Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090003247 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A communication device for simultaneously rendering one or more conversations. The device includes a receiver for receiving over a network media associated with the one or more conversations and a rendering element for simultaneously rendering the media of the one or more conversations as the media is received over the network. The device also includes a media creation device for creating media for the conversations and a transmitter for transmitting the created media over the network to other participants of the one or more conversations. A memory or storage device stores the received and created media associated with the one or more conversations. A rendering control element is provided to control the rendering element to (i) pause the simultaneous rendering of the media received over the network associated with the one or more conversations and (ii) select for review during the pause one of the one or more conversations by rendering the received and/or created media associated with the selected conversation. During the review period, the received media of the other conversations is stored, but not rendered. After the review of the selected conversation, the simultaneous rendering of the plurality of conversations may be resumed. By storing the media of all the conversations during the review period, the non-rendered media received during the pause may be later reviewed. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003339 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003340 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003536 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A communication device for rendering one or more conversations. The communication device includes a receiver configured to receive media over a network and an encoder configured to encode media created using the communication device, where the received and encoded media are associated with the one or more conversations. A storage or memory element stores on the device both the received media and the encoded media. A conversation control element is provided for selecting one of the one or more conversations as current and for controlling the rendering of the media of the selected conversation. A rendering element, controlled by the conversation control element, is provided to render the media associated with the selected current conversation on the communication device in either (a) a near real-time mode where the received media associated with the selected current conversation is progressively rendered as it is received or (b) a time shifted mode where the received and encoded media associated with the selected current conversion is rendered at a time after it was encoded or received. The device further includes a transmitter configured to transmit the encoded media associated with the selected current conversation over the network to one or more remote communication devices. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003537 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A communication device for consecutively rendering one or more conversations. The device includes a receiver configured to receive at the communication device media associated with the one or more conversations over a network. The one or more conversations include a defined set of conversations to be consecutively rendered in accordance with a defined priority hierarchy. The device also includes a sequencing element, which sequences the received media associated with the defined set of conversations into a sequence order at least partially based on the defined priority hierarchy. A rendering element consecutively renders the received media associated with the defined set of conversations in the sequence order. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003544 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003545 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - The present invention is directed to a communication method for communication on a first communication device over a network. The method includes creating media and transmitting over the network the created media on the first communication device. The method also includes receiving over the network at the first communication device media associated with the transmitted media. Together, the associated transmitted and received media constitute a conversation between the first communication device and one or more participants sending the received media over the network. The method further includes storing on the first communication device the transmitted and received media associated with the conversation. In accordance with the method, a number of rendering options are provided, including a near real-time mode or a time-shifted mode. In the near real-time mode, the received media of the conversation is rendered as the media is received over the network. In the time-shifted mode, the media of the conversation is not rendered as the media is received over the network. The method further includes pausing the rendering of the media of the conversation in the near real-time mode and resuming the rendering of the media of the conversation after pausing the conversation. In alternative embodiments, the resumption of the rendering of the media in the near real-time mode after the pause may be either (i) immediate without first reviewing the media of the conversion received and stored while the conversation was paused; or (ii) after reviewing the stored media received during the pause. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003546 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - The present invention is directed to a method for simultaneously rendering one or more conversations on a communication device. The method includes receiving at the first communication device media associated with the one or more conversations over a network and defining a set of conversations among the one or more conversations to be simultaneously rendered. The received media associated with the one or more conversations is simultaneously rendered regardless if the received media overlaps or not. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003547 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - The present invention is directed to an improved media communication device for communicating over a communication network. The communication device includes an encoder, a time-shifting buffer and a transmitter to progressively encode, store in a time-based format, and transmit over the network locally created media created using the communication device. The communication device also includes a receiver and a rendering element to receive and progressively render media received over the network from a remote source. The received media is also stored in the time-based format in the time-shifting buffer. By storing media in the time-based format in the time-shifting buffer, the received media may be rendered in a near real-time mode and the received and locally created media may be rendered in a time-shifted mode. In various embodiments, the locally created and received media may be streaming media. In yet other embodiments, the media may be segmented into messages that are transmitted to and from the communication device over the network. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003553 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - The present invention is directed to a method for consecutively rendering one or more conversations on a first communication device. The method includes defining a set of conversations to be consecutively rendered among the one or more conversations and defining a priority hierarchy for rendering the media associated with the defined set of conversations. During operation, media associated with the defined set of conversations is received at the first communication device over a network. In accordance with the method, the available media is continually sequenced into a sequence order at least partially based on the hierarchy priority. The one or more conversations are consecutively rendered by continually rendering the media in the sequence order. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003554 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A communication device configured to receive messages containing media over a communication network and to receive locally created messages containing media created using the communication device. The device also includes a time-shifting buffer to store in a time-based format the media contained in both the messages received over the communication network and the locally created messages. The time-shifting buffer enables on the communication device to either (i) render the media received over the network in a near real-time mode; or (ii) render both the media received over the network and the locally created media in a time-shifted mode by retrieving the stored media from the time-shifting buffer. The communication device also includes a message management system, which enables the communication device to transition the rendering of the media between the time-shifted mode and the near real-time mode without interrupting the ongoing storage of media of received messages into the time-shifting buffer. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003557 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A communication device capable of participating in a conversation over a network. The communication device includes an encoder to receive and encode media locally created using the communication device and associated with the conversation and a transmitter to transmit over the network the locally created media to one or more participants of the conversation. The communication device also includes a receiver to receive media from the one or more participants of the conversation over the network and a time-shifting buffer to store in a time-based format both the media received over the communication network and the locally created media. The time-shifting buffer enables the communication device to either (i) render the media received over the network in a near real-time mode or (ii) render both the media received over the network and the locally created media in a time-shifted mode by retrieving the stored media from the time-shifting buffer. A conversation management system enables the communication device to transition rendering of the media of the conversation between the time-shifted mode and the near real-time mode without interrupting the ongoing storage of the media of the conversation received at the communication device over the network into the time-shifting buffer. By associating the locally created media and the media received over the network, the conversation is constituted. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003558 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003559 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003560 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - The present invention is directed to a method for rendering one or more conversations on a first communication device. The method includes receiving over a network and storing at the first communication device media associated with the one or more conversations. The method further includes selecting on the first communication device one of the one or more conversations as current and rendering the media associated with the selected current conversation. The rendering of the media of the currently selected conversation may be performed in either a near real-time mode where the media is progressively rendered as it is received or in a time shifted mode where the media is rendered at a time after it was received. The method also includes creating media on the first communication device associated with the selected current conversation and transmitting the created media over the network to one or more remote communication devices associated with the selected current conversation. The selected current conversation may be optionally shifted among the one or more conversations. | 01-01-2009 |
20090003563 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - The present invention is directed to a communication method for communication on a first communication device over a network. The method includes creating media on the first communication device and transmitting over the network the media created from the first communication device. The method also includes receiving over the network at the first communication device media associated with the transmitted media. Together, the associated transmitted and received media constitute a conversation between the first communication device and one or more participants sending the received media over the network. The method further includes storing on the first communication device the transmitted and received media associated with the conversation. In accordance with the method, a number of rendering options are provided, including a near real-time mode or a time-shifted mode. In the near real-time mode, the received media of the conversation is rendered as the media is received over the network. In the time-shifted mode, the media of the conversation is not rendered as the media is received over the network. The method further enables the rendering of the media of the conversation to be transition back and forth between the near real-time mode and the time-shifted mode. | 01-01-2009 |
20090103433 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method for reliably transferring media over a network from a sending node to a receiving node. The method includes ascertaining at the sending node if the media to be transmitted is either time-sensitive or not time-sensitive. For media ascertained as non time-sensitive, the media is transmitted by adjusting the rate of transmission at the sending node based on network conditions. As the non time-sensitive media is received, the receiving node generates one or more low priority requests for the retransmission of any missing non time-sensitive media lost during the transmission. The method also includes transmitting the time-sensitive media from the sending node to the receiving node. As the time-sensitive media is received, the receiving node ascertains if a predetermined acceptable network transmission loss level is met. If met, the receiving node generates one or more low priority requests for the retransmission of any missing time-sensitive media lost during transmission. The sending node retransmits the missing time-sensitive and non time-sensitive media in response to the low priority requests when bandwidth on the network becomes available in excess of what is needed for the transmission of time-sensitive media. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103475 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - The present invention is directed to a node for transmitting data over a network. The node includes a first ascertaining element configured to ascertain the need to transmit one or more data streams from the node to a second node over the network, the one or more data streams including time-based media that is generated either locally or remotely on the network. The node also includes a second ascertaining element configured to ascertain a timeliness preference for reviewing the one or more data streams by one or more recipients respectively. The ascertained timeliness preference for each one of the data streams is either (a) time-sensitive where at least one recipient of the one data stream has indicated an intent to review the one data stream in a near real-time mode as received by the recipient over the network while the time-based media of the one data stream is being generated or (b) less-than time-sensitive. The node further includes a transmitter that transmits the one or more data streams using either a first transmission technique or a second transmission technique, depending on the ascertained timeliness preference of each data stream. The first transmission technique is used for the less-than time-sensitive preference data streams, whereas the second transmission technique is used for data streams with the time-sensitive preference. The first technique uses a larger first packetization interval, which is defined as the amount of time based media contained in each packet, compared to the second packetization interval used by the second technique. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103476 | GRACEFUL DEGRADATION FOR VOICE COMMUNICATION SERVICES OVER WIRED AND WIRELESS NETWORKS - A method for gracefully extending the range and/or capacity of voice communication systems is disclosed. The method involves the persistent storage of voice media on a communication device. When the usable bit rate on the network is poor and below that necessary for conducting a live conversation, voice media is transmitted and received by the communication device at the available usable bit rate on the network. Although latency may be introduced, the persistent storage of both transmitted and received media of a conversation provides the ability to extend the useful range of wireless networks beyond what is required for live conversations. In addition, the capacity and robustness in not being affected by external interferences for both wired and wireless communications is improved. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103477 | GRACEFUL DEGRADATION FOR VOICE COMMUNICATION SERVICES OVER WIRED AND WIRELESS NETWORKS - A communication device for gracefully extending the range and/or capacity of voice communication systems. The communication device includes a persistent storage device configured persistently store the voice media either generated when using the communication device or received over the network at the communication device. When the usable bit rate on the network is poor and below that necessary for conducting a live conversation, the communication device transmits voice media from persistent storage and stores received voice media in persistent storage at the available usable bit rate on the network. Although latency may be introduced during the back and forth transmissions of a conversation, the persistent storage of both transmitted and received media of a conversation provides the ability to extend the useful range of wireless networks beyond what is required for live conversations. In addition, the capacity and robustness in not being affected by external interferences for both wired and wireless communications is improved. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103521 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - An improved communication method for sending media between a sending node and receiving node during a conversation. When network bandwidth is insufficient to transmit a full bit rate representation of time-sensitive media, then a reduced bit rate representation of the media is transmitted for the purpose of increasing the ability of the recipient to review the media upon receipt and continue the conversation in the real-time mode when the bandwidth on the network is insufficient to support the transmission of the full bit rate representation. Media that is ascertained as not time-sensitive on the other hand is transmitted when bandwidth in excess of what is needed for time-sensitive media becomes available. When the media ascertained as not time-sensitive is transmitted, the rate of transmission is adjusted at the sending node based on network conditions, the adjusted rate of transmission being set for network efficiency and reliable delivery of the media ascertained as not time-sensitive relative to the timeliness of the delivery of the media ascertained as time-sensitive. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103522 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - An apparatus for transferring a complete copy of media designated as time sensitive over a network. The apparatus includes a sending node including a network ascertaining element configured to ascertain if conditions on the network are adequate to transmit a full bit rate representation of media designated as time-sensitive at a first bit rate and a first packetization interval between the sending node and a receiving node over the network, where the full bit rate representation being derived from when the time-sensitive media was originally encoded. If the network conditions are ascertained as being inadequate, then a transmitter at the sending node generates and transmits a reduced bit rate representation of the media designated as time-sensitive. The transmitting node is also configured to receive receipt reports from the receiving node that identify the received reduced bit rate representation of the media. In response to the receipt reports, the transmitter at the sending node retransmits the corresponding full bit rate representation of the media. Eventually a complete full bit representation of the media is obtained at the receiving node after the retransmitted media is received. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103523 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method for transferring a complete copy of media designated as time-sensitive over a network. The method involves transmitting media designated as time-sensitive from sending node to a receiving node and receiving the media designated as time-sensitive at the receiving node. At the receiving node, any missing media designated as time sensitive is noted. One or more receipt reports are generated at the receiving node and are sent back to the sending node, the receipt reports including a low priority request for retransmission of the identified missing media. In response, the sending node retransmits the low priority request for retransmission, the retransmission occurring when bandwidth on the network in excess of what is needed to transmit time-sensitive media becomes available. Eventually a complete copy of the media including the missing media is obtained at the receiving node after the retransmission. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103527 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - An method for improving the ability of a recipient to review time-sensitive media upon receipt when network conditions are poor. The method includes ascertaining if media to be sent from a sending node to a receiving node is time-sensitive and ascertaining if there is sufficient bandwidth for transmitting a full bit rate representation of the media at a first bit rate and at a first packetization interval. If the bandwidth is sufficient, the full bit rate representation is transmitted. If the bandwidth is insufficient, then a reduced bit rate representation of the media is generated and transmitted. The reduced bit rate representation is generated by performing one or more of the following (i) using fewer bits per unit time of media when packetizing the media relative to the full bit rate representation; (ii) increasing the packetization interval for the packets used to transmit the reduced bit rate representation; and (iii) adjusting the rate of transmission of the packets used to packetized the reduced bit rate representation of the media. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103528 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - An apparatus for improving the ability of a recipient to review time-sensitive media upon receipt when network conditions are poor. The apparatus includes a media ascertaining element configured to ascertain if media to be sent from a sending node to a receiving node is time-sensitive. A bandwidth-ascertaining element ascertains if there is sufficient bandwidth for transmitting a full bit rate representation of the media at a first bit rate and at a first packetization interval. If the bandwidth is sufficient, a transmitter transmits the full bit rate representation of the media. If the bandwidth is insufficient, then the transmitter generates and transmits a reduced bit rate representation of the media. The reduced bit rate representation is generated by performing one or more of the following (i) using fewer bits per unit time of media when packetizing the media relative to the full bit rate representation; (ii) increasing the packetization interval for the packets used to transmit the reduced bit rate representation; and (iii) adjusting the rate of transmission of the packets used to packetized the reduced bit rate representation of the media. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103529 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method for transferring a complete copy of media designated as time sensitive over a network. The method involves ascertaining if conditions on the network are adequate to transmit a full bit rate representation of media designated as time-sensitive at a first bit rate and a first packetization interval between a sending node and a receiving node over the network, where the full bit rate representation being derived from when the time-sensitive media was originally encoded. If the network conditions are ascertained as being inadequate, then a reduced bit rate representation of the media designated as time-sensitive is generated and transmitted to the receiving node. At the receiving node, receipt reports are generated identifying the received reduced bit rate representation of the media. The receipt reports are transmitted to the sending node, where, in response, the corresponding full bit rate representation of the media is retransmitted. Eventually a complete full bit representation of the media is obtained at the receiving node after the retransmitted media is received. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103531 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME SYNCHRONIZATION ACROSS A DISTRIBUTED SERVICES COMMUNICATION NETWORK - A system for progressively synchronizing stored copies of indexed media transmitted between nodes on a network. The system includes a transmitter at the sending node configured to progressively transmit available indexed media to a receiving node with a packet size and packetization interval sufficient to enable the near real-time rendering of the indexed media, wherein the near real-time rendering of the indexed media provides a recipient with an experience of reviewing the transmitted media live. The system also includes a receiver at the receiving node that progressively receives the transmitted indexed media and continually notes any indexed media that is not already locally stored at the receiving node. The receiver also continually generates and transmits to the sending node requests as needed for the noted indexed media. In response, the transmitter at the sending node transmits the noted indexed media to the receiving node. Both the sending node and the receiving node have storage elements configured to store the indexed media respectively. As a result, both the sending node and the receiving node each have synchronized copies of the indexed media. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103549 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - The present invention is directed to a method for transmitting data over a network. The method includes ascertaining at a first node the need to transmit one or more data streams from the first node to a second node over the network, the one or more data streams including time-based media that is generated either locally or remotely on the network. The method also includes ascertaining at the first node a timeliness preference for reviewing the one or more data streams by one or more recipients respectively. The ascertained timeliness preference for each one of the data streams is either (a) time-sensitive where at least one recipient of the one data stream has indicated an intent to review the one data stream in a near real-time mode as received by the recipient over the network while the time-based media of the one data stream is being generated or (b) less-than time-sensitive. In accordance with the method, one of several transmission techniques is used to transmit the data streams, depending on the ascertained timeliness preference of each data stream. Either a first transmission technique is used for the less-than time-sensitive preference data streams or a second transmission technique is used for data streams with the time-sensitive preference. The first technique uses a larger first packetization interval, which is defined as the amount of time based media contained in each packet, compared to the second packetization interval used by the second technique. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103560 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - An improved communication apparatus for transmitting media between a sending node and a receiving node during a conversation. When network bandwidth is insufficient to transmit a full bit rate representation of time-sensitive media, the sending node generates and transmits a reduced bit rate representation of the media for the purpose of increasing the ability of the recipient to review the media upon receipt and continue the conversation in the real-time mode when the bandwidth on the network is insufficient to support the transmission of the full bit rate representation. The sending node also transmits media that is ascertained as not time-sensitive only when bandwidth in excess of what is needed for time-sensitive media becomes available. When the media ascertained as not time-sensitive is transmitted, the rate of transmission is adjusted at the sending node based on network conditions, the adjusted rate of transmission being set for network efficiency and reliable delivery of the media ascertained as not time-sensitive relative to the timeliness of the delivery of the media ascertained as time-sensitive. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103689 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NEAR REAL-TIME SYNCHRONIZATION OF VOICE COMMUNICATIONS - A method and system for synchronizing in real-time the voice media of a conversation conducted over a network between a first communication device and a second communication. The method includes at each of the first and second communication devices progressively storing in first and second storage elements and transmitting the voice media created using the first and second communication devices to the other communication device respectively. Both the first and second communication devices store in the first and second storage elements the progressively received media from the other device respectively. A mechanism to continually review, ascertain and request the media stored in the first storage element, but not the second storage element, and vice-versa is provided to ensure that the two storage elements contain the same voice media. As a result, the first and second storage elements each maintain real-time synchronized copies of the voice media of the conversation respectively. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103693 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - An apparatus for enabling legacy communication devices to engage in conversations in either a near real-time or a time-shifted mode. The apparatus includes a gateway node having a first interface to enable the gateway node to receive conversation control information from a remote conversation management device and a second interface to couple the gateway node to a communication network. The communication network is configured to support a conversation between a first communication device and one or more other communication devices over the communication network. The gateway node further includes a message buffer configured to receive over the second interface media of the conversation and to store the media of the conversation as the media is received from the communication network. The gateway node also includes a conversation management element configured to receive the conversation control information from the remote conversation management device, and in response, manage the rendering of the conversation for the first communication device by controlling the timing of when the media is (i) retrieved from the message buffer and (ii) transmitted over the communication network to the first communication device. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103695 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A remote conversation management device to manage conversations on a first communication device. The method includes maintaining a gateway node having a first interface to enable the gateway node to receive conversation control information from the remote conversation management device and a second interface to couple the gateway node to a communication network, where the communication network is configured to support a conversation between a first communication device and one or more other communication devices over the communication network. The method further includes storing in a message buffer the media of the conversation as the media is received through the second interface from the communication network and receiving conversation control information from the remote conversation management device through the first interface. The method further includes managing the rendering of the media of the conversation for the first communication device in response to the received control information from the remote conversation management device by controlling the timing of when the media of the conversation is (i) retrieved from the message buffer and (ii) transmitted over the communication network to the first communication device. | 04-23-2009 |
20090104894 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME SYNCHRONIZATION ACROSS A DISTRIBUTED SERVICES COMMUNICATION NETWORK - A method and network for progressively transmitting a voice message from a sender to one or more recipients across the network. The method and network includes a plurality of servers interconnected by a plurality of network connections. A first server among the plurality of servers provides access to the network for a sender of a voice message intended for one or more recipients. One or more second servers among the plurality of servers provide access to the network for the one or more recipients respectively. The first server and any intermediate server hops between the first server and the one or more second servers are each configured (i) store a copy of the voice message, (ii) ascertain the next server hop or hops on the network to deliver the voice message from the sender to the one or more second servers and (iii) progressively transmit only a single copy of the voice message to the ascertained next server hop or hops on the network regardless if the voice message is to be delivered to more than one recipient through any of the ascertained next server hop or hops. The progressive transmission of the voice message from server hop to hop across the network enables the one or more recipients to review the voice message in real-time. In addition, a synchronization element provide at each server hop is provided to synchronize in real-time the stored copies of the voice message at each server. | 04-23-2009 |
20090104915 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - An apparatus for transferring a complete copy of media designated as time-sensitive over a network. The apparatus includes a sending node including a transmitter configured to transmit media designated as time-sensitive to a receiving node. The sending node also includes a network-ascertaining element that is configured to receive receipt reports from the receiving node, the receipt reports identifying any missing media designated as time sensitive lost during the transmission. In response, the transmitter of the sending node retransmits the media corresponding to the identified missing media, the retransmission occurring when bandwidth on the network in excess of what is needed to transmit time-sensitive media becomes available. A complete copy of the media is eventually received at the receiving node after the retransmission. | 04-23-2009 |
20090106617 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - An apparatus for reliably transferring media over a network from a sending node to a receiving node. The sending node includes a media ascertaining element configured to ascertain if media to be transmitted from the sending node to the receiving node is either time-sensitive or not time-sensitive. The sending node also includes a transmission element that is configured to (i) transmit the non time-sensitive media from the sending node to the receiving node by adjusting the rate of transmission of the non time-sensitive media at the sending node based on network conditions and (ii) transmit the time-sensitive media from the sending node to the receiving node. The receiving node includes a media loss ascertaining element configured to ascertain at the receiving node if a predetermined acceptable network transmission loss level is met. The receiving node also includes a receipt report generator configured to (iii) generate one or more low priority requests for the retransmission of any missing time-sensitive media lost during transmission if the predetermined acceptable network transmission loss level is met and (iv) generate one or more low priority requests for the retransmission of any missing non time-sensitive media lost during the transmission. The transmission element of the sending node retransmits the missing time-sensitive media in response to the low priority requests when bandwidth on the network becomes available in excess of what is needed for the transmission of time-sensitive media. | 04-23-2009 |
20090168759 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NEAR REAL-TIME SYNCHRONIZATION OF VOICE COMMUNICATIONS - A method and system for synchronizing in real-time the voice media of a conversation conducted over a network between a first communication device and a second communication. The method includes at each of the first and second communication devices progressively storing in first and second storage elements and transmitting the voice media created using the first and second communication devices to the other communication device respectively. Both the first and second communication devices store in the first and second storage elements the progressively received media from the other device respectively. A mechanism to continually review, ascertain and request the media stored in the first storage element, but not the second storage element, and vice-versa is provided to ensure that the two storage elements contain the same voice media. As a result, the first and second storage elements each maintain real-time synchronized copies of the voice media of the conversation respectively. | 07-02-2009 |
20090168760 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME SYNCHRONIZATION ACROSS A DISTRIBUTED SERVICES COMMUNICATION NETWORK - A method for progressively synchronizing stored copies of indexed media transmitted between nodes on a network. The method includes progressively transmitting available indexed media from a sending node to a receiving node with a packet size and packetization interval sufficient to enable the near real-time rendering of the indexed media, wherein the near real-time rendering of the indexed media provides a recipient with an experience of reviewing the transmitted media live. At the receiving node, the transmitted indexed media is progressively receive and any indexed media that is not already locally stored at the receiving node is noted. The receiving node further continually generates and transmits to the sending node requests as needed for the noted indexed media. In response, the sending node transmits the noted indexed media to the receiving node. Both the sending node and the receiving node store the indexed media. As a result, both the sending node and the receiving node each have synchronized copies of the indexed media. | 07-02-2009 |
20090258608 | TIME-SHIFTING FOR PUSH TO TALK VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - A method for providing on a Push To Talk (PTT) communication network time-shifting capabilities to a user of a PTT communication device. The method involves progressively receiving time-based media at a node on the PTT communication network from a sending device and progressively storing the received time-based media in a time-shifting buffer located at the node as the time-based media is progressively received. In response to rendering control instructions received from the user of the PTT communication device, the method further includes controlling the rendering of the time-based media at the PTT communication device in either (i) a near real-time mode as the time-based media is progressively received at the node or (ii) in a time shifted mode at an arbitrary later time after the receipt and storage of the time-based media in the time-shifting buffer. If the received rendering control instructions indicate the PTT user would like to review the media in the near real-time mode, the method further involves progressively transmitting the time-based media to the PTT communication device as the time-based media is progressively received at the node. If the received rendering instructions indicate the time-shifted mode, then the time-based media is progressively transmitted from the time-shifting buffer to the PTT communication device at the arbitrary later time. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259776 | TIME-SHIFTING FOR PUSH TO TALK VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - A network communication device located on a Push To Talk (PTT) communication network and configured to provide time-shifting capabilities to a user of a PTT communication device. The network communication device includes a receiver configured to progressively receive time-based media. The network communication device also includes a time-shifting buffer for progressively storing the received time based media as the time-based media is received and a time-shifting buffer controller configured to control the rendering of the time-based media at the PTT device. In response to a control signal received from the PTT device of the user, the time-based media is rendered at the PTT communication device either (i) in a near real-time mode as the time-based media is progressively received at the network communication device and progressively transmitted to the PTT device or (ii) at an arbitrary later time after the storage of the time-based media in the time-shifting buffer by retrieving the time-based media from the time-shifting buffer at the arbitrary later time and transmitting the retrieved time-based media to the PTT communication device. | 10-15-2009 |
20090327422 | COMMUNICATION APPLICATION FOR CONDUCTING CONVERSATIONS INCLUDING MULTIPLE MEDIA TYPES IN EITHER A REAL-TIME MODE OR A TIME-SHIFTED MODE - A communication application configured to support a conversation among participants over a communication network. The communication application is configured to (i) support one or more media types within the context of the conversation, (ii) interleave the one or more media types in a time-indexed order within the context of the conversation, (iii) enable the participants to render the conversation including the interleaved one or more media types in either a real-time rendering mode or time-shifted rendering mode, and (iv) seamlessly transition the conversation between the two modes so that the conversation may take place substantially live when in the real-time rendering mode or asynchronously when in the time-shifted rendering mode. | 12-31-2009 |
20100069060 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ENABLING COMMUNICATION WHEN NETWORK CONNECTIVITY IS REDUCED OR LOST DURING A CONVERSATION AND FOR RESUMING THE CONVERSATION WHEN CONNECTIVITY IMPROVES - A method for enabling communication when network connectivity is reduced or lost during a conversation and for resuming the same conversation when connectivity improves. | 03-18-2010 |
20100125791 | USER INTERFACE FOR A TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A User Interface or UI that generates a progressive timeline visualization of a conversation, including representations of the media contribution of each participant and tools to navigate and review the representations of the media of the conversation. | 05-20-2010 |
20100144320 | MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REDUCING EXPOSURE TO RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY DURING TRANSMISSIONS - A mobile communication device and method for reducing exposure to radio frequency (RF) energy during outgoing and incoming transmissions. During outgoing transmissions, media is stored in a local storage element on the mobile communication device as the media is being created. When the device is positioned a safe distance away from the user, the media is transmitted out of storage over the network to the recipient. Alternatively for incoming transmissions, media is stored on the network as it is created. While the wireless communication device is a safe distance away from the user, the media stored on the network is transmitted to the mobile communication device, where it is locally stored. The user of the mobile communication device can then review the incoming media at an arbitrary later time out of storage. As a result, the exposure of the user of the mobile communication device to RF energy for both outgoing and incoming transmissions is either substantially reduced or eliminated altogether. | 06-10-2010 |
20100144321 | MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REDUCING EXPOSURE TO RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY DURING TRANSMISSIONS - A mobile communication device and method for reducing exposure to radio frequency (RF) energy during outgoing and incoming transmissions. During outgoing transmissions, media is stored in a local storage element on the mobile communication device as the media is being created. When the device is positioned a safe distance away from the user, the media is transmitted out of storage over the network to the recipient. Alternatively for incoming transmissions, media is stored on the network as it is created. While the wireless communication device is a safe distance away from the user, the media stored on the network is transmitted to the mobile communication device, where it is locally stored. The user of the mobile communication device can then review the incoming media at an arbitrary later time out of storage. As a result, the exposure of the user of the mobile communication device to RF energy for both outgoing and incoming transmissions is either substantially reduced or eliminated altogether. | 06-10-2010 |
20100166159 | VOICE AND TEXT MAIL APPLICATION FOR COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A voice and text mail application method and apparatus capable of supporting both synchronous and asynchronous voice communication. The application is configured to (i) simultaneously and progressively store media of an incoming message as the media is received at a communication device over the network and (ii) provides a “catch up” rendering option which enables the rendering of previously received media of the message starting at any previous point of the message and to catch up the rendering to the current point or head of the message as the media of the message is being received. By rendering the previously received media of the incoming message out of storage at a rate faster relative to when the media of the incoming message was originally encoded, eventually the rendering will catch up and seamlessly transition the rendering from an asynchronous time-shifted mode out of storage to a synchronous mode as the media of the message is received over the network. In various alternative embodiments, the application also enables the (a) screening of the media of the incoming message as the media is received over the network; (b) the ability to join a live conversation with the sender of the incoming message as the media of the incoming message is received over the network, and/or (c) the option to ignore the media of the incoming message. | 07-01-2010 |
20100198922 | METHODS FOR USING THE ADDRESSING, PROTOCOLS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF EMAIL TO SUPPORT NEAR REAL-TIME COMMUNICATION - A method for transmitting time-based media across a network. The method involves receiving a message including time-based media intended for a recipient using a globally addressable email address associated with the recipient. Once the email address is defined, the method involves initiating a first DNS lookup of the globally addressable email address associated with the recipient to determine if the recipient receives a near real-time communication service and to ascertain a delivery route to deliver the time-based media of the message to the recipient using a near real-time communication protocol. If the first lookup result is positive, the time-based media of the message is progressively and simultaneously transmitted to the recipient as the time-based media is being created using the ascertained delivery route and the near real-time communication protocol. If the first DNS lookup is negative, then a second DNS lookup is performed to determine if the email address receives an email service. If so, then the time-based media of the message is sent to the recipient in a file attached to an email. If both the first and second DNS lookups are negative, an error message indicating that the time-based media of the message is undeliverable is generated. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198923 | METHODS FOR USING THE ADDRESSING, PROTOCOLS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF EMAIL TO SUPPORT NEAR REAL-TIME COMMUNICATION - A method of progressively and simultaneously transmitting time-base media over a network to a recipient. The method involves addressing an email message to the recipient using an email address associated with the recipient. Once the email is addressed to the recipient, the method involves progressively and simultaneously transmitting to the recipient time-based media associated with the email message as the time-based media is being created along a delivery route discovered using the email address associated with the recipient. At the receiving end, the recipient may simultaneously render the time-based media of the email message as the time-based media of the message is delivered by removing any restrictions used by access protocols that require the media of the message be received in full before the media can be accessed by the recipient. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198925 | EMAIL CLIENT CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING NEAR REAL-TIME COMMUNICATION - An email client capable of supporting real-time communication of time-based media. The email client includes a session element configured to establish a session with a server when an email address addressing a recipient within a domain is defined. As soon as the email address is defined, a transmitting element of the email client is configured to progressively and simultaneously transmit time-based media as the time-based media is being created to the recipient via a route at least partially discovered by a lookup of the domain of the email address. By at least partially discovering the route to the recipient as soon as the email address of the recipient is defined, the transmitting element may progressively deliver the time-based media to the recipient. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198988 | METHODS FOR USING THE ADDRESSING, PROTOCOLS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF EMAIL TO SUPPORT NEAR REAL-TIME COMMUNICATION - A method of implementing late binding of time-based media that can be rendered in near real-time by a recipient when transmitted over a communication network. The method involves addressing a message to a recipient using an address associated with the recipient and progressively creating time-based media associated with the message. When the address of the recipient is defined, the method uses the address to define an active delivery route for the delivery of time-based media associated with the message in near real-time to the recipient. When the active delivery route is discovered and is available, the method further involves progressively and simultaneously transmitting to the recipient the created time-based media associated with the message as the time-based media is being created. | 08-05-2010 |
20100199133 | METHODS FOR USING THE ADDRESSING, PROTOCOLS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF EMAIL TO SUPPORT NEAR REAL-TIME COMMUNICATION - A method for transmitting time-based media across a network. The method involves receiving at a server a message including time-based media intended for a recipient using a globally addressable email address associated with the recipient. Once the email address is defined, it is determined if the domain of the recipient is either outside or inside the one or more domains of the server. If outside, the method involves using a first DNS lookup result of the globally addressable email address to determine if the recipient receives a near real-time communication service and to ascertain a delivery route to deliver the time-based media of the message to the recipient using a near real-time communication protocol. If the first lookup result is positive, the time-based media of the message is progressively and simultaneously transmitted to the recipient as the time-based media is being created. If the first DNS lookup is negative, then a second DNS lookup result is used to determine if the email address receives an email service. If so, then the time-based media of the message is sent to the recipient in a file attached to an email. If the email address is within the one or more domains of the server, then the time-based media is transmitted to the recipient either progressively or as an attachment to an email depending on the services provided to the recipient. | 08-05-2010 |
20100205320 | GRACEFUL DEGRADATION FOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES OVER WIRED AND WIRELESS NETWORKS - A method for gracefully extending the range and/or capacity of voice communication systems is disclosed. The method involves the persistent storage of voice media on a communication device. When the usable bit rate on the network is poor and below that necessary for conducting a live conversation, voice media is transmitted and received by the communication device at the available usable bit rate on the network. Although latency may be introduced, the persistent storage of both transmitted and received media of a conversation provides the ability to extend the useful range of wireless networks beyond what is required for live conversations. In addition, the capacity and robustness in not being affected by external interferences for both wired and wireless communications is improved. | 08-12-2010 |
20100211692 | GRACEFUL DEGRADATION FOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES OVER WIRED AND WIRELESS NETWORKS - A method for gracefully extending the range and/or capacity of voice communication systems is disclosed. The method involves the persistent storage of voice media on a communication device. When the usable bit rate on the network is poor and below that necessary for conducting a live conversation, voice media is transmitted and received by the communication device at the available usable bit rate on the network. Although latency may be introduced, the persistent storage of both transmitted and received media of a conversation provides the ability to extend the useful range of wireless networks beyond what is required for live conversations. In addition, the capacity and robustness in not being affected by external interferences for both wired and wireless communications is improved. | 08-19-2010 |
20100215158 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217822 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 08-26-2010 |
20100312845 | LATE BINDING COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME COMMUNICATION OF TIME-BASED MEDIA - A system and method for the late-biding of time-based media in real-time With late binding, the sender may create time-based media before or at the same time an active delivery route to the recipient is discovered. As soon as the route becomes available, the media is transmitted. The existing DNS and email infrastructure is possibly used for route discovery, while any real-time transmission protocol may be used for the actual delivery of the media. “Progressive” emails may also be used for the real-time delivery of time-based media. | 12-09-2010 |
20110019662 | METHOD FOR DOWNLOADING AND USING A COMMUNICATION APPLICATION THROUGH A WEB BROWSER - A method of enabling communication over a network by maintaining a server on a network and receiving a request at the server from a user of a communication device. In response to the request, a communication application is downloading over the network to the communication device. The communication application enabling the user to participate in a conversation on the communication device in either (i) a real-time mode or (ii) a time-shifted mode and (iii) to seamlessly transition the conversation between the two modes (i) and (ii). | 01-27-2011 |
20110035687 | BROWSER ENABLED COMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR CONDUCTING CONVERSATIONS IN EITHER A REAL-TIME MODE, A TIME-SHIFTED MODE, AND WITH THE ABILITY TO SEAMLESSLY SHIFT THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE TWO MODES - A browser enabled communication device capable of conducting conversations, including multiple media types, in either a real-time or a time-shifted mode, with the ability to seamlessly transition between the two modes. | 02-10-2011 |
20110064027 | GRACEFUL DEGRADATION FOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES OVER WIRED AND WIRELESS NETWORKS - An application for gracefully extending the range and/or capacity of voice communication systems. The application includes a module for the persistent storage of voice media on a communication device as the voice media is created. When the usable bit rate on the network is poor and below that necessary for conducting live communication of the voice media, a transmit module transmits the voice media out of storage at or below the available usable bit rate on the network. Although latency may be introduced, the storage of transmitted media provides the ability to extend the useful range and/or capacity of the network when conditions on the network otherwise make live communication impossible or impractical. | 03-17-2011 |
20120114108 | MESSAGING COMMUNICATION APPLICATION - A messaging application that includes a transmit module configured to progressively transmit time-based media of a message to a recipient as the media is created. The transmit module transmits the message in either a messaging mode where the time-based media of the message is transmitted before a delivery route to the recipient is completely discovered or a call mode where the transmission occurs after providing a notification requesting synchronous communication and receiving a confirmation that the recipient would like to engage in synchronous communication. In response to the notification, the recipient has the option of rendering the incoming message in either a real-time mode as the time-based media of the message is received or a time-shifted mode by rendering the time-based media of the message at an arbitrary later time after it was received. | 05-10-2012 |
20120148035 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A communication device, method and computer code configured to simultaneously render two or more conversations by (i) progressively rendering and progressively storing on the communication device incoming voice messages associated with two or more conversations as the incoming voice messages are received at the communication device; (ii) pausing the rendering of the incoming voice message or messages on the communication device for all but a selected one conversation among the two or more conversations; and (iii) rendering the incoming voice message or messages on the communication device for the selected one conversation without interrupting the progressive storage of the incoming voice message or messages associated with the non-selected conversations or conversations. | 06-14-2012 |
20120219131 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 08-30-2012 |
20120275583 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 11-01-2012 |
20120284352 | USING THE ADDRESSING, PROTOCOLS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF EMAIL TO SUPPORT REAL-TIME COMMUNICATION - Transmitting time-based media, intended for a recipient, as the media is created, across a network, using an email address associated with the recipient is disclosed. Once the email address is defined, a first DNS lookup result of the email address associated with the recipient is immediately used to determine if the recipient receives a near real-time communication service and to ascertain a delivery route to deliver the time-based media of the message to the recipient using a near real-time communication protocol. If the first lookup result is positive, the time-based media of the message is progressively and simultaneously transmitted to the recipient as the time-based media is being created using the ascertained delivery route and the near real-time communication protocol. | 11-08-2012 |
20120288074 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 11-15-2012 |
20130041663 | COMMUNICATION APPLICATION FOR CONDUCTING CONVERSATIONS INCLUDING MULTIPLE MEDIA TYPES IN EITHER A REAL-TIME MODE OR A TIME-SHIFTED MODE - A communication application configured to support a conversation among participants over a communication network. The communication application is configured to (i) support one or more media types within the context of the conversation, (ii) interleave the one or more media types in a time-indexed order within the context of the conversation, (iii) enable the participants to render the conversation including the interleaved one or more media types in either a real-time rendering mode or time-shifted rendering mode, and (iv) seamlessly transition the conversation between the two modes so that the conversation may take place substantially live when in the real-time rendering mode or asynchronously when in the time-shifted rendering mode. | 02-14-2013 |
20130058328 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 03-07-2013 |
20130158988 | GRACEFUL DEGRADATION FOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES OVER WIRED AND WIRELESS NETWORKS - A method for gracefully extending the range and/or capacity of voice communication systems is disclosed. The method involves the persistent storage of voice media on a communication device. When the usable bit rate on the network is poor and below that necessary for conducting a live conversation, voice media is transmitted and received by the communication device at the available usable bit rate on the network. Although latency may be introduced, the persistent storage of both transmitted and received media of a conversation provides the ability to extend the useful range of wireless networks beyond what is required for live conversations. In addition, the capacity and robustness in not being affected by external interferences for both wired and wireless communications is improved. | 06-20-2013 |
20130172038 | TIME-SHIFTING FOR PUSH TO TALK VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - A network communication device located on a Push To Talk (PTT) communication network and configured to provide time-shifting capabilities to a user of a PTT communication device is disclosed. The network communication device includes a receiver configured to progressively receive time-based media. The network communication device also includes a time-shifting buffer for progressively storing the received time based media as the time-based media is received and a time-shifting buffer controller configured to control the rendering of the time-based media at the PTT device. | 07-04-2013 |
20130176911 | COMMUNICATION APPLICATION FOR CONDUCTING CONVERSATIONS INCLUDING MULTIPLE MEDIA TYPES IN EITHER A REAL-TIME MODE OR A TIME-SHIFTED MODE - A communication application configured to support a conversation among participants over a communication network. The communication application is configured to (i) support one or more media types within the context of the conversation, (ii) interleave the one or more media types in a time-indexed order within the context of the conversation, (iii) enable the participants to render the conversation including the interleaved one or more media types in either a real-time rendering mode or time-shifted rendering mode, and (iv) seamlessly transition the conversation between the two modes so that the conversation may take place substantially live when in the real-time rendering mode or asynchronously when in the time-shifted rendering mode. | 07-11-2013 |
20130295982 | VIRTUAL SLIDE-TO-LOCK FEATURE FOR PUSH-TO-TALK COMMUNICATION APPLICATIONS - A virtual Slide-to-Lock feature for communication devices running a PTT application. When the Slide-to-Lock feature is activated, a PTT locking function on the communication device is activated. As a result, messages on the communication device may be created, without the need of the user to continuously hold or select a Hold-to-Talk or similar PTT feature. In one non-exclusive embodiment, the virtual Slide-to-Lock feature is activated when a finger is moved from a first region to a second region on a touch-sensitive display screen and de-activated with the opposite motion. | 11-07-2013 |
20130301482 | COMMUNICATION APPLICATION FOR CONDUCTING CONVERSATIONS INCLUDING MULTIPLE MEDIA TYPES IN EITHER A REAL-TIME MODE OR A TIME-SHIFTED MODE - Computer code is configured to support a conversation among participants over a communication network. The computer code is configured to (i) progressively store the incoming and outgoing messages of a conversation on a communication device, (ii) display the message history of the conversation on the communication device, (iii) provide rendering options on the communication device, (iv) selectively transition participation in the conversation between a real-time mode and a time-shifted mode and (v) designate an interrupt mode for the conversation. | 11-14-2013 |
20130303226 | TIME-SHIFTING FOR PUSH TO TALK VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - A network communication device located on a Push To Talk (PTT) communication network and configured to provide time-shifting capabilities to a user of a PTT communication device is disclosed. The network communication device includes a receiver configured to progressively receive time-based media. The network communication device also includes a time-shifting buffer for progressively storing the received time based media as the time-based media is received and a time-shifting buffer controller configured to control the rendering of the time-based media at the PTT device. | 11-14-2013 |
20130324189 | SMART CASE FOR MOBILE COMUNICATION DEVICES - A smart case configured to encapsulate a mobile communication device. The smart case includes a radio embedded in the case for selectively enabling the encapsulated mobile communication device to communicate over a wireless network using either the radio embedded in the case or the Wi-Fi and/or cellular radio in the communication device itself. In alternative embodiments, either a hard switch, a soft switch, or both, is provided for switching between either the radios(s) embedded in the smart case or the internal radio(s) in the mobile communication device. | 12-05-2013 |
20140189029 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 07-03-2014 |
20140221057 | SMART CASE FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A smart case configured to encapsulate a mobile communication device. The smart case includes a radio embedded in the case for selectively enabling the encapsulated mobile communication device to communicate over a wireless network using either the radio embedded in the case or the Wi-Fi and/or cellular radio in the communication device itself. In alternative embodiments, either a hard switch, a soft switch, or both, is provided for switching between either the radios(s) embedded in the smart case or the internal radio(s) in the mobile communication device. | 08-07-2014 |
20140343937 | INTERRUPT MODE FOR COMMUNICATION APPLICATIONS - An interrupt mode for messaging applications intended to run on smart phones, tablets and computers. The interrupt mode enables the automatic rendering of incoming messages, in accordance with various embodiments, when (i) the application is closed, (ii) the conversation for which the message pertains has not been selected for participation, (iii) the interrupt mode has been designated for the sender of the message or (iv) any combination of (i) through (iii). When a message is rendered in the interrupt mode, the media of the message is automatically rendered. As a result, the user of the communication device is interrupted. | 11-20-2014 |
20140355488 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - 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. | 12-04-2014 |