Enhancing the touring machine API to support integrated digital transport

Abstract

The current version of the Touring Machine™ software platform for multimedia communications uses analog transport of voice and video media streams. The next iterations of system design will, among other enhancements, support digital (packet-switched) transport of all media streams, placing new requirements on the system. This paper describes proposed changes to the Touring Machine Application Programming Interface in support of integrated digital transport. We identify new abstractions in two areas: network access control and specification of transport topology. These new abstractions will provide flexible control of multiple streams sharing the underlying integrated transport (for instance, separate packet-video streams each being displayed in separate windows on a multimedia workstation) and will support heterogeneous terminal equipment and networks by transparently converting media-stream formats within the network.