Methods for multiple media digital communication
First Claim
1. In a communications network where a processing machine establishes communication between a first caller and a second caller, wherein said first caller is coupled to said processing machine over a first communication medium, and said processing machine is coupled to said second caller over a second communication medium, a method comprising:
- invoking at least one connection routine at said processing machine to cause control signals to be sent to at least one of said first and second callers to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and
transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types;
wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted to at least one of said first and second callers, in accordance with said media type selections, over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels; and
wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, said processing machine causes media signals to be communicated between said first and second callers; and
wherein said first communication medium comprises a packet switched network, and said second communication medium comprises a non-packet switched network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for media communication in a digital communication system. In one embodiment, the media comprises a plurality of media types (including for example audio, video, and/or data packets), and the system includes a processing apparatus for establishing communication between first and second callers over respective first and second communication mediums, which include one or more packet-switched communication channels. The method comprises using a connection routine of the processing apparatus to enable media type selections by the callers, and transmitting, via the processing apparatus, a plurality of media packets corresponding to each of the selected media types.
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Citations
152 Claims
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1. In a communications network where a processing machine establishes communication between a first caller and a second caller, wherein said first caller is coupled to said processing machine over a first communication medium, and said processing machine is coupled to said second caller over a second communication medium, a method comprising:
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invoking at least one connection routine at said processing machine to cause control signals to be sent to at least one of said first and second callers to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted to at least one of said first and second callers, in accordance with said media type selections, over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels; and wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, said processing machine causes media signals to be communicated between said first and second callers; and wherein said first communication medium comprises a packet switched network, and said second communication medium comprises a non-packet switched network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a communications network where a processing machine establishes communications between at least first and second user machines, said first user machine being coupled to said processing machine over a first communication medium, and said processing machine being coupled to said second user machine over a second communication medium, a method comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to said first and second user machines to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types, said digital media packets being transmitted in accordance with said media type selections over said first communication medium; wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, media signals are communicated between said first and second user machines; and wherein said first communication medium comprises a packet switched network, and said second communication medium comprises a non-packet switched network. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. In a communications network where first and second user machines are adapted for communication with a processing machine via first and second communication mediums, respectively, a method of establishing user-to-user communication comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to said first and second user machines to enable respective media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types, said plurality of packets being transmitted in accordance with said media type selections over at least one channel of said first communication medium; wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, media signals are communicated between said first and second user machines via both said first and second communication mediums; and wherein said first communication medium comprises a packet switched network, and said second communication medium comprises a non-packet switched network. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. For use in a system where an apparatus is adapted to communicate with a first caller via a packet switched network, communicate with a second caller at least via a telephone line, and to communicate signals between the first and second callers, a method comprising:
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negotiating with a remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels; and placing said second caller into signal communication with the apparatus at least via the telephone line; wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises sending a first message and receiving a response message, said negotiation involving a message format that supports the description of said audio, video and data media types, wherein the first message indicates that only audio is being offered in said negotiation; wherein the apparatus communicates information between said remote processing machine and said telephone line; and wherein the telephone line transmits and receives data in a non-packet switched manner. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A method of transmitting media data packets from a first processing machine to be delivered to one or more of a plurality of remote processing machines in data communication therewith, and for placing a telephone subscriber into communication with the plurality of remote processing machines, the method comprising:
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transmitting a plurality of media data packets for delivery to at least one of said plurality of remote processing machines over a packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels having indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss, wherein each of said media data packets has a plurality of data fields associated therewith, at least one of said data fields comprising at least one destination address associated with a respective one of said plurality of remote processing machines; and communicating signals of at least one media type via a telephone network to couple the telephone subscriber into communication with the plurality of remote processing machines; wherein a first number of said plurality of media data packets may be transmitted for delivery to a first subset of said plurality of remote processing machines while a second number of said plurality of media data packets may be transmitted for delivery to a second subset of said plurality of remote processing machines, said first and second subsets not being identical. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A method of operating an apparatus disposed in a telecommunications network, said apparatus comprising a computer readable medium having at least one computer program stored at least partly thereon, said at least one computer program being adapted to bridge into teleconferencing communication one or more of a plurality of remote processing machines that are in signal communication with said apparatus via a packet switched network, and a telephone subscriber coupled to the apparatus at least partially via a telephone line, the method comprising:
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transmitting a plurality of media data packets to at least one of said plurality of remote processing machines over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels having indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss, wherein each of said media data packets has a plurality of data fields associated therewith, at least one of said data fields comprising at least one destination address associated with a respective one of said plurality of remote processing machines; and sending signals of at least one media type via a telephone network to couple said telephone subscriber into communication with the plurality of remote processing machines; wherein a first number of said plurality of media data packets may be transmitted for delivery to a first subset of said plurality of remote processing machines while a second number of said plurality of media data packets may be transmitted for delivery to a second subset of said plurality of remote processing machines, said first and second subsets not being identical. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. In a communications network where a first processing machine establishes communication between at least second and third processing machines, the second processing machine being in signal communication with said first processing machine via a first communication medium, said first processing machine being in signal communication with said third processing machine via a second communication medium, a method comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to said second and third processing machines to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said first processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted via said first processing machine to at least one of said second and third processing machines consistent with said media type selections, said at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets being transmitted over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels; wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, the first processing machine causes media signals to be communicated between the second and third processing machines; and wherein said first communication medium comprises a packet switched network, and said second communication medium comprises a non-packet switched network. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. In a communications network where a processing machine establishes communication between at least first and second users, said first user being in signal communication with said processing machine via a first communication medium, said processing machine being in signal communication with said second user via a second communication medium, a method comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to at least one of said first and second users to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted via said processing machine to at least one of said first and second users consistent with said media type selections, said at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets being transmitted over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels; wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, said processing machine causes media signals to be communicated between said first and second users, and wherein one of said first and second communication mediums comprises a packet switched network, and the other of said first and second communication mediums comprises a non-packet switched network.
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66. In a communications network where a first processing machine establishes communication between at least second and third processing machines, said second processing machine being in communication with said first processing machine via a packet-switched network having an indeterminate packet loss, said first processing machine being in signal communication with said third processing machine via at least a non-packet switched network, a method comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to said second and third processing machines to enable media type selections at each said second and third processing machines, at least said media type selection of said second processing machine comprising a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said first processing machine and said packet-switched network a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types selected at said second processing machine; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said transmitted digital media packets are also transmitted for delivery to at least said third processing machine consistent with said third processing machine'"'"'s media type selection, said first processing machine causing media signals related to said at least a portion of said transmitted digital media packets to be communicated to said third processing machine. - View Dependent Claims (67)
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68. In a communications network where a first processing machine establishes communication between at least second and third processing machines, the second processing machine being in communication with said first processing machine via communications channels of a packet-switched network having indeterminate packet loss, said first processing machine being in signal communication with said third processing machine via at least a non-packet switched network, a method comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to said second and third processing machines to enable media type selections; and transmitting via said first processing machine and said communications channels a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of at least two different media types selected via said second processing machine based at least in part on said control signals; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, said first processing machine further causes signals related to at least a portion of said transmitted digital media packets to be delivered to at least said third processing machine consistent with said third processing machine'"'"'s media type selection.
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69. In a communications network where a processing machine establishes communication between at least first and second users, said first user being in communication with said processing machine via a packet-switched network having an indeterminate packet loss, said first processing machine being in signal communication with said second user via at least a non-packet switched network, a method comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to at least one of said first and second users to enable respective media type selections; and transmitting via said processing machine and said packet-switched network a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of at least two different first user media types, said at least two different first user media types being selected based at least in part on said control signals; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different first user media types, said first processing machine further causes signals associated with at least a portion of said plurality of digital media packets to be delivered to at least said second user consistent with said second user media type selection.
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70. For use in a system where a communications apparatus is adapted to communicate with a first caller apparatus over a packet switched network and with a second caller apparatus via a telephone line, and to communicate signals between the first and second caller apparatus, a method comprising:
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negotiating with the first caller apparatus a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the communication apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said first caller apparatus over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels having indeterminate packet loss; and placing said second caller apparatus into signal communication with the communication apparatus at least via the telephone line; wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises sending a first message and receiving a response message, said negotiation involving a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types, wherein the first message indicates that only audio is being offered in the present negotiation; and wherein the communication apparatus communicates information between said first caller apparatus and said telephone line.
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71. For use in an apparatus adapted to couple into communication a remote processing machine with a caller coupled via a telephone line, a method comprising:
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negotiating with said remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over a packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels having indeterminate packet loss; and placing said caller into signal communication with the apparatus at least via the telephone line; wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises sending a first message and receiving a response message, said negotiation involving a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types; and wherein the apparatus communicates information between said remote processing machine and said telephone line. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82)
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83. For use in an apparatus adapted to couple into communication a remote processing machine with a caller coupled via a telephone line, a method comprising:
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negotiating with said remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over a packet switched network; and placing said caller into signal communication with the apparatus at least via the telephone line; wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types; and wherein the apparatus communicates information between said remote processing machine and said telephone line. - View Dependent Claims (84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94)
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95. For use in an apparatus adapted to couple into communication a remote processing means with a caller coupled via a telephonic means, a method comprising the steps of:
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a step for negotiating with said remote processing means a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing means over a packet switched network; a step for placing said caller into signal communication with the apparatus at least via the telephonic means; wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types; and a step for the apparatus to communicate information between said remote processing means and said telephonic means. - View Dependent Claims (96)
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97. In a communications network where a processing machine establishes communication between at least a first caller, a second caller, and a third caller, wherein said first caller is coupled to said processing machine over a first communication medium, and said processing machine is coupled to said second caller over a second communication medium, and said processing machine is coupled to said third caller over a third communication medium, a method comprising:
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invoking at least one connection routine at said processing machine to cause control signals to be sent to at least one of said first, second and third callers to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted to at least one of said first, second and third callers, in accordance with said media type selections, over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels; wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, the processing machine causes media signals to be communicated among the first, second and third callers; and wherein in at least one supported mode of communication, a first number of said plurality of digital media packets is transmitted for delivery from said first caller to said second caller while a second number of said plurality of digital media packets is transmitted for delivery from said first caller to said third caller, wherein said first and second numbers may not be identical. - View Dependent Claims (98, 99, 100)
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101. In a communications network where a processing machine establishes communications between at least first, second and third user machines, said first user machine being coupled to said processing machine over a first communication medium, said processing machine being coupled to said second user machine over a second communication medium, said processing machine being coupled to said third user machine over a third communication medium, a method comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to said first, second and third user machines to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types, said plurality of digital media packets being transmitted in accordance with said media type selections over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels; wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, media signals are communicated among said first, second and third user machines; and wherein in at least one supported mode of communication, a first number of said plurality of digital media packets is transmitted for delivery from said first user machine to said second user machine while a second number of said plurality of digital media packets is transmitted for delivery from said first user machine to said third user machine, wherein said first and second numbers may not be identical. - View Dependent Claims (102, 103, 104)
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105. For use in a system where a processing machine is adapted to communicate with a first caller via a packet switched network, communicate with a second caller at least via a second network, communicate with a third caller at least via a third network, and to communicate signals among the first, second and third callers, a method comprising:
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negotiating with a remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the processing machine to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels; placing said second caller into signal communication with the processing machine at least via the second network; and placing said third caller into signal communication with the processing machine at least via the third network; wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises sending a first message and receiving a response message, said negotiation involving a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types, wherein the first message indicates that only audio is being offered in the negotiation; and wherein in at least one supported mode of communication, a first number of said media data packets is transmitted for delivery from said first caller to said second caller while a second number of said media data packets is transmitted for delivery from said first caller to said third caller, wherein said first and second numbers may not be identical. - View Dependent Claims (106, 107, 108)
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109. In a communications network where a first processing machine establishes communication between at least second and third processing machines, said second processing machine being in signal communication with said first processing machine via a first communication medium, said first processing machine being in signal communication with said third processing machine via a second communication medium, a method comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to said second and third processing machines to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said first processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted via said first processing machine to at least one of said second and third processing machines consistent with said media type selections, said at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets being transmitted over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels; wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, the first processing machine causes media signals to be communicated between the second and third processing machines; and wherein in at least one supported mode of communication, a first number of said plurality of digital media packets is transmitted for delivery from said first processing machine to said second processing machine while a second number of said plurality of digital media packets is transmitted for delivery from said first processing machine to said third processing machine, wherein said first and second numbers may not be identical. - View Dependent Claims (110, 111, 112)
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113. In a communications network where a processing machine establishes communication between at least first, second and third users, said first user being in signal communication with said processing machine via a first communication medium, said processing machine being in signal communication with said second user via a second communication medium, said processing machine being in signal communication with said third user via a third communication medium, a method comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to at least one of said first, second and third users to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted via said processing machine to at least one of said first, second and third users consistent with said media type selections, said at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets being transmitted over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels; wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, said processing machine causes media signals to be communicated among said first, second and third users; and wherein in at least one supported mode of communication, a first number of said plurality of digital media packets is transmitted for delivery from said first user to said second user while a second number of said plurality of digital media packets is transmitted for delivery from said first user to said third user, wherein said first and second numbers may not be identical. - View Dependent Claims (114, 115, 116)
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117. In a communications network where a processing machine establishes communication between a first caller and a second caller, wherein said first caller is coupled to said processing machine over a first communication medium, and said processing machine is coupled to said second caller over a second communication medium, a method comprising:
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invoking at least one connection routine at said processing machine to cause control signals to be sent to at least one of said first and second callers to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted to at least one of said first and second callers in accordance with said media type selections over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said media type selections by said first and second callers; and wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, the processing machine causes media signals to be communicated between the first and second callers. - View Dependent Claims (118, 119, 120)
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121. In a communications network where a processing machine establishes communications between at least first and second user machines, said first user machine being coupled to said processing machine over a first communication medium, and said processing machine being coupled to said second user machine over a second communication medium, a method comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to said first and second user machines to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types, said plurality of digital media packets being transmitted in accordance with said media type selections over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said media type selections; wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, media signals are communicated between the first and second user machines. - View Dependent Claims (122, 123, 124)
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125. In a communications network where first and second user machines are adapted for communication with a processing machine via first and second communication mediums, respectively, a method of establishing user-to-user communication comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to said first and second user machines to enable respective media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types, said packets being transmitted in accordance with said media type selections over at least one channel of said first medium, said at least one channel including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said at least two different media types; wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, media signals are communicated between the first and second user machines via both said first and second communication mediums. - View Dependent Claims (126, 127, 128)
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129. For use in a system where a processing machine is adapted to communicate with a first caller via a packet switched network, communicate with a second caller at least via a telephone line, and to communicate signals between the first and second callers, a method comprising:
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negotiating with a remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the processing machine to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said at least one media type; and placing said second caller into signal communication with the processing machine at least via the telephone line; wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises sending a first message and receiving a response message, said negotiation involving a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types, wherein the first message indicates that only audio is being offered in the negotiation; and wherein the processing machine communicates information between said remote processing machine and said telephone line. - View Dependent Claims (130, 131, 132)
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133. In a communications network where a first processing machine establishes communication between at least second and third processing machines, the second processing machine being in signal communication with said first processing machine via a first communication medium, said first processing machine being in signal communication with said third processing machine via a second communication medium, a method comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to said second and third processing machines to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said first processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted via said first processing machine to at least one of said second and third processing machines consistent with said media type selections, said at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets being transmitted over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said at least two different media types; and wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, the first processing machine causes media signals to be communicated between the second and third processing machines. - View Dependent Claims (134, 135, 136)
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137. In a communications network where a processing machine establishes communication between at least first and second users, the first user being in signal communication with said processing machine via a first communication medium, said processing machine being in signal communication with said second user via a second communication medium, a method comprising:
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causing control signals to be sent to at least one of said first and second users to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted via said processing machine to at least one of said first and second users consistent with said media type selections, said at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets being transmitted over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said at least two different media types; and wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, the processing machine causes media signals to be communicated between the first and second users. - View Dependent Claims (138, 139, 140)
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141. For use in a system where a processing machine is adapted to communicate with a first caller via a first network that corresponds to a packet switched network, communicate with a second caller at least via a second network, and to communicate signals between the first and second callers, a method comprising:
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negotiating with a remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the processing machine to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels; placing said second caller into signal communication with the processing machine at least via the second network; wherein, in a case where the second network is a telephone line and said selection is of only audio, said negotiation comprises sending a first message and receiving a response message, said negotiation involving a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types, wherein the response message indicates that only audio is being accepted in the negotiation; and wherein the processing machine communicates information between said remote processing machine and said second network. - View Dependent Claims (142, 143, 144)
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145. In a communications network where a processing machine establishes communication between a first caller and a second caller, wherein said first caller is coupled to said processing machine over a first communication medium, and said processing machine is coupled to said second caller over a second communication medium, a method comprising:
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invoking at least one connection routine at said processing machine to cause control signals to be sent to at least one of said first and second callers to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and transmitting via said processing machine a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types; wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted to at least one of said first and second callers, in accordance with said media type selections, over said first communication medium via one or more packet switched communication channels, wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, the processing machine causes media signals to be communicated between the first and second callers, and wherein said processing machine is adapted to assign a priority to each of said corresponding digital media packets, said method further comprising; holding, in a queue, said plurality of corresponding digital media packets prior to transmission; placing successive ones of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets in said queue in order of said assigned priorities; and transmitting a first digital media packet in said queue. - View Dependent Claims (146, 147, 148)
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149. A method of transmitting data packets from a first processing machine to be delivered to one or more of a plurality of remote processing machines in data communication therewith, and for placing a telephone subscriber into communication with the plurality of remote processing machines, the method comprising:
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transmitting a plurality of media data packets for delivery to at least one of said plurality of remote processing machines over a packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, wherein each of said media data packets has a plurality of data fields associated therewith, at least one of said data fields comprising at least one destination address associated with a respective one of said plurality of remote processing machines; and communicating signals of at least one media type via a telephone network to couple the telephone subscriber into communication with the plurality of remote processing machines; wherein a first number of said plurality of media data packets may be transmitted for delivery to a first subset of said plurality of remote processing machines while a second number of said plurality of media data packets may be transmitted for delivery to a second subset of said plurality of remote processing machines, said first and second subsets not being identical.
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150. A method of operating an apparatus disposed in a telecommunications network, said apparatus comprising a computer readable medium having at least one computer program stored at least partly thereon, said at least one computer program being adapted to bridge into teleconferencing communication one or more of a plurality of remote processing machines that are in signal communication with said apparatus via a packet switched network, and a telephone subscriber coupled to the apparatus at least partially via a telephone line, the method comprising:
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transmitting each of a plurality of media data packets to at least one of said plurality of remote processing machines over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, wherein each of said media data packets has a plurality of data fields associated therewith, at least one of said data fields comprising at least one destination address associated with a respective one of said plurality of remote processing machines; and sending signals of at least one media type via a telephone network to couple said telephone subscriber into communication with the plurality of remote processing machines; wherein a first number of said plurality of media data packets may be transmitted for delivery to a first subset of said plurality of remote processing machines while a second number of said plurality of packets may be transmitted for delivery to a second subset of said plurality of remote processing machines, said first and second subsets not being identical.
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151. For use in an apparatus adapted to couple into communication a remote processing machine with a caller coupled via a telephone line, a method comprising:
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negotiating with said remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over a packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels; and placing said caller into signal communication with the apparatus at least via the telephone line; wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises sending a first message and receiving a response message, said negotiation involving a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types; and wherein the apparatus communicates information between said remote processing machine and said telephone line.
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152. For use in an apparatus adapted to couple into communication a remote processing means with a caller coupled via a telephonic means, a method comprising the steps of:
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a step for negotiating with said remote processing means a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing means over a packet switched network; a step for placing said caller into signal communication with the apparatus at least via the telephonic means; wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types; and a step for the apparatus to communicate information between said remote processing means and said telephonic means.
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Specification