Patent · US Expired

Methods and systems for alleviating network congestion

US6842424B1 · kind B1 · utility

72Cited by
3References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 5, 2000
Grant dateJan 11, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 5, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L47/37
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and systems for detecting and predicting congestion patterns from network feedback are described. In the inventive embodiments, network feedback in the form of binary feedback messages is received. The network feedback can comprise any suitable feedback messages and, in the illustrated and described embodiments comprise packet loss events or ECN marks, to name just a few. The inventive embodiment uses the network feedback to predict when congestion is likely to occur in the future. Based on these predictions, the behavior of end users within the system can be modified so that congestion is reduced. Specifically, the data packets that are typically transmitted by the end users can be delayed until such a time when the predicted congestion is mitigated. Thus, the inventive systems and methods take a predictive, proactive approach to addressing network congestion issues, rather than a reactive approach.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.