Apparatus and method for channel-transparent multimedia broadcast messaging
First Claim
1. An apparatus for sending a broadcast message to a first recipient and a second recipient, the first recipient having a first receiving device addressable over a data network and the second recipient having a second receiving device addressable over a telephone network, the apparatus comprising:
- a message router, configured to translate the broadcast message into a first message and a second message, said first message being in a first format for delivery to the first receiving device, said second message being in a second format for delivery to the second receiving device;
a data network server, coupled to said message router, configured to transmit said first and second messages over the data network, and to deliver said first message to the first receiving device; and
a telephone network server, coupled to said data network server, configured to receive said second message from the data network, and to deliver the second message to the second receiving device over the telephone network.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for addressing and broadcasting a message to recipients having both telephone network-based receiving devices and data network-based receiving devices. The apparatus includes a message router that translates the broadcast message into individual messages that are addressed to each message recipient in a format, e.g., voice, text, email, fax, pager, compatible with each message recipient'"'"'s receiving device. The individual messages are transmitted by a data network server over a data network. Individual messages designated for recipients having receiving devices addressable by the data network are delivered directly over the data network to the receiving devices. Individual messages designated for recipients having receiving devices addressable by the telephone network are delivered over the data network first to a telephone network server. The telephone network server then delivers the individual messages to the telephone network-based receiving devices over the telephone network via a local telephone switch corresponding to the telephone network server.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. An apparatus for sending a broadcast message to a first recipient and a second recipient, the first recipient having a first receiving device addressable over a data network and the second recipient having a second receiving device addressable over a telephone network, the apparatus comprising:
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a message router, configured to translate the broadcast message into a first message and a second message, said first message being in a first format for delivery to the first receiving device, said second message being in a second format for delivery to the second receiving device;
a data network server, coupled to said message router, configured to transmit said first and second messages over the data network, and to deliver said first message to the first receiving device; and
a telephone network server, coupled to said data network server, configured to receive said second message from the data network, and to deliver the second message to the second receiving device over the telephone network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A message broadcasting apparatus, comprising:
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a message router, for routing a broadcast message to a first receiving device and a second receiving device, wherein said first receiving device is connected to a data network and said second receiving device is connected to a telephone network;
a data network server, coupled to said message router, for transmitting said broadcast message over said data network, and for delivering said broadcast message to said first receiving device; and
a telephone network server, coupled to said data network server, for retrieving said broadcast message from said data network, and for delivering said broadcast message to said second receiving device over said telephone network. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A message broadcasting system, comprising:
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message entry logic, for originating a broadcast message addressed to recipients, wherein a first recipient is accessed over the internet and a second recipient is accessed over a telephone network, said broadcast message comprising;
a first message, having within a first IP address corresponding to said first recipient; and
a second message, having within a second IP address and a telephone number corresponding to said second recipient;
a message routing computer, coupled to said message entry logic, for formatting said first and second messages, and for designating a telephone switch whereby said second recipient is contacted;
a data network computer, coupled to said message routing computer, for transmitting said first and second messages over the internet; and
a telephony computer, coupled to said data network computer, for directing said telephone switch to access said second recipient, and for delivering said second message to said second recipient, wherein said second IP address uniquely identifies said telephony computer. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for sending a broadcast message to a first receiving device and a second receiving device, the first receiving device being addressed by a telephone network and the second receiving device being addressed by a data network, the method comprising:
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a) translating the broadcast message into a first message and a second message, the first message being in a first format compatible with the first receiving device and the second message being in a second format compatible with the second receiving device;
b) sending, via the data network, the first message to the first receiving device and the second message to a telephone switch;
c) causing the telephone switch to access the second receiving device; and
d) delivering the second message over the telephone network. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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Specification