Computer-based multi-media communications system and method

• US 7,082,106 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2001
• Issued: 07/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Multi-Tech Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Multi-Tech Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Davis, Jeffrey P., Sharma, Raghu, Gunn, Timothy D., Maitra, Sidhartha
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, AJIT
• Application Number:
  US09/768,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20020075815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,008 Days
• Field of Search: 370/270, 370/204, 370/280, 370/281, 370/295, 370/296, 370/405, 370/535, 370/537, 370/477, 370/476, 370/435, 370/468, 370/351, 370/352, 375/345, 375/222, 375/265, 380/23, 341/143, 341/61, 716/17, 379/142.15, 379/395, 379/88.1, 379/88.19, 379/43.01, 379/406.13, 379/387.01, 379/68, 379/345, 379/455, 379/434, 379/93.02, 379/93.06, 379/93.05, 379/93.08, 379/93.15, 379/93.17, 379/93.23, 379/100, 379/13, 379/118, 379/127, 379/128, 379/126, 379/130
• US Class Current: 370/276
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/04 using predictive techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6424 Access arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6427 Subscriber Access Module; Concentrator; Group equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6459 Multiplexing, e.g. TDMA, CDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6475 N-ISDN, Public Switched Telephone Network [PSTN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6481 Speech, voice
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6491 Echo cancellation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6494 Silence suppression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/3416 in which the information is carried by both the individual signal points and the subset to which the individual points belong, e.g. using coset coding, lattice coding, or related schemes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/04 Protocols for data compression, e.g. ROHC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2478 Telephone terminals specially adapted for non-voice services, e.g. email, internet access centralized arrangements where telephones services are combined H04M7/0024; for recording text messages H04M3/5322; for accessing Internet H04M3/4938
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/253 Telephone sets using digital voice transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/068 using time division multiplex techniques; integrated services digital networks H04Q11/0428
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4509 : Unified messaging with single point of access to voicemail and other mail or messaging systems unified messaging in packet switching networks H04L51/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/002 : Applications of echo suppressors or cancellers in telephonic connections in two-way loud-speaking telephone systems H04M9/08, echo suppressors or cancellers per se H04B3/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 : Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 : for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 : Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0033 : Notification or handling of incoming calls by a computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0036 : where the data service is an information service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 : Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1295 : Details of dual tone multiple frequency signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 : with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00206 : Transmitting or receiving computer data via an image communication device, e.g. a facsimile transceiver H04N1/00236 takes precedence

Abstract

Outgoing multi-media data components are provided in a communication system and method implemented under control of a user interface program. Each of the outgoing multi-media data components includes one or more types of information (e.g., textual information, graphical information, and audio information). Two or more outgoing multi-media data components are combined under control of a local user via input to the user interface program resulting in combined outgoing multi-media mail. At least one of the two or more outgoing multi-media data components is of a type of information different than another of the two or more outgoing multi-media data components. The combined outgoing multi-media mail is provided for communication to a remote location.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus comprising:

a modem;

one or more storage devices operable to store outgoing digital audio information and store other multi-media data components; and

processing and control circuitry operable under control of a user interface program, wherein the processing and control circuitry is operable to;

receive stored outgoing digital audio information,

combine the stored outgoing digital audio information with one or more other stored multi-media data components resulting in combined outgoing multi-media, and

provide the combined outgoing multi-media to the line interface for communication to a remote location via the modem for connection to at least one packet switched network.

2. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus further comprises a voice interface apparatus for use in generating local analog voice signals from a local user representative of a voice message and for use in conveying audio signals to the local user, and wherein the processing and control circuitry is further operable to convert the local analog voice signals into outgoing digital voice information representative of the voice message, wherein the outgoing digital voice information representative of the voice message is provided for storage as the outgoing digital audio information, and further wherein the processing and control circuitry is operable to combine the stored outgoing digital voice information representative of the voice message with one or more of the other stored multi-media data components resulting in the combined outgoing multi-media for communication via the modem to the remote location.

3. The communication apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processing and control circuitry is further operable to compress the outgoing digital voice information representative of the voice message, wherein the compressed outgoing digital voice information representative of the voice message is provided for storage as the outgoing digital audio information, and further wherein the processing and control circuitry is operable to combine the stored compressed outgoing digital voice information representative of the voice message with one or more of the other stored multi-media data components resulting in the combined outgoing multi-media for communication via the modem to a remote location.

4. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more other stored multi-media data components comprise at least one of textual information and graphical information.

5. The communication apparatus of claim 4, wherein the graphical information comprises at least one of picture information and video information.

6. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outgoing digital audio information comprises at least one file of outgoing digital audio information.

7. The communication apparatus of claim 6, wherein the outgoing digital audio information comprises at least one file of outgoing compressed digital voice information.

8. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing and control circuitry is operable to provide a display interface to a user comprising user selectable functions to allow the user to control the creation of the combined outgoing multi-media.

9. The communication apparatus of claim 8, wherein the user selectable functions comprise at least one of a composing function, a viewing function, an editing function, a playing function, a recording function, and a deleting function.

10. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing and control circuitry is operable to provide a display interface to a user comprising user selectable functions to allow the user to select a destination for the combined outgoing multi-media.

11. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing and control circuitry is farther operable to:

receive incoming multi-media comprising incoming digital audio information and one or more other incoming multi-media data components via the modem; and

store the incoming digital audio information and the one or more other incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media in the one or more storage devices.

12. The communication apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing and control circuitry is further operable for use in conveying the incoming multi-media to a local user.

13. The communication apparatus of claim 12, wherein conveying the incoming multi-media to the local user comprises displaying at least one of the one or more other incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media to the local user.

14. The communication apparatus of claim 12, wherein conveying the incoming multi-media to the local user comprises converting the incoming digital audio information of the incoming multi-media to local analog audio signals for conveyance to the local user.

15. The communication apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processing and control circuitry is further operable for use in conveying at least one of the incoming digital audio information and the one or more other incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media to another remote location.

16. The communication apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing and control circuitry is further operable for use in modifying at least a portion of at least one of the incoming digital audio information and the one or more other incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media.

17. The communication apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more other incoming multi-media data components comprise at least one of textual information and graphical information.

18. The communication apparatus of claim 17, wherein the graphical information comprises at least one of picture information and video information.

19. The communication apparatus of claim 11, wherein the incoming digital audio information comprises at least one file of incoming digital audio information.

20. The communication apparatus of claim 11, wherein the incoming digital audio information comprises at least incoming compressed digital voice information.

21. The communication apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing and control circuitry is operable to provide a display interface to a user to notify the user of the receipt of the incoming multi-media.

22. The communication apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing and control circuitry is operable to provide a display interface to a user comprising user selectable functions to allow the user to manipulate the received incoming multi-media.

23. The communication apparatus of claim 22, wherein the user selectable functions comprise at least one of a forwarding function, a viewing function, an editing function, a playing function, a recording function, a storing function, and a deleting function.

24. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the modem is operable for full duplex communication.

25. A communication method implemented under control of a user interface program, the method comprising:

providing a modem;

providing stored outgoing digital audio information;

combining, under control of a local user via input to the user interface program, the stored outgoing digital audio information with one or more other stored multi-media data components resulting in combined outgoing multi-media; and

providing the combined outgoing multi-media for communication to a remote location via the modem for connection to at least one packet switched network.

26. The communication method of claim 25, wherein providing stored outgoing digital audio information comprises:

generating local analog voice signals from a local user representative of a voice message; and

converting the local analog voice signals into outgoing digital voice information representative of the voice message, wherein the outgoing digital voice information representative of the voice message is combined with one or more of the other stored multi-media data components resulting in the combined outgoing multi-media for communication to the remote location.

27. The communication method of claim 26, wherein providing stored outgoing digital audio information further comprises compressing the outgoing digital voice information representative of the voice message, wherein the compressed outgoing digital voice information representative of the voice message is combined with one or more of the other stored multi-media data components resulting in the combined outgoing multi-media for communication to the remote location.

28. The communication method of claim 25, wherein the one or more other stored multi-media data components comprise at least one of textual information and graphical information.

29. The communication method of claim 28, wherein the graphical information comprises at least one of picture information and video information.

30. The communication method of claim 25, wherein the outgoing digital audio information comprises at least one file of outgoing digital audio information.

31. The communication method of claim 30, wherein the outgoing digital audio information comprises at least one file of outgoing compressed digital voice information.

32. The communication method of claim 25, wherein the communication method further comprises providing a display interface to a user comprising user selectable functions to allow the user to control the creation of the combined outgoing multi-media.

33. The communication method of claim 32, wherein the user selectable functions comprise at least one of a composing function, a viewing function, an editing function, a playing function, a recording function, and a deleting function.

34. The communication method of claim 25, wherein the communication method further comprises providing a display interface to a user comprising user selectable functions to allow the user to select a destination for the combined outgoing multi-media.

35. The communication method of claim 25, wherein the communication method further comprises:

receiving incoming multi-media comprising incoming digital audio information and one or more other incoming multi-media data components; and

storing the incoming digital audio information and the one or more other incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media.

36. The communication method of claim 35, wherein the communication method further comprises conveying the incoming multi-media to the local user.

37. The communication method of claim 36, wherein conveying the incoming multi-media to the local user comprises displaying at least one of the one or more other incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media to the local user.

38. The communication method of claim 36, wherein conveying the incoming multi-media to the local user comprises converting the incoming digital audio information of the incoming multi-media to local analog audio signals for conveyance to the local user.

39. The communication method of claim 35, wherein the communication method further comprises conveying at least one of the incoming digital audio information and the one or more other incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media to another remote location.

40. The communication method of claim 35, wherein the communication method further comprises modifying at least a portion of at least one of the incoming digital audio information and the one or more other incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media.

41. The communication method of claim 35, wherein the one or more other incoming multi-media data components comprise at least one of textual information and graphical information.

42. The communication method of claim 41, wherein the graphical information comprises at least one of picture information and video information.

43. The communication method of claim 35, wherein the incoming digital audio information comprises at least one file of incoming digital audio information.

44. The communication method of claim 35, wherein the incoming digital audio information comprises at least incoming compressed digital voice information.

45. The communication method of claim 35, wherein the communication method further comprises providing a display interface to a user to notify the user of the receipt of the incoming multi-media.

46. The communication method of claim 35, wherein the communication method further comprises providing a display interface to a user comprising user selectable functions to allow the user to manipulate the received incoming multi-media.

47. The communication method of claim 46, wherein the us a selectable functions comprise at least one of a forwarding function, a viewing function, an editing function, a playing function, a recording function, a storing function, and a deleting function.

48. A communication apparatus comprising:

a modem;

one or more storage devices operable to store one or more outgoing multi-media data components, wherein each of the outgoing multi-media data components comprise one or more types of information, and further wherein the one or more types of information comprise at least one of textual information, graphical information, and audio information; and

processing and control circuitry operable under control of a user interface program, wherein the processing and control circuitry is operable to;

receive two or more stored outgoing multi-media data components, at least one of the two or more stored outgoing multi-media data components comprising a type of information different than another of the two or more stored outgoing multi-media data components,

combine the two or more stored outgoing multi-media data components resulting in combined out going multi-media, and

provide the combined outgoing multi-media to a remote location via the modem for connection to at least one packet switched network.

49. The communication apparatus of claim 48, wherein the communication apparatus further comprises an audio interface apparatus for use in generating local analog audio signals and for use in conveying audio signals to a local user, and wherein the processing and control circuitry is further operable to convert the local analog audio signals into outgoing digital audio information, wherein the outgoing digital audio information is provided fur storage as one of the two or more stored outgoing multi-media data components.

50. The communication apparatus of claim 49, wherein the audio interface apparatus comprises a voice interface apparatus for use in generating local analog voice signals from a local user and for use in conveying voice signals w the local user, and wherein the processing and control circuitry is further operable to convert the local analog voice signals into outgoing digital voice information, wherein the outgoing digital voice information is provided for storage as one of the two or more stored outgoing multi-media data components.

51. The communication apparatus of claim 49, wherein flue processing and control circuitry is further operable to compress the outgoing digital audio information, wherein the compressed outgoing digital audio information is provided for storage as one of the two or more stored outgoing multi-media data components.

52. The communication apparatus of claim 48, wherein the graphical information comprises at least one of picture information and video information.

53. The communication apparatus of claim 48, wherein the processing and control circuitry is operable to provide a display interface to a user comprising user selectable functions to allow the user to control the creation of the combined outgoing multi-media.

54. The communication apparatus of claim 53, wherein the user selectable functions comprise at least one of a composing function, a viewing function, an editing function, a playing function, a recording function, and a deleting function.

55. The communication apparatus of claim 48, wherein the processing and control circuitry is operable to provide a display interface to a user comprising user selectable functions to allow the user to select a destination for the combined outgoing multi-media.

56. The communication apparatus of claim 48, wherein the processing and control circuitry is further operable to:

receive incoming multi-media comprising two or more incoming multi-media data components via the line interface, wherein each of die incoming multi-media data components comprises one or more types of information, wherein the one or more types of information comprise at least one of textual information, graphical information, and audio information, and further wherein at least one of the two or more incoming multi-media data components comprises a type of information different than another of the two or more incoming multi-media data components; and

store the two or more incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media in the one or more storage devices.

57. The communication apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processing and control circuitry is further operable for use in conveying the incoming multi-media to a local user.

58. The communication apparatus of claim 57, wherein conveying the incoming multi-media to the local user comprises displaying at least one of the incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media to the local user.

59. The communication apparatus of claim 57, wherein conveying the incoming multi-media components to the local user comprises converting at least one of the incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media to local analog audio signals for conveyance to the local user.

60. The communication apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processing and control circuitry is further operable for use in conveying at least one of the incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media to another remote location.

61. The communication apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processing and control circuitry is further operable for use in modifying at least a portion of at least one of the incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media.

62. The communication apparatus of claim 56, wherein the graphical information comprises at least one of picture information and video information.

63. The communication apparatus of claim 56, wherein the audio information comprises at least compressed digital audio information.

64. The communication apparatus of claim 63, wherein the audio information comprises at least compressed digital voice information.

65. The communication apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processing and control circuitry is operable to provide a display interface to a user to notify the user of the receipt of the incoming multi-media.

66. The communication apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processing and control circuitry is operable to provide a display interface to a user comprising user selectable functions to allow the user to manipulate the received incoming multi-media.

67. The communication apparatus of claim 66, wherein the user selectable functions comprise at least one of a forwarding function, a viewing function, an editing function, a playing function, a recording function, a storing function, and a deleting function.

68. The communication apparatus of claim 48, wherein the modem is operable for full duplex communication.

69. A communication method implemented under control of a user interface program, the method comprising:

providing a modem;

providing one or more outgoing multi-media data components, wherein each of the outgoing multi-media data components comprises one or more types of information, and further wherein the one or more types of information comprise at least one of textual information, graphical information, and audio information;

combining, under control of a local user via input to the user interface program, two or more outgoing multi-media data components resulting in combined outgoing multi-media, wherein at least one of the two or more outgoing multi-media data components comprises a type of information different than another of the two or more outgoing multi-media data components; and

providing the combined outgoing multi-media for communication to a remote location via the modem for connection to at least one packet switched network.

70. The communication method of claim 69, wherein providing the one or more outgoing multi-media data components comprises:

generating local analog audio signals; and

converting the local analog audio signals into outgoing digital audio information, wherein the outgoing digital audio information is provided as at least one of the two or more outgoing multi-media data components.

71. The communication method of claim 70, wherein generating local analog audio signals comprises generating local analog voice signals from a local user, and further wherein converting the local analog audio signals into outgoing digital audio information comprises converting the local analog voice signals into outgoing digital voice in Formation, wherein the outgoing digital voice information is provided as at least one of the two or more outgoing multi-media data components.

72. The communication method of claim 70, wherein converting the local analog audio signals into outgoing digital audio information further comprises compressing the outgoing digital audio information, wherein the compressed outgoing digital audio information is provided as at least one of the two or more outgoing multi-media data components.

73. The communication method of claim 69, wherein the graphical information comprises at least one of picture information and video information.

74. The communication method of claim 69, wherein the communication method further comprises providing a display interface to a user comprising user selectable functions to allow the user to control the creation of the combined outgoing multi-media.

75. The communication method of claim 74, wherein the user selectable functions comprise at least one of a composing function, a viewing function, an editing function, a playing function, a recording function, and a deleting function.

76. The communication method of claim 69, wherein the communication method further comprises providing a display interface to a user comprising user selectable functions to allow the user to select a destination for the combined outgoing multi-media.

77. The communication method of claim 69, wherein the communication method further comprises:

receiving incoming multi-media comprising two or more incoming multi-media data components, wherein each of the incoming multi-media data components comprises one or more types of information, wherein the one or more types of information comprise at least one of textual information, graphical information, and audio information, and further wherein at least one of the two or more incoming multi-media data components comprises a type of information different than another of the two or more incoming multi-media data components; and

storing the two or more incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media.

78. The communication method of claim 77, wherein the communication method further comprises conveying the incoming multi-media to a local user.

79. The communication method of claim 78, wherein conveying the incoming multi-media to the local user comprises displaying at least one of the incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media to the local user.

80. The communication method of claim 78, wherein conveying the incoming multi-media to the local user comprises converting at least one of the incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media to local analog audio signals for conveyance to the local user.

81. The communication method of claim 77, wherein the communication method further comprises conveying at least one of the incoming multi-media data components of the incoming multi-media to another remote location.

82. The communication method of claim 77, wherein the communication method further comprises modifying at least a portion of at least one of the incoming multi-media data components o the incoming multi-media.

83. The communication method of claim 77, wherein the graphical information comprises at least one of picture information and video information.

84. The communication method of claim 77, wherein the communication method further comprises providing a display interface to a user to notify the user of the receipt of the incoming multi-media.

85. The communication method of claim 77, wherein the communication method further comprises providing a display interface to a user comprising user selectable functions to allow the user to manipulate the received incoming multi-media.

86. The communication method of claim 85, wherein the user selectable functions comprise at least one of a forwarding function, a viewing function, an editing function, a playing function, a recording function, a storing function, and a deleting function.

87. A method for receiving information from a remote location, the method comprising:

providing a modem;

providing a personal computer, the modem operable under control of a graphical user interface associated with the personal computer;

receiving a plurality of data packets via the modem from at least one packet switched network, wherein each of the plurality of data packets comprises one type of information, and further wherein each of the plurality of data packets comprises at least one header, the at least one header for use in routing the one type of information;

removing and buffering the one type of information from each of the plurality of data packets; and

delivering sequentially the one type of information from each of the plurality of data packets to an output device associated with the personal computer based on the at least one header for each of the plurality of data packets.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein delivering sequentially the one type of information to the output device occurs prior to completing receipt of the plurality of data packets.

89. The method of claim 87, wherein the method further comprises controlling the output device associated with the personal computer with a windowing software application.

90. The method of claim 87, wherein the method further comprises determining whether one or more of the plurality of data packets is a corrupt data packet, and discarding the corrupt data packet.

91. The method of claim 87, wherein the method further comprises delivering the one type of information in a corrupt data packet to the output device without requesting retransmission of data of the corrupt data packet.

92. The method of claim 87, wherein the one type of information comprises one of audio, textual, and graphical information.

93. The method of claim 87, wherein the output device associated with the personal computer comprises at least one of a display device and a speaker.

94. A method for receiving information from a remote location, the method comprising:

providing a modem;

providing a personal computer, the modem operable under control of a graphical user interface associated with the personal computer;

receiving a plurality of data packets via the modern from at least one packet switched network, wherein the plurality of data packets comprise two or more different types of information, and further wherein each of the plurality of data packets comprises at least one header, the at least one header for use in routing the two or more different types of information;

removing the two or more different types of information from the plurality of data packets;

forming two or more data flows corresponding to the two or more different types of information;

buffering the two or more data flows; and

delivering the two or more data flows to at least one output device associated with the personal computer based on the at least one header for each of the plurality of data packets.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the two or more different types of information comprise audio, textual, and graphical information.

96. The method of claim 94, wherein the graphical information comprises at least one of picture information and video information.

97. The method of claim 94, wherein the at least one output device associated with the personal computer comprises one or more of a display device and a speaker.

98. The method of claim 94, wherein the method further comprises determining that one or more of the plurality of data packets is a corrupt data packet, and discarding the corrupt data packet.

99. The method of claim 94, wherein delivering the two or more data flows comprises delivering the two or more data flows without requesting retransmission of data contained within a corrupt data packet of the plurality of data packets.

100. A system for receiving multi-media information, the system comprising:

a modem;

processing circuitry operable under control of a graphical user interface program executable on a personal computer, wherein the processing circuitry is operable to;

receive a plurality of incoming data packets comprising one or more types of information via the modem from at least one packet switched network, wherein each of the plurality of incoming data packets comprises at least one header, the at least one header operable for use in routing the one or more types of information;

remove the one or more types of information from the plurality of incoming data packets;

store the one or more types of information from the plurality of incoming data packets;

assemble the one or more types of information from the plurality of incoming data packets to form at least one data flow; and

deliver the at least one data flow to one or more output devices associated with the personal computer based on the at least one header for each of the plurality of data packets.

101. The system of claim 100, wherein the system is operable to begin delivery of the at least one data flow to the one or more output devices prior to completing receipt of the plurality of incoming data packets.

102. The system of claim 100, wherein the one or more types of information comprise one or more of audio, textual, and graphical information.

103. The system of claim 102, wherein the graphical information comprises at least one of picture information and video information.

104. The system of claim 100, wherein the graphical user interface program comprises a windowing software application.

105. The system of claim 100, wherein the graphical user interface program comprises a display interface comprising user selectable functions to control communication of the one or more types of information to a user via the one or more output devices associated with the personal computer.

106. A system for receiving information, the system comprising:

a modem; and

processing circuitry operable under control of a graphical user interface program executable on a personal computer, wherein the processing circuitry is operable to;

receive a plurality of data packets via the modem from at least one packet switched network, wherein the plurality of data packets comprise two or more different types of information, and further wherein each of the plurality of data packets comprises at least one header for use in routing the two or more different types of information;

remove and buffer the two or more different types of information from the plurality of data packets; and

deliver sequentially the two or more different types of information from the plurality of data packets to an output device associated with the personal computer based on the at least one header for each of the plurality of data packets.

107. The system of claim 106, wherein the system is operable to begin delivery of the two or more different types of information to the output device prior to completing receipt of the plurality of data packets.

108. The system of claim 106, wherein the two or more different types of information comprise two or more of audio, textual, and graphical information.

109. A method for receiving multi-media information on a personal computer from a remote location, the method comprising:

providing a modem, the modem operable under control of a graphical user interface associated with a personal computer;

receiving a plurality of data packets via the modem from at least one packet switched network, wherein the plurality of data packets comprise at least two different types of information, and further wherein each of the plurality of data packets comprises a header for use in routing the at least two different types of information;

removing and buffering the at least two different types of information from the plurality of data packets; and

delivering sequentially the at least two different types of information from the plurality of data packets to one or more output devices associated with the personal computer based on the header for each of the plurality of data packets, wherein delivering sequentially the at least two different types of information to the output device occurs prior to completing receipt of the plurality of data packets.

110. The method of claim 109, wherein the at least two different types of information comprise at least two of audio, textual, and graphical information.

111. The method of claim 109, wherein the method further comprises determining whether one or more of the plurality of data packets is a corrupt data packet, and discarding the corrupt data packet.

112. The method of claim 109, wherein delivering sequentially the at least two different types of information comprises delivering sequentially the at least two different types of information without requesting retransmission of data contained within a corrupt data packet of the plurality of data packets.

113. The method of claim 109, wherein the method further comprises controlling the one or more output devices with a windowing software application.

114. The method of claim 109, wherein the one or more output devices comprise at least one speaker.

115. The method of claim 109, wherein the one or more output devices comprise at least a video display device.