Resource management method and apparatus for maximizing multimedia performance of open systems

{
  "publication_number": "US6279039B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Resource management method and apparatus for maximizing multimedia performance of open systems",
  "abstract": "A computer-implemented system performance model based resource management method and apparatus for dynamically guaranteeing delivery of specified constant bit rate multimedia data for a specified duration to each accepted multimedia client request, is disclosed. The method can be executed on any open system server or electronic device that selectively connects upstream multimedia information channels or storage subsystems over a data communication path to an arbitrary number of downstream NTSC ports or devices individually requiring data delivered at a specified bit rate for a specified duration. The method includes dynamically tracking the utilization and capacity of key resources of the server system as they are used by existing clients of the system, receiving and analyzing new requests for their impact if granted upon the performance of the server in servicing the existing clients, and granting the new request only if the analysis shows that such grant will guarantee that the server can simultaneously service the needs of both the new request and the existing clients. An open multimedia server system having an admission controller operating according to the described method is also disclosed.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A resource management method for an open multimedia system that selectively connects upstream ports over a data communication path to an arbitrary number of downstream ports individually requiring data delivered at a specified bit rate for a specified duration, the method being implemented by a server computer, comprising the steps of: (a) dynamically tracking utilization and capacity of key resources of the multimedia system on a real time basis for existing clients being serviced through said downstream ports; (b) receiving a new request for use of said key resources of said multimedia system from a client through one of said downstream ports; (c) dynamically analyzing the impact of granting said new request on the performance of said server computer in servicing said existing clients and on the new request, including the step of using a performance model of said multimedia system, wherein said model includes matrices of data stream paths through said multimedia system between said upstream ports and said downstream ports; and (d) granting said new request only if said analysis shows that said server computer can simultaneously service the needs of the new request and the existing clients.",
    "2. The method of claim 1, wherein the upstream ports terminate at multimedia information channels and storage subsystems.",
    "3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of tracking utilization and capacity of key resources is performed by maintaining a database for such purposes.",
    "4. The method of claim 3, further including the step of maintaining and updating said database to reflect changes in utilization and capacity of said key resources as said new requests are granted and as key resources needs for existing clients are terminated.",
    "5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of analyzing the impact of granting the new request includes the step of assessing the new request to determine said key resources needed to service the new request.",
    "6. The method of claim 5, wherein said assessing step includes: (a) identifying those of said key resources needed; (b) determining the duration of time said identified key resources will be needed; and (c) determining the bit rate requirements for said new request.",
    "7. The method of claim 1, wherein said performance model comprises an open queuing network based performance model of the multimedia system.",
    "8. The method of claim 1, wherein said performance model is used for predicting the maximum number of data streams the entire multimedia system can support and the response time for a typical client user command for the system.",
    "9. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyzing step includes determining whether granting of the new request will bottleneck any of said key resources currently being used by said existing clients.",
    "10. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyzing step includes determining the utilization needs for said key resources required to satisfy said new request, and evaluating whether addition of such determined new request utilization needs for said key resources to real time utilization of those key resources as a result of servicing said existing clients exceeds maximum capacity parameters for such key resources.",
    "11. An open multimedia system comprising: (a) a bus system for forming data communication paths between an upstream portion terminating at multimedia information channels or storage subsystems and a downstream portion terminating at downstream ports or devices of the type requiring data delivery at a specified bit rate for a specified duration; and (b) a server computer having a processor and memory, operatively connected with said bus system for controlling data flow through said data communication paths; said server computer receiving new requests for access to said bus system from clients connected to said downstream portion of said bus system and grants or denies said new requests for access in response to real time utilization and capacity of key resources of the multimedia system, wherein the server computer acts according to process steps that: (1) dynamically track utilization and capacity in real time of said key resources of the multimedia system; (2) receive said new requests; (3) dynamically analyzes the impact of granting said new request on capabilities of said key resources based on said real time utilization of said key resources by previously accepted requests in combination with said new request, including a step that uses a performance model of said multimedia system, wherein said model includes matrices of data stream paths through said bus system between said upstream portion and said downstream portion; (4) grants said new request only if capacities of said key resources will not be exceeded by simultaneous servicing of said new request and current servicing of previously accepted requests; and (5) wherein guaranteed quality of service is provided to any client connected to the downstream portion of said bus system whose request for access has been granted.",
    "12. A program storage device readable by a computer of an open multimedia system of the type that selectively connects upstream multimedia information channels or storage subsystems over a data communication path to an arbitrary number of downstream ports or devices individually requiring data delivered at a specified bit rate for a specified duration, the program storage device tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the multimedia server system computer to manage signal flow through the data communication path, the program comprising: (a) dynamically tracking utilization and capacity of key resources of the multimedia system on a real time basis for existing clients being serviced through said downstream ports; (b) receiving a new request for use of said key resources of said multimedia system from a client through one of said downstream ports; (c) dynamically analyzing the impact of granting said new request on the performance of said server computer in servicing said existing clients and on the new request, including the step of using a performance model of said multimedia system, wherein said model includes matrices of data stream paths through said multimedia system between said upstream ports and said downstream ports; and (d) granting said new request only if said analysis shows that said server computer can simultaneously service the needs of the new request and the existing clients.",
    "13. The program storage device as recited in claim 12, wherein the analyzing step of said program further includes: determining the utilization needs for said key resources required to satisfy said new request; and evaluating whether addition of such determined new request utilization needs for said key resources to real time utilization of those key resources as a result of servicing said existing clients, exceeds maximum capacity parameters for such key resources.",
    "14. The program storage device as recited in claim 12, wherein said performance model is used to predict the maximum number of data streams the entire multimedia system can support and the response time for a typical client user command for the multimedia system."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates generally to multimedia communication systems, and more particularly to a system performance model based resource management system for use with a multimedia server that dynamically guarantees delivery of service to accepted multimedia clients.\n\nMultimedia (MM) communication is a high fidelity, high productivity technological means for people to confer or to gather information wherever they are and whenever they are in need, using the media of their choice. It is a technological attempt to emulate the bandwidth, fidelity and effectiveness that are present in a face-to-face communication. The advent of high performance, low cost microprocessors, memory systems, redundant arrays of inexpensive disk storage technology and high bandwidth I/O buses, coupled with the demand for multimedia communication, is resulting in computers being an integral part of global communication systems. With the marriage of advanced technologies of computers and communication networks, people can get information they need in any form when and where they need it. These technologies facilitate activities such as watching a video of one's own choice on demand, or receiving interactive audiovisual instructions for repairing a broken machine from an expert located at a remote site.\n\nThe ability to provide a service to customers as agreed and meeting their expectations is vital for success in a competitive business such as communication and computers. In communication arena, ATM technology by design provides quality of service (QOS).",
  "cpc": [
    "H04L 67/61",
    "H04L 69/329"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "H04L 29/08"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "NCR Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Kabekode V. Bhat",
    "Amalesh C.R. Sanku"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1996-04-03",
  "publication_date": "2001-08-21",
  "grant_date": "2001-08-21",
  "priority_date": "1996-04-03",
  "application_number": "US-62719296-A",
  "family_id": "24513610",
  "cited_by_count": 130,
  "citations": [
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  ]
}