Telecommunication and multimedia management method and apparatus

• US 10,142,270 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2017
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxer IP LLC (Voxer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Voxer IP LLC (Voxer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Katis, Thomas E., Panttaja, James J., Panttaja, Mary G., Ranney, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US15/584,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20170237695A1
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 379 9301, 348 1401, 348 1402, 348 1412, 709204, 709205, 709217, 709218, 709227
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/126 Foldable, retractable or tiltable tribunes E04H3/123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/16 Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs coordinating program control therefor G06F9/52; in regulating and control system G05B
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1831 Tracking arrangements for later retrieval, e.g. recording contents, participants activities or behavior, network status
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/216 Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/226 Delivery according to priorities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2503 Translation of Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1083 In-session procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4015 where at least one of the additional parallel sessions is real time or time sensitive, e.g. white board sharing, collaboration or spawning of a subconference
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/752 adapting media to network capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/764 at the destination reformatting of additional data in video clients H04N21/4355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/64 Automatic arrangements for answering calls; Automatic arrangements for recording messages for absent subscribers; Arrangements for recording conversations centralised dictation systems H04M11/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 : Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

A telecommunication and multimedia management apparatus and method that supports voice and other media communications and that enables users to: (i) participate in multiple conversation modes, including live phone calls, conference calls, instant voice messaging or tactical communications; (ii) review the messages of conversations in either a live mode or a time-shifted mode and to seamlessly transition back and forth between the two modes; (iii) participate in multiple conversations either concurrently or simultaneously; (iv) archive the messages of conversations for later review or processing; and (v) persistently store media either created or received on the communication devices of users. The latter feature enables users to generate or review media when either disconnected from the network or network conditions are poor and to optimize the delivery of media over the network based on network conditions and the intention of the users participating in conversations.

Claims

1. A video communication method performed over a network, comprising:

receiving an identifier identifying a recipient of a video communication, the identifier received over the network from a sending communication device;

using the identifier to ascertain a delivery location on the network for a second communication device associated with the recipient;

receiving the video communication over the network from the sending communication device;

storing the video communication; and

delivering portions of the video communication to the second communication device over the network using the delivery location, the delivery enabling the video communication to be at least partially rendered at the second communication device while the video communication is transmitted by the sending communication device,

wherein the video communication is received from the sending communication device without first establishing an end-to-end connection over the network between the sending and second communication devices.

2. The video communication method of claim 1, further comprising arranging to provide an application to the sending communication device, the application enabling the sending communication device to:

(i) identify the recipient of the video communication;

(ii) communicate the identifier identifying the recipient; and

(iii) stream the video communication over the network.

3. The video communication method of claim 2, wherein the provided application further enables the sending communication device to start streaming of the video communication over the network before the delivery location for the second communication device is known.

4. The video communication method of claim 2, wherein the provided application further enables the sending communication device to start streaming of the video communication over the network regardless of whether the second communication device is available or not available on the network.

5. The video communication method of claim 2, wherein the provided application further enables the sending communication device to start streaming of the video communication over the network independent of whether or not the delivery location associated with the second communication device is ascertained.

6. The video communication method of claim 2, wherein the provided application further enables the sending communication device to locally store the video communication on the sending communication device.

7. The video communication method of claim 2, wherein the provided application further enables the sending communication device to define the recipient or a group of recipients for receipt of the video communication.

8. The video communication method of claim 2, wherein the provided application further enables the sending communication device to at least partially render a second video communication in either:

a first mode while portions of the second video communication are received over the network while the second video communication is being sent by a remote communication device;

or

a second mode by rendering the second video communication accessed from storage after the second video communication was sent.

9. The video communication method of claim 1, further comprising accessing the video communication out of storage and delivering the accessed video communication to the second communication device for review in a time-shifted mode.

10. The video communication method of claim 1, wherein the video communication has a plurality of identifiers associated therewith, the plurality of identifiers identifying a plurality of recipients, the plurality of identifiers used to deliver the video communication to a plurality of second communication devices associated with the plurality of recipients respectively.

11. The video communication method of claim 1, further comprising providing a notification at the second communication device notifying the recipient of the video communication.

12. The video communication method of claim 1, further comprising delivering the video communication to the second communication device out of storage if the second communication device is not available on the network when the video communication is sent by the sending communication device.

13. The video communication method of claim 1, further comprising simultaneously storing and delivering the portions of the video communication to the second communication device while the video communication is created and streamed by the sending communication device.

14. The video communication method of claim 1, wherein the identifier is resolved into an IP address that defines the delivery location for the second communication device on the network.

15. The video communication method of claim 1, wherein using the identifier to ascertain a delivery location on the network for a second communication device associated with the recipient further comprises resolving the identifier into an IP address associated with the second communication device.

16. The video communication method of claim 1, wherein the delivery location is an IP address on the network and the IP address is used to notify and deliver the video communication to the second communication device.

17. The video communication method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining a video services system, including one or more servers on the network, for performing the video communication method.

18. The video communication method of claim 1, further comprising trans-coding the video communication received over the network from the sending communication device.

19. The video communication method of claim 1, further comprising encrypting the video communication received over the network from the sending communication device.

20. The video communication method of claim 1, wherein the portions of the video communication delivered to the second communication device are packets containing media payloads.

21. The video communication method of claim 1, further comprising:

delivering the portions of the video communication to multiple second communication devices; and

enabling each of the multiple second communication devices to render the portions of the video communication either (a) as the portions are received over the network while the video communication is being sent by the sending communication device or (b) in a time-shifted mode.

22. A method for video communication, comprising:

receiving, over a network, identifier information for a recipient of a video communication from a sending communication device;

ascertaining a location on the network for a second communication device from the identifier information; and

delivering portions of the video communication over the network to the second communication device, using the ascertained location, so that the video communication can be at least partially rendered at the second communication device,

wherein the delivery occurs (i) without first establishing an end-to-end connection over the network between the sending communication device and the second communication device and (ii) while the video communication is transmitted by the sending communication device.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising arranging for an application to be available for downloading to the second communication device, the application configured to include a rendering function that enables the recipient to at least partially render the video communication on the second communication device in a first mode while the video communication is transmitted by the sending communication device and delivered over the network.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the application is further configured to at least partially render the video communication in the first mode after receiving an input from the recipient in response to a notification.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising arranging for an application to be available for downloading onto the sending communication device, the application enabling the sending communication device to start transmission of the video communication:

independently of the location associated with the second communication device being ascertained; and

regardless of whether or not the second communication device is connected to or not connected to the network.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the location is an IP addresses for the second communication device on the network.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising delivering the video communication to the second communication device out of storage for review in a time-shifted mode.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the location is specified by an IP address on the network, the IP address used for locating and delivering the video communication to the second communication device.

29. The method of claim 22, further comprising maintaining one or more servers on the network for receiving the identifier information, ascertaining the location, receiving the video communication and delivering the video communication to the second communication device.

30. The video communication method of claim 22, further comprising trans-coding the video communication.

31. The video communication method of claim 22, further comprising encrypting the video communication.

32. The method for video communication of claim 22, wherein the portions of the video communication delivered to the second communication device are packets containing media payloads.

33. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

delivering the portions of the video communication to multiple second communication devices; and

enabling each of the multiple second communication devices to render the portions of the video communication either (a) as the portions are received over the network while the video communication is being sent by the sending communication device or (b) in a time-shifted mode.

34. A video communication method, comprising:

receiving an identifier associated with a video communication transmitted by a sending communication device over a network, the identifier identifying a recipient of the video communication;

ascertaining, in response to receipt of the identifier, a location on the network for a second communication device associated with the recipient and connected to the network;

receiving the video communication from the sending communication device independently of the location for the second communication device being ascertained;

storing the video communication; and

delivering portions of the video communication over the network to the second communication device using the location, the delivery enabling the video communication to be at least partially rendered at the second communication device while the video communication is transmitted by the sending communication device,

wherein receiving the video communication from the sending communication device occurs without having to first establish an end-to-end connection over the network between the sending and the second communication device.

35. The video communication method of claim 34, further comprising delivering the video communication out of storage to the second communication device.

36. The video communication method of claim 34, further comprising arranging for the sending communication device to run an application, the application enabling the sending communication device to:

(i) identify the recipient;

(ii) communicate the identifier identifying the recipient over the network;

(iii) create the video communication; and

(iv) transmit the video communication over the network while the video communication is created.

37. The video communication method of claim 36, wherein the application enables the sending communication device to start transmission of the video communication over the network before the location for the second communication devices is ascertained.

38. The video communication method of claim 36, wherein the application further enables the sending communication device to start transmission of the video communication over the network regardless of whether the second communication device is available or not available on the network.

39. The video communication method of claim 36, wherein the application further enables the sending communication device to locally store the video communication on the sending communication device.

40. The video communication method of claim 36, wherein the application enables, at the sending communication device, an ability to define the recipient or a group of recipients for receipt of the video communication.

41. The video communication method of claim 36, wherein the application further enables the sending communication device to:

at least partially render a second video communication while portions of the second video communication are delivered over the network to the sending communication device while the second communication is sent by a remote communication device; and

render the second video communication out of storage in a time-shifted mode.

42. The video communication method of claim 34, further comprising notifying the recipient of the video communication.

43. The video communication method of claim 34, further comprising:

receiving a plurality of identifiers associated with the video communication; and

ascertaining a plurality of locations associated with a plurality of second communication devices associated with a plurality of recipients respectively.

44. The video communication method of claim 34, wherein the portions of the video communication is delivered over the network while:

the video communication is transmitted by the sending communication device;

the video communication is delivered to the location on the network using an IP address associated with the second communication device, the IP addressed ascertained from the identifier; and

the video communication is at least partially rendered on the second communication device.

45. The video communication method of claim 34, further comprising delivering the video communication to the recipient out of storage.

46. The video communication method of claim 34, wherein the location is an IP address for the second communication device, the IP address used for identifying and delivering the video communication to the second communication device when connected to the network.

47. The video communication method of claim 34, further comprising configuring and maintaining a plurality of servers on the network, the plurality of servers cooperating to receive the identifier associated with the video communication, ascertain the location on the network for the second communication device, receive the video communication from the sending communication device, store the video communication and deliver the video communication over the network to the second communication device.

48. The video communication method of claim 34, further comprising trans-coding the video communication after receiving the video communication.

50. The video communication method of claim 34, wherein the portions of the video communication delivered to the second communication device are packets containing media payloads.

51. The video communication method of claim 34, further comprising:

delivering the portions of the video communication to multiple second communication devices; and

enabling each of the multiple second communication devices to render the portions of the video communication either (a) as the portions are received over the network while the video communication is being sent by the sending communication device or (b) in a time-shifted mode.

49. The video communication method of method 34, further comprising encrypting the video communication after receiving the video communication.

52. A video communication method, comprising:

arranging to provide an application to a sending communication device, the application enabling the sending communication device to;

(a) identify a recipient of a video communication;

(b) communicate the identifier identifying the recipient to a video communication system maintained on a network; and

(c) stream the video communication over the network to the video communication system;

receiving at the video communication system the identifier identifying the recipient of the video communication;

using, within the video communication system, the identifier to ascertain a delivery location on the network for a second communication device associated with the recipient;

receiving, at the video communication system, the video communication over the network from the sending communication device;

storing the video communication in a location accessible by the video communication system;

using the delivery location to deliver portions of the video communication over the network from the video communication system to the second communication device, the delivery enabling the video communication to be at least partially rendered at the second communication device while the video communication is streamed by the sending communication device,

wherein the video communication is received by the video communication system from the sending communication device without first establishing an end-to-end connection over the network between the sending and second communication devices.

53. The video communication method of claim 52, wherein the application further enables the sending communication device to start streaming of the video communication over the network:

(d) before the delivery location for the second communication device is known;

(e) regardless of whether the second communication device is available or not available on the network; and

(f) independent of whether or not the delivery location associated with the second communication device is ascertained.

54. The video communication method of claim 52, further comprising arranging to provide the application to second communication device, the application enabling the second communication device to:

render the delivered portions of the video communication while the video communication is streamed by the sending communication device; and

render the video communication in a time-shifted mode sometime after the video communication was streamed.

55. A video communication method performed by a video service infrastructure located on a network, the method comprising:

receiving identifier information from a first communication device, the identifier information identifying one or more recipients of a video communication;

receiving a transmission of the video communication from the first communication device;

storing the video communication in storage accessible by the video communication infrastructure, the storage of the video communication occurring regardless of the availability or lack of availability of one or more second communication devices on the network, the one or more second communication devices associated with the one or more recipients respectively;

ascertaining, in response to receipt of the identifier information, one or more location(s) on the network for the one or more second communication device(s) associated with the one or more recipients respectively, the ascertaining of the one or more locations occurring while the receiving and storing of the video communication is occurring; and

delivering portions of the video communication to the one or more second communication devices at their ascertained locations respectively, the delivery enabling the video communication to be at least partially rendered while the video communication is transmitted by the first communication device and without having to first establish an end-to-end connection over the network between the first communication device and any of the one or more second communication devices respectively.

56. The video communication method of claim 55, wherein the portions of the video communication delivered to the one or more second communication devices are packets containing media payloads that are:

received at the video service infrastructure as the packets are streamed by the first communication device;

stored in the storage as the streamed packets are received at the video service infrastructure; and

delivered to the one or more second communication devices as the streamed packets are received and stored.

57. The video communication method of claim 55, further comprising configuring the video communication infrastructure to include a plurality of servers that are collectively configured to:

receive the identifier information;

receive the transmission of the video communication;

store the video communication;

ascertain the one or more locations; and

deliver the portions of the video communication to the one or more second communication devices.

58. The video communication method of claim 55, further comprising configuring the video communication infrastructure to support the at least partial rendering of the video communication by the one or more second communication devices as the video communication is created by the first communication device.

59. The video communication method of claim 55, further comprising arranging for the first communication device to stream the video communication to the video communication infrastructure:

(a) as the video communication is created;

(b) without having to first establish an end-to-end connection over the network with any of the one or more second communication devices;

(c) regardless of whether any of the one or more second communication devices are available or not available on the network; and

(d) regardless of whether any of the one or more locations on the network for the one or more second communication devices can be ascertained.

60. The video communication system of claim 55, further comprising providing a notice of the video communication to the one or more second communication devices respectively.

61. The video communication method of claim 55, further configuring the video communication infrastructure to deliver the stored video communication to one or more of the second communication devices for review in a time-shifted mode.

62. The video communication method of claim 55, wherein the multiplicity of locations are unique IP address(es) used to identify and locate the one or more second communication devices on the network respectively.

63. The video communication method of claim 55, further comprising configuring the video communication infrastructure to encrypt the video communication.

64. The video communication method of claim 55, further comprising configuring the video communication infrastructure to trans-code the video communication.

65. The video communication method of claim 55, further comprising providing an application for execution on the first communication device, the application configured to enable the first communication device to:

identify the one or more recipients;

transmit the identifier information to the video communication infrastructure; and

stream the video communication to the video communication infrastructure while the video communication is created,

wherein the application is arranged to (a) transmit the identifier information independent of the video communication and (b) stream the video communication to the video communication infrastructure without having to first establish the end-to-end connection over the network between the first communication device and any of the one or more second communication devices.

66. The video communication method of claim 55, further comprising arranging to provide an application on each of the one or more second communication devices, the application providing rendering options to:

at least partially render the video communication while the video communication is transmitted by the first communication device; and

render the video communication in a time-shifted mode.