Selecting communication link between client and server

• US 6,308,221 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1998
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: WebTV Networks Inc. (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Goldman, Phillip Y., Perlman, Stephen G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rinehart, Mark H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit, Bunjob
• Application Number:
  US09/107,063
• Time in Patent Office: 1,211 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/206, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/227, 709/231, 709/241, 709/239, 709/238, 709/228, 379/114, 379/115, 379/111, 379/112, 379/113, 348/3, 348/2, 348/1, 348/7, 348/12, 348/13, 455/5.1, 370/351
• US Class Current: 709/241
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2898 Subscriber equipments DSL modems H04M11/062; cable modems H04L12/2801
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/401 wherein the services involve a main real-time session and one or more additional parallel real-time or time sensitive sessions, e.g. white board sharing or spawning of a subconference
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/064 Data transmission during pauses in telephone conversation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8044 Least cost routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8055 Selecting cheaper transport technology for a given service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/42 Least cost routing, i.e. provision for selecting the lowest cost tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/745 Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7464 Select transport technology for a given service, e.g. use for data connection WLAN rather than GSM/UMTS/GPRS or use company's communication network rather than a public network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4281 when the called subscriber is connected to a data network using his telephone line, e.g. dial-up connection, Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4288 Notifying a called subscriber of an incoming call during an ongoing call, e.g. Call Waiting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 : Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 : for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/46 : Embedding additional information in the video signal during the compression process H04N19/517, H04N19/68, H04N19/70 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42676 : for modulating an analogue carrier signal to encode digital information or demodulating it to decode digital information, e.g. ADSL or cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4332 : by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository interfaces, Database management systems or updating for information retrieval G06F16/23; details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44209 : Monitoring of downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. bandwidth variations of a wireless network arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 : e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6137 : involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 : involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/637 : Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

A client is coupled to a modem pool and a server by a communication link in a wide area network. The client allows a user to browse the World Wide Web in response to user inputs entered entirely from a remote control device using a television set as a display device. The communication link to the client is shared by a telephone circuit at the client end of the link. A disruption in communication with the server may occur due to a Call Waiting signal caused by an incoming telephone call. The incoming call includes Caller ID information. In response to such a disruption, communication with the server is terminated. After pausing for a predetermined period of time, the client automatically re-establishes communication with the server if the line is clear. Upon reconnecting to the server, the client accesses a “White Pages” telephone directory Web site on a remote server. Using the number provided in the Caller ID information, the client looks up the name of the caller from the directory and stores the number and the corresponding name. Each time an incoming call is subsequently received from that number, the client displays the name of the calling party to the user as the call is received.

Claims

1. In a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein a client system can communicate with a server system via any one of a plurality of communication links, a method of selecting a communication link for communicating with the server system, comprising steps for:

identifying a first communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system;

identifying a first cost and a first data transfer rate associated with use of the first communication link;

identifying a second communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system;

identifying a second cost and a second data transfer rate associated with use of the second communication link;

determining whether a prime usage time period applies to either of the first or second communication links;

if a prime usage time period applies and a communication request is not within the prime usage time period, or if no prime usage time period applies, preferring the more expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system if the more expensive communication link has a higher data transfer rate than the less expensive communication link, and otherwise, preferring the less expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system; and

communicating with the server system via the preferred communication link.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection and the second communication link comprises a telephone connection.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection and the second communication link comprises a cable television connection.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first communication link comprises an telephone connection and the second communication link comprises a cable television connection.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection; and

the step for identifying the first cost comprises a step for determining the time of day, the first cost being a function of the time of day.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising steps for:

waiting a period of time, during which the first cost changes;

identifying the changed first cost after the period of time;

based at least in part on a comparison of the changed first cost to the second cost, preferring another communication link from among the first communication link and the second communication link for transmitting data between the server system and the client system; and

communicating with the server system via the preferred another communication link.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising steps for:

determining that the preferred communication link is idle;

preserving a most recent communication status for the preferred communication link; and

at least temporarily, terminating communication over the preferred communication link with the server system.

8. A method as defined in claim 7, further comprising steps for:

determining that communication with the server system should be reestablished; and

resuming communication with the server system, based on the most recent communication status and without requiring further input from the user.

9. In a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein multiple communication links are available to be selected for communicating between a client system and a server system, a computer program product for implementing a method of selecting a communication link comprising:

a computer-readable medium carrying executable instructions for implementing the method at the client system; and

wherein said method comprises machine-executable instructions that perform steps for;

identifying a first communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system;

identifying a first cost and a first data transfer rate associated with use of the first communication link;

identifying a second communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system;

identifying a second cost and second data transfer rate associated with use of the second communication link;

determining whether a prime usage time period applies to either of the first or second communication links; and

if a prime usage time period applies and a communication request is not within the prime usage time period, or if no prime usage time period applies, preferring the more expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system if the more expensive communication link has a higher data transfer rate than the less expensive communication link, and otherwise, preferring the less expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system.

10. A computer program product as defined in claim 9, wherein the method further comprises a step for communicating with the server system via the preferred communication link.

11. A computer program product as defined in claim 9, wherein the method further comprises a step for determining the time of day, at least one of the first cost and the second cost changing with the time of day.

12. A computer program product as defined in claim 9, wherein the method further comprises steps for:

waiting a period of time, during which the first cost changes;

identifying the changed first cost after the period of time;

based at least in part on a comparison of the changed first cost to the second cost, preferring another communication link from among the first communication link and the second communication link for transmitting data between the server system and the client system; and

communicating with the server system via the preferred another communication link.

13. A computer program product as defined in claim 9, the method further comprising steps for:

determining that the preferred communication link is idle;

preserving a most recent communication status for the preferred communication link; and

at least temporarily, terminating communication over the preferred communication link with the server system.

14. A computer program product as recited in claim 13, the method further comprising steps for:

determining that communication with the server system should be reestablished; and

resuming communication with the server system, based on the most recent communication status and without requiring further input from the user.

15. In a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein a client system can communicate with a server system via one or more of a plurality of communication links, a method of selecting a communication link for communicating with the server system, comprising acts of:

associating first information, including a first cost for use and a first data transfer rate, with a first communication link that is available to the client system;

associating second information, including a second cost for use and a second data transfer rate, with a second communication link that is available to the client system;

examining the information associated with each communication link to determine whether a prime usage time period applies to either of the first or second communication links;

if a prime usage time period applies and a communication request is not within the prime usage time period, or if no prime usage time period applies, selecting the more expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system if the more expensive communication link has a higher data transfer rate than the less expensive communication link, and otherwise, selecting the less expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system; and

receiving data from the server system via the selected communication link.

16. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection and the second communication link comprises a telephone connection.

17. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection and the second communication link comprises a cable television connection.

18. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein the first communication link comprises an telephone connection and the second communication link comprises a cable television connection.

19. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection, and wherein the first cost for use of the first communication link is a function of the time of day, the method further comprising an act of keeping track of the time of day.

20. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein the first cost changes during a period of time, the method further comprising acts of:

based at least in part on a comparison of the changed first cost to the second cost, selecting another communication link from among the first communication link and the second communication link for transmitting data between the server system and the client system; and

receiving data from the server system via the selected another communication link.

21. A method as defined in claim 15, further comprising acts of:

receiving either no input or no input requiring access to the network for at least a predetermined period of time;

saving a most recent communication status for the preferred communication link; and

disconnecting the preferred communication link from the server system.

22. A method as defined in claim 21, further comprising acts of:

receiving input which may include input that requires access to the network; and

reconnecting with the server system, based on the most recent communication status and without requiring further input from the user.

23. In a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein a client system can communicate with a server system via one or more of a plurality of communication links, a computer program product for implementing a method of selecting a communication link for communicating with the server system, comprising:

a computer-readable medium carrying executable instructions for implementing the method at the client system; and

wherein said method comprises machine-executable instructions that perform acts of;

associating first information, including a first cost for use and a first data transfer rate, with a first communication link that is available to the client system;

associating second information, including a second cost for use and a second data transfer rate, with a second communication link that is available to the client system;

examining the information associated with each communication link to determine whether a prime usage time period applies to either of the first or second communication links;

if a prime usage time period applies and a communication request is not within the prime usage time period, or if no prime usage time period applies, selecting the more expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system if the more expensive communication link has a higher data transfer rate than the less expensive communication link, and otherwise, selecting the less expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system; and

receiving data from the server system via the selected communication link.

24. A computer program product as defined in claim 23, wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection and the second communication link comprises a telephone connection.

25. A computer program product as defined in claim 23, wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection and the second communication link comprises a cable television connection.

26. A computer program product as defined in claim 23, wherein the first communication link comprises an telephone connection and the second communication link comprises a cable television connection.

27. A computer program product as defined in claim 23, wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection, and wherein the first cost for use of the first communication link is a function of the time of day, the method further comprising an act of keeping track of the time of day.

28. A computer program product as defined in claim 23, wherein the first cost changes during a period of time, the method further comprising acts of:

based at least in part on a comparison of the changed first cost to the second cost, selecting another communication link from among the first communication link and the second communication link for transmitting data between the server system and the client system; and

receiving data from the server system via the selected another communication link.

29. A computer program product as defined in claim 23, the method further comprising acts of:

receiving either no input or no input requiring access to the network for at least a predetermined period of time;

saving a most recent communication status for the preferred communication link; and

disconnecting the preferred communication link from the server system.

30. A computer program product as recited in claim 29, the method further comprising acts of:

receiving input which may include input that requires access to the network; and

reconnecting with the server system, based on the most recent communication status and without requiring funrther input from the user.