08 175022
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`PATENT
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`PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`UNITED STATES PATENT APPLICATION
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`of
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`Andrew C. Merritt
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`and
`
`Kenneth H. Rosen
`
`for
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`A ;NE1WORK-BASED SYSTEM
`ENABliNG IMAGE COMMUNICATIONS
`
`HB30666880'2.
`
`1
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`AT&T - Exhibit 1004
`
`
`
`MERRITT 1-1
`
`PATENT
`
`PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT APPLICATION
`
`of
`
`Andrew C. Merritt
`
`and
`
`Kenneth H. Rosen
`
`for
`
`A ;NE1WORK-BASED SYSTEM
`ENABliNG IMAGE COMMUNICATIONS
`
`HB30666880'2.
`
`1
`
`AT&T - Exhibit 1004
`
`
`
`II-
`DB 175022
`MERRITT 1-1
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`TECHNICAL FIELD
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`The present invention relates generally to a method for image communications,
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`and more particularly, to a method and system for communicating images across a
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`network among users with disparate end systems running potentially dissimilar image
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`protocols and formats.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`The problem of image file format compatibility has been an issue since the
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`beginning of computer-based processing of even the most basic graphics. Each
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`computer and software vendor developed a different approach to representation of
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`graphics and images, often suited to a particular application area. For example,
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`vendors of word processing systems each developed their own approach for the
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`representation of pictorial information that could be incorporated in files generated by
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`their platforms.
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`As end users began to network microcomputers, first over departmental local
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`area networks, and then over wider area networks, the problem of file format
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`compatibility began to grow. Today, with the widespread introduction of image,
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`multimedia, and video systems, file format compatibility is a major issue in system
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`development and operation.
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`A number of solutions to this problem have been introduced or proposed. At
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`the applications level, file import and file export functions have been added which
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`accommodate a few formats that are different from the active format of the
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`application platform itself. The second solution has been the introduction of software
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`which does nothing but convert one file format to another. A third solution is to
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`convert all files to an intermediary format, which then can be used as the "universal
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`language" among dissimilar systems, and then converted to a different native file
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`format at a receiving end-user.
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`These approaches have proved useful in and of themselves for a number of
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`situations, but as imaging applications become more prevalent, image processing
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`software continues to evolve, image communications becomes more feasible over a
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`wider range of system applications, and concomitantly as the need for and use of
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`image communications increases, it becomes ever more difficult and costly for users
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`to maintain updated premises software. Further, the requirement of converting
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`between a multitude of formats and protocols serves as an impediment to widespread
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`access and use of image communications.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention overcomes the above, and other, limitations by
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`providing a system which enables a multitude of dissimilar end-system devices,
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`appliances, and platforms to interchange image information. In an embodiment of the
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`present invention, a network-based image processing system includes a network-based
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`data base which holds profiles of the end users. The profiles typically include the
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`capabilities of the end systems of the subscribing end users for storing, processing,
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`and displaying images, preferably including the acceptable and preferred image
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`protocols, compression methods, and image formats for each user. A communication
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`of an originating image from a calling party to a called party is diverted to the
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`network-based image processing system. The network-based image processing system
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`ascertains whether the originating image file format and protocol matches the called
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`party preferred file format and protocol, which is stored in the data base. If there is
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`no match, the processing system appropriately converts the originating image file to
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`the format and protocol of the called party. The image file is then communicated to
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`the called party. A handshake-like exchange may be used to enable image
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`communications of parties that are not subscribers and do not have profiles in the
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`database. In a further embodiment, the network-based nodal image processing system
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`provides for file return to the called party. The method and system of the present
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`inve.ntion may be applied in systems ranging from local premises-based
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`communications to wide area communications on either private or public networks.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`The invention will be described in greater detail below by way of reference to
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`the accompanying drawings, wherein:
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`FIG. 1A shows a generic configuration of an image communication system in
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`accordance with practicing the present invention;
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`FIG.
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`1B is an operational flow chart of an exemplary process for image
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`communications, in accordance with the present invention;
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`FIG. 2 shows a configuration of an image communication system in
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`accordance with practicing the present invention; and
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`FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 illustrate different
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`information flow sequences in accordance with practicing the present invention for the
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`system depicted in FIG. 2.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
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`Figure 1A diagrams a generic system configuration in accordance with
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`practicing the present invention, and is not limited to any particular network, but may
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`represent for example, a private/premises-based network, or a public network such as
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`a public switched telecommunications network (PSTN). As shown in FIG. 1A, a
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`network-based image communications processing system 10 includes an image
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`processing node 12, a database 14, and an image conversion server 16. Preferably,
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`the database 14 maintains information for image service subscribers. As understood
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`by one skilled in the art, such a system may be implemented as either a one-node or a
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`multi-node distributed architecture, scalable as required, and may be either network-
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`based or premises-based, or a hybrid combination of these. In a multi-node
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`distributed architecture, preferably a plurality of image processing nodes 12, each
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`which supports the image communications protoGol-,_would access a centralized
`··-·--···-·--· ---.
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`..:.-__.,.
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`.
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`database 14, while a separate image conversion server 16 preferably would be located
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`at each node and be accessible to other nodes via a gateway or bridge. If the network
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`were to represent the AT&T interexchange network, for example, in addition to other
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`possible network elements that are known to one skilled in the art, such a node may
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`be implemented in accordance with one or more of the following elements: an
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`adjunct processor (AP) (e.g., a network services complex "NSCx"), a network switch
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`(e.g., 4ESS or 5ESS), and a service control point (SCP) (e.g., a network control
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`point "NCP"). Such elements are well known in the art, as is their adaptation for
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`implementing functions and services. As understood by one skilled in the art, overall
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`system requirements will affect the preferred physical implementation of a
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`network-based image communications system, and there are many variations and
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`adaptat~ons within the purview of the present invention.
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`In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 1B illustrates an operational
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`flowchart for a method of image communications. In step 101, a calling party 18
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`initiates an image communication to called party 20. This communication arrives at
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`the network image processing node 12 (step 103), and the originating party's sending
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`fil~Jormat andprOtocol.-is,compared to the preferred profile for the terminating party
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`through a look-up procedure in the network-based database 14 (step 105). Next, in
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`step 107, if the originating and terminating file formats match, then a direct
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`communications channel (e.g., virtual circuit or direct circuit switched) is established
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`between the respective parties (step 111). If the originating and terminating image
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`file formats do not match, however, then the network-based service will invoke and
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`attach image converter server 16 which will perform the necessary file format and
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`protocol conversions (step 109), followed by establishing a connection to the called
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`party (step 111) for communicating the converted file. The foregoing sequence of
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`events may occur in real-time or may be implemented in a "store-and-forward"
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`communications, in which the image data to be sent to the called party is temporarily
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`stored within the network, and forwarded to the called party at a later time. It is
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`further understood that the network may determine the format and protocol of the
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`calling party image either by looking up this information in the database 14 during
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`communication setup, or directly from the image data transmission, using either
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`in-band or out-of-band signaling.
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`It is also understood that routing of the initial communications to the node in
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`step 103 may occur in a variety of ways depending on the type of network with which
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`the present invention is practiced, as well as the communications protocol. For
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`example, if the network is the AT&T network and the calling device includes a
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`modem, for example, then nodal access may occur via switched access using, for
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`example, an 800 number or other special access code, or via a direct-network
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`connection. On the other hand, if the network is a private network, then a special
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`access code also may be used or the communications protocol may include a means
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`for indicating that the data to be communicated is image data.
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`The present invention may further be understood with reference to the
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`embodiment shown in FIG. 2, which further illustrates elements of a nodal image
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`communications system, and particularly a network-based image communications
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`processing system 10, in accordance with practicing the present invention. Referring
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`to FIG. 2, at a network node, a number of discrete servers are networked on a data
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`link such as an Ethernet or FDDI (i.e., fiber distributed data interface) bus. As
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`schematically depicted, more than one calling device 30 may access the network by
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`any of a variety of means, including switched access or direct-network connection,
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`and the network may connect to a called device 40 by any of a similar variety of
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`means. It is understood that the servers, schematically depicted in FIG 2A, generally
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`comprise one or more physical devices having hardware and/or software to
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`accomplish the herein described functions. In a most basic implementation, a single
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`network node includes all servers; more generally, the servers may be distributed as
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`determined by existing or desired system architecture, desired system performance,
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`etc. Preferably, each of the servers include the following respective functions.
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`The session manager server 22 provides for input/output queuing of image
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`conversion requests, and for login and password management of the incoming (call
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`originating) party. It also stores (queues) the incoming image file(s) until processing
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`is required (e.g., conversion), as well as the output file(s), which may be either held
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`in session storage device-28'for future store-and-forward to the called party, or sent
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`immediately after processing is completed. As an example of the types of hardware
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`and software that must be supported to implement these functions, the session
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`manager server 22 includes modem banks, e-mail support software, interfaces to
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`voice-mail, memory storage devices, one or more programmable computers or
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`workstations, programmable switches, etc.
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`The profile database server 24 provides a platform for the Subscriber Profile
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`Database. This database contains a multi-parameter field for each subscriber, the
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`elements of which describe the image file formats and protocols that can be accepted
`..._ ___ ------·--------------·--.
`by this subscriber, as well as the preferred file format and protocol.
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`The image file format conversion server converts the calling party image file
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`to the acceptable or preferred image file format of the called party, depending on the
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`option(s) selected by the calling party. This server preferably includes conversion
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`control processor 26 and one or more conversion processors 27 1, 272 • • • 27n.
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`Additional imag~-s~ry_ers may provide other services, such as Image Catalog, Optical
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`Character Recognition, Archiving, Image Transaction Processing such as conversion
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`"
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`to EDI (Electronic Data Interchange, CCITT X.12 Standard) or to batch data files for
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`host entry, image groupware and image workflow, and bridging for image
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`confet:encing. Such applications may be provided by commercial application
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`programs executed by the servers, or special purpose application software and
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`hardware may be developed as necessary. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the
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`art, the nodal service permits a large library of image processing software to be
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`maintained and shared economically by many users.
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`In addition, the nodal image communications system may include other servers
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`for providing additional functionality and services. For instance, an e-mail
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`confirmation-back server may be used for sending out an e-mail message to the
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`calling party regarding the disposition of the image being sent to the called party.
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`Namely, that a file conversion was needed, was executed successfully, was forwarded
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`to the calling party, and was received (file accessed) by the calling party. Also, as an
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`adjunct or alternative to the e-mail confirmation-back server, a voice-mail
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`confirmation-back server may inform the calling party of the same or similar actions,
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`but through voice-mail messaging.
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`The nodal image communications system also preferably includes a
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`gateway/bridge for connection to other network nodes which also provide network-
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`based image processing. Such gateways provide for load distribution and balancing,
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`but also for some specialized image processing services. The gateways may also
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`connect to external systems.
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`In addition to the above Server functions, there are several access modes for
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`the image nodal processor depicted in Figure 1A. A preferred implementation is
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`~
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`access from a PC or workstation, utilizing a protocol such as TCP/IP (Transmission
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`Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). This access could be through a router/hub
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`interface or directly from the workstation utilizing software such as SLIP (Serial Line
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`Interface Protocol). At the low end, access into the nodal server is via a
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`FAX/modem, in CCITT (ITU) Group 3 file format. In this case, there would
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`preferably be provided an audio response unit which receives multifrequency tone
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`(e.g., DTMF) entries from the calling party, and issues voice messages that elicit
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`these tone responses. Whatever the access into the nodal server, these various
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`front-end implementations pass files to the session manager 22.
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`In accordance with the present invention, image communication preferably
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`occurs in one of two modes--the real-time mode or the store-and-forward mode. Real
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`time implies that once the image data is transmitted from the calling device, there is
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`no storage of the image data, or its derivatives, for transmission at a predetermined
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`later time. In contrast, in the store-and-forward mode files converted at the node are
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`held at the node until a predetermined later time at which they are sent to the
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`designated called party. Designating one of these modes may be an option available
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`to the caller, although the network itself may determine the mode according to factors
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`such as traffic and/or queue conditions on the network, and the amount of image
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`processing required. In addition, the store-and-forward mode may be the default
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`mode, or presented to the caller as an option, when a connection cannot be made to
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`the called party (e.g., busy signal). Also, the mode may be designated as a preferred
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`mode of reception option that is specified by a subscriber and stored in the image
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`profile database.
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`The present invention, and the foregoing system elements and their related
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`functions, may be better understood with reference to FIGS. 3A-6 which further
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`illustrate nodal image communications according to the present invention.
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`FIG. 3A illustrates the signaling which occurs when a calling subscriber 30
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`initiates an image communication with an image file match to the called device 40,
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`and wherein the communication occurs in real time. Such a call may be initiated via
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`in-band or out-of-band signaling, and is routed to the image nodal processor (e.g., a
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`network node). The image communications session manager 22 accesses the image
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`profile database 24 to ascertain whether the originating image format and protocol
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`matches that used or preferred by the called device. In this instance, since there is a
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`match, the image communications session manager 22 establishes a connection
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`between the calling device 30 and the called device 40, and the image is transmitted
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`according to the predetermined transmission protocol using the originating image
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`format.
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`FIG. 3B illustrates the signaling which occurs when a calling subscriber
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`initiates an image communication with an image file m~tch to the called device, and
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`-............__--...._~
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`~~-..,--·--'
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`wherein the communication occurs using the store-and forward mode. As discussed
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`above, the store-and-forward mode may be selected by the calling party, or may
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`occur as in response to a failed attempt in connecting to the called party. For
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`instance, in response to the call arriving at the image nodal processor, the image
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`communications manager 22 may direct an audio response unit to prompt the caller to
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`enter the preferred communications mode using the touch-tone keypad on a telephone
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`station or by entering a response from the keyboard of the calling device (e.g.,
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`personal computer, workstation, etc.). The sequence otevents initially proceeds as in
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`the case illustrated in FIG. 3A, with a match being indicated by the query of image
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`profile database 24. However, instead of immediately establishing a connection to the
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`called device, the image communications session manager establishes a connection
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`from the calling device to the session storage device which stores the converted image
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`data. The image communications session manager then initiates a communication, by
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`voice-mail and/or e-mail for example, to the called device station using a station
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`identifying number (e.g., phone number) stored in the image profile database 24.
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`This communication indicates that an image file is stored at the image nodal
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`processor.
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`Preferably, in order to retrieve images from the image communications
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`system, the user accesses the image nodal processor via a special access number
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`(e.g., an 800 number). Once the user is connected to the image nodal processor, the
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`user may be identified by entering a personal identification number (PIN) in response
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`to a prompt by the audio response unit, or a distinguishable 800 number may be
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`assigned to each user. The caller then interacts with the image nodal processor, again
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`preferably via the audio response unit or a terminal connection, to access any files
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`stored in the user's file-folder. The selected files are then retrieved from the storage
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`device and transmitted to the user.
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`·FIG. 4A illustrates the information flow which occurs when the originating
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`image does not match the format and protocol of the called device. In this case, since
`-------..._.,____------.-··~··-··---···--·······-··~ -···· ... -· ·"~·- .... ,_ _.___
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`-·
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`access of the image profile database 24 indicates that there is no match, the image
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`communications session manager 22 provides the image format and protocol
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`conversion process controller 26 wit9_.the-formatand protocol of the called device.
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`The image communications session manager 22 then routes the originating image to
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`the image format and protocol conversion process controller 26 which, in turn, routes
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`the image data to an appropriate conversion processor. The conversion process
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`controller 26 selects an appropriate conversion processor based on factors such as
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`functionality, as well as availability and load balancing (e.g., queue management).
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`Originating image data that has been converted is then routed to the called device via
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`the conversion process controller 26 and the image communications session manager
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`22. If such a call occurs in the store-and-forward mode then the converted data is
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`MERRITI 1-1
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`output to the session storage device 28 (FIG. 4B), and the image communication
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`session manager 22 then initiates a communication to the called device (e.g.,
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`voice-mail or e-mail) indicating that a file has been stored.
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`FIG. 5 illustrates the information flow which occurs when the originating
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`image does not match the preferred format and/or protocol of the terminating device,
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`and the file cannot be converted by the nodal image processor. In such an instance,
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`as above, the communications session manager 22 first receives the originating image
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`communication, and queries the image profile database 24, determining that a
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`conversion is required. The conversion information and the originating image are
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`provided to the conversion process controller 26 which ascertains that the originating
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`image cannot be converted by the conversion processors due to incompatibility or
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`error. The conversion process controller 26 signals this error condition to the
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`comrpunications session manager 22 which then launches an e-mail or voice-mail
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`message to the calling device 30, indicating that the communication could not be
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`completed because the file was non-convertible.
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`Another illustration of the processing and signaling performed by the
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`network-based image processor is illustrated by FIG. 6, wherein a subscriber attempts
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`to send an image to a non-subscriber. In this case, the query to the image profile
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`database 24 indicates that the called party is not a subscriber, and therefore, since
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`there is no information regarding protocol and format of the called device 40 a
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`conversion (if required) and communication is not performed. A voice-mail or e-mail
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`message, or both, indicating an attempted image communication thereto, is sent to the
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`called device 40. A message back to the calling device, indicating the failed attempt,
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`is also preferably communicated via e-mail or voice-mail. In a further embodiment,
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`before leaving a voice-mail or e-mail message, the communications session manager
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`22 may attempt to complete a call to the called device 40 and, via the audio response
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`unit, indicate that an image communication is pending from calling device 30 (e.g.,
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`using calling party automatic number identification "ANI"), and inquire whether
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`receipt is desired, and if so, what type of format and protocol is desired for receiving
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`the image communication. Then the nodal image processor may perform the image
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`conversion and communication as described hereinabove.
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`In accordance with the present invention, file return to the initiating user is
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`also provided. As opposed to transmitting an image to a called party, a subscriber
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`may transmit an originating image to the nodal image processor for image processing,
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`and t,hen receive the processed output image. For example, a secretary may desire to
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`convert the FAX of several pages to a particular word processing format. An
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`illustrative embodiment for effecting file return is for the calling party 30 to dial a
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`special access number (e.g., 800/900 number) for accessing the network-based nodal
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`image processor; for example, this could be the same number used for file retrieval.
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`The communications session manager 22 then interacts with the user via the audio
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`response unit (or a terminal connection), providing the subscriber with a series of
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`prompts in order to ascertain, as evinced by the subscribers responses, the type of
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`processing desired by the subscriber. For example, the first prompt may determine
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`whether the subscriber wishes to retrieve a file or use the file return processing
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`MERRITI 1-1
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`functions. If the user selects the latter, then the audio response unit may query the
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`type of function desired (e.g., optical character recognition, file conversion, etc.). As
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`understood by one skilled in the art, the image data communications protocol and/or
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`format may include information concerning the type of conversion to be performed
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`(e. g., the type of format of the originatif1g image, terminating image, type of file
`__.. .
`. ...-
`conversion, etc.), in which case queries by the audio response unit would not be
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`,.r--"'·'·'
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`.. ~···.
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`required for this information. After establishing the desired processing, the file is
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`sent to the image nodal processor for performing the desired function, and then
`A
`returned to the subscriber either directly or using the store-and-forward mode. (
`1\
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`The foregoing illustrations are demonstrative of the myriad services which may
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`be provided by the present invention. It can be understood that the present invention
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`allows image communications among dissimilar end systems, as well as subscriber
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`acce~s to image processing services, including personal computers supporting a range
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`of image protocols, image phones, facsimile machines, dialable video services, optical
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`character recognition, media conversion/image translation services, and PDAs (i.e.,
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`personal digital assistants), and can be practiced in environments ranging from local
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`premises-based communications to wide area communications on either private or
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`public networks, and thus has wide applicability not limited to the hereinabove
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`disclosed embodiments.
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`Dialable video services may include conversions among various video
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`standards and among different video performance levels. A specific example is a
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`teleconferencing application in which a 64 Kb/sec codec at one location needs to
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`connect to a codec at another location that adheres to another video standard, say
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`MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) at 1.5 MB/sec. If based on the nationwide
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`telecommunications network, a toll switch (e.g., 4ESS) mediates call setup and
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`diversion to the image nodal processor platform. At this platform, conversion among
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`the two video formats takes place entirely within the digital domain, without returning
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`to baseband analog video, as is commonplace for current video conversions. If both
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`codecs use the same speed, then the platform can be used for other services, such as
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`compression, or administrative functions. Administrative features could include
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`managing multi-location access, reservations, encryption keys, and video testing and
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`maintenance.
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`Although the above description provides many specificities, these enabling
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`details should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, and it will be
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`readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is
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`susceptible to many modifications, adaptations, and equivalent implementations
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`without departing from this scope. For instance, if the called party is not a
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`subscriber, then the network may obtain the preferred format and protocol by
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`prompting the called party. In addition, the called party may have certain on-site
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`image processing capabilities while lacking others, and therefore, such a subscriber
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`may only subscribe to certain image processing services. Further, if the image profile
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`database includes information such as whether a subscriber has image decompression
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`utilities available, or whether the subscriber only requires and/or desires less than all
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`the originating image data for certain types of data, then the nodal image processor
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`can appropriately compress the image transmitted to such a subscriber. An additional
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`feature which may be practiced in accordance with the present invention is for a
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`subscriber to specify a set of non-subscribers from whom the subscriber wishes to
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`receive image communications. This specified information would be stored in the
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`subscriber image profile database, and used to effectuate image communication from a
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`specified non-subscriber to a subscriber. Also, the present invention may include
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`batch image processing with delayed store-and-forward distribution. This distribution
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`may be to one or more widely separated locations. For example, a law firm may
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`wish to· convert hundreds of pages of printed text to a word processing format, with
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`both return to the originating office (e.g., file return) and transport to a remote
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`location. Moreover, as discussed above, access and communication to the network
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`may be effected in a variety of ways, using a variety of network formats and
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`protocols. These and other changes can be made without departing from the spirit
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`and the scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is
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`therefore intended that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed
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`embodiments but should be defined in accordance with the claims which follow.
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`We claim:
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`V. A network-based method for commumcatmg an 1mage from a ca ling
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`MERRITT 1-1
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`device to a called device comprising the steps of:
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`receiving a signal from said calling device;
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`comparing characteristics of said image with said called devi
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`information;
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`converting said image when said comparing step indicat
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`that characteristics
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`of said image are different from said image characteristic · formation of said called
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`device, thereby generating a converted image;
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`communicating information to said called evice, said information including
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`said c_onverted image when said converted i
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`ge is generated in said converting step,
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`said information including said image wh
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`said converted image is not generated in
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`said converting step.
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`2. The method accord· g to claim 1, wherein said called device is said calling
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`device.
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`3. The me od according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
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`communicatin said converted image to said calling device .
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`. ~A network-based method for communicating an image from a source
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`de · ce to at least one destination device, said source device operative in selecting said
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`~g a signal from said sourcCie;dd-eevviR:c~e:-, - - - - - - - - - - - (cid:173)
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`processing said image according to said signal, thereu.....--.:..~,,.
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`MERRIIT 1-1
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`image;
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`5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said at least one destination
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`device inc
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