Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Minji Kim

Muriel Medard

Xiaomeng Shi

Ali ParandehGheibi

Daniel Lucani

Fang Zhao

Marie-Jose Montpetit

Marie-Joseph Montpetit

A coding approach for a robust and flexible network communication protocol is described. By using coding, it is possible to eliminate the need to track packet identities, and hence, it is possible to reduce coordination overhead associated with many conventional protocols. The method and system described herein takes advantage of multiple paths, interfaces, mediums, servers, and storage locations available in a network. The proposed protocol allows quick response to congestion by load balancing over different network resources. The method also enables soft vertical hand-overs across heterogeneous networks. In one embodiment, a media file is divided into chunks and transmitted using a transport protocol tailored to meet delay requirements of media streaming applications. Also described are different coding strategies for chunk delivery based upon an urgency level of each chunk.

Coding approach for a robust and flexible communication protocol

A method, apparatus and computer program product for utilizing network coding for multi-resolution multicast is presented. A network source partitions source content into a base layer and one or more refinement layers. The network source receives a respective one or more push-back messages from one or more network destination receivers, the push-back messages identifying the one or more refinement layers suited for each one of the one or more network destination receivers. The network source computes a network code involving the base layer and the one or more refinement layers for at least one of the one or more network destination receivers, and transmits the network code to the one or more network destination receivers in accordance with the push-back messages.

Network coding for multi-resolution multicast

A method, apparatus and computer program product for using advertisements as keys for streaming protected content is presented. Protected content is received at a user computer system, wherein the protected content is not viewable by the user. Appended content, such as an advertisement, is also received at the user computer system. The user views the appended content, wherein the viewing of the appended content results in the protected content being viewable by the user. The user then views the protected content.

Advertisements as keys for streaming protected content

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Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Minji Kim