Optimal use of multiple concurrent internet protocol (IP) data streams for voice communications

摘要

Examples are disclosed for hosting a communication session between a hybrid mobile device and a second communication device in an Internet Protocol (IP) based packet data network. A communications server functions as a bridge service between the hybrid mobile device and the second communication device enabling the exchange of multiple concurrent IP packet data media streams over multiple different IP based networks between the hybrid mobile device and the communications server. An IP data stream over an 802.11 WiFi communication link is characterized as the primary IP data stream and when its quality falls below a first threshold level, the hybrid mobile device will encode a second IP data stream that is the same as the original IP data stream and send a variable percentage of the second IP data stream over a cellular based IP communication link. If the quality of the IP data stream over the 802.11 WiFi communication link improves, a lesser percentage of the second IP data stream is sent over a cellular based IP communication link.

主权项

1. A method of mediating a communication session between a hybrid mobile device and a second communication device in which a communications server functions as a bridge service between the hybrid mobile device and the second communication device for a voice communication session, wherein the communications server is currently sending and receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) packet data media stream over a communication link comprising an 802.11 wireless fidelity (WiFi) network access point connection with the hybrid mobile device and is capable of sending and receiving multiple concurrent IP packet data media streams over multiple different communication links with the hybrid mobile device, the method comprising:
monitoring the quality of service (QoS) for the voice communication session as determined by multiple communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection; determining whether the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network access point connection are sufficient to sustain a minimum QoS for the voice communication session; encoding the IP packet data media stream onto a second communication link concurrent with the IP packet data media stream on the WiFi network connection communication link; and while continuing to send and receive the IP packet data media stream on the WiFi network connection communication link, simultaneously sending and receiving the IP packet data media stream over the second communication link such that an increasing percentage of the IP packet data media stream is sent over the second communication link as the QoS of the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection degrades and a decreasing percentage of the IP packet data media stream is sent over the second communication link as the QoS of the communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection improves.