Video mail delivery system
First Claim
1. A method of transmitting bulk data with a component in the form of still or motion picture images from at least one sender to at least one receiver under the control of a managing network provider, the method comprising executing on a per transmission basis the following steps:
- a) each sender identifying intended receivers to the managing network provider and the duration or size of an intended transmission of data,b) the managing network provider checks data transmission traffic over a virtual transmission path between each sender and each identified receiver to determine appropriate transmission times,c) the managing network provider provides a scheduled transmission time to each sender,d) the managing network provider sets up each control point along the virtual transmission path to each identified receiver for the scheduled transmission time, ande) each sender transmits the bulk data at the scheduled time through the virtual transmission path to each identified receiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sender-subscriber based, transmission traffic control system for video mail, which includes the transmission of bulk electronic data primarily in the form of still or motion picture images, with or without audio track. There are variable bandwidth controls on a per transmission basis. A delivery network system provider often a subscriber service in which the network has absolute control over the actual time of the video mail transmission. The path, bandwidth allocation, protocol format, and other means of transmission--such as wireless, satellite, analog--can be set at the discretion of the network provider. The system can provide transmission data, such as delivery and receipt notification to each sender-subscriber, each recipient, and all other participating transmission agents and networks that are different from the managing network delivery system.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of transmitting bulk data with a component in the form of still or motion picture images from at least one sender to at least one receiver under the control of a managing network provider, the method comprising executing on a per transmission basis the following steps:
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a) each sender identifying intended receivers to the managing network provider and the duration or size of an intended transmission of data, b) the managing network provider checks data transmission traffic over a virtual transmission path between each sender and each identified receiver to determine appropriate transmission times, c) the managing network provider provides a scheduled transmission time to each sender, d) the managing network provider sets up each control point along the virtual transmission path to each identified receiver for the scheduled transmission time, and e) each sender transmits the bulk data at the scheduled time through the virtual transmission path to each identified receiver.
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2. A method of video mail transmission, defined as a transmission of bulk electronic data with a component in the form of still or motion picture images, with or without audio track, the method comprising the following steps being executed on a per transmission basis between each sender and a managing network provider, being a PSTN, cable company or private network that assumes all control over the transmission and network setup, with each sender'"'"'s involvement reduced to simply inputting the video mail transmission at a network designated time:
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(a) each sender initiating the method by first calling the office of the managing network provider, and specifying the telephone numbers or network node address of each receiver of the intended video mail transmission and the duration or size of the intended transmission; (b) each sender also specifying minimum picture quality and desired encryption of the intended transmission, and whether the receipt of the transmission should be registered or reported by each recipient; (c) the managing network provider then checking existing and scheduled video mail transmission traffic between each sender and each identified recipient, to determine appropriate transmission times, taking into account all possible bandwidth and transmission controls known to the network that can provide a transmission capability to fully transmit the video mail transmission, and would also optimize available network bandwidth and transmission capabilities for other potential video mail traffic; (d) the managing network provider announcing one or several optional transmission times to each sender; (e) the managing network informing all potential agent networks, and all transmission control points along the transmission paths between each sender and each identified recipient of the agreed to time and data communication requirements of the intended video mail transmission, and hence, setting all control points, either through its own operators or the operators of agent networks, and informing all such agents of the pending transmission immediately before calling each sender to instruct each sender to initiate the transmission; (f) the managing network calling each sender, each sender initiating the video mail transmission at a transmission time designated by the managing network, and then transmitting the video mail to each receiver designated by each sender; (g) the managing network, if requested to do so by each sender, obtaining a documented confirmation of receipt of the entire video mail transmission from each receiver designated by each sender. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification