FILE HISTORY
`
`US 5,826,034
`
`PATENT:
`
`5,826,034
`
`INVENTORS: Albal, Nandakishore A.
`
`TITLE:
`
`System and method for transmission of
`communication signals through different
`media
`
`AP?LICATION US1996695033A
`NO.
`
`FILED:
`
`09 AUG 1996
`
`ISSUED:
`
`20 OCT 1998
`
`COMPILED:
`
`21 MAY 2014
`
`Page 1 of 187
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`AT&T EXHIBIT 1006
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`

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`5826034
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`PARTS OF APP LICATIO
`
`
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`q_________—-—e—q
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`Assislanl Examiner
`__
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`
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`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILECI
`CLAIMS ALLOWED
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`Tuial Claims
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`Page 2 of 187
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`5,826,034
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATION
`
`SIGNALS THROUGH DIFFERENT MEDIA
`
`Transaction History
`
`Date
`Transaction Desert -tion
`08 —09— l 996
`Information Disclosure Statement IDS Filed
`Information Disclosure Statement IDS Filed
`08-09-1996
`
`Initial Exam Team nn
`08-20-1 996
`
`10-02-1 996
`AEplication Captured on Microfilm
`11—22—1996
`Case Docketed to Examiner in GAU
`08-25-1997
`Non-Final Re'ection
`
`08-26-1997
`Mail Non-Final Rejection
`10-2?-l997
`RCSODHSC after Non-Final Action
`
`10-27-199?
`New or Additional Drawin_ Filed
`
`01—13-1998
`Date Forwarded to Examiner
`
`03-11-1998
`Non-Final Re'ection
`
`03-12-1998
`Mail Non-Final Re'ection
`
`06-23-1998
`Mail Notice of Allowance
`
`06—23-1998
`Notice of Allowance Data Verification Completed
`
`06-24-1998
`Case Docketed to Examiner in GAU
`
`07-20-1998
`Amendment after Notice of Allowance ' ule 312)
`07-23-1998
`Issue Fee Pa men! Verified
`08-05-1998
`Date Forwarded to Examiner
`08-10—1998
`Mail Response to 312 Amendment (PTO-27} !
`08-10-1998
`Resonse to Amendment under Rule 312
`Issue Notification Mailed
`09-14-1998
`
`10-20-1998
`Recordation of Patent Grant Mailed
`
`03-16-1999
`Post Issue Communication - Certificate of Correction
`
`
`
`
`
`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72) (cid:22) (cid:82)(cid:73) (cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:26)
`Page 3 of 187
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`Page 6 of 187
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`[LEI-“I" INSIDE)
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`Page 7 of 187"
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`{RIGHT OUTSIDE)
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`

`

`United States Patent
`[19]
`[11] Patent Number:
`5,826,034
`
`Alba]
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`
`U3005826034A
`
`54]
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATION
`SIGNALS THROUGH DIFFERENT MEDIA
`
`75]
`
`Inventor: Nandakishore A. Alba], Largo, Fla.
`
`73] Assigncc: Paradyne Cmporation, Largo, Fla.
`
`
`
`l
`
`95
`
`.:
`.
`.033
`1] App] No 6
`22]
`Filed:
`Aug. 9, 1996
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`References Cited
`US PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0:10:30 Cohen et at.
`. 37988
`
`“137.708
`
`5.381.527 woos Innissetal.
`
`....................... 395300.69
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Primary Examiner—Robert B. Harrell
`Altar/to); Agent, or Firm—Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer
`& Risley, L.L.P.
`[57]
`
`.
`.
`.
`An end-to-end ubiqunous payload delivery system and
`method transfers a payload using multiple communication
`method following rules established by a sender. The payload
`transfer is attempted using a preferred media until
`the
`-
`-
`-
`-
`~
`-
`parameters of the transfer are exceeded (i,e.. a certain
`number of attempts m a given duratlon ot time), after which
`.
`.
`.
`one or more altemattvc media are used until the payload
`transfer is completed. Prior to the completion of the transfer,
`the sender has the capability of querying the payload deliv-
`cry system to determine the status of the payload. Upon
`completion of the delivery, the sender receives notification.
`
`37 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
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`US. Patent
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`Oct. 20, 1998
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`Sheet 4 of II]
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 0110
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`5,826,034
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`
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`RECEPIENTACKNOWLEDGMENT
` DELIVERY
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` MESSAGE NEAR-ENDACKNOWLEDGMENT
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`Page 1|3 of 187
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Oct. 20, 1998
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`Sheet 6 0f 10
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`5,826,034
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`Page 14 of 187
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Oct. 20, 1998
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`Sheet 7 of 10
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`US. Patent
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`Oct. 20, 1998
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`Sheet 8 0f 10
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`Oct. 20, 1998
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Oct. 20, I998
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`5,826,034
`
`Generate a
`
`payload in a
`first media
`
`
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`
`Define
`delivery
`parameters
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`Attempt
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`delivery of
`payload
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`sender of
`transmission
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`FIG. 10
`
`Page 18 of 187
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`

`

`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`TRANSMISSION 0F COMMUNICA'I‘IDN
`SIGNALS THROUGH DIFFERENT MEDIA
`
`5,826,034
`
`2
`for
`including a request
`the delivery was not successful,
`additional irnilructiot'ls in such a situation, and that allows the
`sender to query the status of the messages sent.
`SUMMARY UI’ 'I'Illi INVENTION
`The present invention overcomes the inadequacies and
`deficiencies of the prior art as discussed herein before and as
`well known in the industry. The present invention provides
`for a system and method for cnd-Io-end. ubiquitous payload
`delivery that is essentially the electronic equivalent to reg-
`istered mail with the advantages of speed. configurability.
`convenience. resource conservation. timeliness. but without
`the drawbacks of the manual system used with registered
`mail. e.g., paperwork, delay, time utilization, and geographic
`limitation of applicability. By utilizing the payload delivery
`system of the present invention. a sender is able to establish
`delivery parameters that are complimented by a smart deliv-
`ery system so as to ensure that
`the payload is delivered
`within the set parameters. ‘lhe delivery parameters prefer-
`ably include a preferred media of delivery and a number of
`altempLs within a given period of time before conversion of
`the payload to an alternate media that also has a number of
`attempts in a given period of tinte designated before yet
`further media conversions are performed. if required. media
`conversions and payload copyingcart be performed at one or
`more locations where the system resides in order to take
`advantage of tariffs. special olIerings. etc.. and to provide
`guaranteed delivery in a media independent environment.
`Further. the sender can designate events that trigger notifi-
`cation during delivery of the payload so that the sender is
`able to keep track of the delivery and receipt of the payload.
`Accordingly.
`the sender who knows the makeup of the
`payload and who traditionally bears the cost of delivery can
`tailor the payload delivery in order to guarantee receipt and
`to ensure that the delivery is etchtuated in a cost effective
`and efficient manner.
`Briefly stated, an cnd-ln-crtd ubiquitous payload delivery
`system in accordance with the present invention comprises
`a compuler program that can be located at any one or more
`of the following: a senders desktop workstation. a server at
`the sender's end, a server at the receiver's end. a server
`connected to a digital switch at either the sender's or
`recipient's end. or a server in the Internet environment. As
`a computer application. the end-to-cnd ubiquitous payload
`delivery system allows difi'erent communication service
`applications on dtfl'erent media (e.g.. e-mail. voice mail. or
`fax over twisted-pair. coax. untetherediwireless.
`liber
`media) to interoperate across network lines regardless of the
`underlying communication protocols. operating systems. or
`databases. This is atd‘ticvod by converting the entire payload,
`or a portion of the payload, from its original media to one or
`more other media as required to complete delivery of the
`payload in accordance with the delivery parameters defined
`by the sender. The conversion is performed by the payload
`delivery system. and therefore, can takc place more than
`once and at one or more different
`locations where the
`payload system resides. Accordingly. the payload delivery
`system of the present invention is able to guarantee delivery
`of the entire payload.
`Further. the enrl‘to-end ubiquitous payload delivery sys-
`tem of the present invention can be used with value-added
`services. that is. standardized communication services such
`as Directory Services. Businessmccounting Services. Secu-
`rity Services. Compression Servims. and Language Ser-
`vices. Dimctory Services. as delineated in X500 series of
`[TU Standards. provider. transparent address. translation ser-
`vices to the users. Business-Accounting Services provides
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention generally relates to payload deliv—
`ery and, more particularly, to an end-lo -cnd payload delivery
`system and method that clIcctttales delivery in a media
`independent manner following the parameters of the deliv-
`ery that are defined by the sender.
`BACKGROUND 01’ THE. INVENTION
`
`II}
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`IS
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`t}ver the ages. the types of media by which people have
`shared information have changed in stride with advance—
`ments in technology, as is especially evident in the present
`electronic age. Consequently.
`today there are numerous
`media for transferring information in a faster and in a more
`efficient manner than ever before. Examples of such media
`presently being used include telephone (voice—mail). e—mail.
`fax. etc., each of which has its own advantages and disad—
`vantages. As a result,
`in the current competitive market
`place. reliable communication and the choice of media has
`come to play a critical role in the successfif rlol survival) of _
`many businesses. especially those that are geographically
`diversified. Particularly. the ability to communicate speeiftc
`information to a person or entity in a reliable. cost effective.
`and efficient manner is now more of a necessity than a
`luxury. Moreover. alt
`indications are that
`this ability to
`communicate will only increase in importance in the coming
`years as an individual's time becomes more costly because
`businesses are driven to even greater efficiencies. and as the
`Internet and the Information Superhighway (cg. the
`National
`Information Infrastructure (Nil) or
`tlte Global
`Information Infrastructure (GED) become globally acces—
`sible.
`A problem created by having all these diflerent media of
`communication available is the inability to communicate
`belwuen the different media. Presently. several communica—
`tion systems exist that allow a recipient to rrmeivc commu-
`nications in a limited number ofdilfercnt media and then to
`convert them into a native media. An example of such a
`system is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 4.837.798. issued on
`Jun. 6. 1989. lo Cohen et al.. which provides for a single
`electronic mailbox for receiving messages in different media
`such as telephone or fax. In the patent to Cohen cl a]. the
`unilied message system located. at the reel
`
`vans all
`the received messages in the user's electronic
`mailbox into a single native media. This system provides a
`certain amount of vetsatility in that the user can receive
`messages in a given media and covert those messages into
`a native media of the user. However. the media conversion
`only occurs post-delivery which prevents the sender from
`taking advantage of tariflis and competitive service offerings ‘
`across available media. Further, this system fails to provide
`any one ofthe following: acknowledgment or notification to
`the sender that the recipient actually received the message.
`acknowledgment or notification to the sender of the suerms
`or failure of the message conversion. or a retry mechanism.
`Therefore. a heretofore unaddressed need exists. in the
`industry for a payload delivery system that eliminates the
`incompatibility between different communication services
`employing diflcrcnt media for communicating information.
`and that enables the sender to designate the delivery param-
`eters as well as provides notification to the sender when the
`recipient receives the payload, notification to the sender if
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`4
`copy. or in order to send the payload on to a next payload
`delivery system location that is in route to the recipient. The
`output manager is essentially a slave of the input manager in
`that the output manager is typically instructed what to do
`with the payload by the input manager.
`In addition, the input manager can send a message to the
`sender via the output manager to notify the sender whether
`the delivery was. struccfiful. whether the recipient has
`received the payload. or whether the payload has been sent
`to the next payload delivery system location in route.
`Further. the input manager can utilise the output manager to
`send a message to the sender irt ordcr to request the sender
`for additional instructions if the delivery was not successful.
`or in order to allow the sender to query the status of a sent
`payload. The notifications received by the input manager
`that are destined for another payload delivery system are
`merely passed to the output manager and sent to the neitt
`payload delivery system. 'll'te notifications received by the
`input manager for that payload delivery system are provided
`to the sender.
`It
`is envisioned that on succtssful delivery to the
`recipient. the invention maintains an archived copy of the
`payload with the delivery details for a duration that
`is
`consistent with security. business and service parameters.
`The present
`invention can also be conceptualimd as
`providing for a payload delivery method for providing
`media independent. guaranteed delivery of a payload in
`accordance with delivery parameters defined by the sender.
`The payload delivery method can be broadly generalized as
`follows. Initially. the sender generates a payload for delivery
`in a first media, for instance, an c-n'tail or fax. Next, the
`sender establishes the parameters of the delivery, including
`the number of attempts within a given period of time. the
`allowable cost of transm ission. the types andror frequency of
`notification, etc.
`'lhe payload is then passed on to the
`payload delivery system for delivery to thc recipient. The
`payload delivery system can be located at
`the scnder’s
`desktop workstation. the sender's or receiver’s server. or a
`digital switch at either the sender's or receiver's end. The
`payload delivery system performs the function ofconverting
`the entire payload (or, a portion thereof), if necessary, from
`the first media to an alternate media in order to complete
`delivery of the payload to the recipient. For example, it‘the
`sender prepared an e-rnail in a format that is not compatible
`with the e-mail of the recipient. or could not be delivered as
`an email. then the present invention converts the sender’s
`e-rrtail message into a format compatible with the recipient's
`e—mail. or alternatively, from email to fax. As yet another
`alternative. the present invention may convert the protocol
`ofthc payload to one aunpatihle with the protocol recipients
`system. Comouently, if the e-mail proves undeliverable [or
`whatever reason. then the e-mail of the sender is convened
`into an alternate media designated in the delivery parameters
`so that further attempts at delivery can be made in accor-
`dance with the delivery parameters. A5 a part of the present
`invention, notifications that the recipient could receive an:
`that the recipient has received the payload. that delivery by
`a specilicrl media has not hocn suemifilul, or that a media
`conversion was performed. The sender. on the other hand.
`not only may receive the same notifications as those pro-
`vided to the recipient. the sender is preferably always given
`notification of delivery so that the sender is guaranteed that
`the payload has been received by the recipient.
`Other features and advantages of the present invention
`will become apparent
`to one with skill
`in the art upon
`examination of the following drawings and detailed descrip-
`tion.
`It
`is intended that all such additional features and
`
`3
`for the recording of the details of the delivery that an:
`subsequently used for system analysis. upgrades. and the
`generation of billing for the services rendered. Security
`Services include, but are not
`limited to, providing
`encryption. authentication. and validation service to the
`users. Compression services provide compression appropri—
`ate to the payload (cg. voice compression. video
`compression. or data compression). enabling efficiencies in
`storage and transmission. Lastly. Language Services provide
`conversion of the payload from one language to another.
`In architecture. the payload delivery system of the present
`invention is configured in computer—based hardware com—
`prising one of the possible locations identified above. though
`preferably implcmcnlcd in a desktop workstation computer
`or a computer-ham server. Regardless. the hardware suit-
`able for implementing the present
`invention includes the
`appropriate network interfaces. support system interfaces (if
`a server}. a central processing unit (CPU). metnory (both
`random access memory (RAM) and a hard disk). and other
`necessary interfaces as well known in the industry. The
`payload delivery system is preferably stored in the memory
`and includes an input manager and an output manager for
`processing incoming and outgoing payloads. respectively.
`For purpose of the present disclosure. a payload can take the
`form of any digital compilation of data. such as but not
`limited to a fax. voice mail. paging message, or e~rnail (may
`comprise one or more ofthe following: text data. image data.
`video data, audio data, or any combination thereof). Sup-
`porting t'unctionality is provided by a copier.
`a media;r
`protocol converter. a scheduler. an arcttive. a message store.
`and a value-added services mechanism. The input manager
`receives outgoing payloads compiled by the sender in a
`particular media for delivery to a designated recipient. The
`input manager checks the payload for validity (c.g., adher-
`ence to protocols and error free receipt), checks the address
`of the payload. and then stores a single copy of the payload
`in the payload store. It is noted that the payload can he stored
`in an encryptedt'unencrypted. compressedi'uncompressed
`form. as dictated by the system parameters. The input
`manager also checlot to see if any media or protocol con-
`versions or copies are necessary, or ifany of the value-addcd
`services are required to operate on the payload. and if so.
`whether this should take place locally or at a remote server
`or workstation having the payload delivery system. If the
`conversion is to take place locally, then the input manager
`sends the payload to the mediai‘protocol converter
`for
`conversion, and subsequently to the output manager.
`Otherwise.
`the input manager sends the payload to the
`output manager for delivery. The scheduler works in con-
`junction with the input and output managers to schedule
`delivery of messages to take advantage of tariffs. and
`resource availability.
`An application interface is connected to the input manager
`and the output manager for receiving payloads from and
`placing payloads on the associated network for delivery. The ‘
`application interface may contain or interface with a net-
`wotk interface that allows the invention to interface to the
`appropriate network. examples of which include a local area
`network (LAN) or an Access Network.
`In the case of an incoming payload. the input manager
`receives the payload. determines if media conversion is
`necessary. and if so. then sends the payload to the media,“
`protocol converter. The input manager further coordinates
`the copying of the payload by the copier and the storage of
`the payload in the payload store. The input manager then
`sends the payload to the output manager in order to corn plctc
`delivery of the payload by providing the recipient with a
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`5,826,034
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`advantages be included herein within the scope of the
`present invention, as delincd by the claims.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`It}
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`IS
`
`invention can he better understood with
`The present
`reference to the following drawings. The elements ol' the
`drawings are not necessarily to scale. emphasis instead
`being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
`present invention. Furthermore. reference-:1 numerals desig—
`nate mrresportding parts thntughout the several vich.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication network
`incorporating the end-to-end. guaranteed, ubiquitous pay-
`load delivery system of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative computer
`system that
`includes the payload delivery system of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the architecture and func-
`lionalily of the payload delivery system (if HQ 2;
`[-16.4 is an illustrated database entry for a recipient that
`establishes the delivery parameters of a payload [or use with
`the delivery system of FIG. 2: and
`FIGS. 5. 6, 7. 8, 9, and II} are illustrative examples of
`payload delivery with the delivery payload system of FIG.
`2..
`
`FIG. II} is a flow chart illustrating the methodology and
`functionality of the present invention.
`I)E']N[.El) Dt-LSCRlP'l'lLlN 0|" THE
`PREFERRED EM BODIMEN'I‘
`
`6
`invention. the transpon link 20 may comprise any one of a
`variety of transport technologies such as Iiberoptics. wire-
`less (cg, radio frequency (RF) or satellite). A long distance
`server 22 that includes the payload delivery system of the
`present invention can he connected to either of the digital
`switches 16.18.
`Interconnected by the long distance network portion [ii
`are the Iirsl
`local digital switch 24 and the second local
`digital switch 26. The first and second local digital switches
`24. 26 are those commonly utilize by a local exchange
`carrier (Ll-1C) for switching in a regional network. as well
`known in the industry. 'l'heret‘ore. calls originating or tenni-
`nating within the particular regional network of a local
`digital switch 24. 26 are routed by the, local digital switch 24.
`26 hosting that regional network to the designated recipient.
`A local server 28 that includes the payload delivery system
`of the present invention can be connected to either of the
`local digital switches 24. 26.
`Within the regional network of each local digital switch
`24. 26 are a plurality of subscribers such as a computer
`mtr‘loitalioi't 30 or a digital phone 32 that are interconnected
`to the first local switch 24 via respective subscriber lines 34.
`or a computer workstation .36 that is interconnected with the
`second local data switch 26 via the subscriber line 40.
`As illustrated in [’16. 1. the LAN 38 comprises a LAN
`server 42 that networks a plurality of customer provided
`equipment ((TI‘E) such as a la): machine 44 and a plurality
`of work stations 46. It is worth noting al this point that thc
`interconnections .34, 411 can be, but are not
`limited to,
`liberoptir-s, wireless, RF. coax or twisted pair.Alncal server
`31 that includes the payload delivery system of the present
`invention can be connected to the LAN server 42.
`In accordance with an important feature in the present
`invention, the payload delivery system of the present inven-
`tion does not have to be located at any onc particular
`location in the communication network 12. but may reside
`in a variety ol‘dilt‘erent locations including at least any one
`or more of the following: the workstation 46. the computer
`wotlortations 3|]. 36, the LAN servor 42, the local newer 31
`mmialed with the [AN 38, the local servers 28 associated
`with local switches 24. 2a. or the long distance servers 22
`associated with long distances switches 16. Ill. In addition.
`it the transport link 20 comprises a satellite.
`the payload
`delivery system of the present invention may reside in the
`satellite. However, it is prelcrred that the payload delivcry
`system of the present invention be supported at more than
`one location in order
`to provide redundancy and load
`management capability.
`With rulerence to FIG. 2. shown is a computer system 50
`illustrative of a typical computer architecture found in
`Workstations and servers. and that is suitable for employing
`the payload delivery system of the present
`invention.
`Accordingly, as mentioned above, thc computer system 58
`that
`is implementing the payload delivery syslcm til the
`present invention can he any one or more of the workstation
`46. the LAN server 42. the local server 3 I. the workstations
`30. 36. the local servers 28. or the long distance servers 22.
`
`Note, the computer architc urc illustrated in FIG. 2 is well
`known in Illa: art and is provided merely for the purposes of
`describing the present invention.
`The computer system 50 Comprises a conventional central
`processing unit (CPU) 52 that communicates to other ele-
`ments within the computer system 50 via a system interface
`54. The system interface 54 contains both data and control
`trust: which are shown as combined in order to simplify the
`compuwr system 511 The CPU 52 is preferably capable of
`running processes in order to support the functionality ofthc
`
`The following description is of the best put-molly oun-
`Iemplated mode of carrying out the present invention. This
`description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made
`merely for the purpose of dutcribirtg the gcncral principles
`of the invent ion. Consequently. the scope of the invention
`should be determined by referencing the appended claims.
`1. Architecture
`the cnd-to-end ubiquitous
`I.
`With reference to FIG.
`Payload delivery systcm of the present invention provides a
`payload delivery system and associated metlmdology that
`can be employed in connection with a communication
`network 12 for the purpose of providing guaranteed payload
`delivery between users in a media independent environment.
`‘ll'te payload delivery system is preferably implemented as a
`computer program for use hy or
`in connection with a
`compute-Phased system such as a workstation or a server. As
`such, the payload delivery system is essentially a computfl
`application that can be stored on any computer-readable
`medium. such as but not
`limited to electronic. magnetic.
`optical. or other physical devi e or means that can contain
`or store a computer program [or use by or in connection with
`a workstation or server in the communication network 12.
`Armordingly,
`the payload delivery system is a platform
`independent application with a versatility ofheing able to be .
`located in one or more locations within the communication
`netwurk 12 as described in more detail below.
`The communication network 12. comprises a wide area
`network {WAN} 13. a local area network (LAN) 38, and a
`plurality of subscribers (e.g.. SI]. 32. 36). The WAN 13
`includes a long distance portion H. a first
`local digital
`switch 24. and a second digital switch 26. The long distance
`network portion 1-! enables both domestic and international
`long distance services via a first long distance digital switch
`16 and a second long distance digital switch III which are
`remotely located with respect to one another and intercon-
`nected by a transport link 20. For purposes of the present
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`The payload store 94 provides a mechanism for storing
`the payload during transmission and-“or reception as neces-
`sary in llu: delivery of the payload to the rccipitmt. This will
`become more apparent upon the following discussion
`regarding the operation of the payload delivery system 62.
`The value addcd services mechanism 96 is included to
`provide one or more standardized communication services
`such as Directory Services, Businessfnccounting Services