Telecommunication and multimedia management method and apparatus

• US 8,670,531 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2010
• Issued: 03/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxer IP LLC (Voxer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Voxer IP LLC (Voxer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Katis, Thomas E., Panttaja, James T., Panttaja, Mary G., Ranney, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US12/775,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20100217822A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.01, 379/90.01, 379/88.04, 379 8806- 8808, 379 8822- 8828, 379/93.24, 709204-206, 709/219, 709/231
• US Class Current: 379/93.01
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/126 Foldable, retractable or tiltable tribunes E04H3/123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/16 Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs coordinating program control therefor G06F9/52; in regulating and control system G05B
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1831 Tracking arrangements for later retrieval, e.g. recording contents, participants activities or behavior, network status
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/216 Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/226 Delivery according to priorities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2503 Translation of Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1083 In-session procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4015 where at least one of the additional parallel sessions is real time or time sensitive, e.g. white board sharing, collaboration or spawning of a subconference
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/752 adapting media to network capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/764 at the destination reformatting of additional data in video clients H04N21/4355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/64 Automatic arrangements for answering calls; Automatic arrangements for recording messages for absent subscribers; Arrangements for recording conversations centralised dictation systems H04M11/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 : Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

A telecommunication and multimedia management apparatus and method that supports voice and other media communications and that enables users to: (i) participate in multiple conversation modes, including live phone calls, conference calls, instant voice messaging or tactical communications; (ii) review the messages of conversations in either a live mode or a time-shifted mode and to seamlessly transition back and forth between the two modes; (iii) participate in multiple conversations either concurrently or simultaneously; (iv) archive the messages of conversations for later review or processing; and (v) persistently store media either created or received on the communication devices of users. The latter feature enables users to generate or review media when either disconnected from the network or network conditions are poor and to optimize the delivery of media over the network based on network conditions and the intention of the users participating in conversations.

Claims

1. A communication device configured to be connected to a network, the communication device comprising:

a progressive, store and forward, messaging element that progressively stores on the communication device and progressively transmits voice media of an outgoing asynchronous message created using the communication device as the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message is created, the progressive, store and forward, messaging element configured to transmit the voice media of the asynchronous message such that;

(a) a recipient may review the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message in near real-time on a second communication device associated with the recipient; and

(b) delivery of the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message is ensured to the second communication device associated with the recipient.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to deliver a complete copy of the outgoing asynchronous message during a first transmission session without the need for a second transmission session.

3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to transmit the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message using a transmission protocol that supports near real-time communication while guaranteeing delivery of a complete copy of the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message to the second communication device associated with the recipient.

4. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is configured to deliver a complete copy of the outgoing asynchronous message by retransmitting voice media designated as missing and/or defective so that both the communication device and the second communication device have identical copies of the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message.

5. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to retransmit, in response to requests for retransmission, the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message designated as missing and/or defective, the retransmission guaranteeing delivery of a complete copy of the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message to the second communication device associated with the recipient.

6. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to transmit the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message out of storage when conditions on the network are not adequate for transmission when the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message is created.

7. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to transmit the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message out of storage when:

(i) the communication device was disconnected from the network when the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message was created; and

(ii) the communication device reconnects to the network.

8. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to progressively transmit the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message as fast as conditions on the network permit.

9. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to progressively transmit the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message at a bit rate commensurate with the available bit rate on the network.

10. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is configured to transmit the asynchronous message without first establishing a connection with the second communication device.

11. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to selectively render the voice media of the incoming and/or outgoing asynchronous messages from storage when the communication device is disconnected from the network.

12. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to:

receive voice media of an incoming asynchronous message at the communication device;

note missing and/or defective voice media of the incoming asynchronous message at the communication device; and

generate retransmission requests for the noted voice media so that a complete copy of the incoming asynchronous message as transmitted is received and stored on the communication device when the retransmission requests are satisfied.

13. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to selectively render voice media of an incoming asynchronous message for the first time:

in a near real-time rendering mode by progressively rendering the voice media of the incoming asynchronous message as the voice media is progressively received over the network; and

(ii) in a time-shifted mode by retrieving and progressively rendering the voice media of the incoming asynchronous message out of storage.

14. The communication device of claim 13, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to progressively render the voice media of the incoming asynchronous message in either the real-time mode or the time-shifted mode without interfering with the progressive storage on the communication device of the voice media of the incoming and/or outgoing asynchronous messages.

15. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to thread together one or more outgoing asynchronous messages and one or more incoming asynchronous messages sharing a common attribute into a conversation.

16. The communication device of claim 15, wherein the common attribute comprises one of the following:

(i) a conversation name;

(ii) a conversation subject;

(iii) the name of a participant of the conversation;

or

(iv) a name of a group of participants of the conversation.

17. The communication device of claim 15, wherein the conversation includes one or more of the following types of media in addition to voice media:

(i) audio;

(ii) text;

(iii) photos; and

(iv) video.

18. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to enable a user of the communication device to participate in multiple conversations.

19. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to provide a substantially live communication experience for the user of the communication device when an incoming asynchronous message from the second communication device is rendered as the incoming asynchronous message is transmitted over the network by the second communication device.

20. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to provide a messaging experience for the user of the communication device when incoming asynchronous messages from the second communication device are rendered and outgoing asynchronous messages are transmitted at different times with respect to one another.

21. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to provide a synchronous communication experience for the user of the communication device.

22. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to transmit an identifier associated with the recipient when transmitting the outgoing asynchronous message.

23. The communication device of claim 22, wherein the identifier is a non-IP address identifier.

24. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to progressively transmit the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message with an identifier to a server located on the network, the server delivering the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message to the recipient using the identifier to find a delivery route over the network to the second communication device.

25. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the progressive, store and forward, messaging element is further configured to operate the communication device in a full-duplex communication mode when transmitting outgoing asynchronous messages and receiving incoming asynchronous messages at approximately the same time.

26. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the outgoing asynchronous message further comprises, in addition to voice media, one or more of the following types of streaming media:

video, sensor data, radio signals, position or GPS information, or any combination thereof.

27. The communication device of claim 1, comprises one of the following:

a land-line phone, a wireless phone, a mobile phone, a computer, a radio, a satellite phone, a satellite radio, a tactical radio, or a tactical phone.

28. A method performed on a communication device configured to be connected to a network, the method comprising:

a progressively storing on the communication device and progressively forwarding from the communication device voice media of an outgoing asynchronous message using the communication device as the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message is created, the progressive storing and forwarding of the voice media of the asynchronous message such that;

(a) a recipient may review the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message in near real-time on a second communication device associated with the recipient; and

(b) delivery of the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message is ensured to the second communication device associated with the recipient.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising delivering a complete copy of the outgoing asynchronous message during a first transmission session without the need for a second transmission session.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising transmitting the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message using a transmission protocol that supports near real-time communication while guaranteeing delivery of a complete copy of the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message to the second communication device associated with the recipient.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising delivering a complete copy of the outgoing asynchronous message by retransmitting voice media designated as missing and/or defective so that both the communication device and the second communication device have identical copies of the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising retransmitting, in response to requests for retransmission, the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message designated as missing and/or defective, the retransmission guaranteeing delivery of a complete copy of the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message to the second communication device associated with the recipient.

33. The method of claim 28, further comprising transmitting the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message out of storage when conditions on the network are not adequate for transmission when the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message is created.

34. The method of claim 28, further comprising transmitting the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message out of storage when:

(i) the communication device was disconnected from the network when the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message was created; and

(ii) the communication device reconnects to the network.

35. The method of claim 28, further comprising progressively transmitting the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message as fast as conditions on the network permit.

36. The method of claim 28, further comprising progressively transmitting the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message at a bit rate commensurate with the available bit rate on the network.

37. The method of claim 28, further comprising transmitting the asynchronous message without first establishing a connection with the second communication device.

38. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving voice media of an incoming asynchronous message at the communication device;

noting missing and/or defective voice media of the incoming asynchronous message at the communication device; and

generating retransmission requests for the noted voice media so that a complete copy of the incoming asynchronous message as transmitted is received and stored on the communication device when the retransmission requests are satisfied.

39. The method of claim 28, further comprising selectively rendering voice media of an incoming asynchronous message for the first time:

(i) in a near real-time rendering mode by progressively rendering the voice media of the incoming asynchronous message as the voice media is progressively received over the network; and

(ii) in a time-shifted mode by retrieving and progressively rendering the voice media of the incoming asynchronous message out of storage.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising progressively rendering the voice media of the incoming asynchronous message, in either the real-time mode or the time-shifted mode, without interfering with the progressive storage on the communication device of the voice media of the incoming and/or outgoing asynchronous messages.

41. The method of claim 39, further comprising selectively rendering the voice media of the incoming and/or outgoing asynchronous messages from storage when the communication device is disconnected from the network.

42. The method of claim 28, further comprising threading together one or more outgoing asynchronous messages and one or more incoming asynchronous messages sharing a common attribute into a conversation.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the common attribute comprises one of the following:

(i) a conversation name;

(ii) a conversation subject;

(iii) the name of a participant of the conversation;

or

(iv) a name of a group of participants of the conversation.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the conversation includes one or more of the following types of media in addition to voice media:

(i) audio;

(ii) text;

(iii) photos; and

(iv) video.

45. The method of claim 28, further comprising enabling a user of the communication device to participate in multiple conversations.

46. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing a substantially live communication experience for the user of the communication device when an incoming asynchronous message from the second communication device is rendered as the incoming asynchronous message is transmitted over the network by the second communication device.

47. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing a messaging experience for the user of the communication device when incoming asynchronous messages from the second communication device are rendered and outgoing asynchronous messages are transmitted at different times with respect to one another.

48. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing a synchronous communication experience for the user of the communication device.

49. The method of claim 28, further comprising transmitting an identifier, associated with the recipient, when transmitting the outgoing asynchronous message.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the identifier is a non-IP address identifier.

51. The method of claim 28, further comprising progressively transmitting the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message with an identifier to a server located on the network, the server delivering the voice media of the outgoing asynchronous message to the recipient using the identifier to find a delivery route over the network to the second communication device.

52. The method of claim 28, further comprising operating the communication device, in a full-duplex communication mode, when transmitting the outgoing asynchronous message and receiving an incoming asynchronous message at approximately the same time.

53. The method of claim 28, wherein the outgoing asynchronous message, in addition to voice media, comprises one or more of the following types of streaming media:

video, sensor data, radio signals, position or GPS information, or any combination thereof.

54. The method of claim 28, wherein the communication device comprises one of the following:

a land-line phone, a wireless phone, a mobile phone, a computer, a radio, a satellite phone, a satellite radio, a tactical radio, or a tactical phone.