System for automatically adding additional data stream to existing media connection between two end points upon exchange of notifying and confirmation messages therebetween

Patent 5854898 Issued on December 29, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 29, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventor

Riddle, Guy G.

Assignee

Apple Computer, Inc.

Application

No. 396198 filed on 02/24/1995

US Classes:

709/231, Computer-to-computer data streaming709/204, COMPUTER CONFERENCING709/227, COMPUTER-TO-COMPUTER SESSION/CONNECTION ESTABLISHING709/237Computer-to-computer handshaking

Examiners

Primary: Lee, Thomas C.
Assistant: Kim, Ki S.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman

Foreign Patent References

2080530 CA. 04/13/1994
0279232 EP. 08/13/1988

International Class

G06F 015/16

Abstract

An automatic method for adding an additional data stream, such as auxiliary teleconference data, to an existing media connection between two endpoints, such as a teleconference between teleconferencing systems. A first endpoint identifies the availability of a second data stream to a second endpoint via a first message which references the existing media connection. The first endpoint notifies the second endpoint of the desire to connect via a second message. The second endpoint notifies the first endpoint of confirmation to connect via a third message. The first and the second endpoint then establish communication wherein the additional data stream is associated in a first endpoint and the second endpoint with the existing media connection.

Other References

PCT International Search Report (PCT/US96/02459) mailed Aug. 7, 1996
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