Telecommunication And Multimedia Management Method And Apparatus
Patent No. US11777883 (titled "Telecommunication And Multimedia Management Method And Apparatus") was filed by Voxer Ip Llc on Aug 16, 2022.
What is this patent about?
’883 is related to the field of telecommunications and, more specifically, to managing multimedia communications. Traditional phone systems require a real-time connection, and voicemail systems are cumbersome. Tactical radio systems also suffer from limitations, such as the inability to guarantee message delivery or prioritize messages effectively. The patent addresses the need for an improved communication system that overcomes these limitations.
The underlying idea behind ’883 is to enable a more flexible and efficient communication system by streaming media (specifically video) from a sender to multiple recipients without requiring a direct, end-to-end connection. The system stores the media at the infrastructure level and streams it to recipients as it's being sent, allowing for real-time participation and the ability to add additional messages to the conversation.
The claims of ’883 focus on a method comprising maintaining a communication infrastructure on a network, receiving information from a first client device to forward video media of a video message, ascertaining second participants, providing notifications to second client devices, and streaming portions of the video media to the second client devices as the video media is streamed by the first client device, received, and stored by the communication infrastructure, enabling real-time rendering without setting up an end-to-end connection.
In practice, the invention allows a user to initiate a video message, which is then forwarded by the communication infrastructure to a group of recipients. The infrastructure streams the video to the recipients' devices as it receives the video from the sender, enabling them to view the message in real-time. This is achieved without establishing a direct connection between the sender and each recipient, making it more efficient than traditional video conferencing systems. Participants can then add their own messages to the conversation.
This approach differs from prior solutions by eliminating the need for a dedicated, end-to-end connection for each recipient. Instead, the communication infrastructure acts as a central hub, receiving and distributing the media stream. This allows for more efficient use of network resources and enables a more seamless communication experience, particularly in scenarios with multiple participants or varying network conditions. The store-and-stream approach also facilitates features like time-shifting and archiving, which are not readily available in traditional communication systems.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2000s when ’883 was filed, voice communication systems were based on real-time live calls or disjointed voice mail messages. At a time when VoIP was gaining traction, systems commonly relied on TCP and UDP for packet-based networks. Hardware or software constraints made it non-trivial to guarantee message delivery while maintaining low latency.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because the prior art, whether considered individually or in combination, failed to teach or disclose the elements of the independent claims. Specifically, the examiner noted that the prior art did not disclose maintaining a communication infrastructure on a network, receiving information from a first client device for forwarding a video message, initiating a multimedia conversation with the video message, using the information at the communication infrastructure for forwarding the video message by ascertaining second participants, providing notifications to second client devices, and streaming portions of the video media to the second client devices while the video media is streamed by the first client device, received at the communication infrastructure, and stored by the communication infrastructure.
Claims
This patent contains 65 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 35, 49, and 58. The independent claims generally focus on methods for forwarding video messages within a communication or messaging infrastructure, enabling real-time streaming and conversation among participants. The dependent claims generally elaborate on and refine the specifics of these methods, adding details around message rendering, transcoding, quality adjustment, and user interface features.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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Date
Description
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US11777883
- Application Number
- US17889108
- Filing Date
- Aug 16, 2022
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Feb 8, 2028
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents