Method and apparatus for communicating data between two hosts
First Claim
1. A method for communicating video conference data between at least a first host and a second host, the method comprising:
- establishing a first communication channel between the first host and a directory server;
providing periodically, by the first host to the directory server;
at least one keep-alive message to maintain the first communication channel;
establishing a second communication channel between the second host and the directory server;
providing periodically, by the second host to the directory server;
at least one keep-alive message to maintain the second communication channel;
requesting, from the directory server, address information of the first host, the address information including information identifying a first open port in a first network security system coupled between the first host and the directory server;
wherein the address information of the first host was previously provided to the directory server by a process of registration of the first host;
receiving, at the second host, the address information of the first host; and
communicating video conference data from the second host to the first host via a direct communication channel passing through the first open port in the first network security system and a second network security system coupled between the second host and the directory server, using the address information of the first host, and absent intervention from an intermediate server system.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for communicating video data between at least a first host and a second host comprises: identifying, at a server, an address of the first host, to which the second host may communicate video data, and a sequence number expected by a network security system coupled between the first host and the server; and communicating, from the second host to the first host, video data using the address of the first host and the sequence number expected. The method may further comprise: identifying, at the server, an address of the second host, to which the first host may communicate video data, and a second sequence number expected by a network security system coupled between the second host and the server; and communicating, from the first host to the second host, video data using the address of the second host and the second expected sequence number. The second host may be adapted to perform the act of communicating without use of an intermediate server. The method may also further comprise communicating periodically, from the first host to the server, through the network security system, so as to maintain an open communication channel through the network security system to the first host at the address of the first host. The address of the first host may include address information and port information.
-
Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A method for communicating video conference data between at least a first host and a second host, the method comprising:
-
establishing a first communication channel between the first host and a directory server; providing periodically, by the first host to the directory server;
at least one keep-alive message to maintain the first communication channel;establishing a second communication channel between the second host and the directory server; providing periodically, by the second host to the directory server;
at least one keep-alive message to maintain the second communication channel;requesting, from the directory server, address information of the first host, the address information including information identifying a first open port in a first network security system coupled between the first host and the directory server;
wherein the address information of the first host was previously provided to the directory server by a process of registration of the first host;receiving, at the second host, the address information of the first host; and communicating video conference data from the second host to the first host via a direct communication channel passing through the first open port in the first network security system and a second network security system coupled between the second host and the directory server, using the address information of the first host, and absent intervention from an intermediate server system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A system for communicating video conference data, the system comprising:
-
a communication network; a first host computer connected to the communication network through a first intermediary system; a second host computer connected to the communication network through a second intermediary system; and a directory server computer connected to the communication network and with which the first and second host computers communicate, wherein the first host is configured to establish a first communication channel between the first host and the directory server and periodically provide at least one keep-alive message to the directory server to maintain the first communication channel, wherein the second host is configured to establish a second communication channel between the second host and the directory server and periodically provide at least one keep-alive message to the directory server to maintain the second communication channel, wherein the directory server computer is configured to receive address information from each of the first and second host computers in a registration process, the address information including information identifying an open port in the corresponding intermediary systems, and wherein the directory server computer is configured to supply each of the first and second host computers with the address information of the other host computer permitting, absent intervention by an intermediate server system, communication between the first and second host computers via a direct communication channel passing through the open ports in the first and second intermediary systems. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
-
Specification