Multicasting method and apparatus
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method for transmitting message packets over a communications network comprising the steps of:
- converting a plurality of streams of audio and/or visual information into a plurality of streams of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol,for each stream, routing such stream to one or more users,controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, andmonitoring the reception of packets by the users and accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of Rackets comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the time that a user starts receiving the audio and/or visual selection and the time that the user stops receiving the audio and/or visual selection.
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Abstract
A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the information being delivered is high-quality audio. However, it could also be video, graphics, text or any other type of information that can be transmitted over a digital network. Preferably, there are multiple channels of information available simultaneously to be delivered to users, each channel consisting of an independent stream of information. A user chooses to tune in or tune out a particular channel, but does not choose the time at which the channel distributes its information. Advantageously, interactive (two-way) information can be incorporated into the system, multiple streams of information can be integrated for delivery to a user, and certain portions of the information being delivered can be tailored to the individual user.
773 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A method for transmitting message packets over a communications network comprising the steps of:
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converting a plurality of streams of audio and/or visual information into a plurality of streams of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, for each stream, routing such stream to one or more users, controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of packets by the users and accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of Rackets comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the time that a user starts receiving the audio and/or visual selection and the time that the user stops receiving the audio and/or visual selection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for transmitting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information over a communications network to a plurality of users comprising the steps of:
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controlling the routing of the stream of information through the network in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of the stream of information by the users and accumulating records relating to the reception of the stream of information by the users wherein at least one stream of information comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the time that a user starts receiving the audio and/or visual selection and the time that the user stops receiving the audio and/or visual selection. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A communication system comprising:
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means for converting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information into a stream of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, means for routing such stream via a communication network to selected users, means for controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and means for monitoring the reception of packets by the user and for accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of Rackets comprises an audio and/or visual selection, and the means for monitoring further includes means for accumulating records that indicate the time that a user starts receiving the audio and/or visual selection and the time that the user stops receiving the audio and/or visual selection. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for transmitting message packets over a communications network comprising the steps of:
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converting a plurality of streams of audio and/or visual information into a plurality of streams of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, for each stream, routing such stream to one or more users, controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of packets by the users and accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises music selections and the records that are accumulated indicate how many users did or did not listen to the entire selection.
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48. A method for transmitting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information over a communications network to a plurality of users comprising the steps of:
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controlling the routing of the stream of information through the network in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of the stream of information by the users and accumulating records relating to the reception of the stream of information by the users, wherein at least one stream of information comprises music selections and the records that are accumulated indicate how many users did or did not listen to the entire selection.
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49. A method for transmitting message packets over a communications network comprising the steps of:
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converting a plurality of streams of audio and/or visual information into a plurality of streams of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, for each stream, routing such stream to one or more users, controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of packets by the users and accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the elapsed time that a user received the audio and/or visual selection.
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50. A method for transmitting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information over a communications network to a plurality of users comprising the steps of:
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controlling the routing of the stream of information through the network in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of the stream of information by the users and accumulating records relating to the reception of the stream of information by the users, wherein at least one stream of information comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the elapsed time that a user received the audio and/or visual selection.
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51. A communication system comprising:
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means for converting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information into a stream of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, means for routing such stream via a communication network to selected users, means for controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and means for monitoring the reception of packets by the user and for accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises an audio and/or visual selection, and the means for monitoring further includes means for accumulating records that indicate the elapsed time that a user received the audio and/or visual selection.
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Specification