US 11,943,186 B2
Real-time messaging method and apparatus
Thomas E Katis, Jackson, WY (US); James T. Panttaja, San Francisco, CA (US); Mary G. Panttaja, San Francisco, CA (US); and Matthew J Ranney, Oakland, CA (US)
Assigned to Voxer IP LLC, San Francisco, CA (US)
Filed by Voxer IP LLC, San Francisco, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/086,468.
Application 18/086,468 is a continuation of application No. 17/361,970, filed on Jun. 29, 2021, abandoned.
Application 17/361,970 is a continuation of application No. 16/424,131, filed on May 28, 2019, granted, now 11,095,583, issued on Aug. 17, 2021.
Application 16/424,131 is a continuation of application No. 15/923,869, filed on Mar. 16, 2018, granted, now 10,326,721, issued on Jun. 18, 2019.
Application 15/923,869 is a continuation of application No. 15/710,627, filed on Sep. 20, 2017, granted, now 10,356,023, issued on Jul. 16, 2019.
Application 15/710,627 is a continuation of application No. 15/233,325, filed on Aug. 10, 2016, granted, now 9,800,528, issued on Oct. 24, 2017.
Application 15/233,325 is a continuation of application No. 15/091,746, filed on Apr. 6, 2016, granted, now 9,634,969, issued on Apr. 25, 2017.
Application 15/091,746 is a continuation of application No. 14/839,266, filed on Aug. 28, 2015, granted, now 9,338,113, issued on May 10, 2016.
Application 14/839,266 is a continuation of application No. 12/857,486, filed on Aug. 16, 2010, granted, now 9,178,916, issued on Nov. 3, 2015.
Application 12/857,486 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/552,980, filed on Sep. 2, 2009, granted, now 8,645,477, issued on Feb. 14, 2014.
Application 12/552,980 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/552,979, filed on Sep. 2, 2009, granted, now 8,688,789, issued on Apr. 1, 2014.
Application 12/552,979 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/419,861, filed on Apr. 7, 2009, abandoned.
Application 12/419,861 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/419,889, filed on Apr. 7, 2009, abandoned.
Application 12/419,889 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/419,914, filed on Apr. 7, 2009, abandoned.
Application 12/419,914 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/028,400, filed on Feb. 8, 2008, granted, now 8,180,029, issued on May 15, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/148,885, filed on Jan. 30, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/999,619, filed on Oct. 19, 2007.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/937,552, filed on Jun. 28, 2007.
Prior Publication US 2023/0130946 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04L 51/10 (2022.01); G06Q 10/107 (2023.01); H04L 45/00 (2022.01); H04L 51/04 (2022.01); H04L 51/046 (2022.01); H04L 51/214 (2022.01); H04L 61/4511 (2022.01); H04L 61/5007 (2022.01); H04L 65/1069 (2022.01); H04L 65/61 (2022.01); H04L 65/612 (2022.01); H04L 67/01 (2022.01); H04L 69/16 (2022.01); H04L 101/37 (2022.01)
CPC H04L 51/10 (2013.01) [G06Q 10/107 (2013.01); H04L 45/34 (2013.01); H04L 51/04 (2013.01); H04L 51/046 (2013.01); H04L 51/214 (2022.05); H04L 61/4511 (2022.05); H04L 61/5007 (2022.05); H04L 65/1069 (2013.01); H04L 65/61 (2022.05); H04L 65/612 (2022.05); H04L 67/01 (2022.05); H04L 69/16 (2013.01); H04L 2101/37 (2022.05)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for conducting a multi-media conversation over a network, comprising:
establishing a network session between a sending device and a network infrastructure located on the network;
identifying, at the sending device, one or more recipients for participation in the multi-media conversation;
receiving, at the network infrastructure, information from the sending device indicative of the one or more recipients for participation in the multi-media conversation;
receiving, at the network infrastructure, video media as the video media is transmitted by the sending device,
wherein the video media is received at the network infrastructure either concurrent with or after receipt of the information, but not before the information;
discovering, by the network infrastructure, one or more delivery route(s) over the network to one or more receiving devices associated with the one or more recipients, the one or more delivery route(s):
(a) discovered using the information indicative of the one or more recipients for participation in the conversation; and
(b) occurring before the transmission of the video media by the sending device is complete;
selectively forwarding the video media to the one or more receiving devices over the one or more discovered delivery route(s) so that the one or more recipients can selectively render at least portions of the video media in a real-time mode:
(c) without having to first establish an end-to-end connection over the network between the sending device and any of the one or more receiving devices respectively; and
(d) before the transmitting of the video media by the sending device is complete;
(e) enabling the one or more participants, or a conversation initiator, to add one or more other messages associated with the video media to the multi-media conversation, the one or more other messages containing one or more types of media;
(f) linking together the one or more other messages associating the video media to construct the multi-media conversation; and
(g) enabling the conversation initiator, and any of the one or more participants, to selectively engage in the multi-media conversation by one of:
(iii) rendering the video media in the real-time mode;
(iv) rendering the one or more other messages that are linked together; or
(v) add a Previously Presented message that is added to the one or more other messages that are linked together.