Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer protocol implementing – Computer-to-computer data transfer regulating
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-27
2003-03-11
Dinh, Dung C. (Department: 2153)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer protocol implementing
Computer-to-computer data transfer regulating
C209S233000, C209S234000, C209S235000, C209S226000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06532495
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to methods of data transfer and specifically to the transfer of data packets over a broadcast radio frequency channel coordinated with a separate point-to-point digital data transfer system, such as a telephone modem-linked Internet access.
The “Internet” (also referred to as the World Wide Web) is a global network of interconnected data links by which various types of data service or functionalities are available to individuals accessing the network via a computer. Both the data service locations and the individuals have unique network addresses on the Internet. Data service or access to the Internet is provided by Internet Service Providers (ISP's) to residential and commercial subscribers. Each subscriber gains access to the Internet in the form of a separate operative session. Such sessions operate simultaneously and independently of each other. Each subscriber at a respective address can initiate a session through the use of a computer connected to an ISP at its respective address on the Internet. The ISP provides a competitively priced package of functionalities tailored to one or more types of subscribers, including at least basic access to the Internet. Additional services that are frequently made available include electronic mail, access to one or more Internet search engines, known as browsers, chat rooms, news features, weather information, and advertising space. Such functional features appear on the subscriber's computer screen as choices and, when selected, connect to the source providing that feature, so that the selected functional feature appears on the subscriber's screen. Because there is a basic access to all Internet addresses, the subscriber can contact and interact with any Internet address to obtain information or a file from that address, more commonly known as “downloading the file” from that address. A typical subscriber session is an electronic communication with the ISP requesting a selected functionality, and also through the ISP to various other network locations on the Internet which provide selected additional functionalities or files which can be downloaded to the subscriber's computer.
Typically, most electronic data traffic in a given subscriber session consists of a dialog of inquiries and responses paced at the timing of human discourse. While graphics data accompanies much of this traffic, the relative size of each portion of the dialog compared to the movement of substantially large files of data is small. On occasion, the subscriber may request receipt of a large file containing any of numerous data-types, e.g., it can have a particular digital format and a narrowly tailored application. A large file can be an exceptionally large text file, or it can be a file representing a scanned photograph, a video recording in the form of a sequence of video frames, or a file containing computer-executable code such as a software application, computer game, or operating system component. Thus, it can be appreciated that data transfers requested by typical subscribers on the Internet are bursty, i.e., small or large amounts of data are requested, followed by little or no data requests for periods of time.
One major problem with downloading large files from the Internet is the capacity of the network to convey large files at speeds acceptable to the Internet subscriber. Capacity is defined by the available bandwidth of the particular network route over which the files are transmitted, and low available bandwidth results in longer download times. An additional consideration is the manner in which both the subscriber's computer and the source of the transmitted file are connected to the Internet. While each network link comprising the particular route the file travels between source and subscriber destination has an associated bandwidth, both the initial and the final link between the ISP and the subscriber can be the most troublesome. When a modem connection to a public-switched telephone line is employed, communication though the data network is constrained to data rates in the tens of kilobits per second (e.g., 11, 16 or 56 kbits per second) or low hundreds of kilobits per second in the case of a hard-wire equivalent integrated services digital network (ISDN) line. As an alternative, cable television providers offer a high speed connection service through a cable modem. However, use of a cable modem is expensive because the cable connection is priced at premium levels. A cable modem connection is a full-time connection, not an on-demand connection, as opposed to a modem connected to a telephone line.
Various methods have been proposed to shorten the time required to download large data files by utilizing more than one data path. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,107 to Rhodes, discloses an information service distribution system wherein a terminal device connected to a television network and to a point-to-point, public-switched telephone line. A subscriber requests a menu of information services (or already has a menu from a previous request) over the telephone line. After appropriate identification has been made for billing purposes, the subscriber can request a selection from the menu (or pay for additional use of a previous selection), such as a video game, dating services, shopping selection, etc., stored in a remotely located information services storage center. In response to the request conveyed over the telephone link, the center transmits files encoded as digital bit streams over a television broadcast channel. While menus are received and decoded by all subscribers, only the requested file is decoded at the requesting subscriber location. There are several drawbacks to this system. For example, the system is restricted to selections from a fixed menu; selected information service is displayed/interacted with only on the subscriber's television set; there is no access to all downloadable files available on the Internet; and there is no choice between point-to-point and broadcast downloading paths.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,539 to Metz et al., discloses a downloading generating system that utilizes a broadband digital broadcast channel and a separate narrow band two-way data communications channel. The digital broadcast network includes provision for downloading executable applications software over one broadcast channel and video programming over a second broadcast channel. The two channels can be multiplexed on a single transport stream. The narrow band two-way data communications capability is for signaling interactive text services such as video file requests. The system includes a set-top device at the subscriber location which, when instructed by the subscriber, transmits data request signals over a narrow band two-way data channel provided by a public switched telephone network or alternatively, by a coaxial cable, e.g., a cable television network cable. The data requests are relatively short messaging-type communications which can be accommodated on the available narrow band two-way data channel. The data provider, which can be an ISP, responds by downloading both packets of executable code and the requested video data file in the form of compressed data for a plurality of video frames to the subscriber over the digital broadband channels. The downloaded executable code, along with a resident software application, are stored and executed in a protected memory device that includes an operating system in the subscriber's set-top terminal. The set-top terminal can emulate a CATV tuner/decoder for channel selections. Execution of the downloaded code received over the first broadcast channel in turn controls selective capture and presentation of audio and video segments received over the second digital broadcast channel. The billing and other administrative data is communicated to the subscriber over the narrow band two-way data channel.
The Metz et al. system is principally directed toward video-on-demand wherein a known library of video programming
Abdel-Malek Aiman Albert
Welles II Kenneth Brakeley
Breedlove Jill M.
Dinh Dung C.
General Electric Company
Salad Abdullahi E.
Thompson John F.
LandOfFree
Internet download enhancement system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Internet download enhancement system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Internet download enhancement system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3047308