Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Combined circuit switching and packet switching
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-26
2001-04-24
Marcelo, Melvin (Department: 2663)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Combined circuit switching and packet switching
C370S354000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222838
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a method and system for delivering audio and data files to a user via a data network and voice network.
BACKGROUND ART
In an effort to reduce the development, deployment and maintenance costs associated with computer applications, many new applications and services are now being deployed as distributed, client-server applications on Internet and/or private corporate intranets using World Wide Web technologies, such as, for example, the Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP) and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). Many of these applications involve the use of multi-media sub-applications, including audio and audio-related components.
Typically an audio file is delivered to a user by downloading it using a program such as a Web browser and playing it using a helper application or browser “plug-in.” Several file compression and streaming technologies have been developed to improve the performance of downloaded audio and other media delivered over the above-described distributed, client-server applications. In addition to the delivery of audio materials, several companies have also developed methods for two-way voice communications over the same networks. In other words, both audio and data files are delivered to the user via the data network.
As those skilled in the art will recognize, the transport of audio and data files over a data network is both time-consuming and resource intensive. More specifically, such transmission takes a substantial amount of bandwidth and thus causes significant transmission delays, which are undesirable from a user perspective. In a typical prior art application, audio files such as voice are saved on hard disk and sent across the Internet or an intranet. This approach also requires a substantial amount of storage.
Consequently, a need exists for a method and system for delivering audio and data files to a user which reduces the strain on network resources, namely bandwidth and storage, and which may be performed in a timely and efficient manner. Such a method and system should also provide for the two-way transport of audio for both recording and playback in a manner that is tightly coordinated with the display of a client-server application and which allows the transport of audio to be flexibly directed across the data network or voice network, whichever best accommodates a particular individual user in a particular situation. Finally, such a method and system should transport audio and data files in a manner which is transparent to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for delivering audio and data files to a user over a common or independent networks, namely a data network and a voice network, at the discretion of the user in a manner which reduces the strain on network resources and improves network efficiency.
In accordance with the above objective, there is provided a method for delivering audio and data files which includes the provision of both a data network and a voice network. A user workstation is provided in communication with the data network for receiving data files. Similarly, a telephone is provided in communication with the voice network for receiving audio files. There is further provided an application server and an audio server. The application server stores and executes application programs that include audio features, such as playing and recording audio files. The application server is provided in communication with both the user workstation and the audio server via the data network. The audio server is similarly provided in communication with both the voice network and with the application server via the data network as well.
At the user's request, the application server can instruct the audio server to (1) establish an audio connection channel with the user by dialing a telephone or receiving a telephone call from the user, or (2) deliver or record an audio file either via the telephone or via the data network. Alternatively, the application and audio server functions may be implemented as a single program.
In carrying out the above method, there is similarly provided a system for delivering files to and receiving audio to record from the user. As in the above-described method, the system includes a workstation in communication with a data network for receiving data files. The system further includes a telephone in communication with a voice network for delivering audio files and receiving audio to record from the user.
Still further, there is provided an application server and an audio server. The application server is provided in communication with the data network for storing audio-enabled application programs executable by the user from the user workstation. The audio server, in turn, is operative to dial the telephone or deliver a selected audio file to the telephone or the workstation via the data network or voice network, all at the option of the user.
In a typical embodiment, the user's client application is a Web browser, which communicates with the application server via a Web (HTTP) server. The Web server communicates with the application server via the Common Gateway Interface (CGI) or another, similar Application Programming Interface (API). The application server stores and executes the programs that generate “Web pages” or other user interface components (such as, for example, Java Applets or ActiveX components) which, when displayed by the browser, allow the user to, among other actions, control the playing and recording of selected audio files. To accomplish this, the user's request is communicated (through the Web server via CGI) to the application server which, in turn, makes a request of the audio server to perform the appropriate audio-related function.
In keeping with the invention, the data network may be any Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) based network such as the Internet or corporate intranet, or any similar network using a similar protocol. The voice network preferably, but not necessarily, comprises the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Any suitable alternative, however, may be utilized, such as, for example, an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN).
REFERENCES:
patent: 5793980 (1998-08-01), Glaser et al.
patent: 5884032 (1999-03-01), Bateman et al.
patent: 6014439 (2000-01-01), Walker et al.
Dooley Scott A.
Habermehl Kyle D.
Lane James L.
Reeves Bradley S.
Sparks Randall B.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Marcelo Melvin
Qwest Communications International Inc.
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