FILE HISTORY
`US 5,826,034
`
`5,826,034
`PATENT:
`INVENTORS: Albal, Nandakishore A.
`
`TITLE:
`
`System and method for transmission of
`communication signals through different
`media
`
`APPLICATION
`NO:
`FILED:
`ISSUED:
`
`US1996695033A
`
`09 AUG 1996
`20 OCT 1998
`
`COMPILED:
`
`21 MAY 2014
`
`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72) (cid:20) (cid:82)(cid:73) (cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:26)
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1006
`
`

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`
`
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` ISSUECLASSIFICATION
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`PATENT
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`NUMBER
` PATENI. DATE
`W/6959%3
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`by Iris United Siatas Cone ‘min 3.5. Sacliona 122. 181 and 363. Possession a
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`Patent & Tradelriarlt ollice is reshimd to aulno-riizsd employees and mntraclc : only.
`
`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72) (cid:21) (cid:82)(cid:73) (cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:26)
`Page 2 of 187
`
`_
`CLAIIHS ALLOWED
`
`___________._._.__
`Assislanl Examiner
`
`‘regal Claims
`G
`
`Print Ciaim
`I
`
`
`
` _ PARTS OF APPLICATIO
`FILED SEPARATELY
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILECI
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`

`
`5,826,034
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATION
`
`SIGNALS THROUGH DIFFERENT MEDIA
`
`Date
`08-09-1996
`08 -09- 1 996
`08-204 996
`10-02-1 996
`11-22-1996
`08-25-199?
`08-26-1997
`10-2?-199?
`10-27-1993’
`01-13-1998
`03-11-1998
`03-12-1998
`06-23-1998
`06-23-1998
`06-24-1998
`07-20-1998
`07-23-1998
`08-05-1998
`08-10-1998
`08-10-1998
`09-14-1998
`10-20-1998
`03-16-1999
`
`Transaction History
`
`Transaction Descri tion
`Information Disclosure Statement IDS Filed
`Information Disclosure Statement IDS Filed
`Initial Exam Team nn
`
`Agplication Captured on Microfilm
`Case Docketed to Examiner in GAU
`Non-Final Re'ection
`
`Mail Non-Final Rejection
`Resonse after Non-Final Action
`New or Additional Drawin Filed
`Date Forwarded to Examiner
`Non-Final Re'ection
`Mail Non-Final Re'ection
`Mail Notice of Allowance
`
`Notice of Allowance Data Verification Completed
`Case Docketed to Examiner in GAU
`Amendment after Notice of Allowance ' ule 312)
`Issue Fee Pa men! Verified
`Date Forwarded to Examiner
`
`Mail Response to 312 Amendment (PTO-271 1
`Resonse to Amendment under Rule 312
`Issue Notification Mailed
`Recordation of Patent Grant Mailed
`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 4 of 187
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`Page 5 of 187
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`

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`I Ftapie Issue Sfip-I-J_-.ré '
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`POSITION
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`II
`SPEC-WW0 II
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`
`INDEX OF CLAIMS
`
`Claim
`3 7”"
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`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72) (cid:25) (cid:82)(cid:73) (cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:26)
`Page 6 of 187
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`'
`
`[LEI-T INSIDE)
`
`

`
`‘ SEARCHED
`
`
`
`(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72) (cid:26) (cid:82)(cid:73) (cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:26)
`Page 7 of 157"
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`{RIGHT OUTSIDE)
`
`

`
`United States Patent
`Albal
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,826,034
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
` US005826034A
`
`54]
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATION
`SIGNALS THROUGH DIFFERENT MEDIA
`
`75]
`
`lnvcnlor: Nandakislwre A. Albal, Largo, 1-‘la.
`_
`_
`73] Assigncc: Paradyne Cropuration, Largo. F121.
`
`21] AWL N0’: 695333
`22]
`Filed:
`Aug. 9, 1996
`.
`.
`,
`. (.06i« 5/00
`Int. Ll."
`51]
`‘
`‘
`
`.395/200.69
`52] U.S. Ll. .
`581
`Field of Search
`364/DIG 1- 010- 2:
`399200.59, 761, 500, 326, 329, 180, 200.3,
`200.5 200.57 200.52 200.(1s< 340/825.03
`'
`’
`‘
`.;68 01 784
`'
`‘
`’ ‘
`"
`
`50]
`
`References Cited
`U.S1 PATENT DOCUMENTS
`oxiosg Cohen cl al.
`
`4.337.798
`
`5.381.527
`
`111095
`
`Inniss et al.
`
`....................... 395/2.00.69
`
`Primary E.mmiuer—Roberl B. Harrcll
`Allorrrcy. Agent, or Firm—'l'liunias, Kziydcn, Hurslcmcycr
`& Risley, L.L.l-‘.
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An end-Iu»::nd ubiquiluus payload dclivcry system and
`method transfers a payload using multiple coniniunicalion
`hod following rules established by a sender. The payload
`“'°'
`.
`.
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`lransler is attempted using 11 prelerred media until
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`cry system to determine the slams of the payload, Upon
`complclion of the delivery, lhc scndcr rcccivcs nolificalion.
`'
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`. 370/88
`
`37 Claims. 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`36
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`Page 8 of 187
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`5,826,034
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`U.S. Patent
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`041.21), 1998
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`Page 10 of 187
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
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`Sheet 3 of 10
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 20, 1998
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`Sheet 4 of 10
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`5,826,034
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`Page 12 of 187
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`5,826,034
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`
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`RECEPIENTACKNOWLEDGMENT
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`DELIVERY
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`Page 1|3 of 187
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`()ct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
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`5,826,034
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`Page 14 of 187
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
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`5,826,034
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`Page 15 of 187
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
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`5,826,034
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`Page 16 of 187
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
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`5,826,034
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`Page 17 of 187
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`5,826,034
`
`
`
`Generate a
`
`payload in a
`first media
`
`Define
`delivery
`parameters
`
`
`
` Attempt
`delivery of
`payload
`
`
`
`
`Max
` Convert to
`
` NO
`number of tries
`alternative
`for current
`media
`media?
`
`
`
` ransmission
`
`successful?
`
`
`YES
`
`Notify
`sender of
`
`transmission
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Page 18 of 187
`
`

`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`'l'R.-'\NSMISSION 0|’ COMMUNICXTIDN
`SIGNALS ‘THROUGH Dl["FEREN'1' MEDIA
`
`5,826,034
`
`2
`for
`including a request
`the delivery was not st.tcot:.vsful.
`additional irniu'u::tinrIs in such a situation, and that allows the
`sender to query the status of the messages sent.
`SUMMARY UI’ Tllli lNVl3.N'I'l0N
`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 prr:vid.t:.s
`for a system and method for end-to-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. t:.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. The delivery parameters prei‘er-
`ably include a preferred media of delivery and a number of
`aItt:mpL< within a given period (if 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
`t'urIher media conversions are perforrrted. If required. media
`conversions and payload copyingcatt he performed at one or
`more locations where the system resides in order to take
`advantage of tariffs, special ollkrrings. 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 cnsun: that the delivery is cflcctuated in a cost eliectivc
`and efficient manner.
`Briefly stated, an end-to-end ubiquitous payload delivery
`system in accordance with the present invention comprises
`a computer program that can be located at any one or more
`of the following: a senders desktop workstation. a server at
`the sender's end, 1 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 cm-'it‘t)nmertt. As
`a computer application. the end-to-end ubiquitous payload
`delivery system allows ditferent communication service
`applications on dilierent media (e.g.. e—maiI. voice mail. or
`last over twisted-pair. coax. untetherediwireless.
`liber
`media) to interoperate across network lines regardless of the
`underlying communication protocols. operating systems. or
`databases. 'll1is is achieved by converting the entire payload,
`or a portion of the payload. from its original media lu one or
`more other media as required to complete delivery of the
`payload in accordance with the delivery parameters detined
`by the sender. The conversion is performed by the payload
`delivery syslcm. and therefore, can take 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 end-to-end ubiquitous payload delivery sys-
`tern of the present invention can be used with value-added
`services. that is. standardized communication services such
`as Directory Services. Businessmccounting Services. Secu-
`rity Scrv'it:t:s. Compression Services. and Language Ser-
`vices. Directory Services. as delineated in X.5fl(| series of
`[TU Standards. provides transparent address translation scr-
`viccs to the users. Busine:\‘i."J\ccounling Services provides
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention generally relates to payload deliv-
`cry and, more particularly, to an cnd-to -cod payload delivery
`system and method that eIIectttatt::; delivery in a mcdia
`independent manner following the pararneters of the deliv-
`ery Ihat are defined by the sender.
`BACKGROUND 0]’ 'l‘l-ll}. lN\-'l:lN‘l‘l0N
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`II)
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`I5
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`(liver the ages. the types of media by which people have
`shared information have changed in stride with advance-
`meats in technology, as its especially evident in lhc present
`electronic: age. Cunst:qucnt|y.
`today there are numerous
`media for transferring infonnation in a faster and in a more
`efficicnt manner than ever before. Examples of such media
`presently being used include telephone (voice—mail). e—ma.i|.
`fax. etc., each of which has its own advantages and disad-
`vantages. A5 a result,
`in the current competitive market
`place. reliable communication and the choice of media has
`come to play a critical role in the succt.-ss(il' not survival) of
`many businesses. especially those that are geographically
`divettiilied. Particularly, the ability to cnrltlltunicalc specific
`information to a person or entity in a reliable. cost effective.
`and eificient manner is now more of a necessity than a
`luxury. Moreover. all
`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 eficiencies. and as the
`Internet and the Information Superhighway (e.g..
`the
`National
`Information lnfrastructurv: (Nil) or
`the Global
`Information Infrastructure (Gll)) become globally act.w—
`sible.
`A problem created by having all these diiferent media of
`communication available is the inability to communicate
`between the different media. Presently. several cummunica—
`tion systems exist that allow a recipient to receive oommu-
`nications in a limited number tnfdilfemnt media and then to
`convert them into a native media. An example of such a
`system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4.837.798. issued on
`Jun. 6. 1989. to Cohen et al.. which provides for a single
`electronic mailbox for receiving messages in different media
`suclt as telephone or fair. In the patent to Cohen et al. the
`unilied messagl: system located at the reci
`
`\.'r..r1.s all
`the received messages in the u:-Jcr's electronic
`mailbox into a single native media. This system provides. a
`certain amount of versatility in that the user can receive
`messages in a given media and covert those messages into
`a native media of the user. lltwvever. the media conversion
`only oc.cLIrs post-delivery which prevents the sender ll‘tJI't'I
`taking advantage of tariflis and competitive service ollerings _
`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 ntessagc.
`acknowledgment or notification to the sender of the success
`or failure of the message conversion. or a retry mechanism.
`'l‘here|'ore. a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the
`industry for a payload delivery system that eliminates the
`incompatibility between dilferent communication services
`employing diifercnl media for communicating infonnation.
`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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`for the recording of thc details of the delivery that an:
`subsequently used for system analysis. upgrades. and the
`gctietaliutt of billing for the 5-crviixzs ret.tLlerI:t.l. 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 (t:.g.. voice compression, video
`compression. or data compression). enabling efliciencies in
`storage and transmission. Lastly. Language Services provide
`conversion oi" the payload from one language to another.
`In architecture. the payload delivery system of the present
`invention is configured in :.omputer—based hardware com-
`prising one of the possible locations identified above. though
`preferably implemented in a desktop workstation computer
`or a computer-based server. Regardless. the hardware suit-
`able for implementing the present
`invention includes the
`appropriate network interfaces. support system interfaces (if
`a sewer}. a central processing unit (CPU). metnory (both
`random acotsss 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 latte the
`form of any digital compilation of data. such as but not
`limited to a fax. voice mail. paging message, or e-mail [may
`comprise one or more ofthe following: text data. image data.
`video data, audio data, or any combination thereof). Sup-
`porting titnctionality is provided by a copier.
`ti media!
`protocol converter. a scheduler, an archive. a message store,
`and a value-added services mechanism. "[114: input manager
`receives outgoing payloads compiled by the sender in a
`particular media for delivery to a designated rccipicrtl. 'lht:
`inpttt manager Cl1OCl(.Ԥ the payload for validity (c.g.. adbcrv
`encc 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. [1 is noted that the payload can he stored
`in an encryptedlunencrypted. compressed.-‘uncompressed
`form. as dictated by the system parameters. The input
`manager also IJl'It:CiG-1 to sci: if any media or protocol eon-
`vcrsions or copies are necessary, or ifany of the value-adt.lcd
`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 mediafprtttocol converter
`[or
`conversion, and subsequently to the output manager.
`Otherwise,
`the input manager sends the payload to the
`output manager for delivery. The .~tehodu|er works in con-
`junction with the input and output managers to schedule
`delivery of messages to take advantage of tariffs. and
`rcsvourcc availaltilily.
`An application interface is connected to the input manager
`and the output manager for receiving payloads from and
`placing payloads on the associated networlt for delivery. The _
`application interface may contain or interface with a net-
`work 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 it‘ so. then sends the payload to the media.’
`protocol convener. The input manager funher coordinates
`the oopying of the payload by the copier and the storage oi‘
`the payload in the payload store. The input manager then
`sends the payload to the output manager in order to corn plcte
`delivery of the payload by providing the recipient with a
`
`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 ittput manager.
`ln addition, the input manager can send a message to the
`sender via the output manager to notify the sender whether
`the delivery was st.tucc$l'ul. 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 utilize the output manager to
`send a message to the sender in order to request the sender
`for additional instructiolls ii 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 nettt
`payload delivery system. 'll'tc notifications roceived by the
`input manager for that payload delivery system are provided
`to the sender.
`lt
`is envisioned that on sucmssful 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 he conccpltralivcd as
`providing for a payload delivery ntethod 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 llrst media, for instance, an c-rrtail or lax. 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 and.-'or frequency of
`notification, etc. The payload is then passed on to the
`payload delivery system for delivery to the recipient. 'l'he
`payload delivery system cart be located at
`the scndcr’s
`desktop workstation. the sender's or receiver's server. or a
`digital switch at either the sertder'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, iithe
`sender prepared an e-mail in a format that is not compatible
`with the e-mail of the recipient. or could not be delivered as
`an e-mail. then the present invention oonverts the senders
`e-mail message into a format compatible with the recipient's
`e-mail. or alternatively, Erom e~n1ai| to tax. As yet another
`alternative. the present invention may convert the protocol
`ofthe payload to one eornpalihlc with the protocol rccipicnls
`system. Cortsequently, if the e-mail proves undeliverable lor
`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 ofthi: present
`invention, notilieations that the recipient could roceivc art:
`that the recipient has received the payload. that delivery by
`a specilicrl media has not ‘ti-tacn suctcsslul, 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.
`Olltcr 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
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`advantages be included herein within the scope of the
`present invention, as dclincd by the claims.
`BRIEF l)ES(_‘RlP'I'[0N OF 'I‘l[I.l DRAWINGS
`
`ll)
`
`I5
`
`invention can he better understood with
`The present
`reference to thc following drawings The clcmcnts ol' the
`drawings are not necessarily to scale. emphasis instead
`being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
`present invention. Furthermore. referenced numerals desig-
`natc corresponding parts thmughottt the several views.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a comrrtunication network
`incorporating the end-to-end, guaranteed, ubiquitous pay-
`load delivery system of the present invention;
`l-“IG. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative computer
`system that
`includes the payload delivery system of the
`prescnt invention;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the architecture and func-
`lionalily of the payload delivery system of Fifi 2;
`FIG. 4 is an illustrated database entry for a recipient that
`establishes the delivery parameters of a payload l'or use with
`the delivery system of FIG. 2: and
`FIGS. 5. 6, 7, 8, 9, and II} are illustrative examples of
`payload dclivcry with the delivery payload system of FIG.
`2..
`
`FIG. II} is a llow chart illustrating the methodology and
`functionality of the present invention.
`I)|:"l?\l[.l-3|) DI.-'.SCR[P'l'ilJN 0|-' 'l'l-IE
`FRI:'l-"I.-LRRIEIJ EM BODlMEN'|‘
`
`6
`invention, thc transport link 20 may comprise any one of .-t
`v:t.rit:ty ol transport technologies such as lilicrraptics, wire-
`less (c.g., radio frequency (RF) or satellite). A long distance
`server 12 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 [4
`arc the Iirst
`local digital switch 24 and the second local
`digital switch 26. The Iirst and second local digital switches
`24. 26 are those commonly utilize by a local exchange
`carrier (LI.-EC) for switching in a regional network. as well
`known in the industry. 'i'heret‘ore. calls originating or tenni-
`nrrting within the particular regional network of a local
`digital switch 24. 26 are routed by the local digital switch 24,
`Zfl hosting that regional network to thc 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 cornputcr
`wotloitatiorl 30 or a digital phone 32 that art: interconnected
`to the Iirst 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 sulascribcr line 40.
`As illustrated in ["I{Li. 1. the LAN 38 oompriscs a LAN
`server all that networks a plurality of customer provided
`cquipmcnl ((fl‘E] such as a fax machine. 44 and a plurality
`of work stations 46. It is worth noting at this point that thc
`interconnections .34.
`-11! can he, but are not
`limited in,
`lihcrnptit:-1, \virt.'.lcss, RF, coat): or twisted p:tir.Alo-cal server
`3] that includes the payioarl delivery system of the present
`invention can he curtncclcd to lhc LAN server 42.
`In accordance with an important feature in the present
`invention, the payload delivery system of the present inven-
`tion does not haw:
`to be located at any one particular
`location in the communication network 12. but may reside
`in a variety oI‘di|l‘:rent locations including at least any one
`or more of the following: the workstation 46, the computer
`wotlLstaIio1'Is 30, 36, the LAN server 42, the local scrver 31
`nsamcialcd with the [AN 33, the local scrvers 28 asst‘.t-t:iatcd
`with local switches 24. M. or the long distance servers 22
`associated with long Klistanccs switches 16, Ill. In addition.
`it the transport link 20 oomprises it satellite.
`the payload
`delivery system of the present invention may reside in thc
`satellite. I-lowcver, it is prclcrrcd that the payload delivery
`system of the present invention be supported at more than
`one location in order
`to provide redundancy and load
`management capability.
`With reference to FIG. 2. shown is a computer system St}
`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 ah-(tvc, thc computer system 58
`that
`is implementing the payload delivery system of 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 21.
`
`Note, the computer architc Ltrc illustrated in [-"I(i. 2 is well
`known in the art and is provided merely for thc purposes of
`describing the present invention.
`The computer system 50 cot'I'lpt'ises 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
`huscs which are shown as combined in order to simplify the
`computer system 5|]. The CPU 52 is preferably capable of
`running processes in order to support the functionality ofthc
`
`The lollowing description is of the best presently oun-
`lcntplalcd mode of carrying out the present invention. This
`description is not to he taken in a limiting sense, but is made
`merely for the purpose of dt.-scribing thc gcncrat principles
`of the invent ion. Consequently. the scope of the invention
`should be determined by referencing the appended claims.
`I. Architecture
`thc end-to-end ubiquitous
`I.
`With rcfcrcncc to FIG.
`Payload delivery system of thc pncscnl invention provides a
`payload delivery system and associated methodology that
`can be employed in connection with a communication
`network 12 for the purpose of providing guaranteed payload
`dclivcry between users in a media irtdcpcndcnl cnvironmcnt.
`‘lite payload delivery system is prclcrallly implemented as a
`computer program For use hy or
`in connection with a
`compulcrvhascd system $1.II.‘l1 as a workstation or a server. As
`such, the payload delivery syslcrtt is essentially a computer
`application that can be storm] on any contputcr-rcudahlc
`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 for use by or in connection with
`it workstation or server in the communication network 12.
`.t‘\cot:trdingly,
`the payload delivery system is :1 platfonn
`independent application with a versatility ofheing able to he .
`located in one or more locations within the communication
`network 12 as described in more detail below.
`Tltc communication network 12. comprises a wide area
`network {WAN} 13, a local area network (IAN) 38, and a
`plurality of subscribers (e.g.. SI]. 32. 36). The WAN l3
`irIL‘lLtdcs a long distance portion H. a first
`local digital
`switch 2.4. 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
`It and l sceond long distance digital switch Ill which are
`remotely located with respect to one another and intercon-
`ncclcd by a transpon link 2!]. For purposcs 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 the delivery of the payload to the recipient. This will
`become more apparent upon the following discussion
`regarding tlte operation of the payload