FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and a method for user-controlled realtime
restreaming of multimedia content over network. In particular the invention provides a
restreaming mechanism for characterizing the restreaming performance capabilittes of
the system and method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the state of the art, there exists a method of streaming in realtime multimedia content
through multimedia server to different computing systems over a network. In such a
method, the multimedia server is programmed to stream the multimedia content to
defined target computing systems. The multimedia server acts as a relay server, through
which the multimedia content from the source computing 3ystem(s) to the target
computing system(s) is streamed.
Document US 6, 170, 030 discloses a method and apparatus for restreaming data queued
in a bus bridging device. A first queue stores the data received through a first bus. From
the first queue a first portion of the data is output onto a second bus and a second
portion of the data remains in the first queue.

In response to the transfer of another data value from the first bus to the second bus,
the second portion of the data in the first queue is invalidated before the second portion
of the data is output to the second bus.
No user-controlled operation of restreaming of multi-media content to other conected
systems is possible in this method. There is also no user level interaction for restreaming
of multimedia content over network.
Patent US 7, 231, 454 provides a system, an apparatus and a method for relaying
multimedia data. This document discloses relay processing executed for multimedia data
input from a server independently of any storage device. A plurality of processing units
execute the relay processing at each stage. A unit that has ended processing is caused
to execute the relay processing, thereby quickening the relay processing. Each
processing unit executes the processing in a working area on & memory without using
any storage device.

The multimedia data is stored in a server computer. A mobile telephone executes relay
processing of the multimedia data acquired from the server computer, with the help of a
music player. The multimedia data output from the mobile telephone which has
undergone the relay processing is written on a memory card. The mobile telephone
sequentially acquires multimedia data each having a size processible in a memory of the
mobile telephone from the server computer, and executes the elay processing only in
the memory of the mobile telephone for the acquired multimedia data on the basis of a
multimedia data request from the music player, and the mobile phone-
in this known system of restreaming multimedia content no user controlled operation is
possible. No restreaming mechanism is provided to the connected computing device(s).
The known system also does not support a dynamic selection of target computing system
from a catalogue of connected computer systems.
US Patent 7, 046, 269 provides for sharing of pre-recordec motion video over an
internetwork. With the help of a central server, a data call can be established between
two or more internetwork computers. When the data call is established, the two
computers can share prerecorded motion video by creating a streaming video server on

one user's computer for streaming the prerecorded motion video simultaneously to both
users as clients of the streaming server. While viewed by the users, they can pause,
rewind, or fast-forward the streamed video.
There is no disclosure of user-controlled operation of restreaming multimedia content to
other connected systems. There is no user level interaction for restreaming. Pre-
recorded stream is used, as there is no live streaming mechanism.
US 6, 901, 604 discloses a method and system for providing continuous data flow
between re-transmitters within a chaincast communication system. Primary broadcast
information, like encoded audio radio content, encoded audio / video television content,
etc., are communicated by a broadcast source to a first group of electronic devices. A
chaincast manager can then instruct the first group of electronic devices to forward or
retransmit the broadcast information to other electronic devices and the first group of
electronic devices can also be instructed to communicate to more devices. The packet
rates between electronic devices can also be monitored by the chain cast manager and
the communication can be rerouted in the event of the packet rates falling below a
predetermined value.

This document also does not address user-controlled operation of restreaming of
multimedia content to the connected systems. There is no user level interaction for
restreaming. Pre-recorded stream is used for restreaming as no live streaming
mechanism is provided.
Thus, there was a need for characterizing the restreaming performance of the prior art
system for providing the user with the freedom to share and re-stream real time
multimedia content or data to other connected users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide a system for user controlled real
time restreaming of multimedia content over a network thereby providing to the user the
freedom to share and re-stream real-time multimedia content or data to other connected
users.

To achieve this object, in the present invention a computing subsystem receives realtime
multimedia data stream from a source computing subsystem. On receiving the
multimedia stream, the computing subsystem through a user controlled operation of
selection from a catalogue of connected computing subsystems, further restreams the
same multimedia content to the selected computing subsystem. The system, which
retransmits, acts both as client subsystem and server subsystem.
Each of the computing device has a respective IP address within the network. This
invention also includes a mechanism for characterizing the restreaming performance
capabilities of the system. The restreaming mechanism restreams the multimedia
content to other computing subsystem, which is selected by the user from a plurality of
subsystems connected to it.
In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a svstem for user-controlled
selection for real time restreaming of multimedia content over network, wherein said
system comprises at least three computing subsystems: a first source computing
subsystem for streaming realtime multimedia content; a second client / server computing
subsystem for receiving said realtime multimedia content streamed from said source
computing subsystem; and a third target computing subsystem connected to a plurality

of other computing subsystems / devices; and wherein the system further comprises a
restreaming mechanism provided at said client / server computing subsystem for
restreaming said received streamed realtime multimedia content from said first source
computing subsystem to said target computing subsystem / device selected by a user at
said client / server computing subsystem.
The restreaming mechanism restreams multimedia data corresponding to a network
bandwidth information. It measures the bandwidth of a network to which the system is
connected from the information received on the size of the multimedia data, and the time
taken to receive it, and transmits the measured bandwidth information to the computing
system.
The system may also include a data storage unit for storing multimedia data desired; a
message receiving unit for receiving the network bandwidth information from the
restreaming mechanism; a processing unit for processing quality of service (QoS) and
selecting a QoS level available for service in response to the descriptor information and
the network bandwidth information, and for extracting multimedia data corresponding to

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the selected QoS level, from the data storage unit; a buffer for storing the multimedia
data; a packet generation unit for packetzing the data stored in the buffer; and a packet
restransmission unit for restransmiting the data.
The buffer for storing the multimedia data comprises: a packet storage buffer for storing
the packet; and a packet transmission buffer for re-transmitting the packet.
The multimedia data has any one form of audio data, moving picture data, still picture
data, text data, and graphic data.
The multimedia re-streaming system may further comprise a restreaming server with a
bandwidth measuring unit for measuring a bandwidth of restreaming path; a controlling
unit for determining a first bit rate in response to the bandwidth measured by the
bandwidth measuring unit during a first stage when restreaming begins, and for
controlling the first bit rate in response to a control signal received from a restreaming
computing system during a second stage when restreaming is in progress; a media
controlling unit for outputting data corresponding to the first bit rate from a scalable
encoded bit stream; a transmitting unit for receiving the outputted data and for re-
transmitting packetized data at the first bit rate; a restreaming client, with a receiving

unit for receiving the packetized data at a second bit rate, wherein a restreaming server
transmits the packetized data at the first bit rate; and a determining unit for determining
a state of the restreaming path by comparing the first bit rate with the second bit rate
and outputting the control signal corresponding to the comparison result for changing the
first bit rate based on the state of the restreaming path to the restreaming server.
Thus, the real-time multimedia content, which was originally streamed from source
computing subsystem, is re-streamed into the target computing subsystem through a
second client / server computing subsystem.
The restreaming mechanism of the present invention can be provided in a mobile device,
a display device with processor or any computing device.
In another preferred embodiment the present invention relates to a method for a user-
controlled realtime restreaming of multimedia content over network, wherein said method
comprises the steps of: capturing realtime multimedia content and streaming from a
source computing subsystem; receiving streamed realtime multimedia content from said

source computer subsystem, by a client / server computer subsystem; and selecting a
target computing subsystem / device and restreaming with the help of a restreaming
mechanism said received realtime multimedia content from said source computing
subsystem to said target computing subsystem / device by a user at said client server
computing subsystem.
In the multimedia restreaming method of the present invention the packetized data can
be received at a second bit rate, wherein a restreaming server transmits the packetized
data through a restreaming path at a first bit rate. A state of the restreaming path is
determined by comparing the first bit rate with the second bit rate. The first bit rate can
be changed, based on the state of the restreaming path to the restreaming server, by
outputting a control signal corresponding to the comparison result
In particular the present invention provides user controlled operation of realtime
restreaming of multimedia content to other connected computing subsystems. A
multimedia content received from a particular computing subsystem is selected and the
content is further restreamed to the other computing subsystem or to a plurality of
computing subsystems connected through network. The method shall be applicable to all
multimedia content a user receives from a subsystem in network.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The invention can now be described in detail with the help of the figures of the
accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 shows the three interconnected computing
subsystems of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows in block diagram form a user
connection model of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows the three subsystems of Figure 2 in more detail.
Figure 4 shows in flow diagram form the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in Figure 1 first in STEP I a computing subsystem A streams multimedia
content captured with the aid of a television tuner card, a web camera or a video audio
source.
In STEP 11 a computing subsystem B which is further connected to other computing
systems / devices selects a client target computing subsystem C for restreaming of
available streamed media. The client is selected from a connected client catalogue for
streaming the multimedia content to the selected client.
Finally in STEP III the computing subsystem C receives the multimedia content which
originally was streamed from subsystem A.
Socket connection for users in computing subsystems A, B and C are shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 2, computing subsystem A is represented by reference 21, which
includes a user A (reference 26) and includes a graphic user interface (GUI) sender
system (reference 22). The GUI sender system is further connected to the network
engine (reference 25) that establishes the socket level connection for audio video
multimedia transfer. The video-audio data flow is shown in Figure 2. The user B at
computing system receives the multimedia content via its network engine. The system B
displays the content using the GUI video / image renderer at system B. The user B
further has the option to select from a catalogue of connected users to capture the
multimedia content in a buffer and restream to any of its connected user.
In Figure 2, such a system is depicted by the computing subsystem C (reference 35).
Therefore, the user C captures the video / audio multimedia data and displays it to user C
using the computing subsystem's C GUI renderer.
As shown in Figure 3 user at computing subystem A is represented by reference 21 which
includes a user network interface 22 and a connection is established by call client 26
which performs the socket connect functions through network interface 25. Computer 21
runs a server application 24 for streaming a vide resource 23 such as a particular audio
or video media for example. In addition, computer 21 runs a client application to

establish connection. The user interface 22 may, for example, include an operating
system and input / output devices (e.g., monitor, mouse, and keyboard) by which a user
interacts with and for example, provides user commands to connect with the client
computer 30, server application 24, and client call application 26.
User 30 at computing subsystem B performs a relay function such that all packets
exchanged between computer 21 and computer 35 pass through computer 30. In other
words, after a desired user (called party) accepts the socket connection establishment
between computer 21 and computer 30. Computer 30 notifies the first user (calling
party) of the acceptance; both endpoints continue to address their sent packets to
computer 30. User 30 receives the vide streams from computer 21 which it further
restreams on user input i.e. after the selection of video data and user selection from a
catalogue of connected users. The server application 31 restreams the input stream to
computer 35.

WE CLAIM
1. A system for user-controlled selection for real time restreaming of multimedia
content over network, wherein said system comprises at least three computing
subsystems: a first source computing subsystem for streaming realtime multimedia
content; a second client / server computing subsystem for receiving said realtime
multimedia content streamed from said source computing subsystem; and a third
target computing subsystem connected to a plurality of other computing
subsystems / devices; and wherein the system further comprises a restreaming
mechanism provided at said client / server computing subsystem for restreaming
said received streamed realtime multimedia content from said first source
computing subsystem to said target computing subsystem / device selected by a
user at said client / server computing subsystem.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said restreaming mechanism is for
restreaming multimedia data corresponding to network bandwidth information,, for
measuring the bandwidth from the information received on the size of multimedia
data and the time taken to receive it, and for transmitting the mesured
bandwidth information to the computing system.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises:
a data storage unit for storing desired multimedia data;
a message receiving unit, for receiving the network bandwidth information
from the restreaming mechanism;
a processing unit for processing quality of service (QoS) and selecting a
QoS level available for service in response to the descriptor information
and the network bandwidth information, and for extracting multimedia data
corresponding to the selected QoS level, from the data storage unit;
a buffer for storing the multimedia data;
- a packet generation unit for packetizing the data stored in the buffer; and
- a packet retransmission unit for restransmitting the data.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said buffer for storing multimedia data
comprises a packet storage buffer for storing the packet; and a packet
transmission buffer for transmitting the packest.
5. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said multimedia data has any one form
of audio data, moving picture data, and graphic data.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system further comprises:
a restreaming server with a bandwidth measuring unit for measuring
bandwidth restreaming path;
a control unit for determining a first bit rate in response to the bandwidth
measured by the bandwidth measuring unit during a first stage when
restreaming begins, and for controlling the first bit rate in respond to a
control signal received from a restreaming computing system during a
second stage when restreaming is in process;

a media controlling unit for outputting data corresponding to the first bit
rate from a scalable encoded bit stream;
a transmitting unit for receiving the outputted data and for retransmitting
packetized data at the first bit rate;
a restreaming client with a receiving unit for receiving the packetized data
at a second bit rate, wherein a restreaming server transmits the packetized
data at the first bit rate; and
a determining unit for determining a state of the restreaming path by
comparing the first bit rate with the second bit rate and outputting the
control signal corresponding to the comparison result for changing the first
bit rate based on the state of the restreaming path to the restreaming
server.

7. A method for a method for a user-controlled realtime restreaming of multimedia
content over network, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
- capturing realtime multimedia content and streaming from a source
computing subsystem;
receiving streamed realtime multimedia content from said source computer
subsystem, by a client / server computer subsystem; and
selecting a target computing subsystem / device and restreaming with the
help of a restreaming mechanism said received realtime multimedia
content from said source computing subsystem to said target computing
subsystem / device by a user at said client / server computing subsystem.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the packetized data can be received at
a second bit rate while the packetized data is transmitted by a restreaming server
through a restreaming path at a first bit rate; the restreaming path is determined
by comparing the first bit rate with the second bit rate; and the first bit rate can
be changed, based on the state of the restreaming path to the restreaming server,
by outputting a control signal corresponding to the comparison result.

9. A mobile device, a display device with processor, or any computing device
comprising a restreaming mechanism as claimed in the system of claims 1 to 6.
10. A system for user-controlled selection for real time restreaming of multimedia
content over network, substantially as herein described and illustrated in the
figures of the accompanying drawings.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a system for user controlled real
time restreaming of multimedia content over a network thereby providing to the user the
freedom to share and re-stream real-time multimedia content or data to other connected
users. To achieve this object, in the present invention a computing subsystem receives realtime
multimedia data stream from a source computing subsystem. On receiving the multimedia stream, the computing subsystem through a user controlled operation of selection from a catalogue of connected computing subsystems, further restreams the same multimedia content to the selected computing subsystem. The system, which retransmits, acts both as client subsystem and server subsystem. Each of the computing device has a respective IP address within the network. This invention also includes a mechanism for characterizing the restreaming performance capabilities of the system. The restreaming mechanism restreams the multimedia
content to other computing subsystem, which is selected by the user from a plurality of
subsystems connected to it. In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a svstem for user-controlled selection for real time restreaming of multimedia content over network, wherein said system comprises at least three computing subsystems: a first source computing subsystem for streaming realtime multimedia content; a second client / server computing subsystem for receiving said realtime multimedia content streamed from said source
computing subsystem; and a third target computing subsystem connected to a plurality
of other computing subsystems / devices; and wherein the system further comprises a
restreaming mechanism provided at said client / server computing subsystem for restreaming said received streamed realtime multimedia content from said first source computing subsystem to said target computing subsystem / device selected by a user at said client / server computing subsystem. The restreaming mechanism restreams multimedia data corresponding to a network bandwidth information. It measures the bandwidth of a network to which the system is
connected from the information received on the size of the multimedia data, and the time
taken to receive it, and transmits the measured bandwidth information to the computing
system. The system may also include a data storage unit for storing multimedia data desired; a message receiving unit for receiving the network bandwidth information from the
restreaming mechanism; a processing unit for processing quality of service (QoS) and
selecting a QoS level available for service in response to the descriptor information and
the network bandwidth information, and for extracting multimedia data corresponding to
the selected QoS level, from the data storage unit; a buffer for storing the multimedia
data; a packet generation unit for packetzing the data stored in the buffer; and a packet
restransmission unit for restransmiting the data.
The buffer for storing the multimedia data comprises: a packet storage buffer for storing
the packet; and a packet transmission buffer for re-transmitting the packet. The multimedia data has any one form of audio data, moving picture data, still picture data, text data, and graphic data.