Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 1 of 21 Page ID #:154
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 1 of 21 Page ID #:154
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`EXHIBIT D
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`EXHIBIT D
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`

`

`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 2 of 21 Page ID #:155
`gamma—00529 ”0°“mem 1'4 Flllllllllllll111111Illll’lllllllflalllllIllll|||||’l|lllilllfilll‘llllllll
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`US008270992B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 8,270,992 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Sep. 18, 2012
`Karaoguz et al.
`
`(54)
`
`AUTOMATIC QUALITY OF SERVICE BASED
`RESOURCE ALLOCATION
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, Irvine, CA (US);
`James D. Bennett, Hroznetin (CZ)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 13/184,799
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 18, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`(63)
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2011/0274078 A1
`
`NOV. 10,2011
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation of application No. 12/464,255, filed on
`May 12, 2009, now Pat. No. 7,983,689, which is a
`continuation of application No. 11/689,995, filed on
`Mar. 22, 2007, now Pat. No. 7,532,893, which is a
`continuation of application No. 10/875,891, filed on
`Jun. 24, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,221,946.
`
`Provisional application No. 60/504,876, filed on Sep.
`22, 2003.
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(2009.01)
`H04 W 72/00
`U.S. Cl.
`.................. 455/452.2; 455/452.1; 455/462;
`455/451
`
`Field of Classification Search ............... 455/452.1,
`455/452.2, 552.1, 553.1; 370/331, 332, 333
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`5,475,677 A
`6,445,921 B1
`6,931,249 B2
`7,221,946 B2
`7,532,893 B2
`7,756,082 B1*
`7,983,689 B2
`2001/0036830 A1
`2003/0017838 A1*
`2004/0165557 A1*
`2004/0165563 A1
`2005/0059400 A1
`2005/0064873 A1
`2007/0202856 A1
`2009/0219880 A1
`* cited by examiner
`
`12/1995 Arnold et a1.
`9/2002 Bell
`8/2005 Fors et a1.
`5/2007 Karaoguz et al.
`5/2009 Karaoguz et al.
`7/2010 Dhamdhere .................. 370/331
`7/2011 Karaoguz et al.
`11/2001 Wu et a1.
`1/2003 Kayama et a1.
`8/2004 Backes et a1.
`8/2004 Hsu et a1.
`3/2005 Jagadeesan et al.
`3/2005 Karaoguz et al.
`8/2007 Karaoguz et al.
`9/2009 Karaoguz et al.
`
`............... 455/525
`................. 370/332
`
`Primary Examiner 7 Kamran Afshar
`Assistant Examiner 7 Dung Lam
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm iBrinks Hofer Gilson &
`Lione
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system and method for providing quality-of—service based
`network resource allocation and utilization in a dynamic net-
`work environment. For example, a wireless communication
`network may comprise a first system and a second system.
`The first system may provide a current service to a user at a
`current quality level. The first system and second system may
`establish a wireless communication link. At least one of the
`first and second systems may determine whether utilizing one
`or more resources of the second system will provide the
`current service to the user at a higher level of quality than the
`current quality level. One or more resources of the second
`system may be allocated for providing the current service to
`a user at a higher quality level. The allocated resources may be
`utilized to provide the current service to the user at a higher
`quality level than the current quality level.
`
`20 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`320
`
`Establish communication
`link with 2'“ sys
`
`
`330
`
`Comm with 1:1 sys to determine
`whether utilizing resource(s)
`will impreve service quality
`V
`Receive allocation request
`from 1" system
`340 ”\1
`V
`350 l\, Allocate 2"“1 Eye: resource(s)
`for providing service
`
`360
`
`
` Utilize 2"“ sys resouree(s)
`
`for providing service
`
`370
`
`CONTINUE
`
`

`

`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 3 of 21 Page ID #:156
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 3 of 21 Page ID #:156
`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 18, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of5
`
`US 8,270,992 B2
`
`100
`
`110
`
`Start
`
`First system provide service
`
`to user
`
`
`Is a second system
`accessible?
`
`120
`
`130
`
`
`
`yes
`
`140
`
`Establish communication
`between 1St sys and 2nd sys
`
`150
`
`
`
`Determine whether utilizing 211d
`
`system resource(s) will produce
`
`higher quality service
`
`
`
`no
`
`CONTINUE
`
`160
`
`180
`
`190
`
`
`
`Will utilizing 2m
`sys resource(s)
`improve quality?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Allocate 211d sys resource(s)
`for providing service
`
`Utilize 2nd sys resource(s)
`for providing service
`
`1 95
`
`CONTINUE
`
`Figure l
`
`

`

`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 4 of 21 Page ID #:157
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 4 of 21 Page ID #:157
`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 18, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of5
`
`US 8,270,992 B2
`
`200
`
`210
`
`Start
`
`
` 230
`
`
`Is a second system
`accessible?
`
`yes
`
`240
`
`Establish communication
`link with 2“d sys
`
`250
`
`Determine whether utilizing 2nd
`system resource(s) will produce
`higher quality service
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` Will utilizing 2r"
`sys resource(s)
`
`
`improve quality?
`
`
`
`no
`
`
`yes
`
`
`
`Request allocation of 2‘“ sys
`resource(s) for providing
`
`service
`
`Utilize 2nd sys resource(s)
`.
`.
`.
`for prov1d1ng serv1ce
`
`260
`
`280
`
`290
`
`295
`
`CONTINUE
`
`Figure 2
`
`CONTINUE
`
`270
`
`

`

`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 5 of 21 Page ID #:158
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 5 of 21 Page ID #:158
`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 18, 2012
`
`Sheet 3 of5
`
`US 8,270,992 B2
`
`300
`
`\
`
`310
`
`Start
`
`320
`
`Establish communication
`,
`.
`nd
`link w1th 2
`
`sys
`
`330
`
`Comm with 1St sys to determine
`Whether utilizing resource(s)
`will improve service quality
`
`
`
`340
`
`Receive allocation request
`st
`from 1
`system
`
`350
`
`360
`
`
`
`Allocate 2nd sys resource(s)
`for providing service
`
`Utilize 2nd sys resource(s)
`
`for providing service
`
`370
`
`CONTINUE
`
`Figure 3
`
`

`

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`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 6 of 21 Page ID #:159
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`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 7 of 21 Page ID #:160
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 7 of 21 Page ID #:160
`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 18, 2012
`
`Sheet 5 of5
`
`US 8,270,992 B2
`
`
`520
`
`

`

`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 8 of 21 Page ID #:161
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 8 of 21 Page ID #:161
`
`US 8,270,992 B2
`
`1
`AUTOMATIC QUALITY OF SERVICE BASED
`RESOURCE ALLOCATION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATICNS/INCORPORATION BY
`REFERENCE
`
`This patent application is a CONTINUATION of US.
`patent application Ser. No. 12/464,255, filed May 12, 2009,
`now US. Pat. No. 7,983,689, whichis a CONTINUATION of
`US. patent application Ser. No. 11/689,995, filed Mar. 22,
`2007, now US. Pat. No. 7,532,893, which is a CONTINUA-
`TION of US. patent application Ser. No. 10/875,891, filed
`Jun. 24, 2004, now US. Pat. No. 7,221,946, which is related
`to and claims priority from provisional patent application Ser.
`No. 60/504,876, filed Sep. 22, 2003. The above-identified
`applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
`their entirety.
`
`FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
`DEVELOPMENT
`
`Not Applicable
`
`Not Applicable
`
`SEQUENCE LISTING
`
`MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
`
`Not Applicable
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`In a dynamic network environment, various processing 35
`resources may freely enter and leave a network. Such
`resources may have superior or inferior service providing
`capabilities to other resources already present in the dynamic
`network. For example, a system providing relatively low
`quality audio service may enter a dynamic wireless network
`that includes one or more systems capable of providing a
`relatively high quality audio service. Also, for example, a
`system entering a dynamic wireless network may have the
`capability to deliver relatively high quality video, email, or
`numerical processing capability to a user. Additionally, for
`example, a system with access to relatively low quality infor-
`mation may enter a dynamic wireless network having a sys-
`tem resource with access to relatively high quality informa-
`tion.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and
`traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in
`the art, through comparison of such systems with the present
`invention as set forth in the remainder of the present applica-
`tion with reference to the drawings.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Various aspects of the present invention provide a system
`and method for allocating and utilizing resources in a
`dynamic communication network. For example, a wireless
`communication network may comprise a first system and a
`second system. The first and second systems may,
`for
`example, be portable or stationary systems. The first system
`may provide a current service to a user at a current quality
`level. Such a current service may, for example, include any of
`a variety ofaudio, video, textual, graphical or communication
`services.
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`
`A wireless communication link may be established
`between the first and second systems. For example, the first
`and second systems may comprise respective communication
`modules to establish such a wireless communication link. The
`
`wireless communication link may be based on any of a num-
`ber of standard and proprietary wireless communication pro-
`tocols.
`
`The first and second systems may, for example, communi-
`cate capability information, and at least one of the first and
`second systems may determine whether utilizing one or more
`resources of the second system will provide the current ser-
`vice to the user at a higher level of quality than the current
`quality level. For example, the first and second systems may
`comprise respective quality control modules that utilize
`respective communication modules to communicate capabil-
`ity information. Such capability information may comprise,
`for example and without limitation, processing capability,
`communication capability, and information access capability
`information. One or both ofthe quality control modules may,
`for example, determine whether utilizing one or more
`resources of the second system will provide the current ser-
`vice to the user at a higher quality level.
`One or more resources of the second system may be allo-
`cated for providing the current service to a user at a higher
`quality level. Such an allocation may, for example, be in
`response to a determination (e.g., made by a quality control
`module) that utilization of the allocated resource(s) will pro-
`vide the current service to the user at a higher quality level.
`For example, at least one of the first and second systems may
`comprise a resource allocation module to perform such a
`resource allocation.
`
`The allocated resource(s) may be utilized to provide the
`current service to the user at a higher quality level than the
`current quality level. For example, the first and second sys-
`tems may comprise respective distributed processing mod-
`ules that manage such resource utilization. For example, the
`respective distributed processing modules may communicate
`information ofpre-processed and post-proces sed information
`between the first and second systems.
`These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of
`the present invention, as well as details of illustrative aspects
`thereof, will be more fully understood from the following
`description and drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF
`THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for quality of
`service based resource allocation and utilization in a dynamic
`wireless network environment, in accordance with various
`aspects of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method in a first
`system for quality of service based resource allocation and
`utilization in a dynamic wireless network environment, in
`accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method in a second
`system for quality of service based resource allocation and
`utilization in a dynamic wireless network environment, in
`accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a system that implements
`quality of service based resource allocation and utilization in
`a dynamic wireless network environment, in accordance with
`various aspects of the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an exemplary audio resource
`allocation scenario, in accordance with various aspects ofthe
`present invention.
`
`

`

`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 9 of 21 Page ID #:162
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 9 of 21 Page ID #:162
`
`3
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`4
`of a wireless communication network of which the second
`
`US 8,270,992 B2
`
`FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 100 for
`quality of service based resource allocation and utilization in
`a dynamic wireless network environment, in accordance with
`various aspects of the present invention. The method 100
`begins at step 110. Various events and conditions may cause
`the method 100 to begin. For example, a user may request that
`a first system provide a service to the user, or the first system
`may automatically decide to provide a service to a user. Gen-
`erally, the method 100 may be initiated for a variety of rea-
`sons. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present
`invention should not be limited by characteristics of particu-
`lar initiating events or conditions.
`The method, at step 120, may comprise the first system
`providing a service to the user. A “service” is generally a
`function performed by the first system for the ultimate benefit
`ofthe user. For example and without limitation, a service may
`comprise an audio output service, a video output service, a
`textual interface service, an audio interface service, a video
`interface service, a data processing service, an email service,
`etc. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present
`invention should not be limited by characteristics of a par-
`ticular provided service.
`FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary network scenario 500
`where the first system 510 comprises a personal digital assis-
`tant (“PDA”) 515 initially providing music to a user through
`a headset 520 communicatively coupled to the PDA 515
`through a communication link 525, which may be a tethered
`or non-tethered link. The user may,
`for example, have
`requested at step 110 that the first system 510 provide music
`to the user from a song play list, which represents a portion of
`a store of music information local to the PDA 515. It is to be
`
`stressed at this point that the following discussion will often
`refer to the exemplary scenario 500 shown in FIG. 5 as an
`exemplary illustration ofvarious aspects ofthe present inven-
`tion that are in fact of much broader scope than aspects of the
`exemplary scenario 500 may demonstrate. Accordingly, by
`no means is the scope of various aspects of the present inven-
`tion to be limited by characteristics ofthe exemplary scenario
`500 shown in FIG. 5.
`
`Referring back to FIG. 1, the method 100, at step 130,
`comprises determining whether a second system is accessible
`to the first system in the dynamic wireless communication
`network. Such a determination may be made, for example,
`utilizing various “hello,” “advertising” and “beacon” proto-
`cols that wireless systems may utilize to maintain their net-
`works. Systems of a dynamic network may utilize a variety of
`methods to detect the presence and availability of other sys-
`tems. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present
`invention should not be limited by characteristics of a par-
`ticular method, standard or protocol for detecting the pres-
`ence or availability of a system in a wireless communication
`network.
`
`If step 130 determines that there is not a second system
`accessible to the first system, then the flow of the method 100
`may return to step 120, where the first system may continue to
`deliver the current service to the user. Alternatively, if step
`130 determines that there is a second system accessible to the
`first system, then the flow of the method 100 may proceed to
`step 140. Note that step 130 may, for example, be initiated
`automatically (e.g., without real-time user interaction) or
`may be initiated by request (e.g., by a user requesting a higher
`quality service).
`For example and without limitation, refer to the exemplary
`scenario 500 of FIG. 5. The user and the first system 510 may,
`for example, be mobile and may move within the boundaries
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`system 550 is a member. The first 510 and/or second 550
`systems may, for example, periodically transmit an advertis-
`ing message. For example, in an exemplary scenario, the
`second system 550 may transmit a periodic advertising mes-
`sage. The first system 510 may move within range to hear the
`advertising message and respond to the second system 550.
`Referring back to FIG. 1, the method 100, at step 140, may
`comprise establishing a wireless communication link
`between the first system and the second system. Such a com-
`munication link may be based on any of a variety of wireless
`communication protocols and standards. For example, the
`first system and second system may establish a communica-
`tion link based on standards, such as IEEE 802.11, 802.15,
`UWB, Bluetooth, or other standard or proprietary protocols.
`Such a communication link may also, for example, include
`aspects of USB and Ethernet communication links. Accord-
`ingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention
`should not be limited by characteristics of a particular com-
`munication protocol, standard or method.
`Referring to the exemplary scenario 500 of FIG. 5, the first
`system 510 and second system 550 may, for example, estab-
`lish a wireless communication link 551 between the first
`
`system 510 and the second system 550 based on IEEE 802.1 1.
`Referring back to FIG. 1, the method 100, at step 150, may
`determine whether utilizing the second system (or various
`resources thereof) will increase the quality at which the cur-
`rent service is being provided to the user. The first system and
`second system may, for example, communicate a variety of
`information over the communication link established at step
`140 to make such a determination. Generally, the quality
`determination may involve any of a large variety of quality
`metrics (e.g., audio/video output quality, rate of response to
`user input, duration over which the service may be provided,
`number of information consumption options available to a
`user, variety of information that may be accessed, quality of
`information that may be accessed, rate at which such infor-
`mation may be accessed, etc.). Accordingly, the scope of
`various aspects of the present invention should not be limited
`by characteristics of one or more particular service quality
`metrics.
`
`The determination at step 150 may, for example, include
`determining an indication ofthe current quality level at which
`the first system is currently providing the current service to
`the user. Such a current quality level may, for example, be
`compared to the expected quality at which the current service
`may be provided to the user by utilizing various resources of
`the second system.
`In the exemplary scenario 500 illustrated in FIG. 5, the
`PDA 515 may be communicating audio information to the
`headset 520 over the communication link 525. The current
`
`service (e.g., the communication of audio information to the
`user) may, for example, utilize audio information obtained
`from 64 Kbps MP3 encoded information residing on the PDA
`515. For example, the user of the PDA 515 may have decided
`to store MP3 information in the PDA 515 memory in a highly
`compressed state, thereby trading audio quality for the ability
`to store more music. The first system 510 or the second
`system 550 may determine the current quality of the audio
`information being provided to the user.
`Referring back to FIG. 1, step 150 may comprise commu-
`nicating quality of service information between the first sys-
`tem and the second system. Such quality of service informa-
`tion may take any of a variety of forms. For example and
`without limitation, the quality of service information may
`include information ofthe quality ofthe current service being
`provided to the user by the first system or the potential quality
`
`

`

`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 10 of 21 Page ID #:163
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 10 of 21 Page ID #:163
`
`US 8,270,992 B2
`
`5
`at which the current service may be provided to the user by
`utilizing various resources of the second system.
`Step 150 may comprise communicating information
`between the first and second systems of whether the first or
`second system has processing capability, which if utilized,
`would result in the current service being provided to the user
`at a higher level of quality than the current quality level. For
`example and without limitation, the first and second systems
`may communicate information of data decoding and process-
`ing capability. Such processing capability may be,
`for
`example, related to available hardware or software resources.
`The first and second systems may, for example, communicate
`information ofvarious computer applications that the first and
`second systems may execute. Such computer applications
`may, for example, comprise audio processing applications,
`video processing applications, text processing applications,
`numerical processing applications, etc.
`Referring to FIG. 5, as an example, the PDA 515 and the
`desktop computing station 555 may communicate informa-
`tion of audio decoding capability. For example, the desktop
`computing system 555 may communicate information to the
`PDA 515 indicating that the desktop computing system 555
`has the processing capability to decode and provide audio
`information to the PDA 515.
`
`Referring back to FIG. 1, step 150 may, for example, com-
`prise the first and second systems communicating informa-
`tion of communication capability. The first and/or second
`system may utilize such information to determine whether
`utilizing various resources of the second system will result in
`the current service being provided to the user at a higher
`quality level than the current quality level. For example, pro-
`viding the current service to the user at a higher quality level
`than the current quality level may require a communication
`channel between the first and second system to have a mini-
`mum communication bandwidth. Also, for example, provid-
`ing the current service to the user at a higher quality level than
`the current quality level may require a communication chan-
`nel
`to have a particular level of reliability. Further, for
`example, providing the current service to the user at a higher
`quality level than the current quality level may require com-
`munication utilizing a particular set of communication pro-
`tocols.
`
`Referring to the exemplary scenario 500 illustrated in FIG.
`5, the PDA 515 and desktop computing system 555 may
`communicate information of communication capability. For
`example, the desktop computing system 555 and the PDA 515
`may communicate information of the type of communication
`links that may be established between the desktop computing
`system 555 of the second system 550 and the PDA 515 of the
`first system 510. Such communication capability information
`may, for example, comprise information ofaudio information
`streaming capability.
`Referring back to FIG. 1, the communication capability
`information may also, for example, comprise information of
`secure communication capability. For example, in an exem-
`plary scenario, the user or one of the first and second systems
`may require that communication between the systems, or
`from one of the systems to a user interface device, be con-
`ducted securely (e. g., utilizing at least a certain level of
`encryption). Such secure communication capability may then
`be considered when determining whether various resources
`of the second system may be utilized to provide the current
`service to the user at a higher quality level than the current
`quality level.
`In general, step 150 may comprise communicating infor-
`mation of communication capability and utilizing such infor-
`mation to determine whether utilizing various resources of
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`the second system will provide the current service to the user
`at a higher level of quality than the current level of quality.
`Such information of communication capability may include
`any of a large number of communication characteristics.
`Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present
`invention should not be limited by particular communication
`or communication link characteristics.
`
`Step 150 may comprise communicating information
`between the first and second systems regarding information
`sources to which at least one of the first and second systems
`has access. For example, the second system may have access
`to higher quality information than the first system. As an
`example, such higher quality information may include infor-
`mation encoded utilizing a lower loss encoding technique
`than used to encode the information to which the first system
`has access. As another example, such higher quality informa-
`tion may include information to which the second system has
`access and to which the first system has no access.
`The information regarding access to various information
`sources may also include information of the media over
`which such access exists. For example, access to various
`information sources may comprise local access or networked
`access. The type of access to various information sources, as
`well as the quality of the information, may be considered in
`determining whether utilizing various resources ofthe second
`system will provide the current service to the user at a higher
`quality level. For example, access to high quality information
`over a communication network may be of little value in cer-
`tain scenarios if the communication network is slow or unre-
`liable.
`
`In general, step 150 may comprise the first and/or second
`system determining, based at least in part on the source infor-
`mation, whether utilizing various resources of the second
`system will result in the current service being provided to the
`user at a higher quality level than the current quality level.
`Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present
`invention should not be limited by characteristics of particu-
`lar information, information sources, or particular links to
`such information sources.
`
`Referring to the exemplary scenario 500 illustrated in FIG.
`5, the PDA 515 may have access to a local memory device
`having MP3 audio information encoded at 64 Kbps encoding,
`while the desktop computing system 555 may have access to
`CD-quality music information stored in a local memory
`device 560 or through a network 565. The first 510 or second
`550 systems may consider such information access when
`determining whether utilizing resources ofthe second system
`550 will provide the current service to the user at a higher
`level of quality.
`Referring back to FIG. 1, step 150 may comprise commu-
`nicating access control information between the first and
`second systems. Such access control information may, for
`example, comprise digital certificate, certificate authority
`(CA) key, management/access control, CA verification infor-
`mation, and a variety of user or system identification infor-
`mation.
`
`The first and/or second system may utilize such informa-
`tion to determine whether various resources of the second
`
`system may be utilized to provide the current service to the
`user at a higher quality level. For example, the second system
`may require the first system (or a user thereof) to be autho-
`rized and/or authenticated to utilize various resources of the
`
`second system. Also, for example, the user or the first system
`may require that the second system be authorized to provide
`access to various resources for use in providing the current
`service to the user. Such authorization may, for example, be
`system, service or user dependent.
`
`

`

`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 11 of 21 Page ID #:164
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-4 Filed 03/13/20 Page 11 of 21 Page ID #:164
`
`US 8,270,992 B2
`
`7
`In general, step 150 may comprise the first and second
`systems communicating access control information and uti-
`lizing such information to determine whether various
`resources of the second system may be utilized to provide the
`current service to the user. Accordingly, the scope of various
`aspects of the present invention should not be limited by
`characteristics of particular access control requirements,
`strategies or implementations.
`Referring to the exemplary scenario 500 illustrated in FIG.
`5, the second system 550 may, for example, have a list ofusers
`or systems to which the second system 550 may allocate
`resources. If the user of the first system 510 is not an autho-
`rized user, the second 550 or first 510 system may determine
`that various resources ofthe second system 550 are not avail-
`able for providing the current service to the user.
`In general, step 150 determines whether utilizing various
`resources of the second system will increase the quality at
`which the current service is being provided to the user. As
`mentioned previously,
`such a determination may,
`for
`example, include analyzing information related to processing
`capability, communication capability (including secure com-
`munication capability), information access, and access con-
`trol. The information that step 150 may analyze to determine
`whether utilizing various resources of the second system will
`provide the current service to the user at a higher quality level
`is by no means limited to the previous examples. Accordingly,
`the scope of various aspects of the present invention should
`not be limited by characteristics ofparticular information that
`may be considered in making such a determination.
`The method 100, at step 160, may comprise determining
`whether to allocate or utilize various resources of the second
`
`system to provide the current service to the user, based at least
`in part on the determination made at step 150. For example, if
`step 150 determined that utilizing various resources of the
`second system is not allowed or not possible, step 160 may
`direct the flow of the method 100 to step 170, which may
`provide for the first system to continue providing the current
`service to the user at the current quality level. Also for
`example,
`if step 150 determined that utilizing various
`resources ofthe second system would not result in the current
`service being provided to the user at a higher quality level,
`then step 160 may direct the flow of the method 100 to step
`180.
`
`Referring to FIG. 5, in the exemplary scenario 500, the first
`510 or second 550 system may determine that utilizing an
`information resource (e.g., the local storage device 560 or
`network access 565) and desktop computer 555 audio decod-
`ing capability will provide the current service (e.g., music) to
`the user at a higher level of quality than is currently being
`provided to the user.
`Referring back to FIG. 1, the method 100, at step 180, may
`comprise allocating various resources of the second system
`for providing the current service to the user at a higher level of
`quality than the current level of quality. Note that such allo-
`cation may or may not, depending on the nature of the allo-
`cated resource,
`impact
`the availability of the allocated
`resource for utilization with other systems. The first and sec-
`ond systems may, for example, communicate resource allo-
`cation information in preparation for utilizing the allocated
`resources to provide the current service to the user at a higher
`quality level.
`Referring to the exemplary scenario 500 of FIG. 5, the
`desktop computing system 555 ofthe second system 550 may
`allocate a portion of information access resources, audio
`information processing resources, and audio information
`communication resources for use in providing the current
`service to the user at a higher quality level. The desktop
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`computing system 555 may communicate information of
`such