Patent US5838683A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5838683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Distributed interactive multimedia system architecture
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1995-03-13
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Granted: 1998-11-17
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Expires: 2015-03-13
Abstract
Abstract Various aspects of an interactive multimedia system and associated methods. In general, the multimedia system employs central and peripheral hubs that function to provide services to a plurality of clients of a call manager server, or manager subsystem. The hubs and subsystem cooperate to serve requests originating in the plurality of clients. The client-server-client architecture allows for distributed processing and resource management. Redundant connections between the various network subsystems and hubs provide survivability. Each subsystem or hub is provided with the ability to initialize or recover from systemic errors, thereby distributing initialization and recovery. Certain of the distributed resources are capable of being managed from other subsystems, thereby allowing sharing of the resources. An open numbering plan allows efficient call treatment of dialed numbers. Call processing is sharable between multiple manager subsystems. Finally, an iterative process is employed to ensure that calls routed through the network travel the shortest possible path.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert David Corley
- 👤 Richard A. Dunlap
- 👤 Paul S. Hahn
- 👤 Michael H. McClung
- 👤 Christopher E. Pearce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0478; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L2012/5614; H04L2012/5615; H04L2012/5638; H04L2012/5663
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 108
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A survivable communications network, comprising: first and second manager subsystems, said first and second manager subsystems having first and second equivalent manager subsystem resources associated therewith, respectively; first and second central hubs, each of said first and second central hubs having first and second equivalent central hub resources associated therewith, respectively; a peripheral hub having peripheral hub resources associated therewith; a common bus capable of coupling a selectable one of said first and second central hubs to a selectable one of said first and second manager subsystems, said first central hub thereby capable of decoupling from a failed one of said first and second manager subsystems and coupling instead to an operating one of said first and second manager subsystems, said second central hub thereby capable of decoupling from a failed one of said first and second manager subsystems and coupling instead to a functioning one of said first and second manager subsystems; and first and second redundant channels coupling said peripheral hub to said first and second central hubs, respectively, said peripheral hub thereby capable of decoupling from a failed one of said first and second central hubs and coupling instead to a functioning one of said first and second central hubs, said network thereby able to survive failure of a selected one of said first and second manager subsystems and a selected one of said first and second central hubs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A survivable communications network, comprising: first and second manager subsystems, said first and second manager subsystems having first and second equivalent manager subsystem resources associated therewith, respectively; first and second central hubs, each of said first and second central hubs having first and second equivalent central hub resources associated therewith, respectively; a peripheral hub having peripheral hub resources associated therewith; a common bus capable of coupling a selectable one of said first and second central hubs to a selectable one of said first and second manager subsystems, said first central hub thereby capable of decoupling from a failed one of said first and second manager subsystems and coupling instead to an operating one of said first and second manager subsystems, said second central hub thereby capable of decoupling from a failed one of said first and second manager subsystems and coupling instead to a functioning one of said first and second manager subsystems; and first and second redundant channels coupling said peripheral hub to said first and second central hubs, respectively, said peripheral hub thereby capable of decoupling from a failed one of said first and second central hubs and coupling instead to a functioning one of said first and second central hubs, said network thereby able to survive failure of a selected one of said first and second manager subsystems and a selected one of said first and second central hubs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The communications network as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second common bus capable of coupling a selectable one of said first and second central hubs to a selectable one of said first and second manager subsystems, said network thereby able to survive failure of a selected one of said common and second common buses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The communications network as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second central hubs are each provided with a default manager subsystem designation controlling to which of said first and second manager subsystems said first and second central hubs initially couple.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The communications network as recited in claim 1 wherein said peripheral hub is provided with a default central hub designation controlling to which of said first and second central hubs said peripheral hub initially couples.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The communications network as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second central hubs each have isochronous switching resources associated therewith, said isochronous switching resources capable of coupling a user information path between first and second client subsystems.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The communications network as recited in claim 1 further comprising an isochronous user information path coupled to said peripheral hub, said isochronous user information path adapted to carry multimedia information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
The communications network as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of peripheral hubs coupled to a selected one of said first and second central hubs, each of said plurality of peripheral hubs having control of associated resources within said each of said plurality of peripheral hubs, a selected one of said first and second manager subsystems capable of generating a request to a selected one of said plurality of peripheral hubs for access to said resources associated with said selected one, said selected one granting said request only when said associated resources are available.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The communications network as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second manager subsystems further has feature services resources associated therewith, said feature services resources selected from the group consisting of: transfer, conference, hold, drop, record/playback, and numbering plan database.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The communications network as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second manager subsystems further has connectivity services resources associated therewith, said connectivity services resources selected from the group consisting of: point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The communications network as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second manager subsystems further has media services resources associated therewith, said media services resources selected from the group consisting of: video encode/decode, video record/playback, voice encode/decode, voice record/playback, speech detection, and data encode/decode.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
246 words
A method of providing redundancy in a survivable communications network, comprising the steps of: providing first and second manager subsystems, said first and second manager subsystems having first and second equivalent manager subsystem resources associated therewith, respectively; providing first and second central hubs, each of said first and second central hubs having first and second equivalent central hub resources associated therewith, respectively; providing a peripheral hub having peripheral hub resources associated therewith; selectively coupling a selectable one of said first and second central hubs to a selectable one of said first and second manager subsystems with a common bus, said first central hub thereby capable of decoupling from a failed one of said first and second manager subsystems and coupling instead to an operating one of said first and second manager subsystems, said second central hub thereby capable of decoupling from a failed one of said first and second manager subsystems and coupling instead to a functioning one of said first and second manager subsystems; and selectively coupling said peripheral hub to said first and second central hubs with first and second redundant channels, respectively, said peripheral hub thereby capable of decoupling from a failed one of said first and second central hubs and coupling instead to a functioning one of said first and second central hubs, said network thereby able to survive failure of a selected one of said first and second manager subsystems and a selected one of said first and second central hubs.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
246 words
A method of providing redundancy in a survivable communications network, comprising the steps of: providing first and second manager subsystems, said first and second manager subsystems having first and second equivalent manager subsystem resources associated therewith, respectively; providing first and second central hubs, each of said first and second central hubs having first and second equivalent central hub resources associated therewith, respectively; providing a peripheral hub having peripheral hub resources associated therewith; selectively coupling a selectable one of said first and second central hubs to a selectable one of said first and second manager subsystems with a common bus, said first central hub thereby capable of decoupling from a failed one of said first and second manager subsystems and coupling instead to an operating one of said first and second manager subsystems, said second central hub thereby capable of decoupling from a failed one of said first and second manager subsystems and coupling instead to a functioning one of said first and second manager subsystems; and selectively coupling said peripheral hub to said first and second central hubs with first and second redundant channels, respectively, said peripheral hub thereby capable of decoupling from a failed one of said first and second central hubs and coupling instead to a functioning one of said first and second central hubs, said network thereby able to survive failure of a selected one of said first and second manager subsystems and a selected one of said first and second central hubs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of coupling a selectable one of said first and second central hubs to a selectable one of said first and second manager subsystems with a second common bus, said network thereby able to survive failure of a selected one of said common and second common buses.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of controlling, with a default manager subsystem designation provided in each of said first and second central hubs, to which of said first and second manager subsystems said first and second central hubs initially couple.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of controlling, with a default central hub designation provided in said peripheral hub, to which of said first and second central hubs said peripheral hub initially couples.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said first and second central hubs each have isochronous switching resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of coupling a user information path between first and second client subsystems with said isochronous switching resources.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising an isochronous user information path coupled to said peripheral hub, said method further comprising the step of carrying multimedia information over said isochronous user information path.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of selectively coupling a plurality of peripheral hubs to a selected one of said first and second central hubs, each of said plurality of peripheral hubs having control of associated resources within said each of said plurality of peripheral hubs, a selected one of said first and second manager subsystems capable of generating a request to a selected one of said plurality of peripheral hubs for access to said resources associated with said selected one, said selected one granting said request only when said associated resources are available.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein each of said first and second manager subsystems further has feature services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said feature services resources selected from the group consisting of: transfer, conference, hold, drop, record/playback, and numbering plan database.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein each of said first and second manager subsystems further has connectivity services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said connectivity services resources selected from the group consisting of: point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein each of said first and second manager subsystems further has media services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said media services resources selected from the group consisting of: video encode/decode, video record/playback, voice encode/decode, voice record/playback, speech detection, and data encode/decode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
86 words
A decentralized communications network, comprising: a first subsystem having first resources associated therewith; and a second subsystem, coupled to said first subsystem and a client device via corresponding ports, said second subsystem having second resources associated therewith and circuitry adapted to execute a second initialization and recovery procedure, said second initialization and recovery procedure initializing components within said second subsystem, testing a functioning of said corresponding ports and placing said second subsystem in an operational condition to make said second resources available to said client device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
86 words
A decentralized communications network, comprising: a first subsystem having first resources associated therewith; and a second subsystem, coupled to said first subsystem and a client device via corresponding ports, said second subsystem having second resources associated therewith and circuitry adapted to execute a second initialization and recovery procedure, said second initialization and recovery procedure initializing components within said second subsystem, testing a functioning of said corresponding ports and placing said second subsystem in an operational condition to make said second resources available to said client device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The communications network as recited in claim 21 wherein said second subsystem is capable of notifying said first subsystem of said operational condition.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
69 words
The communications network as recited in claim 21 wherein said first subsystem further has circuitry adapted to execute a first initialization and recovery procedure, said first initialization and recovery procedure initializing components within said first subsystem, testing a functioning of a port coupling said first subsystem to said second subsystem and placing said first subsystem in an operational condition to make said first resources available to said second subsystem.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The communications network as recited in claim 21 wherein said first subsystem is a manager subsystem and said second subsystem is a central hub.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The communications network as recited in claim 21 wherein said first subsystem is a central hub and said second subsystem is a peripheral hub.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The communications network as recited in claim 21 wherein said first and second subsystems each contain independent data processing circuitry adapted to execute said first and second initialization and recovery procedures independently.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The communications network as recited in claim 21 wherein said second hub has isochronous switching resources associated therewith, said isochronous switching resources capable of coupling a user information path between said client device and a second client device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The communications network as recited in claim 21 wherein said first subsystem further has feature services resources associated therewith, said feature services resources selected from the group consisting of: transfer, conference, hold, drop, record/playback, and numbering plan database.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The communications network as recited in claim 21 wherein said first subsystem further has connectivity services resources associated therewith, said connectivity services resources selected from the group consisting of: point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
The communications network as recited in claim 21 wherein said first subsystem further has media services resources associated therewith, said media services resources selected from the group consisting of: video encode/decode, video record/playback, voice encode/decode, voice record/playback, speech detection, and data encode/decode.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of initializing and recovering subsystems in a decentralized communications network, said network including a first subsystem having first resources associated therewith and a second subsystem, coupled to said first subsystem and a client device via corresponding ports, said second subsystem having second resources associated therewith, the method comprising the steps of: executing a second initialization and recovery procedure in said second subsystem, said second initialization and recovery procedure: initializing components within said second subsystem, testing a functioning of said corresponding ports, and placing said second subsystem in an operational condition to make said second resources available to said client device.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of initializing and recovering subsystems in a decentralized communications network, said network including a first subsystem having first resources associated therewith and a second subsystem, coupled to said first subsystem and a client device via corresponding ports, said second subsystem having second resources associated therewith, the method comprising the steps of: executing a second initialization and recovery procedure in said second subsystem, said second initialization and recovery procedure: initializing components within said second subsystem, testing a functioning of said corresponding ports, and placing said second subsystem in an operational condition to make said second resources available to said client device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 31 further comprising the step of notifying said first subsystem of said operational condition.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said first subsystem further has circuitry adapted to execute a first initialization and recovery procedure, said method further comprising the steps of initializing components within said first subsystem, testing a functioning of a port coupling said first subsystem to said second subsystem and placing said first subsystem in an operational condition to make said first resources available to said second subsystem with said first initialization and recovery procedure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said first subsystem is a manager subsystem and said second subsystem is a central hub.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said first subsystem is a central hub and said second subsystem is a peripheral hub.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said first and second subsystems each contain independent data processing circuitry adapted to execute said first and second initialization and recovery procedures independently.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said second hub has isochronous switching resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of coupling a user information path between said client device and a second client device with said isochronous switching resources.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said first subsystem further has feature services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said feature services resources selected from the group consisting of: transfer, conference, hold, drop, record/playback, and numbering plan database.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said first subsystem further has connectivity services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said connectivity services resources selected from the group consisting of: point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said first subsystem further has media services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said media services resources selected from the group consisting of: video encode/decode, video record/playback, voice encode/decode, voice record/playback, speech detection, and data encode/decode.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
128 words
A communications network, comprising: first and second manager subsystems having associated first and second call processing resources, respectively; and a first device coupled to said first manager subsystem and capable of obtaining access to said first call processing services of said first manager subsystem to initiate a call to a second device coupled to said second manager subsystem, said first manager subsystem creating a process for completing said call, said first manager subsystem communicating said process to second manager subsystem to create said process in said second manager subsystem, said first and second manager subsystems cooperating to provide call processing services to attempt to complete said call from said first device to said second device, said call processing services thereby distributed between said first and second manager subsystems.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
128 words
A communications network, comprising: first and second manager subsystems having associated first and second call processing resources, respectively; and a first device coupled to said first manager subsystem and capable of obtaining access to said first call processing services of said first manager subsystem to initiate a call to a second device coupled to said second manager subsystem, said first manager subsystem creating a process for completing said call, said first manager subsystem communicating said process to second manager subsystem to create said process in said second manager subsystem, said first and second manager subsystems cooperating to provide call processing services to attempt to complete said call from said first device to said second device, said call processing services thereby distributed between said first and second manager subsystems.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
95 words
The communications network as recited in claim 41 wherein a first signalling channel couples said first device to said first manager subsystem and a second signalling channel couples said second device to said second manager subsystem, said first signalling channel allowing said first device to generate a request to said first manager subsystem for access to said call processing resources of said first manager subsystem, said first manager subsystem granting said request only when said call processing resources are available, said first manager subsystem capable of employing said call processing resources to initiate said call.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
35 words
The communications network as recited in claim 41 wherein an isochronous user information path is capable of being coupled between said first and second devices to convey said call between said first and second devices.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
34 words
The communications network as recited in claim 41 wherein a single replicated object-oriented database provides an environment for creating and communicating said process, coupling distributed call processing elements into an apparent single network whole.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communications network as recited in claim 41 wherein said first and second manager subsystems communicate across a private network partition.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The communications network as recited in claim 41 wherein said first device is capable of initiating a multimedia call through said communications network.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The communications network as recited in claim 41 wherein said first manager subsystem comprises a sequence of instructions executable in a general purpose computer system.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
39 words
The communications network as recited in claim 41 wherein said first manager subsystem further has feature services resources associated therewith, said feature services resources selected from the group consisting of: transfer, conference, hold, drop, record/playback, and numbering plan database.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
The communications network as recited in claim 41 wherein said first manager subsystem further has connectivity services resources associated therewith, said connectivity services resources selected from the group consisting of: point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
43 words
The communications network as recited in claim 41 wherein said first manager subsystem further has media services resources associated therewith, said media services resources selected from the group consisting of: video encode/decode, video record/playback, voice encode/decode, voice record/playback, speech detection, and data encode/decode.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of processing a call in a communications network, comprising the steps of: providing first and second manager subsystems having associated first and second call processing resources, respectively; initiating a call, from a first device coupled to said first manager subsystem and capable of obtaining access to said first call processing services of said first manager subsystem, to a second device coupled to said second manager subsystem; creating a process in said first manager subsystem for completing said call; and communicating said process from said first manager subsystem to second manager subsystem to create said process in said second manager subsystem, said first and second manager subsystems cooperating to provide call processing services to attempt to complete said call from said first device to said second device, said call processing services thereby distributed between said first and second manager subsystems.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of processing a call in a communications network, comprising the steps of: providing first and second manager subsystems having associated first and second call processing resources, respectively; initiating a call, from a first device coupled to said first manager subsystem and capable of obtaining access to said first call processing services of said first manager subsystem, to a second device coupled to said second manager subsystem; creating a process in said first manager subsystem for completing said call; and communicating said process from said first manager subsystem to second manager subsystem to create said process in said second manager subsystem, said first and second manager subsystems cooperating to provide call processing services to attempt to complete said call from said first device to said second device, said call processing services thereby distributed between said first and second manager subsystems.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method as recited in claim 51 wherein a first signalling channel couples said first device to said first manager subsystem and a second signalling channel couples said second device to said second manager subsystem, said method further comprising the steps of: allowing said first device to generate a request to said first manager subsystem for access to said call processing resources of said first manager subsystem; and granting said request only when said call processing resources are available, said first manager subsystem capable of employing said call processing resources to initiate said call.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as recited in claim 51 further comprising the step of coupling an isochronous user information path between said first and second devices to convey said call between said first and second devices.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as recited in claim 51 wherein a single replicated object-oriented database provides an environment for creating and communicating said process, coupling distributed call processing elements into an apparent single network whole.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 51 further comprising the step of communicating across a private network partition with said first and second manager subsystems.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 51 further comprising the step of initiating a multimedia call with said first device.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 51 wherein said method is performed, in part, by executing a sequence of instructions in a general purpose computer system.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as recited in claim 51 wherein said first manager subsystem further has feature services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said feature services resources selected from the group consisting of: transfer, conference, hold, drop, record/playback, and numbering plan database.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as recited in claim 51 wherein said first manager subsystem further has connectivity services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said connectivity services resources selected from the group consisting of: point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as recited in claim 51 wherein said first manager subsystem further has media services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said media services resources selected from the group consisting of: video encode/decode, video record/playback, voice encode/decode, voice record/playback, speech detection, and data encode/decode.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a communications network having a plurality of distributed nodes coupled together by a web of synchronous communication path segments having substantially equivalent transmission delays associated therewith, a system for routing a call from a source node to a destination node along a shortest path through said communications network, comprising: a first intermediate node for receiving a request from said source node for a path across said communications network to said destination node, said first intermediate node retrieving first data from a first intermediate database associated with said first intermediate node, said first data representing said shortest path, and forwarding said request through said communications network as a function of said first data; and a subsequent intermediate node for receiving said request from said first intermediate node for said path across said communications network to said destination node, said subsequent intermediate node retrieving subsequent data from a subsequent intermediate database associated with said subsequent intermediate node, said subsequent data representing said shortest path, and forwarding said request through said communications network as a function of said data.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a communications network having a plurality of distributed nodes coupled together by a web of synchronous communication path segments having substantially equivalent transmission delays associated therewith, a system for routing a call from a source node to a destination node along a shortest path through said communications network, comprising: a first intermediate node for receiving a request from said source node for a path across said communications network to said destination node, said first intermediate node retrieving first data from a first intermediate database associated with said first intermediate node, said first data representing said shortest path, and forwarding said request through said communications network as a function of said first data; and a subsequent intermediate node for receiving said request from said first intermediate node for said path across said communications network to said destination node, said subsequent intermediate node retrieving subsequent data from a subsequent intermediate database associated with said subsequent intermediate node, said subsequent data representing said shortest path, and forwarding said request through said communications network as a function of said data.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as recited in claim 61 wherein said first and intermediate data are created during an initialization of said communications network.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as recited in claim 61 wherein an isochronous user information path is capable of being coupled between said source and destination nodes to convey information between said first and second nodes.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as recited in claim 61 wherein said first and subsequent intermediate databases are replications of a single object-oriented database.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as recited in claim 61 wherein said first and subsequent intermediate nodes communicate across a private network partition.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as recited in claim 61 wherein said source node is capable of initiating a multimedia call through said communications network.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as recited in claim 61 wherein said first intermediate node comprises a sequence of instructions executable in a general purpose computer system.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as recited in claim 61 wherein said first intermediate node further has feature services resources associated therewith, said feature services resources selected from the group consisting of: transfer, conference, hold, drop, record/playback, and numbering plan database.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as recited in claim 61 wherein said first intermediate node further has connectivity services resources associated therewith, said connectivity services resources selected from the group consisting of: point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system as recited in claim 61 wherein said first intermediate node further has media services resources associated therewith, said media services resources selected from the group consisting of: video encode/decode, video record/playback, voice encode/decode, voice record/playback, speech detection, and data encode/decode.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a communications network having a plurality of distributed nodes coupled together by a web of synchronous communication path segments having substantially equivalent transmission delays associated therewith, a method of routing a call from a source node to a destination node along a shortest path through said communications network, comprising the steps of: receiving a request from said source node into a first intermediate node for a path across said communications network to said destination node, said first intermediate node retrieving first data from a first intermediate database associated with said first intermediate node, said first data representing said shortest path, and forwarding said request through said communications network as a function of said first data; and receiving said request from said first intermediate node into a subsequent intermediate node for said path across said communications network to said destination node, said subsequent intermediate node retrieving subsequent data from a subsequent intermediate database associated with said subsequent intermediate node, said subsequent data representing said shortest path, and forwarding said request through said communications network as a function of said data.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a communications network having a plurality of distributed nodes coupled together by a web of synchronous communication path segments having substantially equivalent transmission delays associated therewith, a method of routing a call from a source node to a destination node along a shortest path through said communications network, comprising the steps of: receiving a request from said source node into a first intermediate node for a path across said communications network to said destination node, said first intermediate node retrieving first data from a first intermediate database associated with said first intermediate node, said first data representing said shortest path, and forwarding said request through said communications network as a function of said first data; and receiving said request from said first intermediate node into a subsequent intermediate node for said path across said communications network to said destination node, said subsequent intermediate node retrieving subsequent data from a subsequent intermediate database associated with said subsequent intermediate node, said subsequent data representing said shortest path, and forwarding said request through said communications network as a function of said data.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 71 further comprising the step of creating said first and intermediate data during an initialization of said communications network.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as recited in claim 71 further comprising the step of coupling an isochronous user information path between said source and destination nodes to convey information between said first and second node.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 71 wherein said first and subsequent intermediate databases are replications of a single object-oriented database.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 71 wherein said first and subsequent intermediate nodes communicate across a private network partition.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 71 further comprising the step of initiating a multimedia call through said communications network with said source node.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 71 wherein said method is performed, in part, by executing a sequence of instructions in a general purpose computer system.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as recited in claim 71 wherein said first intermediate node further has feature services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said feature services resources selected from the group consisting of: transfer, conference, hold, drop, record/playback, and numbering plan database.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as recited in claim 71 wherein said first intermediate node further has connectivity services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said connectivity services resources selected from the group consisting of: point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as recited in claim 71 wherein said first intermediate node further has media services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said media services resources selected from the group consisting of: video encode/decode, video record/playback, voice encode/decode, voice record/playback, speech detection, and data encode/decode.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
200 words
A communications network, comprising: first and second client subsystems; a server subsystem having transport resources associated therewith; a plurality of hubs coupled to said server subsystem, each of said plurality of hubs having control of associated resources within said each of said plurality of hubs, said server subsystem capable of generating a request to a selected one of said plurality of hubs for access to said resources associated with said selected one, said selected one granting said request only when said associated resources are available; a first signalling channel coupling said first client subsystem to said server subsystem and a second signalling channel coupling said second client subsystem to said server subsystem, said first signalling channel allowing said first client subsystem to generate a request to said server subsystem for access to said transport resources of said server subsystem, said server subsystem granting said request only when said transport resources are available, said server subsystem capable of employing said transport resources to initiate a call between said first and second client subsystems; and an isochronous user information path capable of being coupled between said first and second client subsystems to convey said call between said first and second client subsystems.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
200 words
A communications network, comprising: first and second client subsystems; a server subsystem having transport resources associated therewith; a plurality of hubs coupled to said server subsystem, each of said plurality of hubs having control of associated resources within said each of said plurality of hubs, said server subsystem capable of generating a request to a selected one of said plurality of hubs for access to said resources associated with said selected one, said selected one granting said request only when said associated resources are available; a first signalling channel coupling said first client subsystem to said server subsystem and a second signalling channel coupling said second client subsystem to said server subsystem, said first signalling channel allowing said first client subsystem to generate a request to said server subsystem for access to said transport resources of said server subsystem, said server subsystem granting said request only when said transport resources are available, said server subsystem capable of employing said transport resources to initiate a call between said first and second client subsystems; and an isochronous user information path capable of being coupled between said first and second client subsystems to convey said call between said first and second client subsystems.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
71 words
The communications network as recited in claim 81 wherein one of said plurality of hubs has isochronous switching resources associated therewith, said isochronous switching resources capable of coupling said user information path between said first and second client subsystems, said server subsystem generating a request to said hub for access to said isochronous switching resource of said hub, said hub granting said request only when said isochronous switching resources are available.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
20 words
The communications network as recited in claim 81 wherein said isochronous user information path is adapted to carry multimedia information.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
25 words
The communications network as recited in claim 81 wherein said second signalling channel passes through a second server subsystem associated with said second client subsystem.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
24 words
The communications network as recited in claim 81 wherein said first client subsystem is capable of initiating a multimedia call through said communications network.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
24 words
The communications network as recited in claim 81 wherein said server subsystem comprises a sequence of instructions executable in a general purpose computer system.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
38 words
The communications network as recited in claim 81 wherein said server subsystem further has feature services resources associated therewith, said feature services resources selected from the group consisting of: transfer, conference, hold, drop, record/playback, and numbering plan database.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
33 words
The communications network as recited in claim 81 wherein said server subsystem further has connectivity services resources associated therewith, said connectivity services resources selected from the group consisting of: point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
42 words
The communications network as recited in claim 81 wherein said server subsystem further has media services resources associated therewith, said media services resources selected from the group consisting of: video encode/decode, video record/playback, voice encode/decode, voice record/playback, speech detection, and data encode/decode.
Claim 99
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of establishing a call in a communications network, comprising the steps of: coupling first and second client subsystems to a server subsystem, having transport resources associated therewith, through first and second signalling channels, respectively; coupling a plurality of hubs to said server subsystem, each of said plurality of hubs having control of associated resources within said each of said plurality of hubs, said server subsystem capable of generating a request to a selected one of said plurality of hubs for access to said resources associated with said selected one, said selected one granting said request only when said associated resources are available; generating a request from said first client subsystem to said server subsystem and allowing said first client subsystem access to transport resources associated with said server subsystem, said server subsystem granting said request only when said transport resources are available, said server subsystem capable of employing said transport resources to initiate a call between said first client subsystem and said second client subsystem; and coupling an isochronous user information path between said first and second client subsystems to convey said call between said first and second client subsystems.
Claim 100
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of establishing a call in a communications network, comprising the steps of: coupling first and second client subsystems to a server subsystem, having transport resources associated therewith, through first and second signalling channels, respectively; coupling a plurality of hubs to said server subsystem, each of said plurality of hubs having control of associated resources within said each of said plurality of hubs, said server subsystem capable of generating a request to a selected one of said plurality of hubs for access to said resources associated with said selected one, said selected one granting said request only when said associated resources are available; generating a request from said first client subsystem to said server subsystem and allowing said first client subsystem access to transport resources associated with said server subsystem, said server subsystem granting said request only when said transport resources are available, said server subsystem capable of employing said transport resources to initiate a call between said first client subsystem and said second client subsystem; and coupling an isochronous user information path between said first and second client subsystems to convey said call between said first and second client subsystems.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method as recited in claim 90 wherein one of said plurality of hubs has isochronous switching resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of coupling said user information path between said first and second client subsystems with said isochronous switching resources, said server subsystem generating a request to said hub for access to said isochronous switching resource of said hub, said hub granting said request only when said isochronous switching resources are available.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 90 further comprising the step of carrying multimedia information over said isochronous user information path.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 90 wherein said second signalling channel passes through a second server subsystem associated with said second client subsystem.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 90 further comprising the step of initiating a multimedia call through said communications network with said first client subsystem.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 90 wherein said method is performed, in part, by executing a sequence of instructions in a general purpose computer system.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as recited in claim 90 wherein said server subsystem further has feature services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said feature services resources selected from the group consisting of: transfer, conference, hold, drop, record/playback, and numbering plan database.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as recited in claim 90 wherein said server subsystem further has connectivity services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said connectivity services resources selected from the group consisting of: point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as recited in claim 90 wherein said server subsystem further has media services resources associated therewith, said method further comprising the step of accessing said media services resources selected from the group consisting of: video encode/decode, video record/playback, voice encode/decode, voice record/playback, speech detection, and data encode/decode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-16 | 2002-05-18 | 2002-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-16 | 2006-05-18 | 2006-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-16 | 2010-05-18 | 2010-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |