Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Combined circuit switching and packet switching
Reexamination Certificate
1997-03-14
2003-03-11
Chin, Wellington (Department: 2664)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Combined circuit switching and packet switching
C370S260000, C370S353000, C379S067100, C379S088060
Reexamination Certificate
active
06532230
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for communicating messages across computer networks. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for recording mixed-media messages and transmitting messages across computer networks such as the Internet.
Private Branch Exchange
The term Private Branch Exchange (PBX) refers generically to local telephone switching systems. PBX systems and central office telephone systems are well known in the art and are available from companies such as AT&T, Mitel Corporation, Northern Telecom, and others. PBX systems typically are coupled to a telephone trunk-line and provide service to internal telephone lines (extensions).
As has been the situation up to now, businesses have traditionally purchased stand-alone monolithic switching systems to provide internal and external telephone service to its workers. Because it has been difficult to expand and to add functionality to these established switching systems, businesses have been forced to buy separate stand-alone servers to increase functionality. Common examples of some of the functionality provided by stand-alone servers include auto-attendant servers, voice-mail servers, etc. Because of the closed nature of these stand-alone servers, it has also been difficult for businesses to upgrade these stand-alone servers.
Telephone related servers have thus been costly and difficult to maintain and expand.
Internet Phones
The prospect of consumers making a long distance call for the price of a local call has spawned the market for Internet-based telephony. There are two current techniques enabling consumers to make calls over the Internet.
One technique for internet-based telephony requires both the sending individual and the receiving individual to be connected to the internet, and require the receiver to have a known internet address. Typically the sender types-in the receiver's known internet address, connects to the receivers computer across the internet, and when connection is made, talks to the receiver. This technique has several draw-backs, for example, individual users typically do not have their own unique internet address. Since individual users typically connect to the internet through an internet service provider (ISP), only when the user connects, will she have a dynamically assigned internet address. Thus, in order for another individual to contact her, she must somehow transmit the dynamically assigned internet address to the calling party and then await being contacted. With this technique the call must be pre-arraigned, and is limited to person to person calls. Another drawback is that the sender and the receiver need to be equipped with multimedia computers (as will be described below).
Another technique for internet-based telephony again requires both parties to be connected to the internet. Initially, both parties connect to a particular host site. This host site then provides both parties with a list of users coupled to that site, such as a conventional chat room. One party then selects the other party's name from the list of names and then makes the connection. This technique has several draw-backs including that the users must rely on a third party host site in order to make contact with each other. Another drawback is that since both parties must actively contact the site before talking to each other, the call must be pre-arraigned.
No viable solutions have been proposed thus far which provide businesses with the capability to utilize Internet-based telephony.
Multimedia Computers
Multimedia computers are typically defined as computers having digital sound boards, speakers, microphones, CD-ROMS, etc. These components enable users to record and play-back sounds, images, etc. through the computer, among other functions.
In the business environment, audio input devices such as speaker phones or computer microphones are seldom used because most users work in cubicles with low partition walls. Since these types of input devices require a user to speak aloud, co-workers in adjacent cubicles may be disturbed. Audio output devices such as speaker phones and computer speakers are seldom used because of the same type of problem. Further, audio output devices often lead to productivity drops because of the fondness of users for entertainment programs.
Further, in the business environment, multimedia computers are seldom ordered or used because of the increased cost of equipping a computer with multimedia capability. Although the difference in price between multimedia equipped computers and non-multimedia equipped computers have decreased in the past years, the cost differential currently still approaches several hundred dollars. If the business does not absolutely need the multimedia capability, the choice of the ten non-multimedia computers is most logical.
Multimedia computers are thus seldom used or needed in the business environment.
Mixed-media Message Servers
Mixed-media message computer servers allow users to create, store, and send mixed-media messages to other users, via a computer network. Mixed-media messages are defined herein as messages, such as electronic mail (e-mail) messages (text), that include associated sound recordings, such as a voice message. Other possible combinations of media are facsimile (fax) transmissions associated with sound recordings, animation with sound, text, and music, etc.
In a typical work environment, the general concept of mixed-media messages is known. For example, take the situation of an editor returning a marked-up document to a writer. The editor may hand the document with the changes to the writer and at the same time the editor may say, “Please revise the second section, in general, your tone was too . . . ” In this example, the editor has given the writer a marked-up document (a first media) and verbal comments (a second media), thus a mixed-media message. Although the editor could have sent the document to the writer with a memo including the same contents as the verbal comments, it is believed that most people prefer to make verbal comments. Some common reasons why verbal comments are believed to be preferred over written documents include that it is easier and quicker to convey information, it is typically less formal, and it allows for spontaneous or last minute changes and ideas, and it carries the emotion of the speaker.
In the example above, if the editor and the writer are in offices in two different cities, most likely the editor would send the writer the marked-up document via inter-office mail, or via e-mail. However the editor would have to resort to another method in order to give the writer the verbal comments.
One method the editor could use is calling the writer directly on the phone, and if the writer were not in, the editor could leave the writer a voice-mail message. A drawback with this method is that the editor's phone call, or message, is separated from the relevant document. Although the editor may refer to the marked-up document, the writer may not fully understand the editor's comments until he reviews the changes in the document. Further, when the writer receives the document, the writer may have forgotten or lost the editor's voice message. Another problem is that since the phone call is separated from the document, the writer may think the editor is referring to an entirely different document. Thus, as illustrated, the lack of connection between the two closely related messages has drawbacks.
A method is available to users only if both the users have multimedia computers. In this special case, the editor uses her multimedia computer's microphone and sound card to digitize a voice message and attaches the recorded message to the revised document. This mixed-media message is then sent to the writer. Upon receipt of the multi-media message, the writer uses his multimedia computer's speakers and sound card to play the digitized voice message. A drawback with this method is that if the writer does not have a multim
Keung Donggun
Liu Leo
Lung En-Kuang
Altigen Communications, Inc.
Chin Wellington
Duong Frank
Townsend & Townsend & Crew LLP
LandOfFree
Mixed-media communication apparatus and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Mixed-media communication apparatus and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mixed-media communication apparatus and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3041664