System and method for managing multimedia messaging platforms

• US 6,381,633 B2
• Filed: 10/06/1997
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zarbana Digital Fund LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Carmel Connection , Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, Jack H., Tong, Raymond L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rinehart, Mark H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, THONG H
• Application Number:
  US08/944,668
• Publication Number:
  US 20010011303A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,667 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709/224, 709/229, 709/231, 709/217, 709/248, 709/221, 709/223, 709/204, 709/219, 709/202, 709/218, 709/200, 395/600, 395/712, 360/506, 360/825.06, 366/479.14, 368/12, 370/256, 370/468, 370/60, 370/356, 705/37, 358/400, 379/89, 379/221, 379/58, 379/211, 348/8, 714/4
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0051 where the data service is a multimedia messaging service
• 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 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0067 Converting to still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0068 Converting from still picture data

Abstract

The present invention manages a messaging network having messaging platforms interconnecting through a switched backbone such as the Internet. The master platform monitors each messaging platform on the messaging network and administers the addition, deletion, and updating of messaging platforms by modifying a master global routing table in the event the master platform encounters changes to the status of the messaging platforms. In the event that the master global routing table is updated, the global routing table held at each messaging platform is also updated, ensuring version consistency between said master global routing table and each of the global routing tables. This enables the master platform and each messaging platform to determine the operational status of another messaging platform. The present invention may also provide a cost tracking scheme when delivering messages between messaging platforms that are owned by different entities. This avoids use agreements between messaging platform owners and owners of networks which are connected to the messaging platforms. The cost for each network message delivery is measured in tokens. The present invention may also include a post office function that enables a master platform to receive and store a status message destined for a messaging platform which does not have an active connection to the messaging network or is in a non-operational state. The present invention may also include an information delivery service that delivers a message from at least one source outside of the messaging network to a subscriber via the subscriber'"'"'s messaging platform regardless of whether the messaging platform has a dedicated or dial-up connection.

Claims

1. A method for managing messaging platforms on a messaging network, the method comprising:

maintaining a messaging platform profile for a messaging platform on the messaging network in a master profile table, said messaging platform profile including a host ID unique to said messaging platform, an area of operation, an operational status defining the operational state of said messaging platform, and a token pool including at least one token to measure the cost of message delivery;

storing a version of said master profile table in a global profile table held by each messaging platform on the messaging network;

monitoring a messaging platform on the messaging network;

updating said master profile table in response to said step of monitoring;

updating said global profile table held by each messaging platform in response to said step of updating said master profile table, ensuring version consistency between said master profile table and each of said global profile tables; and

using said operational status to determine whether a messaging platform may request delivery of a user message via the messaging network at an area of operation supported by a remote messaging platform.

2. The method in claim 1, further including providing a new messaging platform on the messaging network with an initial token pool amount.

3. The method in claim 2, further including deducting a number of tokens from said token pool held by an originating messaging platform, said originating messaging platform requesting delivery of a user message which requires delivery by a remote messaging platform at an area of operation not supported by said originating messaging platform.

4. The method in claim 2, further including incrementing by a number of tokens said token pool held by a messaging platform, wherein said messaging platform has been requested by an originating messaging platform to deliver a user message.

5. The method in claim 2, wherein said initial token pool amount differs between at least two messaging platforms on the messaging network.

6. The method in claim 2, further including replenishing a messaging platform on the messaging network with a specified number of tokens when said token pool falls below a selected threshold.

7. The method in claim 1, further including replenishing a messaging platform on the messaging network with a specified number of tokens upon request by said messaging platform.

8. A method for managing a messaging network having at least one messaging platform with each messaging platform having a global profile table, the method comprising:

responding to an add request by creating a new messaging platform profile, said new messaging platform profile corresponding to a new messaging platform on the messaging network and including a host ID unique to said new messaging platform, an area of operation, an operational status defining the operational state of said new messaging platform, and a token pool which correspond to said new messaging platform profile, said token pool including at least one token to measure the cost of message delivery;

including said new messaging platform profile in a master profile table, said master profile table having a messaging platform profile for each messaging platform existing on the messaging network;

providing a network address of a master platform to said new messaging platform;

providing said master profile table to said new messaging platform when said new messaging platform establishes a network connection; and

updating the global profile table in each existing messaging platform on the messaging network to include said new messaging platform profile.

9. The method of claim 8, further including:

determining whether a messaging platform on the messaging network has a non-operational status by using a messaging platform profile which corresponds to the messaging platform;

routing a status message to a master platform in response to said messaging platform having said non-operational status;

storing said status message in a storage location corresponding to said messaging platform, said storage location provided by said master platform; and

delivering said status message stored in said storage location to the messaging platform when said messaging platform has an in-operation status.

10. The method of claim 9, further including sending a confirmation message to an originating messaging platform which sent said status message when said master platform delivers said status message to said messaging platform having said dial-up connection.

11. The method of claim 8, further including responding to a messaging platform on the messaging network that sends a HELLO message, said HELLO message sent by said messaging platform at a selected interval which is defined in the messaging platform profile of said messaging platform.

12. The method of claim 11, further including sending a QUERY message to a messaging platform on the messaging network that fails to send a HELLO message within said selected interval.

13. The method of claim 12, further including updating a messaging platform profile of a messaging platform that fails to respond to a QUERY message, said step of updating setting an operational status within said platform profile to indicate a disabled status.

14. The method of claim 8, further including updating a messaging platform profile of a messaging platform to have a disabled operation status in response to said messaging platform having a token pool amount that falls below a selected threshold.

15. The method of claim 8, further including deleting a messaging platform profile of a messaging platform in response to a DELETE message.

16. A system for managing messaging platforms on a messaging network, the system comprising:

means for maintaining a messaging platform profile for each messaging platform on the messaging network in a master profile table, said messaging profile including a host ID, an area of operation, an operational status, and a token pool, said means for maintaining also maintain a current version of said master profile table in a global profile table held by each messaging platform on the messaging network;

means for monitoring each messaging platform on the messaging network;

means for updating said master profile table responsive to said means for monitoring;

means for updating said global profile table held by each messaging platform responsive to said means for updating said master profile table, ensuring version consistency between said master profile table and each of said global profile tables; and

means for using said operational status to determine whether a messaging platform may request delivery of a user message via the messaging network at an area of operation supported by a remote messaging platform.

17. The system in claim 16, further including means for providing a new messaging platform on the messaging network with an initial token pool amount.

18. The system in claim 17, further including means for deducting a number of tokens from said token pool held by an originating messaging platform, said originating messaging platform requesting delivery of a user message which requires delivery by a remote messaging platform at an area of operation not supported by said originating messaging platform.

19. The system in claim 17, further including means for incrementing by a number of tokens said token pool held by a messaging platform, wherein said messaging platform has been requested by an originating messaging platform to deliver a user message.

20. The system in claim 17, wherein said initial token pool amount differs between at least two messaging platforms on the messaging network.

21. The system in claim 16, further including means for replenishing a messaging platform on the messaging network with a specified number of tokens when said messaging platform falls below a selected token pool amount.

22. The system in claim 16, further including means for replenishing a messaging platform on the messaging network with a specified number of tokens upon request by said messaging platform.

23. A system for maintaining a messaging network having at least one messaging platform, each messaging platform having a messaging platform profile, the system comprising:

a master platform which creates a new messaging platform profile in response to an add request, said new messaging platform profile corresponding to a new messaging platform and including a host ID, an area of operation, an operational status, and a token pool;

wherein said master platform includes said new messaging platform profile in a master profile table, said master profile table also including a messaging platform profile for each messaging platform existing on the messaging network;

wherein said master platform provides said master profile table to said new messaging platform when said new messaging platform establishes a network connection; and

wherein said master platform updates each global profile table corresponding to each existing messaging platforms on the messaging network to include said new messaging platform profile.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said master platform responds to each messaging platform on the messaging network that sends a HELLO message, said HELLO message sent by each messaging platform at a selected interval which is defined in the messaging platform profile of each messaging platform.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said master platform sends a QUERY message to a messaging platform on the messaging network that fails to send a HELLO message within said selected interval.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said master platform updates a messaging platform profile of a messaging platform that fails to respond to a QUERY message to indicate a disabled status.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein said master platform updates a messaging platform profile of a messaging platform to have a disabled operation status in response to a messaging platform having a token pool amount that falls below a selected threshold.

28. The system of claim 23, further including means for deleting a messaging platform profile of a messaging platform, said means for deleting responsive to a DELETE message.

29. The system of claim 23, wherein said master platform includes means for receiving a status message destined for a messaging platform having a dial-up connection to the messaging network when said dial-up connection is not established on the messaging network, said master platform further including means for delivering said status message to said messaging platform when said operational period indicates said messaging platform has established a temporary dial-up connection to the messaging network.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said master platform sends a confirmation message to an originating messaging platform that sent said status message when said master platform delivers said status message to said messaging platform.

31. A system for delivering a status message to a messaging platform, the system comprising:

a first messaging platform;

a second messaging platform having a global profile table which includes a messaging platform profile for said first messaging platform, the first messaging platform having a global profile table which includes a messaging platform profile for said second messaging platform, the first messaging platform having means for determining the operational status of said second messaging platform using said messaging platform profile corresponding to said second messaging platform;

a master platform having a master profile table which includes a messaging platform profile for said first messaging platform and said second messaging platform, said master platform having means for determining an operational status of said first and second messaging platforms; and

wherein said first messaging platform routes the status message to said master platform in response to said second messaging platform having a non-operational status, said master platform having a storage location for storing the status message and means for delivering the status message to said second messaging platform, said means for delivering responsive to said means for determining said operational status of said second messaging platform.

32. The system in claim 31, wherein said master platform maintains content consistency between said master profile table and said global profile tables of said first messaging platform and said second messaging platform.

33. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method to manage messaging platforms on a messaging network, the method comprising:

maintaining a messaging platform profile for a messaging platform on the messaging network in a master profile table, said messaging platform profile including a host ID unique to said messaging platform, an area of operation, an operational status defining the operational state of said messaging platform, and a token pool, said token pool including at least one token to measure the cost of message delivery;

storing a version of said master profile table in a global profile table held by each messaging platform on the messaging network;

monitoring a messaging platform on the messaging network;

updating said master profile table in response to said step of monitoring;

updating said global profile table held by each messaging platform in response to said step of updating said master profile table, ensuring version consistency between said master profile table and each of said global profile tables; and

using said operational status to determine whether a messaging platform may request delivery of a user message via the messaging network at an area of operation supported by a remote messaging platform.

34. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method to manage a messaging network having at least one messaging platform, the method comprising:

responding to an add request by creating a new messaging platform profile, said new messaging platform profile corresponding to a new messaging platform on the messaging network and including a host ID unique to said new messaging platform, an area of operation, an operational status defining the operational state of said new messaging platform, and a token pool which correspond to said new messaging platform profile, said token pool including at least one token to measure the cost of message delivery;

including said new messaging platform profile in a master profile table, said master profile table having a messaging platform profile for each messaging platform existing on the messaging network;

providing a network address of a master platform to said new messaging platform;

providing said master profile table to said new messaging platform when said new messaging platform establishes a network connection; and

updating the global profile table in each existing messaging platform on the messaging network to include said new messaging platform profile.

35. A method for managing messaging platforms on a messaging network, the method comprising:

maintaining a messaging platform profile for a messaging platform on the messaging network in a master profile table, said messaging platform profile including a host ID unique to said messaging platform, a local network routing table comprising routing information related to at least one local non-messaging network connection supported by said messaging platform, an operational status defining the operational state of said messaging platform and a token pool including at least one token to measure the cost of message delivery using said messaging platform;

storing a version of said master profile table in a global profile table held by each messaging platform on the messaging network;

monitoring a messaging platform on the messaging network;

updating said master profile table in response to said step of monitoring;

updating said global profile table held by each messaging platform in response to said step of updating said master profile table, ensuring version consistency between said master profile table and each of said global profile tables; and

using said operational status to determine whether a messaging platform may request delivery of a user message via the messaging network at an area of operation supported by a remote messaging platform.

36. A method for managing a messaging network having at least one messaging platform with each messaging platform having a global profile table, the method comprising:

responding to an add request by creating a new messaging platform profile, said new messaging platform profile corresponding to a new messaging platform on the messaging network and including a host ID unique to said new messaging platform, a local network routing table comprising routing information related to at least one local non-messaging network connection supported by said messaging platform, an operational status defining the operational state of said new messaging platform, and a token pool which correspond to said new messaging platform profile, said token pool including at least one token to measure the cost of message delivery using said new messaging platform;

including said new messaging platform profile in a master profile table, said master profile table having a messaging platform profile for each messaging platform existing on the messaging network;

providing a network address of a master platform to said new messaging platform;

providing said master profile table to said new messaging platform when said new messaging platform establishes a network connection; and

updating the global profile table in each existing messaging platform on the messaging network to include said new messaging platform profile.