US6772335B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multimedia coordination system
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 2001-12-06
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Granted: 2004-08-03
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Expires: 2021-12-06
Abstract
Abstract In a network, a media coordination system provides secure multimedia communication channels in a collaborative network environment. The media coordination system provides automatic encryption, dynamic interconnection of streams of data, and user interface elements that provide users with control over the ultimate destination of their audio and video data. The infrastructure of the system includes a plurality of client workstations that are connected to a central server using point-to-point network connections. The central server maintains a persistent virtual world of network places with objects located therein. Streams of audio and video data are coordinated between client workstations operating in the persistent virtual world by a key manager object using channels, transmitters, and receivers. The client workstations multicast their audio and video data over the network to defined recipients after receiving a multicast address and an encryption key for a specific multicast channel. In order to protect the privacy of all communications and the integrity of the coordination system, each client workstation retains significant control over distribution and reception of audio and video data since multicast transmission is tied to specific user interface elements. The multimedia user interface elements include cameras, speakers, microphones, and video panes. Since the central server only coordinates where audio and video data is broadcast for a particular interface element, each client workstation ultimately controls the destination of multimedia data through selection of the element at the user interface.
Inventors
- 👤 Pavel Curtis
- 👤 Michael D. Dixon
- 👤 Ronald A. Frederick
- 👤 David A. Nichols
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/04; H04L63/0428; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1813; H04L12/1822; H04L63/06; H04L63/062; H04L65/00; H04L65/40; H04L65/403; H04L65/4038; H04L65/60; H04L65/61; H04L65/611; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/131; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/56; H04M3/567; H04L65/1066; H04L65/1101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for dynamically controlling multiple channels of data in a multi-user collaborative system having a central server connected to a plurality of client workstations over a network, comprising the steps of: displaying at each client workstation a view on a room object stored in an object database on the central server, the room object being associated with a first channel stored in the object database; providing, at each client workstation, visual identification of each user object located in a virtual room, each pair of user objects located in the virtual room having associated therewith a whisper channel; initiating, at a first client workstation, broadcast of data to each user object located in the virtual room by selecting a first interface element displayed at the first client workstation, the first interface element being associated with the room object and directing data to the first channel; and interrupting, at the first client workstation, broadcast of data transmitted over the first channel by selecting a second interface element displayed at the first client workstation, the second interface element being associated with a user object at a second client workstation, said interrupting step initiating broadcast of data at the first client workstation to the whisper channel associated with the user object at the second client workstation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for dynamically controlling multiple channels of data in a multi-user collaborative system having a central server connected to a plurality of client workstations over a network, comprising the steps of: displaying at each client workstation a view on a room object stored in an object database on the central server, the room object being associated with a first channel stored in the object database; providing, at each client workstation, visual identification of each user object located in a virtual room, each pair of user objects located in the virtual room having associated therewith a whisper channel; initiating, at a first client workstation, broadcast of data to each user object located in the virtual room by selecting a first interface element displayed at the first client workstation, the first interface element being associated with the room object and directing data to the first channel; and interrupting, at the first client workstation, broadcast of data transmitted over the first channel by selecting a second interface element displayed at the first client workstation, the second interface element being associated with a user object at a second client workstation, said interrupting step initiating broadcast of data at the first client workstation to the whisper channel associated with the user object at the second client workstation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of terminating said interrupting step to resume broadcast of data to the first channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 2 , further comprising the step of distributing, in response to said initiating step, a first multicast address and a first encryption key to each client workstation for transmitting and receiving data over the first channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 3 , further comprising the step of distributing, in response to said interrupting step, a second encryption key to the first client workstation and the second client workstation for transmitting and receiving data over the second channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 4 , wherein said terminating step broadcasts data using the first encryption key.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said displaying step identifies a user object broadcasting data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said initiating step initiates the broadcast of voice data to each user object located in the virtual room.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said initiating step initiates the broadcast of video data to each user object located in the virtual room.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a network interconnecting a central server and a plurality of client workstations adapted to sending and receiving data, a method for coordinating communication of data between each of the plurality of client workstations, comprising the steps of: associating a first client workstation with a device, the device providing multimedia input at the first client workstation; defining a first transmitter in a memory of the central server for transmitting data from the device over a first channel; defining a first receiver in the memory of the central server for receiving audio signals over the first channel at a second client workstation; providing a first encryption key to the first client workstation and the second client workstation to provide secure communication of data over the first channel; defining, subsequent to said providing step, a second receiver in the memory of the server for receiving audio signals over the first channel at a third client workstation; and altering, in response to said defining step, the first encryption key provided to the first client workstation and the second client workstation, said altering step providing a second encryption key to the first client workstation, the second client workstation, and the third client workstation for communication of data over the first channel so that communication broadcast over the first channel is secure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a network interconnecting a central server and a plurality of client workstations adapted to sending and receiving data, a method for coordinating communication of data between each of the plurality of client workstations, comprising the steps of: associating a first client workstation with a device, the device providing multimedia input at the first client workstation; defining a first transmitter in a memory of the central server for transmitting data from the device over a first channel; defining a first receiver in the memory of the central server for receiving audio signals over the first channel at a second client workstation; providing a first encryption key to the first client workstation and the second client workstation to provide secure communication of data over the first channel; defining, subsequent to said providing step, a second receiver in the memory of the server for receiving audio signals over the first channel at a third client workstation; and altering, in response to said defining step, the first encryption key provided to the first client workstation and the second client workstation, said altering step providing a second encryption key to the first client workstation, the second client workstation, and the third client workstation for communication of data over the first channel so that communication broadcast over the first channel is secure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 9 , further comprising the step of managing a membership list of the first channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 9 , further comprising the step of inputting data at the first client workstation through a device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 11 , further comprising the step of associating the first transmitter with the device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 12 , further comprising the step of associating a second transmitter with the device, said associating step directing the second transmitter to a second channel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 9 , further comprising the step of storing the first channel and the second channel in the memory of the central server.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 9 , further comprising the step of providing a first multicast address to the client workstation and the second client workstation.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
369 words
A method of coordinating multicast audio data between a plurality of client workstations connected over a network, each client workstation having a point to point connection with a central server, comprising the steps of: displaying a communicator at a client workstation, the communicator providing a first user interface element to direct audio data from an audio device at the client workstation to a first set of client workstations and a second user interface element to direct audio data from the audio device to a second set of client workstations, the second set of client workstations being a sub-set of the first set of client workstations; defining, in a memory of the central server, a public channel for transmission of audio data to the first set of client workstations and a private channel for transmission of audio data to the second set of client workstations; receiving, at the central server, a first user signal from the communicator at the client workstation to direct audio data from the audio device to the public channel; providing with the central server, in response to the first user signal, a first encryption key to the client workstation, the first encryption key enabling transmission of audio data between the client workstation and the first set of client workstations over the public channel; receiving, at the central server, a second user signal from the communicator at the client workstation to direct audio data from the audio device to the private channel; providing with the central server, in response to the second user signal, a second encryption key to the client workstation, the second encryption key enabling transmission of audio data between the client workstation and the second set of client workstations over the private channel; and toggling, at the client workstation, between the first encryption key and the second encryption key in response to a third user signal from the communicator to terminate transmission of audio data from the audio device to the private channel and the second user signal, said toggling step being performed without the client workstation communicating with the central server so that the client workstation minimizes latency perceived at the communicator by reducing communication between the client workstation and the central server.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
369 words
A method of coordinating multicast audio data between a plurality of client workstations connected over a network, each client workstation having a point to point connection with a central server, comprising the steps of: displaying a communicator at a client workstation, the communicator providing a first user interface element to direct audio data from an audio device at the client workstation to a first set of client workstations and a second user interface element to direct audio data from the audio device to a second set of client workstations, the second set of client workstations being a sub-set of the first set of client workstations; defining, in a memory of the central server, a public channel for transmission of audio data to the first set of client workstations and a private channel for transmission of audio data to the second set of client workstations; receiving, at the central server, a first user signal from the communicator at the client workstation to direct audio data from the audio device to the public channel; providing with the central server, in response to the first user signal, a first encryption key to the client workstation, the first encryption key enabling transmission of audio data between the client workstation and the first set of client workstations over the public channel; receiving, at the central server, a second user signal from the communicator at the client workstation to direct audio data from the audio device to the private channel; providing with the central server, in response to the second user signal, a second encryption key to the client workstation, the second encryption key enabling transmission of audio data between the client workstation and the second set of client workstations over the private channel; and toggling, at the client workstation, between the first encryption key and the second encryption key in response to a third user signal from the communicator to terminate transmission of audio data from the audio device to the private channel and the second user signal, said toggling step being performed without the client workstation communicating with the central server so that the client workstation minimizes latency perceived at the communicator by reducing communication between the client workstation and the central server.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 16 , further comprising the step of assigning a first multicast address for transmission of multicast data between the first set of client workstations over the public channel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 16 , further comprising the step of delivering small amounts of in-band data to the first set of client workstations via the central server.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a network interconnecting a central server with a memory and a plurality of client workstations adapted to broadcasting data, a system for coordinating communication of data between each of the plurality of client workstations, comprising: a device for receiving data at a first client workstation; a first transmitter for coordinating transmission of data from said device over a channel, said first transmitter being stored in the memory of the central server; a first receiver for coordinating receipt of data over the channel at a second client workstation, said first receiver being stored in the memory of the central server; means for providing a first encryption key to the first client workstation and the second client workstation for secure broadcast of data over the channel; means for providing a second encryption key to the first client workstation and the second client workstation in response to a third client workstation storing in the memory of the central server a second receiver for coordinating receipt of data over the channel at the third client workstation, said providing means ensuring secure broadcast of data over the channel to the first client workstation, the second client workstation, and the third client workstation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a network interconnecting a central server with a memory and a plurality of client workstations adapted to broadcasting data, a system for coordinating communication of data between each of the plurality of client workstations, comprising: a device for receiving data at a first client workstation; a first transmitter for coordinating transmission of data from said device over a channel, said first transmitter being stored in the memory of the central server; a first receiver for coordinating receipt of data over the channel at a second client workstation, said first receiver being stored in the memory of the central server; means for providing a first encryption key to the first client workstation and the second client workstation for secure broadcast of data over the channel; means for providing a second encryption key to the first client workstation and the second client workstation in response to a third client workstation storing in the memory of the central server a second receiver for coordinating receipt of data over the channel at the third client workstation, said providing means ensuring secure broadcast of data over the channel to the first client workstation, the second client workstation, and the third client workstation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein said second receiver is stored in the memory of the central server.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 19 , further comprising a channel manager for managing a membership list associate with the channel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 21 , further comprising means for notifying said channel manager whenever the membership of the channel changes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein said providing means provides a first multicast address.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
236 words
In a networked computing environment interconnecting a plurality of client workstations and a central server, the plurality of client workstations communicating directly with the central server, each of the plurality of client workstations broadcasting data to sets of the plurality of client workstations, a coordination system for providing dynamic interconnection of streams of data between each of the plurality of client workstations, the coordination system comprising: an object database, resident in a memory of the central server, for storing a plurality of database objects, said object database having stored therein a room object with a channel associated therewith; a first user object being stored in said object database and having associated therewith a first client workstation, said first user object having a device for providing multimedia input at the first client workstation, said device directing multimedia input to a transmitter aiming at the channel; a second user object being stored in said object database and having associated therewith a second client workstation, the second user object having a receiver directed at the channel for receiving data broadcast over the channel; and a key manager object being stored in said object database and communicating with said first user object and said second user object, said key manager providing coordination information to enable said first user object and said second user object to broadcast data between the first client workstation and the second client workstation over the channel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
236 words
In a networked computing environment interconnecting a plurality of client workstations and a central server, the plurality of client workstations communicating directly with the central server, each of the plurality of client workstations broadcasting data to sets of the plurality of client workstations, a coordination system for providing dynamic interconnection of streams of data between each of the plurality of client workstations, the coordination system comprising: an object database, resident in a memory of the central server, for storing a plurality of database objects, said object database having stored therein a room object with a channel associated therewith; a first user object being stored in said object database and having associated therewith a first client workstation, said first user object having a device for providing multimedia input at the first client workstation, said device directing multimedia input to a transmitter aiming at the channel; a second user object being stored in said object database and having associated therewith a second client workstation, the second user object having a receiver directed at the channel for receiving data broadcast over the channel; and a key manager object being stored in said object database and communicating with said first user object and said second user object, said key manager providing coordination information to enable said first user object and said second user object to broadcast data between the first client workstation and the second client workstation over the channel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 24 , further comprising a channel manager defining a fourth element in said database, said channel manager notifying said key manager whenever the membership of the channel changes.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 25 , wherein said channel manager is associated with a database object.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein the coordination information includes a multicast address and an encryption key.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein said object database is shared and persistent.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 28 , wherein said object database includes a whiteboard object.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 24 , further comprising means for sending data to a client workstation through the central server.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-08-03 | 2008-02-02 | 2008-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-08-03 | 2012-02-02 | 2012-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-08-03 | 2016-02-02 | 2016-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |