(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0023131 A1
`Wu et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Feb. 21, 2002
`
`US 20020023 13 1A1
`
`(54) VOICE INSTANT MESSAGING
`
`(76) Inventors: ShuWu Wu, Foothill Ranch, CA (US);
`James Crawford, Belmont, MA (US)
`
`of provisional application No. 60/239,917, ?led on
`Oct. 13, 2000.
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`Correspondence Address:
`ROBERT V. RACUNAS
`Fish & Richardson RC.
`601 Thirteenth Street, NW
`Washington, DC 20005 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/810,159
`
`(22) Filed;
`
`Man 19, 2001
`Related US Application Data
`
`(63) Non-provisional of provisional application No,
`60/189,974, ?led on Mar. 17, 2000. Non-provisional
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ........................... .. G06F 15/16; G09G 5/00
`(52) US. Cl. ......................... .. 709/205; 345/753; 709/227
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`_
`_
`_
`Systems and techniques for transferring electronic data
`include enabling instant messaging communication betWeen
`a sender an at least one recipient through an instant mes
`saging host. In addition, voice communication is enabled
`betWeen the sender and the recipient through the instant
`messaging b051
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`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1009
`
`Page 1 of 17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 21, 2002 Sheet 1 0f 7
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 21, 2002 Sheet 5 0f 7
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`Page 6 of 17
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Page 7 of 17
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`Page 7 of 17
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 21, 2002 Sheet 7 0f 7
`
`US 2002/0023131 A1
`
`~ \QNSTANT M?iAGETUfT/XLKTS
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`Page 8 of 17
`
`

`

`US 2002/0023131 A1
`
`Feb. 21, 2002
`
`VOICE INSTANT MESSAGING
`
`[0001] This application claims the bene?t of US. Provi
`sional Application No. 60/189,974 ?led Mar. 17, 2000 and
`US. Provisional Application No. 60/239,917 ?led Oct. 13,
`2000.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0002] The present invention relates generally to transfer
`ring data betWeen subscribers of a communications system
`and more particularly to transferring audio data betWeen
`subscribers of an instant messaging host.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0003] Online service providers are constantly offering
`neW services and upgrading existing services to enhance
`their subscribers’ online experience. Subscribers have on
`demand access to neWs, Weather, ?nancial, sports, and
`entertainment services as Well as the ability to transmit
`electronic messages and to participate in online discussion
`groups. For example, subscribers of online service providers
`such as America Online or CompuServe may vieW and
`retrieve information on a Wide variety of topics from servers
`located throughout the World. A server may be maintained
`by the service provider or by a third party provider Who
`makes information and services available through the World
`Wide netWork of computers that make up the online service.
`
`[0004] America Online has provided subscribers With the
`ability to send and receive instant messages. Instant mes
`sages are private online conversations betWeen tWo or more
`people Who have subscribed to the instant messaging service
`and have installed the necessary softWare. Because such
`online conversations take place in essentially real time,
`instant messaging can provide immediate access to desired
`information. Instant messaging is becoming a preferred
`means of communicating among online subscribers.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0005] In one general aspect, electronic data is transferred
`betWeen users of a communications system by enabling
`instant messaging communication betWeen a sender an at
`least one recipient through an instant messaging host. In
`addition, voice communication is enabled betWeen the
`sender and the recipient through the instant messaging host.
`
`[0006] 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 voice communi
`cation from the sender and/or the recipient; and/or authen
`ticating 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. Auser interface may be displayed according to the
`capabilities of the recipient.
`[0007] Voice communication may be enabled by estab
`lishing a generic signaling interface channel, a control
`channel, and an audio channel betWeen the sender and the
`recipient. A mode UDP test may be attempted on the audio
`
`channel. The control channel may include a TCP/IP socket.
`The audio channel may include a UDP or TCP channel.
`
`[0008] These and other general aspects may be imple
`mented by an apparatus and/or by a computer program
`stored on a computer readable medium. The computer
`readable medium may comprise a disc, a client device, a host
`device, and/or a propagated signal.
`[0009] Other features and advantages Will be apparent
`from the folloWing description, including the draWings, and
`from the claims.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications
`
`FIGS. 2-5 are expansions of the block diagram of
`
`[0010]
`system.
`[0011]
`FIG. 1.
`
`[0012] FIG. 6 is a How chart of a communications method
`that may be implemented by the systems of FIGS. 1-5.
`
`[0013] FIGS. 7-10 are illustrations of different graphical
`user interfaces that may be provided by the systems of FIGS.
`1-5.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0014] For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 1-5 describe a
`communications system for implementing techniques for
`transferring electronic data. For brevity, several elements in
`the ?gures described beloW are represented as monolithic
`entities. HoWever, as Would be understood by one skilled in
`the art, these elements each may include numerous inter
`connected computers and components designed to perform
`a set of speci?ed operations and/or dedicated to a particular
`geographical region.
`[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a communications system 100
`is capable of delivering and exchanging data betWeen a
`client system 105 and a host system 110 through a commu
`nications link 115. The client system 105 typically includes
`one or more client devices 120 and/or client controllers 125.
`For example, the client system 105 may include one or more
`general-purpose computers (e.g., personal computers), one
`or more special-purpose computers (e.g., devices speci?
`cally programmed to communicate With each other and/or
`the host system 110), or a combination of one or more
`general-purpose computers and one or more special-purpose
`computers. The client system 105 may be arranged to
`operate Within or in concert With one or more other systems,
`such as for example, one or more LANs (“Local Area
`NetWorks”) and/or one or more WANs (“Wide Area Net
`Works”).
`[0016] The client device 120 is generally capable of
`executing instructions under the command of a client con
`troller 125. The client device 120 is connected to the client
`controller 125 by a Wired or Wireless data pathWay 130
`capable of delivering data.
`[0017] The client device 120 and client controller 125
`each typically includes one or more hardWare components
`and/or softWare components. An example of a client device
`120 is a general-purpose computer (e.g., a personal com
`puter) capable of responding to and executing instructions in
`a de?ned manner. Other examples include a special-purpose
`
`Page 9 of 17
`
`

`

`US 2002/0023131 A1
`
`Feb. 21, 2002
`
`computer, a Workstation, a server, a device, a component,
`other equipment or some combination thereof capable of
`responding to and executing instructions. An example of
`client controller 125 is a softWare application loaded on the
`client device 120 for commanding and directing communi
`cations enabled by the client device 120. Other examples
`include a program, a piece of code, an instruction, a device,
`a computer, a computer system, or a combination thereof, for
`independently or collectively instructing the client device
`120 to interact and operate as described herein. The client
`controller 125 may be embodied permanently or temporarily
`in any type of machine, component, equipment, storage
`medium, or propagated signal capable of providing instruc
`tions to the client device 120.
`
`[0018] The communications link 115 typically includes a
`delivery netWork 160 making a direct or indirect commu
`nication betWeen the client system 105 and the host system
`110, irrespective of physical separation. Examples of a
`delivery netWork 160 include the Internet, the World Wide
`Web, WANs, LANs, analog or digital Wired and Wireless
`telephone netWorks (e.g. PSTN, ISDN, or xDSL), radio,
`television, cable, satellite, and/or any other delivery mecha
`nism for carrying data. The communications link 115 may
`include communication pathWays 150, 155 that enable com
`munications through the one or more delivery netWorks 160
`described above. Each of the communication pathWays 150,
`155 may include, for example, a Wired, Wireless, cable or
`satellite communication pathWay.
`
`[0019] The host system 110 includes a host device 135
`capable of executing instructions under the command and
`direction of a host controller 140. The host device 135 is
`connected to the host controller 140 by a Wired or Wireless
`data pathWay 145 capable of carrying and delivering data.
`
`[0020] The host system 110 typically includes one or more
`host devices 135 and/or host controllers 140. For example,
`the host system 110 may include one or more general
`purpose computers (e.g., personal computers), one or more
`special-purpose computers (e.g., devices speci?cally pro
`grammed to communicate With each other and/or the client
`system 105), or a combination of one or more general
`purpose computers and one or more special-purpose com
`puters. The host system 110 may be arranged to operate
`Within or in concert With one or more other systems, such as,
`for example, one or more LANs (“Local Area Networks”)
`and/or one or more WANs (“Wide Area Networks”).
`
`[0021] The host device 135 and host controller 140 each
`typically includes one or more hardWare components and/or
`softWare components. An example of a host device 135 is a
`general-purpose computer (e.g., a personal computer)
`capable of responding to and executing instructions in a
`de?ned manner. Other examples include a special-purpose
`computer, a Workstation, a server, a device, a component,
`other equipment or some combination thereof capable of
`responding to and executing instructions. An example of
`host controller 140 is a softWare application loaded on the
`host device 135 for commanding and directing communi
`cations enabled by the host device 135. Other examples
`include a program, a piece of code, an instruction, a device,
`a computer, a computer system, or a combination thereof, for
`independently or collectively instructing the host device 135
`to interact and operate as described herein. The host con
`troller 140 may be embodied permanently or temporarily in
`
`any type of machine, component, equipment, storage
`medium, or propagated signal capable of providing instruc
`tions to the host device 135.
`
`[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a communication system 200
`including a client system 205 communicating With a host
`system 210 through a communications link 215. Client
`system 205 typically includes one or more client devices 220
`and one or more client controllers 225 for controlling the
`client devices 220. Host system 210 typically includes one
`or more host devices 235 and one or more host controllers
`240 for controlling the host devices 235. The communica
`tions link 215 may include communication pathWays 250,
`255 enabling communications through the one or more
`delivery netWorks 260.
`[0023] Examples of each element Within the communica
`tion system of FIG. 2 are broadly described above With
`respect to FIG. 1. In particular, the host system 210 and
`communications link 215 typically have attributes compa
`rable to those described With respect to host system 10 and
`communications link 115 of FIG. 1. LikeWise, the client
`system 205 of FIG. 2 typically has attributes comparable to
`and illustrates one possible embodiment of the client system
`105 of FIG. 1.
`
`[0024] The client device 220 typically includes a general
`purpose computer 270 having an internal or external storage
`272 for storing data and programs such as an operating
`system 274 (e.g., DOS, WindoWsTM, Windows 95”‘, Win
`doWs 98”‘, Windows ZOOOTM, WindoWs NTTM, 05/2, or
`Linux) and one or more application programs. Examples of
`application programs include authoring applications 276
`(e.g., Word processing, database programs, spreadsheet pro
`grams, or graphics programs) capable of generating docu
`ments or other electronic content; client applications 278
`(e.g., AOL client, CompuServe client, AIM client, AOL TV
`client, or ISP client) capable of communicating With other
`computer users, accessing various computer resources, and
`vieWing, creating, or otherWise manipulating electronic con
`tent; and broWser applications 280 (e.g., Netscape’s Navi
`gator or Microsoft’s Internet Explorer) capable of rendering
`standard Internet content.
`
`[0025] 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. In
`one implementation, the client controller 225 includes one
`or more of the application programs installed on the internal
`or external storage 272 of the general-purpose computer
`270. In another implementation, the client controller 225
`includes application programs externally stored in and per
`formed by one or more device(s) external to the general
`purpose computer 270.
`[0026] The general-purpose computer typically Will
`include a communication device 284 for sending and receiv
`ing data. One example of the communication device 284 is
`a modem. Other examples include a transceiver, a set-top
`box, a communication card, a satellite dish, an antenna, or
`another netWork adapter capable of transmitting and receiv
`ing data over the communications link 215 through a Wired
`or Wireless data pathWay 250. The general purpose computer
`270 also may include a TV (“television”) tuner 286 for
`receiving television programming in the form of broadcast,
`satellite, and/or cable TV signals. As a result, the client
`device 220 can selectively and/or simultaneously display
`
`Page 10 of 17
`
`

`

`US 2002/0023131 A1
`
`Feb. 21, 2002
`
`network content received by communications device 284
`and television programming content received by the TV
`tuner 286.
`
`[0027] The general-purpose computer 270 typically Will
`include an input/output interface 288 for Wired or Wireless
`connection to various peripheral devices 290. Examples of
`peripheral devices 290 include, but are not limited to, a
`mouse 291, a mobile phone 292, a personal digital assistant
`293 (PDA), a keyboard 294, a display monitor 295 With or
`Without a touch screen input, a TV remote control 296 for
`receiving information from and rendering information to
`subscribers, and a video input device 298.
`
`[0028] Although FIG. 2 illustrates devices such as a
`mobile telephone 292, a PDA 293, and a TV remote control
`296 as being peripheral With respect to the general-purpose
`computer 270, in another implementation, such devices may
`themselves include the functionality of the general-purpose
`computer 270 and operate as the client device 220. For
`example, the mobile phone 292 or the PDA 293 may include
`computing and netWorking capabilities and function as a
`client device 220 by accessing the delivery netWork 260 and
`communicating With the host system 210. Furthermore, the
`client system 205 may include one, some or all of the
`components and devices described above.
`
`[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, a communications system 300
`is capable of delivering and exchanging information
`betWeen a client system 305 and a host system 310 through
`a communication link 315. Client system 305 typically
`includes one or more client devices 320 and one or more
`client controllers 325 for controlling the client devices 320.
`Host system 310 typically includes one or more host devices
`335 and one or more host controllers 340 for controlling the
`host devices 335. The communications link 315 may include
`communication pathWays 350, 355 enabling communica
`tions through the one or more delivery netWorks 360.
`
`[0030] Examples of each element Within the communica
`tion system of FIG. 3 are broadly described above With
`respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. In particular, the client system 305
`and the communications link 315 typically have attributes
`comparable to those described With respect to client systems
`105 and 205 and communications links 115 and 215 of
`FIGS. 1 and 2. LikeWise, the host system 310 of FIG. 3
`may have attributes comparable to and illustrates one pos
`sible embodiment of the host systems 110 and 210 shoWn in
`FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.
`
`[0031] The host system 310 includes a host device 335 and
`a host controller 340. The host controller 340 is generally
`capable of transmitting instructions to any or all of the
`elements of the host device 335. For example, in one
`implementation, the host controller 340 includes one or
`more softWare applications loaded on the host device 335.
`HoWever, in other implementations, as described above, the
`host controller 340 may include any of several other pro
`grams, machines, and devices operating independently or
`collectively to control the host device 335.
`
`[0032] The host device 335 includes a login server 370 for
`enabling access by subscribers and routing communications
`betWeen the client system 305 and other elements of the host
`device 335. The host device 335 also includes various host
`complexes such as the depicted OSP (“Online Service
`Provider”) host complex 380 and IN (“Instant Messaging”)
`
`host complex 390. To enable access to these host complexes
`by subscribers, the client system 305 includes communica
`tion softWare, for example, an OSP client application and an
`IM client application. The OSP and IM communication
`softWare applications are designed to facilitate the subscrib
`er’s interactions With the respective services and, in particu
`lar, may provide access to all the services available Within
`the respective host complexes.
`
`[0033] Typically, the OSP host complex 380 supports
`different services, such as email, discussion groups, chat,
`neWs services, and Internet access. The OSP host complex
`380 is generally designed With an architecture that enables
`the machines Within the OSP host complex 380 to commu
`nicate With each other and employs certain protocols (i.e.,
`standards, formats, conventions, rules, and structures) to
`transfer data. The OSP host complex 380 ordinarily employs
`one or more OSP protocols and custom dialing engines to
`enable access by selected client applications. The OSP host
`complex 380 may de?ne one or more speci?c protocols for
`each service based on a common, underlying proprietary
`protocol.
`[0034] The IM host complex 390 is generally independent
`of the OSP host complex 380, and supports instant messag
`ing services irrespective of a subscriber’s netWork or Inter
`net access. Thus, the IM host complex 390 alloWs subscrib
`ers to send and receive instant messages, Whether or not they
`have access to any particular ISP. The IM host complex 390
`may support associated services, such as administrative
`matters, advertising, directory services, chat, and interest
`groups related to the instant messaging. The IM host com
`plex 390 has an architecture that enables all of the machines
`Within the IM host complex to communicate With each other.
`To transfer data, the IM host complex 390 employs one or
`more standard or exclusive IM protocols.
`
`[0035] The host device 335 may include one or more
`gateWays that connect and therefore link complexes, such as
`the OSP host complex gateWay 385 and the IM host complex
`gateWay 395. The OSP host complex gateWay 385 and the
`IM host complex 395 gateWay may directly or indirectly link
`the OSP host complex 380 With the IM host complex 390
`through a Wired or Wireless pathWay. Ordinarily, When used
`to facilitate a link betWeen complexes, the OSP host com
`plex gateWay 385 and the IM host complex gateWay 395 are
`privy to information regarding the protocol type anticipated
`by a destination complex, Which enables any necessary
`protocol conversion to be performed incident to the transfer
`of data from one complex to another. For instance, the OSP
`host complex 380 and IM host complex 390 generally use
`different protocols such that transferring data betWeen the
`complexes requires protocol conversion by or at the request
`of the OSP host complex gateWay 385 and/or the IM host
`complex gateWay 395.
`
`[0036] Referring to FIG. 4, a communications system 400
`is capable of delivering and exchanging information
`betWeen a client system 405 and a host system 410 through
`a communication link 415. Client system 405 typically
`includes one or more client devices 420 and one or more
`client controllers 425 for controlling the client devices 420.
`Host system 410 typically includes one or more host devices
`435 and one or more host controllers 440 for controlling the
`host devices 435. The communications link 415 may include
`communication pathWays 450, 455 enabling communica
`
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`tions through the one or more delivery networks 460. As
`shoWn, the client system 405 may access the Internet 465
`through the host system 410.
`[0037] Examples of each element Within the communica
`tion system of FIG. 4 are broadly described above With
`respect to FIGS. 1-3. In particular, the client system 405 and
`the communications link 415 typically have attributes com
`parable to those described With respect to client systems 105,
`205, and 305 and communications links 115, 215, and 315
`of FIGS. 1-3. LikeWise, the host system 410 of FIG. 4 may
`have attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible
`embodiment of the host systems 110, 210, and 310 shoWn in
`FIG. 13, respectively. HoWever, FIG. 4 describes an aspect
`of the host system 410, focusing primarily on one particular
`implementation of OSP host complex 480. For purposes of
`communicating With an OSP host complex 480, the delivery
`netWork 460 is generally a telephone netWork.
`
`[0038] The client system 405 includes a client device 420
`and a client controller 425. The client controller 425 is
`generally capable of establishing a connection to the host
`system 410, including the OSP host complex 480, the IM
`host complex 490 and/or the Internet 465. In one implemen
`tation, the client controller 425 includes an OSP application
`for communicating With servers in the OSP host complex
`480 using exclusive OSP protocols. The client controller 425
`also may include applications, such as an IM client appli
`cation, and/or an Internet broWser application, for commu
`nicating With the IM host complex 490 and the Internet 465.
`
`[0039] The host system 410 includes a host device 435 and
`a host controller 440. The host controller 440 is generally
`capable of transmitting instructions to any or all of the
`elements of the host device 435. For example, in one
`implementation, the host controller 440 includes one or
`more softWare applications loaded on one or more elements
`of the host device 435. HoWever, in other implementations,
`as described above, the host controller 440 may include any
`of several other programs, machines, and devices operating
`independently or collectively to control the host device 435.
`
`[0040] The host system 410 includes a login server 470
`capable of enabling communications With and authoriZing
`access by client systems 405 to various elements of the host
`system 410, including an OSP host complex 480 and an IM
`host complex 490. The login server 470 may implement one
`or more authoriZation procedures to enable simultaneous
`access to the OSP host complex 480 and the IM host
`complex 490. The OSP host complex 480 and the IM host
`complex 490 are connected through one or more OSP host
`complex gateWays 485 and one or more IM host complex
`gateWays 495. Each OSP host complex gateWay 485 and IM
`host complex gateWay 495 may perform any protocol con
`versions necessary to enable communication betWeen the
`OSP host complex 480, the IM host complex 490, and the
`Internet 465.
`
`[0041] The OSP host complex 480 supports a set of
`services from one or more servers located internal to and
`external from the OSP host complex 480. Servers external to
`the OSP host complex 480 generally may be vieWed as
`existing on the Internet 465. Servers internal to the OSP
`complex 480 may be arranged in one or more con?gurations.
`For example, servers may be arranged in centraliZed or
`localiZed clusters in order to distribute servers and subscrib
`ers Within the OSP host complex 480.
`
`[0042] In the implementation of FIG. 4, the OSP host
`complex 480 includes a routing processor 4802. In general,
`the routing processor 4802 Will examine an address ?eld of
`a data request, use a mapping table to determine the appro
`priate destination for the data request, and direct the data
`request to the appropriate destination. In a packet-based
`implementation, the client system 405 may generate infor
`mation requests, convert the requests into data packets,
`sequence the data packets, perform error checking and other
`packet-sWitching techniques, and transmit the data packets
`to the routing processor 4802. Upon receiving data packets
`from the client system 405, the routing processor 4802 may
`directly or indirectly route the data packets to a speci?ed
`destination Within or outside of the OSP host complex 480.
`For example, in the event that a data request from the client
`system 405 can be satis?ed locally, the routing processor
`4802 may direct the data request to a local server 4804. In
`the event that the data request cannot be satis?ed locally, the
`routing processor 4802 may direct the data request exter
`nally to the Internet 465 or the IM host complex 490 through
`the gateWay 485.
`
`[0043] 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 through. The proxy server 4802 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 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.
`
`[0044] 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 can 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 (“HyperText
`Transport Protocol”). In a packet-based implementation,
`data packets may be encapsulated inside a standard Internet
`tunneling protocol, such as, for example, UDP (“User Data
`gram Protocol”) and routed to the proxy server 4806. The
`proxy server 4806 may include a L2TP (“Layer TWo Tun
`neling Protocol”) tunnel capable of establishing a point-to
`point protocol (PPP) session With the client system 405.
`
`[0045] The proxy server 4806 also may act as a buffer
`betWeen the client system 405 and the Internet 465, and may
`implement content ?ltering and time saving techniques. For
`example, the proxy server 4806 can check parental controls
`settings of the client system 405 and request and transmit
`content from the Internet 465 according to the parental
`control settings. In addition, the proxy server 4806 may
`include one or more caches for storing frequently accessed
`information. If requested data is determined to be stored in
`the caches, the proxy server 4806 may send the information
`to the client system 405 from the caches and avoid the need
`to access the Internet 465.
`
`[0046] Referring to FIG. 5, a communications system 500
`is capable of delivering and exchanging information
`betWeen a client system 505 and a host system 510 through
`a communication link 515. Client system 505 typically
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`includes one or more client devices 520 and one or more
`client controllers 525 for controlling the client devices 520.
`Host system 510 typically includes one or more host devices
`535 and one or more host controllers 540 for controlling the
`host devices 535. The communications link 515 may include
`communication pathWays 550, 555 enabling communica
`tions through the one or more delivery netWorks 560. As
`shoWn, the client system 505 may access the Internet 565
`through the host system 510.
`[0047] Examples of each element Within the communica
`tion 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 typically have attributes com
`parable to those described With respect to client systems 105,
`205, 305, and 405 and communications links 115, 215, 315,
`and 415 of FIGS