Unified cache and peer-to-peer method and apparatus for streaming media in wireless mesh networks

1. A method, said method comprising:

collecting link characteristics and channel conditions in a wireless mesh network;

receiving a request to select a mesh cache server to meet quality of service requirements for streaming a number of clips;

determining said mesh cache server and a streaming path;

transmitting a message to originator of said request including said selected mesh cache server and any intermediate mesh routers if said determination is feasible;

establishing said streaming route responsive to said request responsive to said transmission;

streaming said requested number of clips responsive to said establishment;

rejecting said request if said determination is not feasible.

2. A method, said method comprising:

receiving a request to select a mesh cache server and to establish a streaming route;

determining if there is enough bandwidth to serve said request and quality of service requirements specified in said request can be met;

broadcasting an enhanced route request message to locate said mesh cache server responsive to said determination;

receiving at least one route reply message;

selecting said mesh cache server and said streaming route responsive to said reply message;

establishing said streaming route;

transmitting a route confirmation message to said selected mesh cache server along said streaming route;

transmitting a request granted message to originator of said request; and

transmitting a rejection responsive to said determination.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said route reply message includes route metrics.

4. A method, said method comprising:

receiving a route request message to establish a streaming route;

determining a cost of a reverse route and traffic load introduced by said requested streaming route;

discarding said route request message if one of wireless interference constraints for the requested streaming route cannot be satisfied and quality of service requirements for the requested streaming route cannot be satisfied;

pre-admitting said route request message if wireless interference constraints for the requested streaming route can be satisfied and if quality of service requirements for the requested streaming route can be satisfied;

adding a routing table entry responsive to said pre-admission;

admitting the requested streaming route, updating said routing table and transmitting a route reply message to an originator if requested content is cached;

updating said route request message and forwarding said updated route request message if said requested content is not cached;

receiving a route reply message; and

deleting said pre-admitted routing table entry if a time has expired.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein said first updating act updates said routing table entry to a reserved state.

6. The method according to claim 4 , further comprising:

determining said cost of said requested streaming route and a traffic load introduced by said requested streaming route;

discarding said route reply message if one of wireless interference constraints for the requested streaming route cannot be satisfied and quality of service requirements for the requested streaming route cannot be satisfied;

admitting said requested streaming route if wireless interference constraints for the requested streaming route can be satisfied and if quality of service requirements for the requested streaming route can be satisfied;

updating said routing table entry to reserved;

updating said route reply message and forwarding said updated route request message;

receiving a route confirmation message; and

deleting said reserved routing table entry if a time has expired.

7. The method according to claim 6 , further comprising:

updating said routing table;

updating said route confirmation message and forwarding said updated route confirmation message;

receiving a data packet of said requested content;

forwarding said data packet according to a corresponding entry in said routing table if a timer for said corresponding routing table entry has not expired;

resetting said timer for said corresponding routing table entry; and

updating said corresponding routing table entry if said time has expired.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein said fifth updating act updates said routing table entry to an invalid state.