Method and system for selecting a data compression technique for data transfer through a data network

Abstract

A method and system for selecting a data compression technique for data transfer through a data network is provided. During call setup, information is gathered from the network infrastructure by receiving feedback from smart network devices, reviewing calls logs, or by accessing a network topology database, and the information can then be used to select a desired compression technique. During a call, a media terminating end device or a call control server will monitor call connection performance specific to the data transfer pathway used for the call connection, and may adjust the data compression to conform with the performance that the connection is providing at any given moment. Performance parameters such as delay, jitter, and compression ratios can be measured in real-time for a call to determine if a change in compression is deemed beneficial. In this manner, the compression method can be chosen based on real time network performance.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . An apparatus comprising:
 a processor;   a memory on which is stored machine readable instructions that when executed cause the processor to:
 select a data compression technique for data transfer through a particular data transfer path in a network between a first Internet Protocol (IP) network phone and a second IP network phone based on a slowest identified transfer speed of a link within multiple intermediary links of the particular data transfer path. 
   
     
     
         50 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to:
 access a network database to retrieve information regarding a network topology of the network, wherein the information identifies a plurality of data transfer paths between the first IP network phone and the second IP network phone;   identify the particular data transfer path from the plurality of data transfer paths;   identify the multiple intermediary links in the particular data transfer path; and   identify a respective maximum transfer speed for each of the multiple intermediary links and the slowest transfer speed of the respective maximum transfer for each of the multiple intermediary links.   
     
     
         51 . The apparatus according to  claim 50 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to access the network database in response to receipt of a request from the first IP network phone to place a call to the second IP network phone. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus according to  claim 50 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to estimate a transfer speed within a particular intermediary link and to further select the data compression technique that is able to accommodate the estimated transfer speed within the particular intermediary link. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to determine a number of access networks used in the network between the first IP network phone and the second IP network phone and an access-network-type of each access network used in the network between the first IP network phone and the second IP network phone. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to send to at least one of the first IP network phone and the second IP network phone a message that indicates the selected data compression technique. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to determine a configuration of the network between the first IP network phone and the second IP network phone. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to determine a speed of data transfer through the particular data transfer path between the first IP network phone and the second IP network phone and to further select the data compression technique based on the speed of data transfer through the particular data transfer path. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to receive information regarding a time of day and to further select the data compression technique based on the speed of data transfer through the particular data transfer path. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to select the data compression technique from the group consisting of G.711, G.726, and G.729. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to access information regarding total available bandwidth in the network, an instantaneous available bandwidth in the network, or an administration control of bandwidth in the network and to further select the data compression technique based on the accessed information. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to, during the call between the first IP network phone and the second IP network phone, receive a reporting message from the first IP network phone that includes statistics relating to a quality of the call, determine a quality of data transfer between the first IP network phone and the second IP network phone, and adjust the data compression technique during the call without placing the call on hold. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to transmit a SIP INVITE message to cause adjustment of the data compression technique. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein the reporting message includes a reception report block with statistics regarding data packets received from a particular source indicated in the reception report block, and wherein the statistics within the reception report block include statistics selected from the group consisting of timestamps of when data packets were received, a number of received data packets, an inter-arrival jitter time, and a delay since sending of a last sender report. 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein the reporting message, including the statistics relating to the quality of the call, are arranged according to a real-time transport protocol control protocol. 
     
     
         64 . An apparatus to select a data compression technique for data transfer through a network, said apparatus comprising:
 a processor;   a memory on which is stored machine readable instructions that when executed cause the processor to:
 access a network database to receive a performance parameter that indicates a measured packet loss factor for data transferred between the apparatus and a second apparatus during previous calls placed between the apparatus and the second apparatus; and 
 select the data compression technique for data transfer through the network between the apparatus and the second apparatus based on the performance parameter. 
   
     
     
         65 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium on which is stored machine readable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to:
 select a data compression technique for data transfer through a particular data transfer path in a network between a first Internet Protocol (IP) network phone and a second IP network phone based on a slowest identified transfer speed of a link within multiple intermediary links of the particular data transfer path.   
     
     
         66 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to  claim 65 , wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to:
 access a network database to retrieve information regarding a network topology of the network, wherein the information identifies a plurality of data transfer paths between the first IP network phone and the second IP network phone;   identify the particular data transfer path from the plurality of data transfer paths;   identify the multiple intermediary links in the particular data transfer path; and   identify a respective maximum transfer speed for each of the multiple intermediary links and the slowest transfer speed of the respective maximum transfer for each of the multiple intermediary links.