US5778187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multicasting method and apparatus
Assignee: Two Way Media Ltd
•
Filing: 1996-05-09
•
Granted: 1998-07-07
•
Expires: 2016-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the information being delivered is high-quality audio. However, it could also be video, graphics, text or any other type of information that can be transmitted over a digital network. Preferably, there are multiple channels of information available simultaneously to be delivered to users, each channel consisting of an independent stream of information. A user chooses to tune in or tune out a particular channel, but does not choose the time at which the channel distributes its information. Advantageously, interactive (two-way) information can be incorporated into the system, multiple streams of information can be integrated for delivery to a user, and certain portions of the information being delivered can be tailored to the individual user.
Inventors
- 👤 Antonio M. Monteiro
- 👤 James F. Butterworth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1813; H04L12/1818; H04L12/1827; H04L12/1859; H04L43/00; H04L63/00; H04L63/08; H04L63/0815; H04L65/00; H04L65/40; H04L65/403; H04L65/60; H04L65/61; H04L65/611; H04L65/612; H04L65/75; H04L65/752; H04L65/765; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/02; H04L67/10; H04L67/1095; H04L67/50; H04L67/51; H04L67/535; H04L67/55; H04L69/00; H04L69/08; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/25; H04N21/254; H04N21/2541; H04N21/40; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4621; H04N21/60; H04N21/63; H04N21/64; H04N21/6405; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/8106; H04N21/8113; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0478; H04L12/185; H04L12/1854; H04L12/1863; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L2012/5625; H04L2012/5626; H04L2012/5638; H04L2012/564; H04L2012/5642; H04L43/08; H04L43/0852; H04L43/0864; H04L63/0823; H04L63/083; H04L67/53
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for transmitting message packets over a communications network comprising the steps of: converting a plurality of streams of audio and/or visual information into a plurality of streams of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, for each stream, routing such stream to one or more users, controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of packets by the users and accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of Rackets comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the time that a user starts receiving the audio and/or visual selection and the time that the user stops receiving the audio and/or visual selection.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for transmitting message packets over a communications network comprising the steps of: converting a plurality of streams of audio and/or visual information into a plurality of streams of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, for each stream, routing such stream to one or more users, controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of packets by the users and accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of Rackets comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the time that a user starts receiving the audio and/or visual selection and the time that the user stops receiving the audio and/or visual selection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of including in at least one stream of packets at least some advertising information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of varying the content of the advertising information with the identity of the user to whom the advertising information is provided.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the advertising information is inserted into the stream of audio and/or visual information before such stream is converted into a stream of packets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the records that are accumulated indicate how many users received specific advertising information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the records that are accumulated indicate which users received specific advertising information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of generating an audio output and/or a visual display from the stream of packets received by the user.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: storing a first stream of packets received by the user at a first time and at a later time, inserting the first stream of packets into a second stream of packets received at the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of converting the combined first and second streams of packets into an audio output and/or visual display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the first stream of packets contains advertising information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the content of the advertising information is varied depending on the identity of the user.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one stream of packets comprises copyrighted music selections and the records that are accumulated indicate how many users received specific music selections.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one stream of packets comprises music selections and the records that are accumulated indicate how many users did or did not listen to the entire selection.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: compressing the stream of packets in their passage from source to user, and decompressing the stream of packets near the user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the compressing step uses a compression algorithm that is selected in accordance with the content of the information being communicated in the stream of packets.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the compressing step inserts into each packet an identification of the compression algorithm used and the decompressing step monitors each packet to read such identification and to vary its decompression algorithm in response thereto.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one stream of packets comprises copyrighted music selections and the records that are accumulated indicate which users received specific music selections.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: storing a first stream of packets received by the user at a first time and inserting the first stream of packets into a plurality of streams of packets received at the user at a plurality of later times.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for transmitting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information over a communications network to a plurality of users comprising the steps of: controlling the routing of the stream of information through the network in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of the stream of information by the users and accumulating records relating to the reception of the stream of information by the users wherein at least one stream of information comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the time that a user starts receiving the audio and/or visual selection and the time that the user stops receiving the audio and/or visual selection.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for transmitting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information over a communications network to a plurality of users comprising the steps of: controlling the routing of the stream of information through the network in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of the stream of information by the users and accumulating records relating to the reception of the stream of information by the users wherein at least one stream of information comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the time that a user starts receiving the audio and/or visual selection and the time that the user stops receiving the audio and/or visual selection.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of including in at least one stream of information at least some advertising information.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of varying the content of the advertising information with the identity of the user to whom the advertising information is provided.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the records that are accumulated indicate how many users received specific advertising information.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 20 wherein at least one stream of information comprises copyrighted music selections and the records that are accumulated indicate how many users received specific music selections.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 20 wherein at least one stream of information comprises music selections and the records that are accumulated indicate how many users did or did not listen to he entire selection.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of: compressing the stream of information in its passage from source to user, and decompressing the stream of information near the user.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the compressing step uses a compression algorithm that is selected in accordance with the content of the information being communicated in the stream of information.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the records that are accumulated indicate which users received specific advertising information.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of: storing a first stream of information received by the user at a first time and at a later time, inserting the first stream of information into a second stream of information received by the user.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the first stream of information contains advertising information.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 19 wherein multiple streams of audio and/or visual information are transmitted over the communications network and the user can select which stream to receive.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 19 wherein at least one stream of information comprises copyrighted music selections and the records that are accumulated indicate which users received specific music selections.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of: storing a first stream of information received by the user at a first time and inserting the first stream of information into a plurality of streams of information received at the user at a plurality of later times.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
140 words
A communication system comprising: means for converting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information into a stream of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, means for routing such stream via a communication network to selected users, means for controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and means for monitoring the reception of packets by the user and for accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of Rackets comprises an audio and/or visual selection, and the means for monitoring further includes means for accumulating records that indicate the time that a user starts receiving the audio and/or visual selection and the time that the user stops receiving the audio and/or visual selection.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
140 words
A communication system comprising: means for converting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information into a stream of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, means for routing such stream via a communication network to selected users, means for controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and means for monitoring the reception of packets by the user and for accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of Rackets comprises an audio and/or visual selection, and the means for monitoring further includes means for accumulating records that indicate the time that a user starts receiving the audio and/or visual selection and the time that the user stops receiving the audio and/or visual selection.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communication system of claim 33 further comprising means for including in the stream of packets at least some advertising information.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
The communication system of claim 34 further comprising means for varying the content of the advertising information with the identity of the user to whom the advertising information is provided.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The communication system of claim 34 wherein the means for monitoring further accumulates records that indicate which users received specific advertising information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The communication system of claim 33 wherein at least one stream of packets comprises copyrighted music selections and the means for monitoring further accumulates records that indicate which users received specific music selections.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 33 further comprising means for storing packets received at the user during a first time period and means for inserting such packets into other packets received at the user at a plurality of later time periods.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The communication system of claim 33 further comprising means for generating from the stream of packets received at the user an audio output and/or a visual display.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
The communication system of claim 33 further comprising means for storing packets received at the user during a first time period and means for inserting such packets into other packets received at the user at a later time period.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The communication system of claim 40 wherein the stream of packets received during the first time period contains advertising information.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The communication system of claim 41 wherein the cntent of the advertising information is varied depending on the identity of the user.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
The communication system of claim 33 further comprising: means for compressing the stream of packets in their passage from source to user, and downstream of the compressing means, means for decompressing the stream of packets.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The communication system of claim 43 wherein the compressing means is located near the converting means and the decompressing means is located at the user.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
The communication system of claim 43 wherein the compressing means uses a compression algorithm that is selected in accordance with the content of the information being communicated in the stream of packets.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
41 words
The communication system of claim 43 wherein the compressing means inserts into each packet an identification of the compression algorithm used and the decompressing means monitors each packet to read such identification and to vary its decompression algorithm in response thereto.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for transmitting message packets over a communications network comprising the steps of: converting a plurality of streams of audio and/or visual information into a plurality of streams of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, for each stream, routing such stream to one or more users, controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of packets by the users and accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises music selections and the records that are accumulated indicate how many users did or did not listen to the entire selection.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for transmitting message packets over a communications network comprising the steps of: converting a plurality of streams of audio and/or visual information into a plurality of streams of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, for each stream, routing such stream to one or more users, controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of packets by the users and accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises music selections and the records that are accumulated indicate how many users did or did not listen to the entire selection.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for transmitting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information over a communications network to a plurality of users comprising the steps of: controlling the routing of the stream of information through the network in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of the stream of information by the users and accumulating records relating to the reception of the stream of information by the users, wherein at least one stream of information comprises music selections and the records that are accumulated indicate how many users did or did not listen to the entire selection.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for transmitting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information over a communications network to a plurality of users comprising the steps of: controlling the routing of the stream of information through the network in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of the stream of information by the users and accumulating records relating to the reception of the stream of information by the users, wherein at least one stream of information comprises music selections and the records that are accumulated indicate how many users did or did not listen to the entire selection.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for transmitting message packets over a communications network comprising the steps of: converting a plurality of streams of audio and/or visual information into a plurality of streams of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, for each stream, routing such stream to one or more users, controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of packets by the users and accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the elapsed time that a user received the audio and/or visual selection.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for transmitting message packets over a communications network comprising the steps of: converting a plurality of streams of audio and/or visual information into a plurality of streams of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, for each stream, routing such stream to one or more users, controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of packets by the users and accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the elapsed time that a user received the audio and/or visual selection.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for transmitting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information over a communications network to a plurality of users comprising the steps of: controlling the routing of the stream of information through the network in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of the stream of information by the users and accumulating records relating to the reception of the stream of information by the users, wherein at least one stream of information comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the elapsed time that a user received the audio and/or visual selection.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for transmitting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information over a communications network to a plurality of users comprising the steps of: controlling the routing of the stream of information through the network in response to selection signals received from the users, and monitoring the reception of the stream of information by the users and accumulating records relating to the reception of the stream of information by the users, wherein at least one stream of information comprises an audio and/or visual selection and the records that are accumulated indicate the elapsed time that a user received the audio and/or visual selection.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
127 words
A communication system comprising: means for converting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information into a stream of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, means for routing such stream via a communication network to selected users, means for controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and means for monitoring the reception of packets by the user and for accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises an audio and/or visual selection, and the means for monitoring further includes means for accumulating records that indicate the elapsed time that a user received the audio and/or visual selection.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
127 words
A communication system comprising: means for converting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information into a stream of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol, means for routing such stream via a communication network to selected users, means for controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and means for monitoring the reception of packets by the user and for accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises an audio and/or visual selection, and the means for monitoring further includes means for accumulating records that indicate the elapsed time that a user received the audio and/or visual selection.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-07-06 | 2002-01-05 | 2002-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-01-05 | 2006-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-06 | 2010-01-05 | 2010-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |