Patent US5862329A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5862329A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method system and article of manufacture for multi-casting audio visual material
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1996-04-18
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Granted: 1999-01-19
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Expires: 2016-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A distance learning system consists of a plurality of multi-cast clients of various classes and priorities with one multi-cast client as a primary multi-cast client, a multi-cast server, arbitrator and a distance learning session coordinator. The primary multi-cast client provides the default or primary Audio-Visual Material (AVM) stream. The Multi-Cast Server (MCS) setups a multi-cast over a point to multi-point connection which connects all multi-cast clients that are to take part in a particular distance learning session, along with the Primary multi-cast client. Additionally, the primary multi-cast client is connected to the MCS via a point-to-point link. The multi-cast clients and the primary multi-cast client receive an AVM material stream from the multi-cast server via the point to multi-point connection. When a multi-cast client wishes to speak, a speaking request is sent to the arbitrator, the arbitrator determines whether to grant or deny the speaking request. If permission is granted then a point-to-point link is established between the requesting multi-cast client and the MCS. The requesting multi-cast client then provides an AVM stream to the multi-cast server over the newly established point-to-point connection and the multi-cast server switches or provides the AVM stream associated with the requesting multi-cast Client over the point to multi-point connection. When the requesting multi-cast client is through speaking the MCS switches the AVM stream associated with the primary multi-cast client onto the point to multi-point connection and the point-to-point link with the requesting multi-cast client is terminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Caglan M. Aras
- 👤 Roch A. Guerin
- 👤 Gerald Lebizay
- 👤 Raif O. Onvural
- 👤 Gary Roy Shippy
- 👤 Ling-Ching Wang Tai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/15; H04N7/152
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program embodied in said medium, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a multi-cast server causes the multi-cast server to: set up a point to multi-point connection between a multi-cast server and a plurality of clients, said point to multi-point connection capable of transmitting an AVM stream from the multi-cast server to each of the plurality of clients; receive a default AVM stream from a single one of the plurality of clients; dynamically accept a point-to-point connection from any single other one of the plurality of clients; receive an AVM stream originating with the single other one of the plurality of clients via the dynamically accepted point-to-point connection; select either the default AVM stream or the AVM stream originating with the single other one of the plurality of clients over the dynamically accepted point-to-point connection; and, multi-cast the selected AVM stream wherein the source of the selected AVM stream is the default AVM stream unless the AVM stream is received from the dynamically accepted point-to-point connection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program embodied in said medium, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a multi-cast server causes the multi-cast server to: set up a point to multi-point connection between a multi-cast server and a plurality of clients, said point to multi-point connection capable of transmitting an AVM stream from the multi-cast server to each of the plurality of clients; receive a default AVM stream from a single one of the plurality of clients; dynamically accept a point-to-point connection from any single other one of the plurality of clients; receive an AVM stream originating with the single other one of the plurality of clients via the dynamically accepted point-to-point connection; select either the default AVM stream or the AVM stream originating with the single other one of the plurality of clients over the dynamically accepted point-to-point connection; and, multi-cast the selected AVM stream wherein the source of the selected AVM stream is the default AVM stream unless the AVM stream is received from the dynamically accepted point-to-point connection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
220 words
A multi-cast server adapted for use in a video-conferencing system comprising: a means for setting up a point to multi-point connection between a multi-cast server and a plurality of clients, said point to multi-point connection capable of transmitting an AVM stream from the multi-cast server to each of the plurality of clients; a means for receiving a default AVM stream; a means for dynamically accepting a point-to-point connection from any of the plurality of clients; a means for receiving an AVM stream originating from a client via a dynamically accepted point-to-point connection; a means for selecting either the default AVM stream or an AVM stream originating with one of the plurality of clients over the dynamically accepted point-to-point connection; a means for multi-casting a selected AVM stream over the point to multi-point connection wherein the source of the selected AVM stream is switched between the default AVM stream and one or more AVM streams received from a dynamic point-to-point connection; and an arbitrator for receiving speaking requests and granting speaking requests, wherein response to the arbitrator granting a speaking request, a point-to-point connection is dynamically established and the received AVM stream from the point-to-point connection is multi-cast as the selected AVM stream until the multi-cast server multi-casts the default AVM stream as the selected stream and terminates the point-to-point connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
220 words
A multi-cast server adapted for use in a video-conferencing system comprising: a means for setting up a point to multi-point connection between a multi-cast server and a plurality of clients, said point to multi-point connection capable of transmitting an AVM stream from the multi-cast server to each of the plurality of clients; a means for receiving a default AVM stream; a means for dynamically accepting a point-to-point connection from any of the plurality of clients; a means for receiving an AVM stream originating from a client via a dynamically accepted point-to-point connection; a means for selecting either the default AVM stream or an AVM stream originating with one of the plurality of clients over the dynamically accepted point-to-point connection; a means for multi-casting a selected AVM stream over the point to multi-point connection wherein the source of the selected AVM stream is switched between the default AVM stream and one or more AVM streams received from a dynamic point-to-point connection; and an arbitrator for receiving speaking requests and granting speaking requests, wherein response to the arbitrator granting a speaking request, a point-to-point connection is dynamically established and the received AVM stream from the point-to-point connection is multi-cast as the selected AVM stream until the multi-cast server multi-casts the default AVM stream as the selected stream and terminates the point-to-point connection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The multi-cast server of claim 2 further comprising: an arbitrator for receiving speaking requests and granting speaking requests, wherein response to the arbitrator granting a speaking request, a point-to-point connection is dynamically established and the received AVM from the point-to-point connection is multi-cast as the selected AVM stream until the MC server multi-casts the default AVM stream as the selected stream and terminates the point-to-point connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The multi-cast server of claim 3 wherein the MC server combines the received AVM stream with the default AVM stream to form the selected AVM stream.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multi-cast server of claim 3 further comprising: a coordinator for joining and dropping clients from the point-to-multi point connection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multi-cast server of claim 3 wherein the multi-casting of the selected AVM stream is performed by virtual circuit re-routing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The multi-cast server of claim 3 wherein the multi-cast server establishes the dynamic point-to-point connections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The multi-cast server of claim 3 wherein the multi-cast server performs switching by virtual circuit re-routing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The multi-cast server of claim 3 wherein the multi-cast server contains a codec for producing the default AVM stream.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The multi-cast server of claim 3 wherein the client dynamically establishes the point-to-point link.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The multi-cast server of claim 3 wherein at least one ATM adapter is used for receiving and multi-casting of AVM streams.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The multi-cast server of claim 11 wherein the multi-cast server performs switching by virtual circuit re-routing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The multi-cast server of claim 11 wherein the multi-cast server contains a codec for producing the default AVM stream.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The multi-cast server of claim 12 wherein switching by virtual circuit re-routing is performed by the ATM adapter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The multi-cast server of claim 3 wherein the point to multi-point connection is established using a multi-cast tree.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
131 words
A multi-cast client for use in a video-conferencing system comprising: means for receiving a multi-cast AVM stream from a point to multi-point connection; means for generating a speaking request; means for transmitting the generated speaking request; means for generating a client AVM stream; means for transmitting the client AVM stream; means for dynamically setting up a point-to-point connection; means for terminating the dynamically setup point-to-point connection; wherein response to being granted permission to speak, the point-to-point connection is established and the client AVM stream is transmitted using the point-to-point connection while said multi-cast AVM stream is received, said client AVM stream being transmitted until permission to speak is otherwise terminated at which time the point-to-point connection is terminated but the multi-cast AVM stream continues to be received by the multi-cast client.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
131 words
A multi-cast client for use in a video-conferencing system comprising: means for receiving a multi-cast AVM stream from a point to multi-point connection; means for generating a speaking request; means for transmitting the generated speaking request; means for generating a client AVM stream; means for transmitting the client AVM stream; means for dynamically setting up a point-to-point connection; means for terminating the dynamically setup point-to-point connection; wherein response to being granted permission to speak, the point-to-point connection is established and the client AVM stream is transmitted using the point-to-point connection while said multi-cast AVM stream is received, said client AVM stream being transmitted until permission to speak is otherwise terminated at which time the point-to-point connection is terminated but the multi-cast AVM stream continues to be received by the multi-cast client.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a multi-cast client the method comprising: receiving a multi-cast AVM stream during a video-conferencing session; generating a speaking request; transmitting the speaking request; dynamically setting up a point-to-point connection and transmitting a client AVM stream in response to receiving permission to speak; terminating the dynamically setup point-to-point connection when said permission to speak is otherwise ended; and continuing to receive the multi-cast AVM stream after the point-to-point connection is terminated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a multi-cast client the method comprising: receiving a multi-cast AVM stream during a video-conferencing session; generating a speaking request; transmitting the speaking request; dynamically setting up a point-to-point connection and transmitting a client AVM stream in response to receiving permission to speak; terminating the dynamically setup point-to-point connection when said permission to speak is otherwise ended; and continuing to receive the multi-cast AVM stream after the point-to-point connection is terminated.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
99 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program embodied in said medium, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a multi-cast client causes the multi-cast client to: receive a multi-cast AVM stream during a video-conferencing session; generate a speaking request; transmit the speaking request; dynamically set up a point-to-point connection and transmit a client AVM stream in response to receiving permission to speak; terminate the dynamically setup point-to-point connection when said permission to speak is otherwise ended; and continue to receive the multi-cast AVM stream after the point-to-point connection has been terminated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
99 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program embodied in said medium, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a multi-cast client causes the multi-cast client to: receive a multi-cast AVM stream during a video-conferencing session; generate a speaking request; transmit the speaking request; dynamically set up a point-to-point connection and transmit a client AVM stream in response to receiving permission to speak; terminate the dynamically setup point-to-point connection when said permission to speak is otherwise ended; and continue to receive the multi-cast AVM stream after the point-to-point connection has been terminated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
272 words
In a multi-cast server the method comprising: setting up a point to multi-point connection between a multi-cast server and a plurality of clients, said point to multi-point connection transmitting an AVM stream from the multi-cast server to each of the plurality of clients; establishing a first point-to-point connection between the multi-cast server and a first one of the plurality of clients for receipt of a first AVM stream by the multi-cast server from the first one of the plurality of clients; receiving the first AVM stream by the multi-cast server from the first one of the plurality of clients; multi-casting the first AVM stream from the multi-cast server to each of the plurality of clients; receiving, by the multi-cast server, a request from the second one of the plurality of clients to establish a second point-to-point connection between the multi-cast server and the second one of the plurality of clients; establishing the second point-to-point connection between the multi-cast server and the second one of the plurality of clients; receiving, by the multi-cast server, the second AVM stream from the second one of the plurality of clients via the second point-to-point connection; terminating the multi-casting of the first AVM stream from the multi-cast server to the each of the plurality of clients; multi-casting the second AVM stream from the multi-cast server to the each of the plurality of clients; after a period of time, terminating the multi-casting of the second AVM stream from the multi-cast server to the each of the plurality of clients; and again, multi-casting the first AVM stream from the multi-cast server to the each of the plurality of clients.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
272 words
In a multi-cast server the method comprising: setting up a point to multi-point connection between a multi-cast server and a plurality of clients, said point to multi-point connection transmitting an AVM stream from the multi-cast server to each of the plurality of clients; establishing a first point-to-point connection between the multi-cast server and a first one of the plurality of clients for receipt of a first AVM stream by the multi-cast server from the first one of the plurality of clients; receiving the first AVM stream by the multi-cast server from the first one of the plurality of clients; multi-casting the first AVM stream from the multi-cast server to each of the plurality of clients; receiving, by the multi-cast server, a request from the second one of the plurality of clients to establish a second point-to-point connection between the multi-cast server and the second one of the plurality of clients; establishing the second point-to-point connection between the multi-cast server and the second one of the plurality of clients; receiving, by the multi-cast server, the second AVM stream from the second one of the plurality of clients via the second point-to-point connection; terminating the multi-casting of the first AVM stream from the multi-cast server to the each of the plurality of clients; multi-casting the second AVM stream from the multi-cast server to the each of the plurality of clients; after a period of time, terminating the multi-casting of the second AVM stream from the multi-cast server to the each of the plurality of clients; and again, multi-casting the first AVM stream from the multi-cast server to the each of the plurality of clients.
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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) | 2002-01-18 | 2002-07-20 | 2003-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-18 | 2006-07-20 | 2007-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-18 | 2010-07-20 | 2011-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |