Patent ID: 6643684
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: H04L,H04N,Y10S

Abstract:
In a computer network of heterogeneous nodes including at least one sending device and one or more receiving devices having potentially different capabilities for receiving transmissions from the at least one sending device, a method for senders to specify content delivery policies and to deliver content accordingly, comprising the steps of:associating sender specified policies with a particular communication for delivery of content to one or more said receiving devices; receiving from a sending device the sender-specified policies associated with the particular communication for delivery of content to the one or more said receiving devices, wherein at least one of said receiving devices is distinct from the sending device; breaking the transmissions into component parts; determining handling protocols for the component parts; and completing the particular communication for delivery of content to the one or more said receiving devices based on the sender-specified policies associated with said particular communication, wherein the component parts are delivered to one or more said receiving devices according to the handling protocols.