US6473404B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-protocol telecommunications routing optimization
Assignee: PATENTMARKS COMMUNICATIONS LLC
•
Filing: 2000-09-20
•
Granted: 2002-10-29
•
Expires: 2020-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A telecommunications switching system employing multi-protocol routing optimization which utilizes predetermined and measured parameters in accordance with a set of user priorities in determining the selection of a telecommunications path to be utilized for transmitting a data file to a remote destination. The switching system has a first memory for storing the data file to be transferred, a second memory for storing predetermined parameters such as cost data associated with each of the telecommunications paths, a third memory for storing a set of user priorities regarding the transmission of data files, and means for measuring the value of variable parameters such as file transfer speed associated with each of the telecommunications paths. Processor means are operatively associated with the second and third memories and the variable parameter measuring means for determining which of the plurality of telecommunications paths should be utilized for transferring the data file in accordance with the set of user priorities, the predetermined telecommunications path parameters, and the measured variable parameters. The switching system further comprises input means for allowing a user to change the user priorities in the third memory prior to transmitting a file.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen D. Kaplan
- 👤 William F. McCarthy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5691; H04L12/5692
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 73
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
In an apparatus comprising a plurality of interfaces, each of said interfaces interconnected with an associated data path capable of transferring data a towards a remote destination, each of said data paths having predetermined parameters associated therewith stored in a memory and variable parameters associated therewith, a method of servicing the data by examining the data and determining which of said plurality of data paths should be utilized for transferring the data towards the remote destination, said method comprising: defining one or more first variable parameters for use in examining the data; receiving the data; examining the received data; identifying the examined data which matches said one of the one or more first variable parameters; analyzing a property of the identified data to be transferred; measuring a second variable parameter for at least one path; analyzing said measured second variable parameter and said predetermined parameters; determining which of said paths provides an optimal set of characteristics for transferring the data towards the remote destination in accordance with said analyzed second variable parameter, predetermined parameters, and analyzed data property; and transferring the identified data to the remote destination.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
In an apparatus comprising a plurality of interfaces, each of said interfaces interconnected with an associated data path capable of transferring data a towards a remote destination, each of said data paths having predetermined parameters associated therewith stored in a memory and variable parameters associated therewith, a method of servicing the data by examining the data and determining which of said plurality of data paths should be utilized for transferring the data towards the remote destination, said method comprising: defining one or more first variable parameters for use in examining the data; receiving the data; examining the received data; identifying the examined data which matches said one of the one or more first variable parameters; analyzing a property of the identified data to be transferred; measuring a second variable parameter for at least one path; analyzing said measured second variable parameter and said predetermined parameters; determining which of said paths provides an optimal set of characteristics for transferring the data towards the remote destination in accordance with said analyzed second variable parameter, predetermined parameters, and analyzed data property; and transferring the identified data to the remote destination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the received data includes at least one acoustical property, and the received data is identified by analyzing the at least one acoustical property.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the received data is discarded if the received data does not match said defined first variable parameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an Open Settlements Protocol (“OSP”).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said interfaces is a multimedia protocol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the protocol is a Moving Pictures Experts Group (“MPEG”) protocol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the protocol is a Moving Pictures Experts Group 4 (“MPEG-4”) protocol.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an extensible Markup Language (“XML”) protocol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a V.44 protocol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said paths utilizes channel associated signaling (“CAS”).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further including determining which of said paths to not use to transfer the data in accordance with said analyzed data property.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) protocol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 further including: analyzing said measured second variable parameter and said predetermined parameters to determine whether said data path is available; and retaining the identified data in the memory if the data path is not available; wherein the identified data is retained until the data path becomes available.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 further including rendering the data path unavailable until a specified event occurs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the specified event is temporal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the received data includes at least one property comprising a tone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the tone includes a plurality of binary elements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 further including analyzing the elements to identify the received data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 further including: receiving a request to service other data while servicing the current data; suspending the servicing of the current data; and servicing the other data; wherein the other data can be serviced before continuing with the servicing of the current data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the other data is voice data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said defined first variable parameter includes a flow label field, the flow label field providing identifying information, the identifying information operable to identify data transferring from a specific source to a specific destination.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the flow label field includes a pseudorandom value.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the value is not reused for a specified amount of time.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the data paths is operable through a line utilized for transmitting power.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the received data is filtered by wavelength, so that the data is separable from the power.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the data is voice data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the data path is operable to transfer multimedia data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the multimedia data includes video data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the multimedia data includes audio data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the multimedia data includes image data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of data paths includes at least a portion of a communications network of a power company.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further including modifying a portion of the identified data, the modification operable to signal a network condition.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the network condition is that of congestion.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a V.92 protocol.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
234 words
An apparatus connectable to a network, the apparatus comprising: a first portion of a memory for holding data to be transferred to a remote destination; a plurality of interfaces, each of said interfaces interconnected with an associated data path capable of transferring data towards a remote destination, each of said data paths having predetermined parameters associated therewith stored in a memory and variable parameters associated therewith; a second portion of the memory for storing the predetermined parameters associated with each of the data paths; means for measuring a value of at least one of said variable parameters associated with the data; and processor means operatively associated with the first and second portions of the memory and said variable measuring parameter means, said processor means operable to define one or more first variable parameters for use in examining the data; receive the data; examine the received data; identify the examined data which matches said one of the one or more first variable parameters; analyze a property of the identified data to be transferred; measure a second variable parameter for at least one path; analyze said measured second variable parameter and said predetermined parameters; determine which of said paths provides an optimal set of characteristics for transferring the data towards the remote destination in accordance with said analyzed second variable parameter, predetermined parameters, and analyzed data property; and transfer the identified data to the remote destination.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
234 words
An apparatus connectable to a network, the apparatus comprising: a first portion of a memory for holding data to be transferred to a remote destination; a plurality of interfaces, each of said interfaces interconnected with an associated data path capable of transferring data towards a remote destination, each of said data paths having predetermined parameters associated therewith stored in a memory and variable parameters associated therewith; a second portion of the memory for storing the predetermined parameters associated with each of the data paths; means for measuring a value of at least one of said variable parameters associated with the data; and processor means operatively associated with the first and second portions of the memory and said variable measuring parameter means, said processor means operable to define one or more first variable parameters for use in examining the data; receive the data; examine the received data; identify the examined data which matches said one of the one or more first variable parameters; analyze a property of the identified data to be transferred; measure a second variable parameter for at least one path; analyze said measured second variable parameter and said predetermined parameters; determine which of said paths provides an optimal set of characteristics for transferring the data towards the remote destination in accordance with said analyzed second variable parameter, predetermined parameters, and analyzed data property; and transfer the identified data to the remote destination.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 35 further including means for identifying the data by analyzing at least one acoustical property of the data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 35 further including means for discarding the data if the data does not match said defined first variable parameter.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an Open Settlements Protocol (“OSP”).
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein at least one of said interfaces is a multimedia protocol.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the protocol is a Moving Pictures Experts Group (“MPEG”) protocol.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the protocol is a Moving Pictures Experts Group 4 (“MPEG-4”) protocol.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an eXtensible Markup Language (“XML”) protocol.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a V.44 protocol.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein at least one of said paths utilizes channel associated signaling (“CAS”).
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein one of said plurality of interfaces is operable to determine which of said paths to not use to transfer the data in accordance with said analyzed data property.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) protocol.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 35 further including: a third memory for temporarily storing the data; means for analyzing said measured second variable parameter and said predetermined parameters to determine whether said data path is available; and means for storing the identified data in the third memory if the data path is not available; wherein the identified data is stored until the data path becomes available.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 47 further including means for rendering the data path unavailable until a specified event occurs.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the specified event is temporal.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 35 further including means for analyzing the data for a tone.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the tone includes a plurality of binary elements.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 51 further including analyzing the tone to identify the received data.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 35 further including: means for receiving a request to service other data while servicing the current data; means for suspending the servicing of the current data; and means for servicing the other data; wherein the other data can be serviced before continuing with the servicing of the current data.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the other data is voice data.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said defined first variable parameter includes a flow label field, the flow label field providing identifying information, the identifying information operable to identify data transferring from a specific source to a specific destination.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the flow label field includes a pseudorandom value.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the value is not reused for a specified amount of time.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein at least one of the data paths is operable through a line primarily utilized for transmitting power.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 58 further including means for filtering the data by wavelength, so that the data is separable from the power.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the data is voice data.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the data path is operable to transfer multimedia data.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 61 wherein the multimedia data includes video data.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 61 wherein the multimedia data includes audio data.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 61 wherein the multimedia data includes image data.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of 35 wherein at least one of said plurality of data paths includes at least a portion of a communications network of a power company.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of 35 wherein at least one of said plurality of data paths includes at least a portion of a communications network of a power company.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein at least one of said interfaces is operable to modify a portion of the identified data, the modification operable to signal a network condition.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 66 wherein the network condition is that of congestion.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a V.92 protocol.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
198 words
In an apparatus comprising a plurality of interfaces, each of said interfaces interconnected with an associated data path capable of transferring data towards a remote destination, each of said data paths having predetermined parameters associated therewith stored in a memory and variable parameters associated therewith, a method of servicing the data by examining the data and determining which of said plurality of data paths should be utilized for transferring the data towards the remote destination, said method comprising: analyzing a property of the data to be transferred; measuring a first and second variable parameter for at least one path; analyzing said measured first and second variable parameters and said predetermined parameters; determining which of said paths provides an optimal set of characteristics for transferring the data towards the remote destination in accordance with said analyzed first variable parameter, predetermined parameters, and analyzed data property; determining whether said optimal data path is available according to said measured second variable parameter; retaining the data in the memory if said optimal data path is not available; transferring the data toward the remote destination; suspending the data transfer if a request to service other data is received; and resuming the data transfer.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
198 words
In an apparatus comprising a plurality of interfaces, each of said interfaces interconnected with an associated data path capable of transferring data towards a remote destination, each of said data paths having predetermined parameters associated therewith stored in a memory and variable parameters associated therewith, a method of servicing the data by examining the data and determining which of said plurality of data paths should be utilized for transferring the data towards the remote destination, said method comprising: analyzing a property of the data to be transferred; measuring a first and second variable parameter for at least one path; analyzing said measured first and second variable parameters and said predetermined parameters; determining which of said paths provides an optimal set of characteristics for transferring the data towards the remote destination in accordance with said analyzed first variable parameter, predetermined parameters, and analyzed data property; determining whether said optimal data path is available according to said measured second variable parameter; retaining the data in the memory if said optimal data path is not available; transferring the data toward the remote destination; suspending the data transfer if a request to service other data is received; and resuming the data transfer.
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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) | 2005-10-28 | 2006-04-29 | 2006-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-28 | 2010-04-29 | 2010-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-28 | 2014-04-29 | 2014-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |