Stream control system for use in a network

Abstract

Stream control methods and devices are provided for use in a network for transferring a video stream from a video server to a video client via a distribution chain of network resources. A streaming controller controls streaming settings at the client node. A bridge controls the video stream by obtaining a bandwidth requirement of the video stream, and network resource data including bandwidths available on network resources. The bridge determines a resource allocation including an allocated bandwidth, based on the network resource data and the bandwidth requirement so that the video stream complies with the network resource data. The allocated bandwidth enables the streaming controller to control, in accordance with the allocated bandwidth, the streaming settings for the client. A network controller receives network control data from the bridge to control, in accordance with the allocated bandwidth, the respective distribution chain associated to the respective video stream.

1 . Stream control system for use in a network, the network comprising
 network resources including nodes and links connecting the nodes, and   at least one network controller having a network controller interface for exchanging network control data, the network controller being arranged to control one or more network resources;   the network being arranged for transferring at least one video stream from a video server to a video client via a distribution chain of network resources,   the distribution chain comprising a server node coupled to the video server and a client node coupled to the video client;   wherein the stream control system comprises a bridge unit, a bridge controller and a streaming controller arranged to control streaming settings at the client node;   the bridge unit being coupled to the bridge controller and being arranged to exchange messages with the network controller and the streaming controller by   communicating with the network controller interface, and   communicating with the streaming controller;   the bridge controller being arranged to control the video stream by   obtaining, from the streaming controller, at least one streaming-control request, the request including a bandwidth requirement of the video stream;   obtaining, via the network controller interface, network resource data including bandwidths available on network resources,   determining, for the request, a resource allocation including an allocated bandwidth based on the network resource data and the streaming-control request, the allocated bandwidth being equal to, or lower than, the bandwidth requirement so that the video stream complies with the network resource data;   transferring, to the streaming controller, the allocated bandwidth so as to enable the streaming controller to control, in accordance with the allocated bandwidth, the streaming settings for the client; and   transferring, to the network controller, network control data to control, in accordance with the allocated bandwidth, the respective distribution chain associated to the respective video stream;   wherein the streaming controller is arranged   to exchange streaming control data with the bridge controller, the streaming control data including the streaming-control request and the allocated bandwidth; and   to control, in accordance with the allocated bandwidth, the streaming settings for the client.   providing, to the bridge controller, at least one streaming-control request, the request including a bandwidth requirement of the video stream;   receiving, from the streaming controller, the allocated bandwidth; and   controlling, in accordance with the allocated bandwidth, the streaming settings for the client.