Multiple-party network communication system and method of troubleshooting thereof

• US 6,167,033 A
• Filed: 01/15/1998
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inventec Corporation
• Original Assignee: Inventec Corporation
• Inventors: Cao, Ou, Feng, Ge-Nan, Wen, Zhou-Bin, Chang, Jackson
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Dang
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sam, Phirin
• Application Number:
  US09/007,722
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 370/263, 370/260, 370/261, 370/262, 370/266, 370/270, 370/241-247, 395/200.34, 348/15, 348/14, 348/13, 348/17, 375/216, 375/217, 375/220, 375/222, 375/224, 375/225, 375/326, 704/200, 704/201, 704/208, 704/214, 704/231, 704/246, 704/251, 704/258
• US Class Current: 370/263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1854 with non-centralised forwarding system, e.g. chaincast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1316 Service observation, testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13166 Fault prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13167 Redundant apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13213 Counting, timing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13248 Multimedia
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13407 Detection of data transmission mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0016 Arrangements providing connection between exchanges

Abstract

The present invention provides a multiparty network communication system, which is constructed by connecting system users in serial. Various types of information are packed and encoded according to protocol into information packets. When information packets are transmitted within the network, the receiving party distinguishes them according to the coding to be voice or data information and forwards them to various modules at user'"'"'s end for further processing. Voice information is processed by virtue of the superimposing technology that mixes the receiving information with the voice information received at user'"'"'s end and forwards to other adjoining users. A multiparty voice communication is then realized. Moreover, the present invention provides methods of manipulating user'"'"'s system failure so in case one user system among conference participants fails, his neighboring users will be automatically connected to allow other participants to continue the multiparty network conferencing.

Claims

1. A method of troubleshooting a multiparty network communication system having a first user device adjoining a second user device, said method comprising:

(a) constantly sending out a testing signal by said second user device to said first user device at timed intervals;

(b) determining whether said second user device can receive a response signal from said first user device within a specified time duration, wherein said second user device constantly sends out a testing signal to said first user device at timed intervals when said second user device receives a response signal;

(c) determining whether said first user device is connected with a third user device, said second user device sending a notice that said first user device has logged off said system when first user device is determined to be disconnected, wherein said second user device constantly sends out a testing signal to said first user device at timed intervals;

(d) requesting, by said second user device, to be connected with said third user device; and

(e) connecting said second user device with said third user device.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multiparty network communication system further comprises:

a processor for performing each step, and

a network interface unit for transferring information including said logging-off notice between said first user device and said second user device.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said processor, coupled to said network interface unit, is programmed and operated so as to recognize said transferred information as either voice or data information, and when said voice information is recognized, said transferred information is superimposed with local voice information generated by a voice processing unit.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said voice and data information are packed into distinguishable information packets by said processor before transferring through said network.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the local voice information is further processed by the processor for squelching and encoding.