A000AAI 20030208543A1
`
`as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2003/0208543 Al
`
` Enete et al. (43) Pub. Date: Nov.6, 2003
`
`
`(54) VIDEO MESSAGING
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Noel Enete, Seal Beach, CA (US);
`Wayne Packard, Rancho Santa
`Margarita, CA (US); Harry W. Morris,
`Reston, VA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
`1425 K STREET, N.W.
`11TH FLOOR
`WASHINGTON, DC 20005-3500 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/911,799
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 25, 2001
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 60/220,648, filed on Jul.
`25, 2000.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. ONweescescosuaucrmreeanemnncany 706F 15/16
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Ch ee eeeeeeeeeees 709/206; 709/231; 345/716
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Systems 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 videofile; and
`sending the videofile to the intendedrecipient.
`
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`O Notify AOL
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Nov. 6,2003 Sheet 7 of 14
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Nov. 6,2003 Sheet 8 of 14
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Nov. 6, 2003 Sheet 10 of 14
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Nov. 6,2003 Sheet 11 of 14
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`US 2003/0208543 Al
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`1045
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Nov. 6, 2003 Sheet 12 of 14
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`US 2003/0208543 Al
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Nov. 6, 2003 Sheet 14 0f 14
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`US 2003/0208543 Al
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`Nov. 6, 2003
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`VIDEO MESSAGING
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi-
`sional Application No. 60/220,648 filed Jul. 25, 2000, which
`is incorporated by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`(0002] The present invention relates generally to transfer-
`ring electronic data between subscribers of a communica-
`tions system and more particularly to transferring video
`instant messages between subscribers of an instant messag-
`ing host.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`{0003] Online service providers offer new services and
`upgrade existing services to enhance their subscribers’
`online experience. Subscribers have on-demand access to
`news, weather, financial, sports, and entertainment services
`as well as the ability to transmit electronic messages and to
`participate in online discussion groups. For example, sub-
`scribers 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 worldwide network of com-
`puters that make upthe 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 subscribedto the instant messaging service
`and have installed the necessary software. Because such
`online conversations take place virtually in real time, instant
`messaging can provide immediate access to desired infor-
`mation. Instant messaging is becoming a preferred means of
`communicating among online subscribers.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In one general aspect, electronic data is transferred
`[0005]
`between users of a communications system by enabling
`instant messaging communication between a sender andat
`least one recipient
`through an instant messaging host. In
`addition, video communication is enabled between the
`sender and the recipient through the instant messaging host.
`
`Implementations may include one or more of the
`[0006]
`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 communi-
`cation from the sender and/or the recipient; and/or authen-
`licating the request. Authenticating may include identifying
`a screen name and/or an IP address of the sender and/or the
`recipient.
`
`the recipient may
`[0007] Determining capabilities of
`include identifying hardware or software associated with the
`recipient. Auser interface may be displayed accordingto the
`capabilities of the recipient.
`
`[0008] Video 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. The control channel may include a TCP/IP socket.
`The audio channel may include a UDP or TCP channel.
`
`{0009] 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.
`
`(0010] Other features and advantages will be apparent
`from the following description, including the drawings, and
`from the claims.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`{0011} FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications
`system.
`
`FIGS, 2-5 are block diagrams of expansions of
`[0012]
`aspects of the communications system of FIG. 1.
`
`FIG.6 is a flow chart of a communications method
`[0013]
`that may be implemented by the communications systems of
`FIGS. 1-5.
`
`FIGS. 7-13 are illustrations of different graphical
`[0014]
`userinterfaces that may be presented by the communications
`systems of FIGS. 1-5.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 1-5 show aspects
`[0015]
`of a communications system for transferring electronic data
`between a client and a host. For brevity, several elementsin
`the figures are represented as monolithic entities. Such
`elements, however, may represent numerous interconnected
`computer
`systems and/or components. An addressing
`scheme such as, for example, Uniform Resource Locators
`(“URLs”) may be used to define the location and type of
`each element and/or component of the communications
`system.
`
`[0016] The terms “client” and “host” generally refer to a
`role as a requester of data (client) or a provider of data
`(host). For example, data requested by a client may be
`transferred directly or indirectly from a host
`through a
`network and, finally, to the client. Elements of the commu-
`nications system, however, may request data in one trans-
`action and provide data in another transaction, thus having
`dual and/or changing roles.
`
`[0017] 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 may include one or
`more client devices 120 and/or client controllers 125, and
`the host system 110 may include one or more host devices
`135 and/or host controllers 140. For example, the client
`system 105 or the host system 110 may include one or more
`general-purpose computers (¢.g., personal computers), one
`or more special-purpose computers (¢.g., devices specifi-
`cally programmed to communicate with each other and/or
`the client system 105 or the host system 110), or a combi-
`nation of one or more general-purpose computers and one or
`more special-purpose computers. The client system 105 and
`the host system 110 may be arrangedto operate within orin
`concert with one or more other systems, such as,
`for
`example, one or more local area networks (“LANs”) and/or
`one or more wide area networks (“WANs”). The client
`
`16
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`US 2003/0208543 Al
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`Nov. 6, 2003
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`respect to FIG. 1. In particular, the host system 210 and
`communications link 215 may haveattributes comparable to
`those described with respect to host system 110 and com-
`munications link 115 of FIG. 1. Likewise, the client system
`205 of FIG. 2 may have attributes comparable to and
`illustrates one possible implementation of the client system
`105 of FIG. 1.
`
`device 120, the client controller 125, the host device 135,
`and the host controller 140 each may include one or more
`hardware components and/or software components.
`[0018]
`In general, a device (e.g., client device 120 and/or
`host device 135) executes instructions under the command
`of a controller (e.g., client controller 125 and/or host con-
`troller 140) and is connected to such controller by a wired
`the client device 220
`In one implementation,
`[0023]
`and/or wireless data pathway (e.g., pathway 130 and/or
`pathway 145) capable of delivering data. An example of a
`includes a general-purpose computer 270 having an internal
`or external storage 272 for storing data and programs such
`device (¢.g., client device 120 and/or host device 135) is a
`as an operating system 274 (e.¢., DOS, Windows™, Win-
`general-purpose computer
`(e.g.,
`a personal computer,
`dows 95™, Windows 98™, Windows 2000™, Windows
`server) capable of responding to and executing instructions
`Me™, Windows XP™, Windows NT™, OS/2, or Linux)
`in a defined manner. Other examples include a special-
`and one or more application programs. Examples of appli-
`purpose computer, a workstation, a component, other physi-
`calion programs include authoring applications 276 (e.g.,
`cal or virtual equipment and/or some combination thereof
`word processing, database programs, spreadsheet programs,
`capable of responding to and executing instructions and/or
`or graphics programs) capable of generating documents or
`capable of peer-to-peer communications.
`other electronic content; client applications 278 (e.g., AOL
`[0019] An example of a controller (e.g., client controller
`client, CompuServe client, AIM client, AOL TV client, or
`125 and/or host controller 140) is a software application for
`ISP client) capable of communicating with other computer
`
`
`commanding and=directing communications. Other
`users, accessing various computer resources, and viewing,
`examples include a program, a piece of code, an instruction,
`creating, or otherwise manipulating electronic content; and
`a computer,
`a computer system, and/or a combination
`browser applications 280 (e.g., Netscape’s Navigator,
`thereof,
`for
`independently or collectively instructing a
`Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Java’s microbrowser) capable
`device (e.g., client device 120 and/or host device 135) to
`of rendering Internet content.
`interact and operate as described. A controller (e.g., client
`controller 125 and/or host controller 140) may be embodied
`permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, com-
`ponent, physical or virtual equipment, storage medium, or
`propagated signal capable of providing instructions to a
`device (e.g., client device and/or host device 135).
`
`[0020] The communications link 115 may include a deliv-
`ery 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., path-
`way 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.
`
`[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a communications system 200
`including a client system 205 communicating with a host
`system 210 through a communications link 215. The client
`system 205 may include one or more client devices 220 and
`one or more client controllers 225 for controlling the client
`devices 220. The host system 210 may include one or more
`host devices 235 and one or more host controllers 240 for
`controlling the host devices 235. The communications link
`215 may include communication pathways 250, 255
`enabling communications through the one or more delivery
`networks 260.
`
`[0024] The general-purpose computer 270 also includes a
`central processing unit 282 (“CPU”) for executing instruc-
`lions in response to commands from the client controller
`225. The client controller 225 may include one or more of
`the application programsinstalledon the internal or external
`storage 272 of the general-purpose computer 270. The client
`controller 225 also may include application programs exter-
`nally stored in and performed by one or more device(s)
`external to the general- purpose computer 270.
`
`[0025] The general-purpose computer 270 includes a com-
`munication device 284 for sending and receiving 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 receiving data
`over the communications link 215 through a wired or
`wireless data pathway 250. The general-purpose computer
`270 also may include a television (“TV”) tuner 286 for
`receiving TV programming in the form of a broadcast
`reception, satellite transmission, and/or cable signal. As a
`result, the client device 220 can selectively and/or simulta-
`neously display network content received by communica-
`tions device 284 and television programming content
`received by the TV tuner 286.
`
`[0026] The general-purpose computer 270 also includes
`an input/output interface 288 for wired or wireless connec-
`tion to various peripheral devices 290. Examples of periph-
`eral devices 290include, but are not limited to, a mouse 291,
`a mobile phone 292,
`a personal digital assistant 293
`(“PDA”), an MP3 player (not shown), 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 an audiovisual
`input device 298 (e.g., Web cam, video camera, microphone,
`speakers).
`
`{0022] Examples of each element within the communica-
`tions system of FIG. 2 are broadly described above with
`
`{0027] Although FIG. 2 illustrates devices such as a
`mobile telephone 292, a PDA 293, an MP3 player (not
`
`17
`
`17
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`US 2003/0208543 Al
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`Nov. 6, 2003
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`standards, formats, conventions, rules, and structures) to
`transfer data. Examples of protocols include, but are not
`limited to hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”), user data-
`gram protocol (“UDP”), and/or layer two tunneling protocol
`(“L2TP”). The OSP host complex 380 also may employ one
`or more proprietary OSP protocols and custom dialing
`engines to enable access by selected client applications. The
`OSPhost complex 380 may define one or more specific
`protocols for each service based on an underlying protocol.
`
`shown), 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 oper-
`ate as the client device 220. For example, the mobile phone
`292 or the PDA293 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 orall of the components and devices described
`above.
`[0033] The IM host complex 390 may be independent of
`or included in the OSP host complex 380. The IM_host
`[0028] Referring to FIG. 3, a communications system 300
`complex 390 may support
`instant messaging services for
`OSP subscribers as well as for subscribers to other networks.
`is capable of delivering and exchanging information
`between a client system 305 and a host system 310 through
`Thus, the IM host complex 390 may enable instant messag-
`a communication link 315. The client system 305 may
`ing irrespective of an IM subscriber’s Internet service pro-
`include one or more client devices 320 and one or more
`vider. The IM host complex 390 also may support associated
`client controllers 325 for controlling the client devices 320.
`services, such as administrative support, advertising, direc-
`The host system 310 may include one or more host devices
`tory services, chat, and interest groups related to the instant
`335 and one or more host controllers 340 for controlling the
`messaging. The IM host complex 390 has an architecture
`host devices 335, The communications link 315 may include
`that enables all of the machines within the IM host complex
`communication pathways 350, 355 enabling communica-
`390 to communicate with each other. The IM host complex
`tions through the one or more delivery networks 360.
`may employ one or more standard and/or proprietary pro-
`tocols to transfer data.
`
`{0029] Examples of each element within the communica-
`tions 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 may haveattributes com-
`parable 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 possible imple-
`mentation of the host systems 110 and 210 shown in FIGS.
`1 and 2.
`
`[0030] 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. In
`other implementations, as described above, the host control-
`ler 340 may include any of several other programs,
`machines, and devices operating independently or collec-
`tively to control the host device 335.
`
`(0031] The host device 335 includesa login server 370 for
`enabling access by subscribers and for routing communica-
`tions 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 IM (“Instant
`Messaging”) host complex 390. To enable access to these
`host complexes by subscribers,
`the client system 305
`includes communication software, for example, an OSP
`client application and an IM clientapplication. The OSP and
`IM communication software applications are designed to
`facilitate the subscriber’s interactions with the respective
`services and,
`in particular, may provide access to all the
`services available within the respective host complexes.
`
`the OSP host complex 380 supports
`[0032] Typically,
`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.c.,
`
`18
`
`[0034] The host device 335 may include one or more
`gateways (e.g., OSP host complex gateway 385 and/or IM
`host complex gateway 395) that connect and link complexes
`(e.g., the OSP host complex 380 and the IM host complex
`390. Such gateways may directly or indirectly link host
`complexes through wired and/or wireless pathways. Ordi-
`narily, when used to facilitate a link between complexes, a
`gateway (e.g., OSP host complex gateway 385 and/or IM
`host complex gateway 395) is privy to information regarding
`the protocol
`type anticipated by a destination complex,
`which enables any necessary protocol conversion to be
`performed incidentto the transfer of data from one complex
`to another. For instance, the OSP host complex 380 and IM
`host complex 390 may use different protocols such that
`transferring data between the complexes requires protocol
`conversion by or at the request of a gateway (e.g., OSP host
`complex gateway 385 and/or the IM hast complex gateway
`395).
`
`[0035] 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. The client system 405 may
`include one or more client devices 420 and one or more
`client controllers 425 for controlling the client devices 420.
`The host system 410 may include 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-
`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.
`
`[0036] Examples of each element within the communica-
`tions 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 may have attributes compa-
`rable 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
`
`18
`
`

`

`US 2003/0208543 Al
`
`Nov. 6, 2003
`
`implementation of the host systems 110, 210, and 310 shown
`in FIGS. 1-3. FIG, 4 describes an aspect ofthe host system
`410, focusing primarily on one particular implementation of
`OSP host complex 480.
`
`(0037] 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.
`
`[0038] The host system 410 includes a host device 435 and
`a host controller 440. In general, the host controller 440 is
`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.
`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.
`
`[0039] 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 El
`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 OSPhost
`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 communications between the
`OSPhost complex 480, the IM host complex 490, and the
`Internet 465,
`
`[0040] 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 maybe arrangedin one or more configurations.
`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.
`
`In one implementation of FIG. 4, the OSP host
`[0041]
`complex 480 includes a routing processor 4802. In general,
`the routing processor 4802 will examine an address field 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 specified
`
`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 satisfied locally, the routing processor
`4802 may direct the data request to a local server 4804. In
`the event that the data request cannot besatisfiedlocally, 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.
`
`[0042] 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 Kilo 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.
`[0043] 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 30 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.
`[0044] The proxy server 4806 may act as a buffer between
`the client system 405 and the Internet 465, and may imple-
`ment content
`filtering and time saving techniques. For
`example, the proxy server 4806 can check parental controls
`settings ofthe 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.
`
`(0045] 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. The client system 505 may
`include one or more client devices 520 and one or more
`client controllers 525 for controlling the client devices 520.
`The host system 510 may include one or more host devices
`§35 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.
`
`[0046] Who Examples of each element within the com-
`munications system of FIG. 5 are broadly described above
`with respect to FIGS. 1-4. In particular, the client syste