Abstract:
The invention provides a method and system for delivering relatively large documents (such as for example media documents) with reduced use of time and other resources. Relatively large documents sent by a sender to a recipient in an email message are delivered separately from the email message, asynchronously from delivery of the email message or its presentation to the recipient, and using an out-of-band technique separate from email message delivery. This provides for relatively rapid and reliable delivery of the email message, separate reliable delivery of the media document, and presentation of the media document to the recipient without further sending delay. Pre-probing of destination devices may occur to determine a preferred set of characteristics to manage delivery.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Inventions described herein can be used in conjunction with inventions described in the following documents: 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/680,541, filed Oct. 4, 2000, entitled, “Replacement of Requested Data with Equivalent Data.” This patent application is still pending. 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/684,384, filed on Oct. 4, 2000, entitled, “Adaptive Predictive Delivery of Information.” This patent application is still pending. 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/732,519, filed Dec. 6, 2000, entitled “A Trusted Gateway Device Serving Multiple Clients Providing Content Storage, Management and Delivery.” This patent application is still pending. 
   These documents are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. These documents are referred to as the “incorporated disclosures.” 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to delivery of embedded media objects. 
   2. Related Art 
   In computer communication networks, one method of communication is email (“electronic mail”), in which a sending user prepares and sends a message to a receiving user. Email is well suited to relatively short messages, such as text. However, when the sending user wishes to send a relatively larger amount of information, such as a media document (one example of a media document is a video clip), known email systems are subject to several drawbacks. 
   A first drawback of known email systems is that a media document can be larger than the maximum size of messages for which the email system is designed. For example, some known email systems are unable to deliver messages longer than about 500 kilobytes in size, while many media documents can be several megabytes in size. 
   A second drawback of known email systems is that a relatively large media document can take a correspondingly large amount of time (and other resources) to deliver from the sending user to the receiving user. In known email systems, delivery and presentation of the media document to the receiving user is triggered by the receiving user&#39;s email client device. The receiving user might therefore be forced to wait a substantial time for the media document to be delivered and be available for presentation. Moreover, if a number of receiving users all attempt to access media documents at substantially the same time, an email server for those receiving users can become overloaded, thus degrading the receiving users&#39; experience further. 
   Accordingly it would be desirable to have a technique for delivery of embedded media objects, such as for example media documents, that is not subject to drawbacks of the known art. 
   These advantages and others are provided in an embodiment of the invention, described herein, including a technique in which media documents and other relatively larger documents can be delivered from a sender to a recipient and presented to the recipient with reduced use of time and other resources. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention provides a method and system for delivering relatively large documents (such as for example media documents) with reduced use of time and other resources. Relatively large documents sent by a sender to a recipient in an email message are delivered separately from the email message, asynchronously from delivery of the email message or its presentation to the recipient, and using an out-of-band technique separate from email message delivery. As shown below, this provides for relatively rapid and reliable delivery of the email message, separate reliable delivery of the media document, and presentation of the media document to the recipient without further sending delay. 
   In a first aspect of the invention, a sender gateway is coupled to the sender. The sender gateway replaces the media document in the email message with a link, and caches that media document for delivery to the recipient using an out-of-band (non-email) technique, such as the FTP or HTTP protocols. The sender gateway delivers the media document to the recipient asynchronously from delivering the email message to the recipient, using one of several possible techniques: (1) scheduling delivery of the media document separately from delivery of the email message, (2) delivering the media document in response to a separate request message from the recipient, or some combination thereof. 
   In a second aspect of the invention, a recipient gateway is coupled to the recipient. The recipient gateway cooperates with the sender gateway in providing asynchronous, out-of-band delivery of the media document. In cooperation with the sender gateway, the recipient gateway can receive the media document using an out-of-band technique, such as the FTP or HTTP protocols, and reassociate that media document with the email message. In cooperation with the sender gateway, the recipient gateway can: (1) schedule receipt of the media document separately from receipt of the email message, (2) request delivery of the media document in response to the email message from the sender, (3) cache the media document in anticipation of presenting that media document to the recipient, or some combination thereof. 
   The invention has general applicability to sending and receiving relatively larger documents (including without limitation, media documents, attached documents, and the like) in association with relatively short messages (including without limitation email, “instant messaging,” and the like). There is no particular limitation of the invention specifically to media documents or to email messages, nor is the invention necessarily related to the specific applications disclosed herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a system for asynchronous out-of-band delivery of embedded media objects. 
       FIG. 2  shows a process flow diagram for asynchronous out-of-band delivery of embedded media objects. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The invention is described herein with regard to preferred steps and data structures. Those skilled in the art will recognize, after perusal of this application, that the described steps and data structures are not limited to any particular circuits. Rather, those of ordinary skill in the art would be able to implement the described steps and data structures, and equivalents thereof, without undue experimentation or further invention. All such implementations are within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   Lexicography 
   The following terms refer or relate to aspects of the invention as described below. The descriptions of general meanings of these terms are not intended to be limiting, only illustrative. 
   out-of-band—In general, a technique or mode of operation different from that which is normally used. For example, where an email may normally be used to transfer data; data may be transferred using File Transfer Protocol (FTP). In this case FTP is an out-of-band technique. 
   As noted above, these descriptions of general meanings of these terms are not intended to be limiting, only illustrative. Other and further applications of the invention, including extensions of these terms and concepts, would be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art after perusing this application. These other and further applications are part of the scope and spirit of the invention, and would be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art, without further invention or undue experimentation. 
   System Elements 
     FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a system for asynchronous out-of-band delivery of embedded media objects. 
   A system  100  includes a sender  110 , a sender gateway  120 , a communications network  130 , a recipient gateway  140 , a recipient  150 , and an application service provider  160 . 
   The sender  110 , includes a processor, program and data memory, mass storage, an input device, an interface device capable of coupling with a communications link  115 , and program software. The sender  110  preferably includes a personal computer or similar device. The program software enables the sender  110  to perform the function of exchanging data with external devices. 
   The communications link  115  operates to couple the sender  110  and all other devices either directly or indirectly to the communications network  130 . 
   A sender gateway  120  includes a processor, program and data memory, mass storage, an interface device capable of coupling with the communications link  115 , and program software. A gateway is a network point that acts as an entrance to another network. The sender gateway  120  operates to provide an entrance (“gateway”) from the network of the sender  110  to other networks, such as the network of the recipient  150 . Gateways are known in the art. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the sender  110  and the sender gateway  120  are separate devices, however, in alternative embodiments the sender  110  and the sender gateway  120  may be the same device. Moreover, in further alternative embodiments the sender  110  (and sender gateway  120 , if any) can be the same device as the recipient  150  (and recipient gateway  140 , if any). 
   A communications network  130  includes at least a portion of a communication network, such as a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network, a virtual switched network, or some combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the communication network  130  includes a packet switched network such as the Internet, as well as (in addition to or instead of) the communication networks just noted, or any other set of communication networks that enable the elements described herein to perform the functions described herein. 
   The recipient gateway  140 , similar to the sender gateway  120 , includes a processor, program and data memory, mass storage, an interface device capable of coupling with the communications link  115 , and program software. The recipient gateway  140  operates to provide an entrance (“gateway”) from the network of the recipient  150  to other networks, such as the network of the sender  110 . 
   As noted above, although the sender gateway  120  and the recipient gateway  140  are shown as separate devices, there is no requirement that they are separate devices. In an alternative embodiment, the sender gateway  120  and the recipient gateway may be the same device. 
   The sender gateway  120  and the recipient gateway  140  are optional elements of the system  100 . In alternative embodiments, the system  100  may be configured with either the sender gateway  120 , the recipient gateway  140 , both or neither. In embodiments where the sender gateway  120  is not present, the sender  110 , the recipient gateway  140 , the ASP  160  or some combination may provide its functions. In embodiments where the recipient gateway  140  is not present, the recipient  150 , the sender gateway  120 , the ASP  160  or some combination may provide its functions. 
   The recipient  150  includes a processor, program and data memory, mass storage, an input device, an interface device capable of coupling with a communications link  115 , and program software. The recipient  150  preferably includes a personal computer or similar device. The program software enables the recipient  150  to perform the function of exchanging data with external devices. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the recipient  150  and the recipient gateway  140  are separate devices, however, in an alternative embodiment the recipient  150  and the recipient gateway  140  may be the same device. 
   An application service provider  160  includes a processor, program and data memory, mass storage, an interface device capable of coupling with the communications link  115 , and program software. The application service provider (ASP)  160  operates to provide specialized applications remotely located to the user that would be expensive to install and maintain within their own company or on their own computer. Application Service Providers are known in the art. 
   In a preferred embodiment, a media object  111  includes an electronic data file in a media format such as MPEG2. Media objects are known in the art. An email  112  includes electronic data in a file. Electronic mail (e-mail) is known in the art. 
   System Operation 
     FIG. 2  shows a process flow diagram for asynchronous out-of-band delivery of embedded media objects. 
   A method  200  is performed by the system  100 . Although the method  200  is described serially, the steps of the method  200  can be performed by separate elements in conjunction or in parallel, whether asynchronously, in a pipelined manner, or otherwise. Similarly, although the method  200  is described as being performed by separate elements, these separate elements can be combined. Lastly, there is no particular requirement that the method  200  be performed in the same order in which this description lists the steps, except where so indicated. 
   At a flow point  210 , the system  100  is ready to begin performing a method  200 . 
   At a step  220 , the sender  110  initiates an email  112  with a media object  111  attached. The sender  110  composes an email  112  addressed to the recipient  150  and attaches a media object  111  to the email  112 . Generally, this is achieved using an email program such as Microsoft Outlook or Netscape Navigator. 
   At a step  230 , the sender gateway  120  replaces the media object  111  with a link (also known as a hypertext link) and caches the media object  111  at the sender gateway  120  for delivery to the recipient  150  using an out-of-band (non-email) technique. In a preferred embodiment, delivery of the media object  111  is separate from the email  110  using a protocol that can reliably transfer large files such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Generally, delivery of the media object  111  will be at a different time than the email  122  (asynchronous transmission), however it may occur simultaneously. 
   At a step  240 , the email  112 , excluding the media object  111 , is delivered to the recipient  150  through a normal electronic mail transfer. The recipient  150  does not have to wait long from the time that the email  112  is sent. The email  112  is delivered quickly. Using the current state of the art, the recipient  150  would have to wait an extraordinary amount of time while the email  112  and the large attached media object  111  are delivered together. 
   At a step  250 , the media object  111  is delivered asynchronously from the email  112  to a location close to the recipient  150 , such as the recipient gateway  140 , the recipient  150  itself, or a relatively nearby caching server. This delivery may be triggered automatically by the sender  110 , sender gateway  120 , recipient gateway  140 , recipient  150 , or ASP  160  depending on the elements present in the system  100  as detailed in the alternative embodiments herein. 
   When the recipient  150  chooses to view the media object  111 , the object is transferred from its relatively close cached location to the recipient  150 . Since the cached location is functionally closer to the recipient  150  than the sender  110 , and the network connecting the recipient  150  and the cached location can potentially be much higher speed, the final transfer of the media object  111  is relatively fast. 
   At a step  260  the email  112  has been delivered, and at the discretion of the recipient  150  the media object  111  and email  112  have been viewed. 
   At this step  260  the method  200  has completed and may be repeated. 
   System Configurations 
   The invention is flexible with regard to its implementation. In one embodiment the system  100  includes all the elements illustrated in  FIG. 1  except the ASP  160 . As previously mentioned, the sender gateway  120  and the recipient gateway  140  may also be optional. In alternative embodiments, the system  100  includes the core elements of a sender  110 , media object  111 , email  112 , communications network  130 , and recipient  150 . In addition to these elements, an alternative embodiment may use any combination of the sender gateway  120 , recipient gateways  140 , and ASP  160 . 
   In a first alternative embodiment an ASP  160  is used. The email  112  and media object  111  are sent to the ASP  160 . The ASP  160  strips the media object  111  from the email  112  and delivers the email to the recipient  150 . The media object  111  is then delivered using an out-of-band transfer technique to a location relatively local to the recipient  150 . This location may be a caching server in the network, the recipient gateway  140 , or the recipient  150 . 
   In a second alternative embodiment no sender gateway  120  or ASP  160  is used. The sender  110  initiates an email  112  with an attached media object  111 . The email  112  is delivered through the standard e-mail delivery process with an embedded link to the media object  111  and the media object  111  is delivered out-of-band to a location close to the recipient  140 . 
   In a third alternative embodiment the sender  110  or sender gateway  120  may send a probing signal to one or both of the recipient  150  and ASP  160  to determine the best method of delivery. For example, the probe may determine whether there is an intermediate location where the media object  111  may be cached close to the recipient gateway  140 , recipient  150 , or ASP  160 . The probe may also be used to detect the transfer protocol and media object  111  format preferred by the recipient  150 . The sender  110  or sender gateway  120  may then reformat the media object  111  and use the suggested protocol and route to deliver the media object  111 . 
   In a fourth alternative embodiment the recipient gateway  140  checks received email  112  automatically on a regular basis for any links to media objects  111  embedded in the email  112 . Thus, it may pre-cache any links contained in the email  112 . 
   In a fifth alternative embodiment the sender gateway  140  separates the media object  111  from the email  112 , caches the media object  111  locally, and inserts a link into the email  112  through which the media object  111  may be accessed. This allows the recipient  150  or any intermediate device (such as, the recipient gateway  140  or ASP  160 ) to access the media object  111  on demand once the email  112  has been received. 
   Generality of the Invention 
   The invention has general applicability to sending and receiving relatively large documents in association with relatively short messages.