Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8078678?dq=patent:5881444
Timestamp: 2016-09-29 06:00:24
Document Index: 95221494

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 01954931', 'Application No. 03731244', 'Application No. 2002', 'Application No. 2']

Patent US8078678 - Video messaging - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsSystems and techniques for transferring electronic data between users of a communications system by receiving, at an instant messaging host, a video file from a sender and intended for a recipient; authenticating the video file; and sending the video file to the intended recipient....http://www.google.com/patents/US8078678?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8078678 - Video messagingAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS8078678 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 13/118,187Publication dateDec 13, 2011Priority dateJul 25, 2000Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2417244A1, CA2417244C, CN1293740C, CN1449620A, DE60144233D1, EP1303974A2, EP1303974B1, US7984098, US8918727, US9071725, US9100538, US20030208543, US20110231506, US20120084671, US20130066989, US20130093828, US20160021337, WO2002009437A2, WO2002009437A3Publication number118187, 13118187, US 8078678 B2, US 8078678B2, US-B2-8078678, US8078678 B2, US8078678B2InventorsNoel Enete, Wayne Packard, Harry W. MorrisOriginal AssigneeAol Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (289), Non-Patent Citations (285), Referenced by (8), Classifications (45), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetVideo messaging
US 8078678 B2Abstract
initiating an instant messaging session between a sender and a recipient;
transmitting an instant message to a server;
receiving an authentication report from the server indicating that the recipient is a valid recipient;
receiving a report from the server that contains capability information of the recipient;
transmitting a video messaging session initiation request to the server;
receiving a report from the server that a video messaging session has been established between the sender and the recipient;
generating a video message; and
transmitting the video message to the recipient.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sender is associated with a first subscriber and the recipient is associated with a second subscriber.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein initiating an instant messaging session comprises:
transmitting, to the server, an access request from the sender, the request comprising first subscriber identity information.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication report is created based on matching identity information corresponding to the sender and the recipient with identity information corresponding to valid subscribers stored in a reverse look-up table.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the capability information comprises an indication of the capability of the recipient to receive video instant messages.
6. A computer readable storage medium, wherein the computer readable storage medium is storing instructions for:
7. The computer readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the sender is associated with a first subscriber and the recipient is associated with a second subscriber.
8. The computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein initiating an instant messaging session comprises:
9. The computer readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the authentication report is created based on matching identity information corresponding to the sender and the recipient with identity information corresponding to valid subscribers stored in a reverse look-up table.
10. The computer readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the capability information comprises an indication of the capability of the recipient to receive video instant messages.
receiving, at a server, an instant message that is addressed from a sender to a recipient;
transmitting, from the server, an authentication report indicating that the recipient is a valid recipient;
transmitting, from the server, a report that contains capability information of the recipient;
receiving, from at least one of the sender or the recipient, a video messaging session initiation request;
generating, by the server, a report that a video messaging session has been established between the sender and the recipient; and
enabling the transmission a of a video message from the sender to the recipient.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the sender is associated with a first subscriber and the recipient is associated with a second subscriber.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising initiating an instant messaging session between the sender and the recipient, wherein initiating the instant messaging session comprises:
receiving, by the server, an access request from the sender, the request comprising first subscriber identity information;
receiving, by the server, an access request from the recipient, the request comprising second subscriber identity information;
verifying, by the server, the first subscriber identity information and the second identity information; and
authorizing access to the server by the sender and the recipient.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the authentication report is created by matching identity information corresponding to the sender and the recipient with identity information corresponding to valid subscribers stored in a reverse look-up table.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the capability information comprises an indication of the capability of the recipient to receive video instant messages.
16. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:
17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the sender is associated with a first subscriber and the recipient is associated with a second subscriber.
18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises initiating an instant messaging session between the sender and the recipient, and wherein initiating the instant messaging session comprises:
19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the authentication report is created by matching identity information corresponding to the sender and the recipient with identity information corresponding to valid subscribers stored in a reverse look-up table.
20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the capability information comprises an indication of the capability of the recipient to receive video instant messages.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/911,799, filed Jul. 25, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,984,098, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/220,648, filed Jul. 25, 2000, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, implementations may include receiving and authenticating a text instant message from the sender at the instant messaging host; determining capabilities of the recipient; reporting the capabilities of the recipient; receiving a request to establish video communication from the sender and/or the recipient; and/or authenticating the request. Authenticating may include identifying a screen name and/or an IP address of the sender and/or the recipient. Determining capabilities of the recipient may include identifying hardware or software associated with the recipient. A user interface may be displayed according to the capabilities of the recipient.
The communications link 115 may include a delivery network 160 for directly or indirectly connecting the client system 105 and the host system 110, irrespective of physical separation. The delivery network 160 may include one or more interconnected networks such as, for example, the Internet, the World Wide Web (“Web”), a WAN, a LAN, an analog and/or a digital wired or wireless telephone network (e.g., PSTN, ISDN, and xDSL), a radio network, a television network, a cable network, a satellite network, and/or any other delivery mechanism for carrying data. The delivery network 160 also may include several intermediate and/or routing devices, such as, for example, proxy servers, bridges, and routers. The communications link 115 may include one or more communication pathways (e.g., pathway 150 and/or pathway 155) that enable communications through the delivery network 160. Each communication pathway (e.g., pathway 150 and/or pathway 155) may include, for example, a wired, wireless, cable or satellite communication pathway.
The general-purpose computer 270 also includes a central processing unit 282 (“CPU”) for executing instructions in response to commands from the client controller 225. The client controller 225 may include one or more of the application programs installed on the internal or external storage 272 of the general-purpose computer 270. The client controller 225 also may include application programs externally stored in and performed by one or more device(s) external to the general-purpose computer 270.
The OSP host complex 480 also includes a proxy server 4806 for directing data requests and/or otherwise facilitating communication between the client system 405 and the Internet 465. The proxy server 4806 may include an IP (“Internet Protocol”) tunnel for converting data from OSP protocol into standard Internet protocol and transmitting the data to the Internet 465. The IP tunnel also converts data received from the Internet 465 in the standard Internet protocol back into the OSP protocol and sends the converted data to the routing processor 4802 for delivery back to the client system 405.
The proxy server 4806 also may allow the client system 405 to use standard Internet protocols and formatting to access the OSP host complex 480 and the Internet 465. For example, the subscriber may use an OSP TV client application having an embedded browser application installed on the client system 405 to generate a request in standard Internet protocol, such as HTTP. In a packet-based implementation, data packets may be encapsulated inside a standard Internet tunneling protocol, such as UDP, for example, and routed to the proxy server 4806. The proxy server 4806 also may include an L2TP tunnel capable of establishing a point-to-point protocol (“PPP”) session with the client system 405.
Examples of each element within the communications system of FIG. 5 are broadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4. In particular, the client system 505 and the communications link 515 may have attributes comparable to those described with respect to client systems 105, 205, 305, and 405 and communications links 115, 215, 315, and 415 of FIGS. 1-4. Likewise, the host system 510 of FIG. 5 may have attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of the host systems 110, 210, 310, and 410 shown in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 5 describes an aspect of the host system 510, focusing primarily on one particular implementation of the IM host complex 590.
The host system 510 includes a login server 570 capable of enabling communications with and authorizing access by client systems 505 to various elements of the host system 510, including an OSP host complex 580 and an IM host complex 590. The login server 570 may implement one or more authorization procedures to enable simultaneous access to the OSP host complex 580 and the IM host complex 590. The OSP host complex 580 and the IM host complex 590 are connected through one or more OSP host complex gateways 585 and one or more IM host complex gateways 595. Each OSP host complex gateway 585 and IM host complex gateway 595 may perform any necessary protocol conversions to enable communication among the OSP host complex 580, the IM host complex 590, and/or the Internet 565.
After reporting the capabilities of the recipient 602 b to the sender 602 a (step 620) or at any time after authenticating the instant message (step 616), the host 604 sends the instant message to the recipient 602 b (step 626). The recipient 602 b accepts the instant message from the host 604 (step 628) and displays a UI corresponding to the capabilities of the sender 602 a and/or the recipient 602 b (step 630). In general, if the recipient 602 b is not video-enabled, then the recipient 602 b displays a standard instant messaging UI. If the recipient 602 b is video-enabled, the recipient 602 b displays a video messaging UI (e.g., UI 700, UI 800).
The recipient 602 b receives the connect request (step 640) and then displays a UI informing the recipient 602 b that the sender 602 a wants to engage in a video message session (step 642). In one implementation, shown in FIG. 9, a Connect UI 900 includes an IM window 905 for displaying a running transcript of an IM session, a text message area 910 for entering the text of an instant message, and an IM toolbar 912 for changing text or background colors, changing text size, emphasizing text (e.g., bold, italic, or underlining), and inserting objects (e.g., emoticons, hyperlinks, images). The Connect UI 900 also includes IM buttons 914 for performing IM functions such as sending instant messages, canceling an instant message or IM session, getting the profile of a sender, and notifying the OSP of offending conduct. In addition, the Connect UI 900 includes a notification 916 and a connect button 918 for authorizing the host 604 to establish a video message connection when clicked.
After the host 604 establishes a video message session (step 646), the sender 602 a generates a video message (step 648). In one implementation, shown in FIG. 10A, the sender 602 a is presented with an Instant Video Message UI 1000. The Instant Video Message UI 1000 includes an IM window 1005 for displaying a running transcript of an IM session and a text message area 1010 for entering the text of an instant message. The Instant Video Message UI 1000 also includes a send video message window 1015 for recording, previewing, and/or sending a video message, a transfer indicator 1020 for indicating the transfer of data from the sender 602 a, a Record button 1025 to start recording a video message, a Send button 1030 to send a recorded video message, and Clear button 1035 to delete a recorded video message. A screen name associated with the sender 602 a is displayed at the top of the send video message window 1015. The Instant Video Message UI 1000 additionally includes a receive move message window 1040 for viewing a received video message and a transfer indicator 1045 for indicating the transfer of data to the sender 602 b. A screen name associated with the recipient 602 b is displayed at the top of the receive video message window 1040.
In one implementation, an active video messaging session uses three communication channels: a Generic Signaling Interface (GSI) channel, a Control channel, and a Video channel. The GSI channel is used by the video session to establish the initial connection. During this connection, the local IP addresses are exchanged. After the initial connection phase is done, the GSI channel is no longer used. By using the GSI channel, the exchange of local IF addresses is only done when both users authorize such an exchange by, for example, clicking on the Connect button 918. These actions protect users from having their local LP address automatically obtained without their consent.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. In particular, a video-enabled IM client can conduct messaging sessions with any type of IM client capable of messaging. For example, if the recipient 602 b does not have the capability to receive a video message, the sender 602 a may store the video message as a video file and then transfer the video file to the recipient 602 b. The video file may be transferred as an e-mail attachment or transferred directly through a socket connection as described in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/572,952, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. In this way, a subscriber without camera equipment can still communicate with video-enabled IM clients by viewing a transferred video file and then responding to the video file by sending an instant message.
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ACM Press.285ZeroDegrees home page, www-zerodegrees.com, Jan. 24, 2004, available at http://web.archive.org/web/20040204153037/www.zerodegrees.com/home.htm, printed Mar. 16, 2005, 2 pages.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8605867 *Aug 4, 2011Dec 10, 2013At&T Intellectual Property I, Lp.Audio message delivery over instant messagingUS8635293 *Jun 13, 2011Jan 21, 2014Microsoft CorporationAsynchronous video threadsUS8918727Dec 9, 2011Dec 23, 2014Facebook, Inc.Video messagingUS9049159Sep 14, 2012Jun 2, 2015Facebook, Inc.Establishing audio communication sessionsUS9071725Sep 13, 2012Jun 30, 2015Facebook, Inc.Methods and user interfaces for video messagingUS9100538Sep 13, 2012Aug 4, 2015Facebook, Inc.Limited length video messagingUS9356891Sep 14, 2012May 31, 2016Facebook, Inc.Voice messaging interfaceUS20110289174 *Nov 24, 2011At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Audio Message Delivery Over Instant Messaging* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification709/204, 709/205, 709/207, 709/206, 709/227International ClassificationG06F15/16, H04N7/14, H04L12/18, H04M3/53, H04L12/58, H04M3/56, H04N7/173, G06F13/00, H04N21/4788, H04N21/258Cooperative ClassificationH04N7/148, H04L65/403, H04L51/10, H04L51/046, H04N7/155, H04L51/00, H04N7/147, H04N21/4788, H04L12/1813, H04M3/5307, H04M3/567, H04M3/5315, H04L12/1822, H04N7/17318, H04L51/04, H04N21/25816, H04N21/25833, H04M2203/4536, H04M2201/50, H04L12/581European ClassificationH04N21/4788, H04L12/58B, H04L12/18D2, H04N7/14A3, H04M3/53M, H04N7/173B2, H04N21/258C3, H04N21/258C1, H04M3/56M, H04L51/04Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionAug 22, 2011ASAssignmentOwner name: AOL INC., VIRGINIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AOL LLC;REEL/FRAME:026784/0919Effective date: 20091204Owner name: AOL LLC, VIRGINIAFree format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:AMERICA ONLINE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:026787/0401Effective date: 20060403Owner name: AMERICA ONLINE, INC., VIRGINIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ENETE, NOEL;PACKARD, WAYNE;MORRIS, HARRY W.;SIGNING DATES FROM 20010725 TO 20011105;REEL/FRAME:026783/0525Jul 3, 2012ASAssignmentOwner name: FACEBOOK, INC., CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AOL INC.;REEL/FRAME:028487/0466Effective date: 20120614May 27, 2015FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services