Video multicast using relay devices defined by a channel quality parameter hierarchy

1. For use in an infrastructure-based wireless network including a video server node and a plurality of receiver nodes, a computer-implemented method comprising:

a) determining a wireless channel condition between the video server node and each of the plurality of receiver nodes;

b) assigning each of the plurality of receiver nodes into one of a first group and a second group using the measured wireless channel conditions, wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average, a better determined wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group;

c) selecting at least some of the receiver nodes of the first group of nodes as relay nodes;

d) transmitting, wirelessly, with the video server node, video information from the video server node for reception by each of the receiver nodes assigned to the first group;

e) transmitting, by each of the selected relay nodes, at least a part of the video information for reception by at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group such that the relay nodes collectively transmit the at least a part of the video information to all of the receiver nodes, of the second group;

f) receiving, by receiver nodes assigned to the first group, the video information;

g) decoding, by receiver nodes assigned to the first group, the received video information;

h) rendering, by receiver nodes assigned to the first group, the decoded video information;

i) receiving, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, the at least a part of the video information;

j) decoding, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, at least the received at least a part of the video information to generate decoded information;

k) rendering, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, the decoded information;

l) receiving in addition to the at least a part of the video information, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, at least one of (A) copies of the at least a part of the video information from relay nodes not associated with the receiver node, and (B) the video information transmitted wirelessly by the source node; and

m) combining (1) the received at least a part of the video information and (2) the received at least one of (A) copies of the at least a part of the video information from relay nodes not associated with the receiver node and (B) the video information transmitted wirelessly by the source node, to generate combined video information, wherein the act of decoding, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, at least the received part of the video information decodes the combined video information to generate the decoded information.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the relay nodes are selected using at least some of the measured wireless channel conditions.

3. For use in an infrastructure-based wireless network including a video server node and a plurality of receiver nodes, a computer-implemented method comprising:

a) determining a wireless channel condition between the video server node and each of the plurality of receiver nodes;

b) assigning each of the plurality of receiver nodes into one of a first group and a second group using the measured wireless channel conditions, wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average, a better determined wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group;

c) selecting at least some of the receiver nodes of the first group of nodes as relay nodes;

d) transmitting, wirelessly (with the video server node, video information from the video server node for reception by each of the receiver nodes assigned to the first group; and

e) transmitting, by each of the selected relay nodes, at least a part of the video information for reception by at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group such that the relay nodes collectively transmit the at least a part of the video information to all of the receiver nodes of the second group,

wherein a number S of relay nodes are assigned, and

wherein the act of transmitting, by each of the selected relay nodes, at least a part of the video information for reception by at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group is performed with an omni-directional transmission by each of the S relay nodes in S respective time slots.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the video server node is one of (A) a wireless access point, or (B) a base station.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average over time, a better measured wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the video information transmitted wirelessly by the video server node is a function of a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the video server node and the receiver nodes assigned to the first group.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 wherein the at least a part of the video information transmitted, by each of the selected relay nodes, to at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group is a function of at least one of (A) a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the video server node and the receiver nodes assigned to the second group, and (B) a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the relay nodes and the receiver nodes assigned to the second group.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the relay nodes are selected using at least some of the measured wireless channel conditions.

9. For use in an infrastructure-based wireless network including a video server node and a plurality of receiver nodes, a computer-implemented method comprising:

a) determining a wireless channel condition between the video server node and each of the plurality of receiver nodes;

b) assigning each of the plurality of receiver nodes into one of a first group and a second group using the measured wireless channel conditions, wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average, a better determined wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group;

c) selecting at least some of the receiver nodes of the first group of nodes as relay nodes;

d) transmitting, wirelessly, with the video server node, video information from the video server node for reception by each of the receiver nodes assigned to the first group; and

e) transmitting, by each of the selected relay nodes, at least a part of the video information for reception by at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group such that the relay nodes collectively transmit the at least a part of the video information to all of the receiver nodes of the second group,

wherein the act of transmitting, by each of the selected relay nodes, at least a part of the video information for reception by at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group is performed with an T directional transmissions by each of the relay nodes.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 wherein the relay nodes are selected using at least some of the measured wireless channel conditions.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 wherein the video server node is one of (A) a wireless access point, or (B) a base station.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average over time, a better measured wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 wherein the video information transmitted wirelessly by the video server node is a function of a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the video server node and the receiver nodes assigned to the first group.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 wherein the at least a part of the video information transmitted, by each of the selected relay nodes, to at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group is a function of at least one of (A) a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the video server node and the receiver nodes assigned to the second group, and (B) a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the relay nodes and the receiver nodes assigned to the second group.

15. For use in an infrastructure-based wireless network including a video server node and a plurality of receiver nodes, a computer-implemented method comprising:

a) determining a wireless channel condition between the video server node and each of the plurality of receiver nodes;

b) assigning each of the plurality of receiver nodes into one of a first group and a second group using the measured wireless channel conditions, wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average, a better determined wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group;

c) selecting at least some of the receiver nodes of the first group of nodes as relay nodes;

d) transmitting, wirelessly, with the video server node, video information from the video server node for reception by each of the receiver nodes assigned to the first group; and

e) transmitting, by each of the selected relay nodes, at least a part of the video information for reception by at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group such that the relay nodes collectively transmit the at least part of the video information to all of the receiver nodes of the second group,

wherein the video information includes N layers of video data, wherein the at least a part of the video information includes M layers of the video data, and wherein M<N.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 further comprising:

f) receiving, by receiver nodes assigned to the first group, the video information;

g) decoding, by receiver nodes assigned to the first group, the received video information;

h) playing, by receiver nodes assigned to the first group, the decoded video information to render video of a first quality;

i) receiving, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, the at least a part of the video information;

j) decoding, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, the received at least a part of the video information; and

k) playing, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, the decoded at least a part of the video information to render video of a second quality, wherein the second quality is lower than the first quality.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 wherein the relay nodes are selected using at least some of the measured wireless channel conditions.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 wherein the video server node is one of (A) a wireless access point, or (B) a base station.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average over time, a better measured wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 wherein the video information transmitted wirelessly by the video server node is a function of a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the video server node and the receiver nodes assigned to the first group.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 20 wherein the at least a part of the video information transmitted, by each of the selected relay nodes, to at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group is a function of at least one of (A) a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the video server node and the receiver nodes assigned to the second group, and (B) a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the relay nodes and the receiver nodes assigned to the second group.

22. For use in an infrastructure-based wireless network including a video server node and a plurality of receiver node, apparatus comprising:

a) at least one processor;

b) at least one input device; and

c) at least one storage device storing program instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, performs a method including:

1) determining a wireless channel condition between the video server node and each of the plurality of receiver nodes;

2) assigning each of the plurality of receiver nodes into one of a first group and a second group using the measured wireless channel conditions, wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average, a better determined wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group,

3) selecting at least some of the receiver nodes of the first group of nodes as relay nodes,

4) transmitting, wirelessly, with the video server node, video information from the video server node for reception by each of the receiver nodes assigned to the first group,

5) transmitting, by each of the selected relay nodes, at least a part of the video information for reception by at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group such that the relay nodes collectively transmit the at least a part of the video information to all of the receiver nodes of the second group,

6) receiving, by receiver nodes assigned to the first group, the video information,

7) decoding, by receiver nodes assigned to the first group, the received video information,

8) rendering, by receiver nodes assigned to the first group, the decoded video information,

9) receiving, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, the at least a part of the video information,

10) decoding, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, at least the received at least a part of the video information to generate decoded information,

11) rendering, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, the decoded information,

12) receiving in addition to the at least a part of the video information, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, at least one of (A) copies of the at least a part of the video information from relay nodes not associated with the receiver node, and (B) the video information transmitted wirelessly by the source node, and

13) combining (1) the received at least a part of the video information and (2) the received at least one of (A) copies of the at least a part of the video information from relay nodes not associated with the receiver node and (B) the video information transmitted wirelessly by the source node, to generate combined video information, wherein the act of decoding, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, at least the received part of the video information decodes the combined video information to generate the decoded information.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the relay nodes are selected using at least some of the measured wireless channel conditions.

24. For use in an infrastructure-based wireless network including a video server node and a plurality of receiver node, apparatus comprising:

a) at least one processor;

b) at least one input device; and

c) at least one storage device storing program instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, performs a method including:

1) determining a wireless channel condition between the video server node and each of the plurality of receiver nodes,

2) assigning each of the plurality of receiver nodes into one of a first group and a second group using the measured wireless channel conditions, wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average, a better determined wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group,

3) selecting at least some of the receiver nodes of the first group of nodes as relay nodes,

4) transmitting, wirelessly, with the video server node, video information from the video server node for reception by each of the receiver nodes assigned to the first group, and

5) transmitting, by each of the selected relay nodes, at least a part of the video information for reception by at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group such that the relay nodes collectively transmit the at least a part of the video information to all of the receiver nodes of the second group,

wherein a number S of relay nodes are assigned, and

wherein the act of transmitting, by each of the selected relay nodes, at least a part of the video information for reception by at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group is performed with an omni-directional transmission by each of the S relay nodes in S respective time slots.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the relay nodes are selected using at least some of the measured wireless channel conditions.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the video server node is one of (A) a wireless access point or (B) a base station.

27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein receiver 2 nodes assigned to the first group have, on average over time, a better measured wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group.

28. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the video information transmitted wirelessly by the video server node is a function of a poorest measured wireless.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the at least a part of the video information transmitted, by each of the selected relay nodes, to at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group is a function of at least one of (A) a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the video server node and the receiver nodes assigned to the second group, and (B) a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the relay nodes and the receiver nodes assigned to the second group.

30. For use in an infrastructure-based wireless network including a video server node and a plurality of receiver node, apparatus comprising:

a) at least one processor;

b) at least one input device; and

c) at least one storage device storing program instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, performs a method including:

1) determining a wireless channel condition between the video server node and each of the plurality of receiver nodes,

2) assigning each of the plurality of receiver nodes into one of a first group and a second group using the measured wireless channel conditions, wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average, a better determined wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group,

3) selecting at least some of the receiver nodes of the first group of nodes as relay nodes,

4) transmitting, wirelessly, with the video server node, video information from the video server node for reception by each of the receiver nodes assigned to the first group, and

5) transmitting, by each of the selected relay nodes, at least a part of the video information for reception by at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group such that the relay nodes collectively transmit the at least a part of the video information to all of the receiver nodes of the second group,

wherein the act of transmitting, by each of the selected relay nodes, at least a part of the video information for reception by at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group is performed with an T directional transmissions by each of the relay nodes.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the relay nodes are selected using at least some of the measured wireless channel conditions.

32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the video server node is one of (A) a wireless access point, or (B) a base station.

33. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average over time, a better measured wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group.

34. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the video information transmitted wirelessly by the video server node is a function of a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the video server node and the receiver nodes assigned to the first group.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the at least a part of the video information transmitted, by each of the selected relay nodes, to at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group is a function of at least one of (A) a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the video server node and the receiver nodes assigned to the second group, and (B) a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the relay nodes and the receiver nodes assigned to the second group.

36. For use in an infrastructure-based wireless network including a video server node and a plurality of receiver node, apparatus comprising:

a) at least one processor;

b) at least one input device; and

c) at least one storage device storing program instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, performs a method including:

1) determining a wireless channel condition between the video server node and each of the plurality of receiver nodes,

2) assigning each of the plurality of receiver nodes into one of a first group and a second group using the measured wireless channel conditions, wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average, a better determined wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group,

3) selecting at least some of the receiver nodes of the first group of nodes as relay nodes,

4) transmitting, wirelessly, with the video server node, video information from the video server node for reception by each of the receiver nodes assigned to the first group, and

5) transmitting, by each of the selected relay nodes, at least a part of the video information for reception by at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group such that the relay nodes collectively transmit the at least a part of the video information to all of the receiver nodes of the second group,

wherein the video information includes N layers of video data, wherein the at least a part of the video information includes M layers of the video data, and wherein M<N.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising:

6) receiving, by receiver nodes assigned to the first group, the video information,

7) decoding, by receiver nodes assigned to the first group, the received video information,

8) playing, by receiver nodes assigned to the first group, the decoded video information to render video of a first quality,

9) receiving, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, the at least a part of the video information,

10) decoding, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, the received at least a part of the video information, and

11) playing, by receiver nodes assigned to the second group, the decoded at least a part of the video information to render video of a second quality, wherein the second quality is lower than the first quality.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the relay nodes are selected using at least some of the measured wireless channel conditions.

39. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the video server node is one of (A) a wireless access point, or (B) a base station.

40. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein receiver nodes assigned to the first group have, on average over time, a better measured wireless channel condition than that of receiver nodes assigned to the second group.

41. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the video information transmitted wirelessly by the video server node is a function of a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the video server node and the receiver nodes assigned to the first group.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the at least a part of the video information transmitted, by each of the selected relay nodes, to at least some of the receiver nodes of the second group is a function of at least one of (A) a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the video server node and the receiver nodes assigned to the second group, and (B) a poorest measured wireless channel condition between the relay nodes and the receiver nodes assigned to the second group.