Apparatus, Method, and Computer Program Product For Communication Channel Verification
First Claim
1. In a communication network with user access via a plurality of communications devices, a distribution system for communications transmitted between the devices comprising:
- a distributor for issuing a periodic heartbeat communication using the communications network; and
an interface coupled to a receiving device, said interface including an indicator and an indicator controller for controlling said indicator responsive to said heartbeat communication without activating said receiving device to receive said heartbeat communication except as used by said indicator controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communications distribution system for a network, e.g. Internet E-Mail transmitted between interactive display terminals. The invention offers a solution to the above problems by providing a display interface at a receiving terminal including the conventional mechanisms of access of an E-Mail distribution server by an E-Mail client; but in addition provides an indicator mechanism enabling a user of the E-Mail distribution system to receive an indication of its status of the system. The invention further provides, in some implementations, a mechanism to initiate various tests to confirm access and availability. This invention is applicable to enable an E-Mail user to instantly and visually/aurally determine whether any connected E-Mail distribution system is presently available. The invention may also be extended to other communications networks including standard telephone (POTS, PSTN), cellular, and wireless, broadband communications systems.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a communication network with user access via a plurality of communications devices, a distribution system for communications transmitted between the devices comprising:
- a distributor for issuing a periodic heartbeat communication using the communications network; and
an interface coupled to a receiving device, said interface including an indicator and an indicator controller for controlling said indicator responsive to said heartbeat communication without activating said receiving device to receive said heartbeat communication except as used by said indicator controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- a distributor for issuing a periodic heartbeat communication using the communications network; and
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19. In an distribution network with user access via a plurality of communication devices, a distribution method for communications transmitted between said devices, the method comprising:
- distributing periodic heartbeat communications; and
responding to said periodic heartbeat communications to provide an indication of a receipt status of said heartbeat communications without activating said receiver except as used to control a heartbeat indicator.
- distributing periodic heartbeat communications; and
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20. A computer program having code recorded on a computer readable medium for distribution of communications in a distribution network with user access via a plurality of communications devices, said computer program comprising code implementing a communications distribution method, the method comprising:
- distributing periodic heartbeat communications; and
responding to said periodic heartbeat communications to provide an indication of a receipt status of said heartbeat communications without activating said receiver except as used to control a heartbeat indicator.
- distributing periodic heartbeat communications; and
Specification