Multicasting method and apparatus
DC CAFC
First Claim
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1. A method for monitoring the forwarding of real-time information to at least one user having access to a communications network comprising:
- generating delivery-commencement indications of real-time information forwarded to the user by means of the communications network, wherein the real-time information comprises a plurality of packets forwarded over the communications network to the user, verifying the operational status of the user'"'"'s access to the communications network during delivery of the real-information, and generating delivery-termination indications of the real-time information forwarded to the user.
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Abstract
A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the information being delivered is high-quality audio. However, it could also be video, graphics, text or any other type of information that can be transmitted over a digital network. Preferably, there are multiple channels of information available simultaneously to be delivered to users, each channel consisting of an independent stream of information. A user chooses to tune in or tune out a particular channel, but does not choose the time at which the channel distributes its information. Advantageously, interactive (two-way) information can be incorporated into the system, multiple streams of information can be integrated for delivery to a user, and certain portions of the information being delivered can be tailored to the individual user.
244 Citations
56 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring the forwarding of real-time information to at least one user having access to a communications network comprising:
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generating delivery-commencement indications of real-time information forwarded to the user by means of the communications network, wherein the real-time information comprises a plurality of packets forwarded over the communications network to the user, verifying the operational status of the user'"'"'s access to the communications network during delivery of the real-information, and generating delivery-termination indications of the real-time information forwarded to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for monitoring the forwarding of real-time information to at least one user having access to a communications network comprising:
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generating delivery-commencement indications of real-time information to the user, wherein the real-time information comprises a plurality of packets comprising audio information, or video information and is forwarded over the communications network to the user, and wherein the commencement indications further comprise time information, verifying the operational status of the user'"'"'s access to the communications network during delivery of the real-information, wherein the operational status includes abnormal termination, generating delivery-termination indications of the real-time information to the user, wherein the termination indications further comprise time information and indications of any abnormal termination, and updating a database with information provided by the delivery-commencement and the delivery-termination indications. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for forwarding real-time information to one or more users having access to a communications network comprising:
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processing one or more streams of audio or visual information into one or more streams of packets for forwarding over the communications network, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises audio or video information, forwarding the digital packets to the users in response to information selection signals received from the users, verifying the operational status of the users'"'"' access to the communications network during delivery of the real-time information, and updating a database with indications of;
(i) which streams of packets were received by which users, (ii) the time when delivery of each stream to each user commenced, and (iii) the time when delivery of each stream to each user terminated.- View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for a user having access to a communications network to obtain real-time information comprising:
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forwarding selection signals over the communications network from the user indicating the real-time information desired, receiving one or more streams of packets forwarded to the user over the communications network in response to the selection signals, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises audio or video information, and verifying the operational status of the communications network access during delivery of the real-information. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A system for a user to obtain real-time information over a communications network information comprising a programmable device,
wherein the programmable device has access to the communications network, and wherein the programmable device includes user software for causing the computer to forward selection signals from the programmable device indicating the real-time information desired, receive one or more streams of packets forwarded to the programmable device in response to the selection signals, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises audio or video information, and verify the operational status of the programmable device during delivery of the real-time information.
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50. A software product comprising user software on a computer readable medium for causing a programmable device having access to a communications network to forward selection signals from a user indicating real-time information desired,
receive one or more streams of packets forwarded to the user in response to the selection signals, wherein at least one stream of packets comprises audio or video information, and verify the operational status of the computer during delivery of the real-information.
Specification
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Litigation Data
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Current AssigneeTwo-Way Media Ltd
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Original AssigneeNetcast Innovations Ltd.
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InventorsMonteiro, Antonio M, Butterworth, James F
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Primary Examiner(s)Peeso, Thomas R.
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Application NumberUS09/617,647Time in Patent Office757 DaysField of Search395/200.61, 395/200.66, 395/200.72US Class Current709/231CPC Class CodesG06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation...H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference...H04L 12/1818 Conference organisation arr...H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for co...H04L 12/185 with management of multicas...H04L 12/1854 with non-centralised forwar...H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push ser...H04L 12/1863 comprising mechanisms for i...H04L 2012/5626 Network management, e.g. In...H04L 2012/5642 Multicast/broadcast/point-m...H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring...H04L 43/0864 Round trip delaysH04L 63/0815 providing single-sign-on or...H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptogr...H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptograph...H04L 65/1101 Session protocolsH04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-part...H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast ...H04L 65/612 for unicastH04L 65/752 adapting media to network c...View All
