Picture communications system and associated network services
First Claim
1. A picture communications network subsystem for providing real-time picture communication services, comprising:
- one or more protocol communications nodes connected to one or more networks, said one or more nodes providing communication between said network and said picture communications network subsystem;
a registry that includes user information for a plurality of users, including a user name that uniquely identifies each user, access information, and an owner of each user, device information for a plurality of devices, including a device name that uniquely identifies each device, access information, and an owner of each device, and group information for a plurality of groups that provide access rights to users, devices, and other groups, including a group name that uniquely identifies each group, access information, and an owner of each group; and
a control subsystem including a system for establishing real-time communication services between users, devices, and groups responsive to a request by a user or a device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A real-time picture communications system (15) including a picture communications network subsystem (26) provides real-time picture communication services between users (21), devices (22), and/or groups of users, devices, and other groups. Examples of devices include cameras, viewers, keypads, writing tablets, microphones, telephones, and combinations thereof. One or more protocol communications nodes (27) are connected to one or more networks to provide communication between the network and the picture communications network subsystem. A registry database (28) includes user information (86), device information (87) and group information (88). A control subsystem (29) processes requests and executes instructions, such as an attach instruction and instructions that establish real-time communication services responsive to an authenticated request by a user or a device to the extent allowed by the various access rights of any users, devices and groups.
312 Citations
58 Claims
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1. A picture communications network subsystem for providing real-time picture communication services, comprising:
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one or more protocol communications nodes connected to one or more networks, said one or more nodes providing communication between said network and said picture communications network subsystem;
a registry that includes user information for a plurality of users, including a user name that uniquely identifies each user, access information, and an owner of each user, device information for a plurality of devices, including a device name that uniquely identifies each device, access information, and an owner of each device, and group information for a plurality of groups that provide access rights to users, devices, and other groups, including a group name that uniquely identifies each group, access information, and an owner of each group; and
a control subsystem including a system for establishing real-time communication services between users, devices, and groups responsive to a request by a user or a device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for communicating image data between a first and a second user, comprising the steps of
using a picture communications system to open a substantially real time still image communication session between said first and second users; -
transmitting said image data from said first user to said second user during said open communication session;
displaying an image responsive to said transmitted image data; and
viewing said image by said recipient. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for communicating image information between a sender and a recipient, comprising the steps of
selecting a recipient; -
connecting to a picture communications network subsystem;
utilizing said picture communications network subsystem to establish a session between said sender and said recipient, including alerting said recipient substantially immediately by transmitting an alert from said sender to said recipient, responsive to said alert, sending an acknowledgment by said recipient, and responsive to said receipt of said acknowledgement by said sender, establishing communication services to enable said session; and
transmitting a digital image from said sender to said recipient during said session. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for viewing an image by a viewer using a remotely-positioned camera, comprising the steps of:
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connecting over a network to a picture communication network subsystem;
using said network subsystem to identify a plurality of remotely-positioned cameras;
selecting, by said viewer, one of said plurality of remotely-positioned cameras;
determining, by said network subsystem, that said viewer has the right to access said remotely-positioned camera;
locating, by said network subsystem, said remotely-positioned camera;
sending a request from said viewer to said remotely-positioned camera using said picture communications system, said request including an instruction to capture a digital image;
responsive to said request, establishing network services that enable a substantially real time communication session with said remotely-positioned camera;
capturing a digital image using said remotely-positioned camera;
transmitting said digital image from said remotely-positioned camera to said viewer in substantially real- time over said open communication network; and
viewing said digital image by said viewer. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. A computer-implemented method for networking a plurality of viewers and a plurality of remotely-positioned cameras, comprising the steps of:
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registering a plurality of cameras with a picture communication network subsystem, including uniquely identifying each of said plurality of cameras in a registry database;
registering an owner for each camera in said registry database;
registering each of a plurality of viewers with said picture communication network subsystem, thereby uniquely identifying each of said plurality of viewers in said registry database; and
registering a plurality of users in said registry database. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method for communicating image information between a first user and a second user, comprising the steps of
utilizing a picture communications system to establish a two-way communication session between said first and second users; -
transmitting a digital image from said first user to said second user during said session;
revising said digital image by said second user;
transmitting said revised digital image to said first user during said session. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification