home network 10 depicted in FIG. 1 include network
`bandwidth, CPUallocation, disk bandwidth, TV tuners, MPEG encoders and 1/O
`devices. Representative examplesof various client devices include set-top boxes
`(STBs) 44, 46, 48 for video clients and STBs 50, 52 for audio clients. Other
`devices can similarly be employed.
`Typically, the centralized resource manager 12is located in a gateway
`device that manages the LAN and WANlinksof the distributed home network 10,
`althoughoneskilled in the art will understand that the foregoing description does
`notlimit the present invention.
`In the embodiment shownin FIG. 1, the media
`server 14, which includes the centralized resource manager 12,is used for
`storing and serving audio, video and data content across the distributed home
`network 10.
`.
`Another example of a distributed home networkutilizing the centralized
`
`In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates a
`resource manager12 isillustrated in FIG. 2.
`home-based distributed network that includes three televisions 102, 104, 106.
`Onetelevision 102 is connected to a media server 108. The media server 108is
`capable of rendering graphics, decoding MPEG2, blending the contentfor display,
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`tuning in CATV channels (analog or digital) and MPEG2 encoding audio-video
`
`streams,i.e., the media server 108 functions as a client device. The media
`
`server 108 also includes a disk storage device 110 capable of storing and
`
`retrieving MPEG2files. A second TV 104 is connected to a video client device
`112 capable of rendering graphics, decoding MPEG2 video and blending the
`content for display. A third television 106 is connected to a client device 114
`
`capable of rendering graphics, decoding MPEG2 video, blending the content for
`display, tuning in one CATV channel 120 (analog or digital) and MPEG2 encoding
`of analog content.
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`The distributed network 116 comprises a typical 75-ohm coaxial cable
`
`used to deliver analog and digital cable channels through splitters to televisions,
`
`VCRs, etc. A LAN functionality is superimposed over the coax using frequency
`
`division multiplexing (e.g., using frequencies above or below the CATV channels
`
`for a general purpose data link).
`
`In this example, this network is Ethernet-over-
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`15
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`coax, but other solutions exist, such as IEEE 1394 over coax, or HPNA over coax.
`
`In some topologies,a filter 118 may be required to prevent the data network
`frequencies from reaching outside the home.
`
`Examples of Operation: A method of controlling audio-video network
`
`resources of a distributed network by meansof a centralized resource manager
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`will now be described. Consider an evening of family television viewing. Earlier
`
`in the day, Dad programmeda client device to record the hockey game (media
`content) at 8:00 PM on channel 150(the user request). Dad used a graphical
`user interface (GUI) to navigate to the Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
`application of the client device and selected the game to record. The centralized
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`resource manager includes a scheduling application that requests a reservation
`
`of an audio-video pipeline or session with the resource requirements shownin
`
`FIG. 3, i.e., as defined by the user request.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 3, which shows a DCATV Tuner 200 and a disk
`
`storage medium 110, the resource requirements can be described in the
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`following manner. Since the hockey gameis on a digital channel, the request is
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`made for a digital-capable tuner 200. Further requirements may be made on
`this tuner, such as it has an associated Conditional Access module enabling that
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`tuner to tune to the appropriate channel. The reservation also requires access to
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`the disk 110 to record the hockey game (such as by writing to a diskfile). This
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`requires two types of reservation: disk bandwidth and disk capacity.
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`The centralized resource manager 12 will search the resource database to
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`identify available network resources that match the resource requirements
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`imposed by the user request.
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`In the system described, there is one disk 110
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`(and more specifically one partition for video reported to the centralized resource
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`manager 12) and three tuners.
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`In this example, all three tuners have the same
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`capabilities, and are distinguished only by their location in the distributed
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`network. The centralized resource manager 12 implements a resource protocol,
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`e.g., a least-cost algorithm, for constructing the media session orpipeline,i.e.,
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`identify available network resources, assign available network resourcestofulfill
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`the request, and reserve the assigned network resources. Using one of the two
`tuners associated with the media server 108, the media pipeline can be
`constructed without using network bandwidth. By using the tunerin one of the
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`client devices 112, 114, in contrast, the centralized resource manager 12 would
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`need to reserve network bandwidth. There is no cost difference between the
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`twolocal tuners associated with the media server 108, so the lower number one
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`is chosen.
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`The centralized resource manager 12 checks the disk storage device 110
`for disk space both when the user schedules the recording and shortly before the
`recording event.
`If insufficient disk space is available when the user schedules
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`the event, the centralized resource manager 12 checksto see if the disk storage
`device 110 includes any “delete-able”files.
`If all the files on the disk storage
`device 110 are marked as “do not delete”, the user will be alerted that the user
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`request cannotbe fulfilled (scheduled) due to insufficient recording space on the
`disk storage device 110.
`If sufficient disk spaceis available (or there are
`deleteablefiles), disk space will be reserved at the time of the request by the
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`centralized resource manager 12. However, disk space will not be created (by
`deleting files) until the time the recording is scheduled to begin.
`The centralized resource manager 12 also reserves disk bandwidth for the
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`recording at the time the recording is scheduled. Upon successful reservation of
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`the required network resources, the reservation is stored in a network resource
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`reservation table for use in comparison against future user (or agent process)
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`requests. Reservation of network resourcesto fulfill any request,i.e., the media
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`pipeline or session, is communicated back to the scheduling application with a
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`reservation id for the specific event.
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`At 7:30, the children want to watch a show in the family room. This
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`television 106 is associated with the client device 114 with the MPEG2 encoder
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`206. The show they want to watch is on analog channel. They select this
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`program from the EPG and the scheduling application contacts the centralized
`resource manager12 to request network resources. FIG. 4 illustrates the
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`resulting situation.
`As shownin FIG. 4, the end of the pipeline or session is the video display
`of television 106. More specifically, the requested media pipeline needs to
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`terminate with the display on the family room set 106. The video
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`compression/decompression functionality supported by the distributed networkis
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`MPEG2. The media pipeline needs to decode MPEG2 by means of an MPEG2
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`decoder 208 prior to video display. Live-pause functionality is requested, so a
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`network resource requirement imposed by the user request includeselastic
`recording to the disk storage device 110. Prior to recording on the disk storage
`device 110, the video needs to be encoded with an MPEG2 encoder 206. The
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`channel requestedis available in the analog spectrum, so an analog tuner 204is
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`required.
`
`Note that with the exception of the video output display provided by the
`television set 106, the requested pipeline is not limited by the location in the
`distributed network where the network resources are located. The centralized
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`resource managerwill use resource protocols, e.g., least cost-of-bandwidth
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`algorithms, to determine which network resources are assigned to fulfill the user
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`request.
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`Bandwidth requirements for un-encoded video are high, so the MPEG2
`
`decoder 208 chosenis the decoderin the client device 114 (see FIG. 2) attached
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`locally to the family room television 106. Similarly, the MPEG2 encoder 206
`
`needs to be local to the analog tuner 204. There are two available tuners on the
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`system; one in the media server 108 next to theliving room television 102, and
`one in the family room in the client device 114. While the tuner in the family
`room is local to the set 106, the video content needs to be written to the disk
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`_
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`storage device 110 in the media server 108. The least-cost algorithm leads the
`centralized resource manager 12 to assign the tuner/encoderpair in the media
`
`server 108 to the media pipeline, thereby eliminating the requirement to write
`
`encoded data twice across the distributed network. This method preserves more
`
`network bandwidth for other uses such as data transfers between PCslinked to
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`the distributed network.
`
`It should be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that
`
`algorithms other than least-cost can be used to assign the network resources to
`
`fulfill a user (or agent process) request.
`
`Once the centralized resource manager 12 has successfully mapped the
`
`requested media pipeline to available network resources, the instantiated graph
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`is returned to the scheduling application, and the assigned resources are marked
`
`as reserved (indefinitely). The centralized resource manager 12 has assigned
`
`one other resource to the graph, as shownin FIG. 5. Referring now to FIG.5,it
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`will be understood that the LAN connection is required to connect the resources
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`of the media server 108 to the resources of the client device 114. The LAN 116
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`is a managed network resource, and for this pipeline bandwidth is reserved for
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`the video content.
`
`At 7:45, Mom wants to watch a program in the kitchen. The television
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`104 in the kitchen is connected to the decode-only video client device 112 (see
`
`FIG. 2). The centralized resource manager 12 asks for a second media pipeline
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`or session identical to that described in connection with FIG. 4.
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`In this case,
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`however, the only tuneravailable in the distributed networkis the tuner 204 in
`the client device 114 in the family room. The centralized resource manager 12
`completes the media pipeline or session as shownin FIG. 6.
`In this example,
`two network resources 116 need to be added to the media pipeline, and