Data routing and management with routing path selectivity
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- at least one processor; and
at least one memory including computer program code,the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,respond to a request for data transfer from one of a plurality of registered data sources over a network to a remote packet-communicating device by authenticating the request as a function of authorization criteria,receive data specifying available communications links automatically identified for directly communicating between the registered data source and the remote packet-communicating device,for the authenticated request, ascertain information about the available communications links for transferring the requested data to the remote packet-communicating device based upon the data specifying the available communications links,select one of the available communications links as a function of the ascertained information, andadministratively control the registered data source, by sending administrative routing control inputs, for routing the requested data between the registered data source and the remote packet-communicating device over the selected communications link.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Data transfer over a network is effected in a manner that facilitates the use of available communications channels and makes possible enhanced data routing control and monitoring. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, data is routed to a remote (e.g., mobile) user device over a packet-communicating network having a plurality of communication links. When the transfer of data to the remote use device is requested or otherwise initiated, a host server selects one of the plurality of communications links available for transferring the data to the remote user device. The host server then uses routing functions (e.g., software) at a registered data source to access and transfer data from the registered data source to the remote user device.
145 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following, respond to a request for data transfer from one of a plurality of registered data sources over a network to a remote packet-communicating device by authenticating the request as a function of authorization criteria, receive data specifying available communications links automatically identified for directly communicating between the registered data source and the remote packet-communicating device, for the authenticated request, ascertain information about the available communications links for transferring the requested data to the remote packet-communicating device based upon the data specifying the available communications links, select one of the available communications links as a function of the ascertained information, and administratively control the registered data source, by sending administrative routing control inputs, for routing the requested data between the registered data source and the remote packet-communicating device over the selected communications link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following, receive, via a packet-based network, communicated information characterizing network links available to one of a plurality of remote packet-communicating devices for accessing a hosted packet-based interface, respond to a request from the remote packet-communicating device for accessing the hosted packet-based interface by authorizing the remote packet-communicating device to access a registered data source configured to communicate over the packet-based network, in response to the remote packet-communicating device being authorized, provide, via the hosted packet-based interface, information that characterizes data at the registered data source, and select one of the network links and providing access to the hosted packet-based interface via the selected network link by administratively controlling the registered data source for routing the requested data to the remote packet-communicating device via the selected network link.
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24. A method comprising:
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causing, at least in part, reception, by an apparatus, of information characterizing communications links available for directly communicating with one of a plurality of remote packet-communicating devices, responding, by the apparatus, to a request for data transfer from a registered data source to the remote packet-communicating device by authenticating the request as a function of authorization criteria, for the authenticated request, ascertaining, by the apparatus information about the communications links for transferring the requested data to the remote packet-communicating device using the information characterizing the communications links, selecting one of the communications links as a function of the ascertained information, and administratively controlling the registered data source for routing the requested data from the registered data source to the remote packet-communicating device over the selected communications link. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An apparatus comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following, program a plurality of registered data sources by downloading a software-implemented routing controller to the registered data sources, for remotely administratively controlling the routing of data from the registered data sources, respond to a request for data transfer from one of the plurality of registered data sources to a remote packet-communicating device by authenticating the request as a function of authorization criteria, for the authenticated request, ascertain information about communications links available for directly communicating with the remote packet-communicating device for transferring the requested data thereto, select one of the available communications links as a function of the ascertained information, and administratively controlling the software-implemented routing controller at the registered data source for routing the requested data between the registered data source and the remote packet-communicating device over the selected communications link.
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31. A method comprising:
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responding, by an apparatus, to a request for data transfer from one of a plurality of registered data sources over a network to a remote packet-communicating device by authenticating the request as a function of authorization criteria; causing, at least in part, reception, by the apparatus, of data specifying available communications links automatically identified for directly communicating between the registered data source and the remote packet-communicating device; for the authenticated request, ascertaining, by the apparatus, information about the available communications links for transferring the requested data to the remote packet-communicating device based upon the data specifying the available communications links; selecting, by the apparatus, one of the available communications links as a function of the ascertained information; and administratively controlling, by the apparatus, the registered data source, by sending administrative routing control inputs, for routing the requested data between the registered data source and the remote packet-communicating device over the selected communications link.
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32. A method comprising:
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causing, at least in part, reception, by an apparatus, via a packet-based network, communicated information characterizing network links available to one of a plurality of remote packet-communicating devices for accessing a hosted packet-based interface; responding, by the apparatus, to a request from the remote packet-communicating device for accessing the hosted packet-based interface by authorizing the remote packet-communicating device to access a registered data source configured to communicate over the packet-based network; in response to the remote packet-communicating device being authorized, providing, by the apparatus, via the hosted packet-based interface, information that characterizes data at the registered data source, and selecting, by the apparatus, one of the network links and providing access to the hosted packet-based interface via the selected network link by administratively controlling the registered data source for routing the requested data to the remote packet-communicating device via the selected network link.
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33. An apparatus comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following, receive information characterizing communications links available for directly communicating with one of a plurality of remote packet-communicating devices; respond to a request for data transfer from a registered data source to the remote packet-communicating device by authenticating the request as a function of authorization criteria; for the authenticated request, ascertain information about the communications links for transferring the requested data to the remote packet-communicating device using the information characterizing the communications links; select one of the communications links as a function of the ascertained information; and administratively control the registered data source for routing the requested data from the registered data source to the remote packet-communicating device over the selected communications link.
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34. A method comprising:
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programming, by an apparatus, a plurality of registered data sources by downloading a software-implemented routing controller to the registered data sources, for remotely administratively controlling the routing of data from the registered data sources; responding, by the apparatus, to a request for data transfer from one of the plurality of registered data sources to a remote packet-communicating device by authenticating the request as a function of authorization criteria; for the authenticated request, ascertaining, by the apparatus, information about communications links available for directly communicating with the remote packet-communicating device for transferring the requested data thereto; selecting, by the apparatus, one of the available communications links as a function of the ascertained information; and administratively controlling by the apparatus the software-implemented routing controller at the registered data source for routing the requested data between the registered data source and the remote packet-communicating device over the selected communications link.
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Specification