US6014689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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E-mail system with a video e-mail player
Assignee: SMITHMICRO SOFTWARE Inc
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Filing: 1997-12-22
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Granted: 2000-01-11
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Expires: 2017-12-22
Abstract
Abstract Video messages are created in a manner that allows transparent delivery over any electronic mail (e-mail) system. The audio and video components of the message are recorded, encoded, and synchronously combined into a video message file. A player is selectively attached to the video message file to create an executable file which can be delivered as a standard binary file over conventional communications networks. To view the received video e-mail, the recipient executes the received file and the attached player automatically plays the video and audio message or the recipient executes the previously installed player which plays the video message.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel C. Budge
- 👤 David Glass
- 👤 Alvin Pivowar
- 👤 Mike Wells
- 👤 Robert Scheussler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/07; H04L51/08; H04L51/10; H04L51/21; H04L51/216; H04L51/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
A video e-mail system which enables encoded video, audio, and text to be transmitted over a digital network and received by one or more addressed locations notwithstanding that said locations do not already have installed video e-mail player software comprising: a keyboard for entering text; a video camera for creating video; a microphone for creating audio; a video e-mail encoder coupled to said video camera to generate encoded video data; an audio encoder coupled to said microphone to generate encoded audio data; a video/audio multiplexer in communication with said video encoder and said audio encoder and configured to generate multiplexed multimedia data comprising combined portions of said encoded audio data and said encoded video data; a computer processor which provides control signals to said video encoder, said audio encoder, and said multiplexer so as to process video e-mail messages having a file header, audio data packets, and video data packets; said file header comprising a video e-mail player transferrable in executable form, said player having a demultiplexer, an audio decoder, and a video decoder and configured so that execution of said file initiates execution of said player; a display which selectively views current video data and stored video data; and a virtual video cassette recorder which provides control for the storage of said current video data and the retrieval of said stored video data, said display and said virtual video cassette recorder being responsive to user inputs and providing visual information providing a graphical user interface to said computer processor, said graphical user interface including a plurality of virtual buttons each of which, when activated, initiate one of a plurality of specific operations to be performed by said video e-mail system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
281 words
A video e-mail system which enables encoded video, audio, and text to be transmitted over a digital network and received by one or more addressed locations notwithstanding that said locations do not already have installed video e-mail player software comprising: a keyboard for entering text; a video camera for creating video; a microphone for creating audio; a video e-mail encoder coupled to said video camera to generate encoded video data; an audio encoder coupled to said microphone to generate encoded audio data; a video/audio multiplexer in communication with said video encoder and said audio encoder and configured to generate multiplexed multimedia data comprising combined portions of said encoded audio data and said encoded video data; a computer processor which provides control signals to said video encoder, said audio encoder, and said multiplexer so as to process video e-mail messages having a file header, audio data packets, and video data packets; said file header comprising a video e-mail player transferrable in executable form, said player having a demultiplexer, an audio decoder, and a video decoder and configured so that execution of said file initiates execution of said player; a display which selectively views current video data and stored video data; and a virtual video cassette recorder which provides control for the storage of said current video data and the retrieval of said stored video data, said display and said virtual video cassette recorder being responsive to user inputs and providing visual information providing a graphical user interface to said computer processor, said graphical user interface including a plurality of virtual buttons each of which, when activated, initiate one of a plurality of specific operations to be performed by said video e-mail system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
224 words
A video e-mail system which enables encoded video and audio to be transmitted over a digital network and received by the addressed location notwithstanding that this location does not already have installed video e-mail player software comprising: a video camera; a microphone; a video e-mail encoder coupled to said video camera to generate encoded video data; an audio encoder coupled to said microphone to generate encoded audio data; a computer processor coupled to said video encoder and said audio encoder to combine video and audio into a data file; a video e-mail player transferrable in executable form as an appended portion of said data file, said player having a demultiplexer, an audio decoder, and a video decoder and configured so that execution of said file initiates execution of said player; a display which selectively views current video data and stored video data; and a virtual video cassette recorder which provides control for the storage of said current video data and the retrieval of said stored video data, said display and said virtual video cassette recorder being responsive to user inputs and providing visual information providing a graphical user interface to said computer processor, said graphical user interface including a plurality of virtual buttons each of which, when activated, initiate one of a plurality of specific operations to be performed by said video e-mail system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
224 words
A video e-mail system which enables encoded video and audio to be transmitted over a digital network and received by the addressed location notwithstanding that this location does not already have installed video e-mail player software comprising: a video camera; a microphone; a video e-mail encoder coupled to said video camera to generate encoded video data; an audio encoder coupled to said microphone to generate encoded audio data; a computer processor coupled to said video encoder and said audio encoder to combine video and audio into a data file; a video e-mail player transferrable in executable form as an appended portion of said data file, said player having a demultiplexer, an audio decoder, and a video decoder and configured so that execution of said file initiates execution of said player; a display which selectively views current video data and stored video data; and a virtual video cassette recorder which provides control for the storage of said current video data and the retrieval of said stored video data, said display and said virtual video cassette recorder being responsive to user inputs and providing visual information providing a graphical user interface to said computer processor, said graphical user interface including a plurality of virtual buttons each of which, when activated, initiate one of a plurality of specific operations to be performed by said video e-mail system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
A video e-mail system which enables encoded video and audio to be transmitted over a digital network system and received by the one or more addressed locations notwithstanding that said locations do not already have installed video e-mail player software comprising: a video camera for creating video; a microphone for creating audio; a video e-mail encoder coupled to said video camera to generate encoded video data; an audio encoder coupled to said microphone to generate encoded audio data; means in communication with said video encoder and said audio encoder for generating video e-mail messages which include a file header, audio data packets, and video data packets; said file header comprising a video e-mail player transferrable in executable form, said player having a demultiplexer, an audio decoder, and a video decoder and configured so that execution of said file initiates execution of said player.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
143 words
A video e-mail system which enables encoded video and audio to be transmitted over a digital network system and received by the one or more addressed locations notwithstanding that said locations do not already have installed video e-mail player software comprising: a video camera for creating video; a microphone for creating audio; a video e-mail encoder coupled to said video camera to generate encoded video data; an audio encoder coupled to said microphone to generate encoded audio data; means in communication with said video encoder and said audio encoder for generating video e-mail messages which include a file header, audio data packets, and video data packets; said file header comprising a video e-mail player transferrable in executable form, said player having a demultiplexer, an audio decoder, and a video decoder and configured so that execution of said file initiates execution of said player.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
63 words
The method of sending and receiving video e-mail, comprising the steps of: generating a video message at a sending location; creating a message file from said video message; attaching an executable player to said file; transferring said executable file over a communications link to a receiving location; and executing said player at said receiving location to retrieve said video message from said file.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
63 words
The method of sending and receiving video e-mail, comprising the steps of: generating a video message at a sending location; creating a message file from said video message; attaching an executable player to said file; transferring said executable file over a communications link to a receiving location; and executing said player at said receiving location to retrieve said video message from said file.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
An e-mail system comprising: a first subsystem comprising a first processor for capturing an image, a camera, a microphone, and a video e-mail recorder, said recorder executing on said first processor so as to combine the image from said camera and audio from said microphone into a message file, said message file incorporating a video e-mail player; and a second subsystem comprising a second processor, a speaker, and a monitor, said player being adapted to execute on said second processor so as to separate video from said message file to display on said monitor and separate audio from said message file to play on said speaker.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
An e-mail system comprising: a first subsystem comprising a first processor for capturing an image, a camera, a microphone, and a video e-mail recorder, said recorder executing on said first processor so as to combine the image from said camera and audio from said microphone into a message file, said message file incorporating a video e-mail player; and a second subsystem comprising a second processor, a speaker, and a monitor, said player being adapted to execute on said second processor so as to separate video from said message file to display on said monitor and separate audio from said message file to play on said speaker.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
126 words
An e-mail system which enables encoded images, audio, and text to be transmitted over a digital network system comprising: a keyboard; a camera for capturing images; a microphone for capturing audible information; a first encoder coupled to said camera to generate encoded image data corresponding to said images; a second encoder coupled to said microphone to generate encoded audio data corresponding to said audible information; a multiplexer in communication with first and second encoders and configured to generate multiplexed multimedia data files comprising combined portions of the encoded data received from said first and second encoders; and a computer processor which provides control signals to said encoders and said multiplexer so as to process executable e-mail files which include a file header embedding a video player.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
An e-mail system which enables encoded images, audio, and text to be transmitted over a digital network system comprising: a keyboard; a camera for capturing images; a microphone for capturing audible information; a first encoder coupled to said camera to generate encoded image data corresponding to said images; a second encoder coupled to said microphone to generate encoded audio data corresponding to said audible information; a multiplexer in communication with first and second encoders and configured to generate multiplexed multimedia data files comprising combined portions of the encoded data received from said first and second encoders; and a computer processor which provides control signals to said encoders and said multiplexer so as to process executable e-mail files which include a file header embedding a video player.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The e-mail system of claim 6 in which said e-mail files include a plurality of encoded data packets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The e-mail system of claim 7 in which, for each data packet, there is a type indicator designating the data packet as having either encoded image data or encoded audio data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The e-mail system of claim 6 in which said e-mail files include a file footer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The e-mail system of claim 9 in which said file footer designates a user name.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The e-mail system of claim 9 in which said file footer designates a file name.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The e-mail system of claim 9 in which said file footer designates a video-player length.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The e-mail system of claim 9 in which said file footer includes a field indicating that said e-mail file was generated by said e-mail system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The video e-mail system of claim 1, wherein said digital network comprises at least one of a public switched telephone network, the Internet, a local area network, or a wide area network.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The video e-mail system of claim 1, wherein said audio data is recorded in a voice-activated mode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The video e-mail system of claim 1, wherein said audio data is recorded in a push-to-talk mode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The video e-mail system of claim 2, wherein said video e-mail encoder and said video decoder are H.261 compliant.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The video e-mail system of claim 2, wherein said video e-mail encoder and said video decoder are H.263 compliant.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The video e-mail system of claim 2, wherein said audio encoder and said audio decoder are G.723 compliant.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The video e-mail system of claim 2, wherein said audio encoder and said audio decoder are CELP compliant.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The video e-mail system of claim 2, wherein said video e-mail player comprises a player manager.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The video e-mail system of claim 3, wherein said video camera comprises at least one of a digital camera, a desktop video camera, a video camcorder, a parallel-port camera, or a handycam.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The video e-mail system of claim 3, further comprising a network interface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4, wherein creating said message file comprises encoding video data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the step of encoding said video data complies with the H.261 standard.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the step of encoding said video data complies with the H.263 standard.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4, wherein creating said message file comprises encoding audio data.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the step of encoding said audio data complies with the G.723 standard.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the step of encoding said video data complies with the CELP standard.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4, wherein creating said message file comprises compressing video data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4, wherein creating said message file comprises compressing audio data.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4, wherein creating said message file comprises multiplexing video and audio data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the step of creating said message file displays a graphical user interface having a plurality of virtual buttons.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 33, wherein said graphical user interface operates in a voice-activated mode.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 33, wherein said graphical user interface operates in a push-to-talk mode.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said executable player displays a graphical user interface having a plurality of virtual buttons.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
The e-mail system of claim 5, wherein said video e-mail recorder comprises a video encoder and said video e-mail player comprises a video decoder.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The e-mail system of claim 37, wherein said video encoder and said video decoder are H.261 compliant.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
The e-mail system of claim 37, wherein said video encoder and said video decoder are H.263 compliant.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The e-mail system of claim 5, wherein said video e-mail recorder comprises an audio encoder and said video e-mail player comprises an audio decoder.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The e-mail system of claim 40, wherein said audio encoder and said audio decoder are G.723 compliant.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The e-mail system of claim 40, wherein said audio encoder and said audio decoder are CELP compliant.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The e-mail system of claim 5, wherein said video e-mail recorder comprises a video/audio multiplexer.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The e-mail system of claim 5, wherein said video e-mail recorder comprises a recorder manager.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
The e-mail system of claim 5, wherein said video e-mail recorder comprises a graphical user interface having a plurality of virtual buttons.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
The e-mail system of claim 45, wherein said graphical user interface operates in a voice-activated mode.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
The e-mail system of claim 45, wherein said graphical user interface operates in a push-to-talk mode.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
The e-mail system of claim 5, wherein said video e-mail player comprises a player manager.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
The e-mail system of claim 5, wherein said video e-mail player comprises a graphical user interface having a plurality of virtual buttons.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
The e-mail system of claim 5, wherein said camera comprises at least one of a digital camera, a desktop video camera, a video camcorder, a parallel-port camera, or a handycam.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
11 words
The e-mail system of claim 5, further comprising a network interface.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
17 words
The e-mail system of claim 5, further comprising a communications link between said first and second subsystems.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
31 words
The e-mail system of claim 52, wherein said communications link comprises at least one of a public switched telephone network, the Internet, a local area network, or a wide area network.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
17 words
The e-mail system of claim 5, wherein said message file comprises a plurality of encoded data packets.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
29 words
The e-mail system of claim 54, wherein a type indicator exists for each data packet, designating the data packet as having either encoded image data or encoded audio data.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
14 words
The e-mail system of claim 5, wherein said message file comprises a file footer.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
38 words
The e-mail system of claim 56, wherein said file footer comprises at least one of a user name, a file name, a video-player length, and a field indicating that said message file was generated by said e-mail system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-10 | 2003-07-12 | 2004-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-10 | 2007-07-12 | 2008-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-10 | 2011-07-12 | 2012-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |