摘要:
A communication services network is described that enables client communication devices to synchronously or asynchronously communicate with one another or with legacy communication devices through a gateway in either (i) a real-time mode or (ii) a time-shifted mode and (iii) to seamlessly transition between the two modes. As the media of a message is either created or retrieved from memory, the sending client device progressively transmits the media over the network. The network progressively routes the media as it is transmitted to the recipient client device or gateway, which progressively stores the media as it is received. With progressive storage, the recipient has the option of rendering the media as it is received in the real-time mode, rendering the media out of storage in the time-shifted mode, or seamlessly transitioning between the two modes. In addition, users may communicate with each other “live”, similar to a conventional full duplex telephone call, when messages are synchronously transmitted and rendered in real-time with respect to one another. Alternatively, users may communicate with each other asynchronously by sending messages back and forth at discrete times, or by time-shifting the review of received messages.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
A system and method for using email addresses, email clients and the existing DNS and email infrastructure for the real-time communication of time-based media.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
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.