Method for video telephony over a hybrid network

What is claimed is:

1. A method for media communication over a hybrid network which includes a switched network, a packet switched network, and a directory of internet protocol addresses for the packet switched network, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) establishing the media communication between a first party and the packet switched network utilizing the directory of internet protocol addresses for transmitting the media communication in a Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) format, wherein the media communication includes video, audio and data information;

(b) transmitting the media communication via the packet switched network to at least one other party;

(c) receiving the media communication via the packet switched network from at least one other party; and

(d) controlling the quality of transmission and reception to obtain predetermined levels of quality of service for the media communication.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one party is registered in a directory of parties available for the media communication.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the media communication is transmitted through an operator.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

(a) transmitting the media communication through assistance of an operator if an operator is available;

(b) storing at least portions of the media communication in a storage location; and

(c) transmitting the stored media communication to the party if no operator is available.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

(a) transmitting a second media communication of an operator;

(b) storing the second media communication in a storage location;

(c) transmitting the stored second media communication to the party if no operator is available; and

(d) terminating the second media communication transmission when the operator becomes available.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the transmission and reception are controlled by a resource reservation protocol that reserves network resources along a communication path to obtain designated qualities of service for the media communication.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first party can determine whether the at least one other party is available to receive the media communication by searching a directory of parties.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the media communication is a unicast media communication.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the media communication is a broadcast media communication.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the media communication is a multicast media communication.

11. An apparatus for media communication over a hybrid network which includes a switched network, a packet switched network and a directory of internet protocol addresses of the packet switched network, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a processor with control software that establishes a communication between a first party and the packet switched network utilizing the directory of internet protocol addresses for transmitting the media communication in a Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) format, wherein the media communication includes video, audio and data information;

(b) a processor with control software that transmits the media communication via the packet switched network to at least one other party;

(c) a processor with control software that receives the media communication via the packet switched network from the at least one other party; and

(d) a processor with control software that controls the quality of transmission and reception of the media communication to obtain predetermined levels of quality of service for the media communication by utilizing a resource reservation protocol.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one other party is registered in a directory of parties available for the media communication.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the media communication is transmitted through an operator.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

(a) a processor with control software that transmits the media communication through an operator;

(b) a processor with control software that stores at least portions of the media communication in a storage location; and

(c) a processor with control software that transmits the stored media communication to the party if no operator is available.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

(a) a processor with control software that transmits a second media communication of an operator;

(b) a processor with control software that stores the second media communication in a storage location;

(c) a processor with control software that transmits the stored second media communication to the party if no operator is available; and

(d) a processor with control software that terminates the second media communication transmission when operator becomes available.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the transmission and reception are controlled by a resource reservation protocol that reserves network resources along a communication path to obtain designated qualities of service for the media communication.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the first party can determine whether the at least one other party is available to receive the media communication by searching a directory of parties available for the media communication.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the media communication is a unicast media communication.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the media communication is a broadcast media communication.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the media communication is a multicast media communication.

21. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for media communication over a hybrid network which includes a switched network, a packet switched network and a directory of internet protocol addresses of the packet switched network, the computer program comprising:

(a) first software that establishes a communication between a first party and the packet switched network utilizing the directory of internet protocol addresses for transmitting the media communication in a Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) format, wherein the media communication includes video, audio and data information;

(b) second software that transmits the media communication via the packet switched network to at least one other party;

(c) third software that receives the media communication via the packet switched network from the at least one other party; and

(d) fourth software that controls the quality of transmission and reception of the media communication to obtain predetermined levels of quality of service for the media communication by utilizing a resource reservation protocol.

22. The computer program as recited in claim 21, wherein the at least one other party is registered in a directory of parties available for the media communication.

23. The computer program as recited in claim 21, wherein the media communication is transmitted through an operator.

24. The computer program as recited in claim 21, further comprising:

(a) fifth software that transmits the media communication through an operator;

(b) sixth software that stores at least portions of the media communication in a storage location; and

(c) seventh software that transmits the stored media communication to the party if no operator is available.

25. The computer program as recited in claim 21, further comprising:

(a) fifth software that transmits a second media communication of an operator;

(b) sixth software that stores the second media communication in a storage location;

(c) seventh software that transmits the stored second media communication to the party if no operator is available; and

(d) eighth software that terminates the second media communication transmission when operator becomes available.

26. The computer program as recited in claim 21, wherein the transmission and reception are controlled by a resource reservation protocol that reserves network resources along a communication path to obtain designated qualities of service for the media communication.

27. The computer program as recited in claim 21, wherein the first party can determine whether the at least one other party is available to receive the media communication by searching a directory of parties available for the media communication.

28. The computer program as recited in claim 21, wherein the media communication is a unicast media communication.

29. The computer program as recited in claim 21, wherein the media communication is a broadcast media communication.

30. The computer program as recited in claim 21, wherein the media communication is a multicast media communication.

Description Submit all comments and votes

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the marriage of the Internet with telephony systems, and more specifically, to a system, method and article of manufacture for using the Internet as the communication backbone of a communication system architecture while maintaining a rich array of call processing features.

The present invention relates to the interconnection of a communication network including telephony capability with the Internet. The Internet has increasingly become the communication network of choice for the consumer marketplace. Recently, software companies have begun to investigate the transfer of telephone calls across the internet. However, the system features that users demand of normal call processing are considered essential for call processing on the Internet. Today, those features are not available on the internet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a broad aspect of a preferred embodiment of the invention, telephone calls, data and other multimedia information including audio and video are routed through a switched network which includes transfer of information across the internet. Users can transmit video, audio and data communications of designated quality over the internet to other registered video telephony users. Users can manage more aspects of a network than previously possible and control network activities from a central site, while still allowing the operator of the telephone system to maintain quality and routing selection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages are better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a representative hardware environment in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating the architecture of a typical Common Channel Signaling System #7 (SS7) network in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 1C is a block diagram of an internet telephony system in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 1D is a block diagram of a hybrid switch in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 1E is a block diagram of the connection of a hybrid switch in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 1F is a block diagram of a hybrid (internet-telephony) switch in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 1G is a block diagram showing the software processes involved in the hybrid internet telephony switch in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the use of PMUs in a typical SS7 network in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the systems architecture of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a high-level process flowchart illustrating the logical system components in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 5-9 are process flowcharts illustrating the detailed operation of the components illustrated in FIG. 4 in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 10A illustrates a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 1000 comprising a Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) 1020 through which a calling party uses a telephone 1021 or computer 1030 to gain access to a switched network in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 10B illustrates an internet routing network in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates a VNET Personal Computer (PC) to PC Information call flow in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates a VNET Personal Computer (PC) to out-of-network PC Information call flow in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates a VNET Personal Computer (PC) to out-of-network Phone Information call flow in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 14 illustrates a VNET Personal Computer (PC) to in-network Phone Information call flow in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 15 illustrates a personal computer to personal computer internet telephony call in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 16 illustrates a phone call that is routed from a PC through the Internet to a phone in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 17 illustrates a phone to PC call in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 18 illustrates a phone to phone call over the internet in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate an Intelligent Network in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 19C illustrates a Video-Conferencing Architecture in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 19D illustrates a Video Store and Forward Architecture in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 19E illustrates an architecture for transmitting video telephony over the Internet in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 19F is a block diagram of an internet telephony system in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 19G is a block diagram of a prioritizing access/router in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a high level block diagram of a networking system in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of a portion of the system shown in FIG. 20 in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 22 is another high level block diagram in accordance with a preferred embodiment of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a switchless network system in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a hierarchy diagram illustrating a portion of the systems shown in FIGS. 20 and 23 in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating part of the system portion shown in FIG. 24 in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart illustrating a portion of a method in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 27-39 are block diagrams illustrating further aspects of the systems of FIGS. 20 and 23 in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 40 is a diagrammatic representation of a web server logon in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 41 is a diagrammatic representation of a server directory structure used with the logon of FIG. 40 in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 42 is a more detailed diagrammatic representation of the logon of FIG. 40 in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 43-50 are block diagrams illustrating portions of the hybrid network in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 51 illustrates a configuration of the Data Management Zone (DMZ) 5105 in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 52A-52C illustrate network block diagrams in connection with a dial-in environment in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 53 depicts a flow diagram illustrating the fax tone detection in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 54A through 54E depict a flow diagram illustrating the VFP Completion process for fax and voice mailboxes in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 55A and 55B illustrate the operation of the Pager Termination processor in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 56 depicts the GetCallback routine called from the pager termination in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 57 shows a user login screen for access to online profile management in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 58 shows a call routing screen, used to set or change a user's call routing instructions in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 59 shows a guest menu configuration screen, used to set up a guest menu for presentation to a caller who is not an account owner in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 60 shows an override routing screen, which allows a user to route all calls to a selected destination in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 61 shows a speed dial numbers screen, used to set up speed dial in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 62 shows a voicemail screen, used to set up voicemail in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 63 shows a faxmail screen, used to set up faxmail in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 64 shows a call screening screen, used to set up call screening in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 65-67 show supplemental screens used with user profile management in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 68 is a flow chart showing how the validation for user entered speed dial numbers is carried out in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 69A-69AI are automated response unit (ARU) call flow charts showing software implementation in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 70A-70R are console call flow charts further showing software implementation in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 71 illustrates a typical customer configuration for a VNET to VNET system in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 72 illustrates the operation of DAPs in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 73 illustrates the process by which a telephone connects to a release link trunk for 1-800 call processing in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 74 illustrates the customer side of a DAP procedure request in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 75 illustrates operation of the switch 10530 to select a particular number or "hotline" for a caller in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 76 illustrates the operation of a computer-based voice gateway for selectively routing telephone calls through the Internet in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 77 illustrates the operation of the VRU of FIG. 76 deployed in a centralized architecture in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 78 illustrates the operation of the VRU of FIG. 76 deployed in a distributed architecture in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 79A and 79B illustrate the operation of sample applications for Internet call routing in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 79B illustrates a number of applications for caller-initiated consumer transactions in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 80 illustrates a configuration of a switching network offering voice mail and voice response unit services, as well as interconnection into a service provider, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 81 illustrates an inbound shared Automated Call Distributor (ACD) call with data sharing through a database in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 82 is a block diagram of an exemplary telecommunications system in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 83 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 84 illustrates the CDR and PNR call record formats in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 85(A) and 85(B) collectively illustrate the ECDR and EPNR call record formats in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 86 illustrates the OSR and POSR call record formats in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 87(A) and 87(B) collectively illustrate the EOSR and EPOSR call record formats in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 88 illustrates the SER call record format in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 89(A) and 89(B) are control flow diagrams illustrating the conditions under which a switch uses the expanded record format in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 90 is a control flow diagram illustrating the Change Time command in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 91 is a control flow diagram illustrating the Change Daylight Savings Time command in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 92 is a control flow diagram illustrating the Network Call Identifier (NCID) switch call processing in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 93 is a control flow diagram illustrating the processing of a received Network Call Identifier in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 94(A) is a control flow diagram illustrating the generation of a Network Call Identifier in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 94(B) is a control flow diagram illustrating the addition of a Network Call Identifier to a call record in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 95 is a control flow diagram illustrating the transport of a call in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 96 shows a hardware component embodiment for allowing a video operator to participate in a video conferencing platform, providing services including but not limited to monitoring, viewing and recording any video conference call and assisting the video conference callers in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 97 shows a system for enabling a video operator to manage video conference calls which includes a video operator console system in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 98 shows a system for enabling a video operator to manage video conference calls which includes a video operator console system in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 99 shows how a video conference call initiated by the video operator in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 100 shows the class hierarchy for video operator software system classes in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 101 shows a state transition diagram illustrating the state changes that may occur in the VOCall object's m.sub.-- state variable in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 102 shows a state transition diagram illustrating the state changes that may occur in the VOConnection object's m.sub.-- state variable ("state variable") in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 103 shows a state transition diagram illustrating the state changes that may occur in the VOConference object's m.sub.-- state variable ("state variable") in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 104 shows a state transition diagram illustrating the state changes that may occur in the VORecorder object's m.sub.-- state variable ("state variable") in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 105 shows a state transition diagram illustrating the state changes that may occur in the VORecorder object's m.sub.-- state variable ("state variable") in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 106 shows the class hierarchy for the video operator graphics user interface ("GUI") classes in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 107 shows a database schema for the video operator shared database in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 108 shows one embodiment of the Main Console window in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 109 shows one embodiment of the Schedule window in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 110 shows one embodiment of the Conference window 41203, which is displayed when the operator selects a conference or playback session in the Schedule window in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 111 shows one embodiment of the Video Watch window 41204, which displays the H.320 input from a selected call of a conference connection or a separate incoming or outgoing call in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 112 shows one embodiment of the Console Output window 41205 which displays all error messages and alerts in accordance with a preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 113 shows a Properties dialog box in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. THE COMPOSITION OF THE INTERNET 30

II. PROTOCOL STANDARDS 31

A. Internet Protocols 31

B. International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector ("ITU-T") Standards 31

III. TCP/IP FEATURES 35

IV. INFORMATION TRANSPORT IN COMMUNICATION NETWORKS 35

A. Switching Techniques 35

B. Gateways and Routers 40

C. Using Network Level Communication for Smooth User Connection 42

D. Datagrams and Routing 43

V. TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCTION 44

A. ATM 44

B. Frame Relay 45

C. ISDN 45

VI. MCI INTELLIGENT NETWORK 46

A. Components of the MCI Intelligent Network 48

1. MCI Switching Network 48

2. Network Control System/Data Access Point (NCS/DAP) 48

3. Intelligent Services Network (ISN) 4 49

4. Enhanced Voice Services (EVS) 9 50

5. Additional Components 50

B. Intelligent Network System Overview 52

C. Call Flow Example 53

VII. ISP FRAMEWORK 56

A. Background 56

1. Broadband Access 56

2. Internet Telephony System 56

3. Capacity 63

4. Future Services 63

B. ISP Architecture Framework 64

C. ISP Functional Framework 65

D. ISP Integrated Network Services 69

E. ISP Components 70

F. Switchless Communications Services 71

G. Governing Principles 72

1. Architectural Principles 72

2. Service Feature Principles 73

3. Capability Principles 73

4. Service Creation, Deployment, and Execution Principles 75

5. Resource Management Model 2150 Principles 76

6. Data Management 2138 Principles 77

7. Operational Support Principles 80

8. Physical Model Principles 81

H. ISP Service Model 82

1. Purpose 82

2. Scope of Effort 83

3. Service Model Overview 84

4. Service Structure 84

5. Service 2200 Execution 89

6. Service Interactions 90

7. Service Monitoring 92

I. ISP Data Management Model 92

1. Scope 92

2. Purpose 93

3. Data management Overview 94

4. Logical Description 97

5. Physical Description 102

6. Technology Selection 104

7. Implementations 105

8. Security 105

9. Meta-Data 105

10. Standard Database Technologies 106

J. ISP Resource Management Model 106

2. The Local Resource Manager (LRM): 111

3. The Global Resource Manager (GRM) 2188: 111

4. The Resource Management Model (RMM) 112

5. Component Interactions 115

K. Operational Support Model 118

1. Introduction 118

2. The Operational Support Model 121

3. The Protocol Model 125

4. The Physical Model 126

5. Interface Points 126

6. General 128

L. Physical Network Model 129

1. Introduction 129

2. Information Flow 130

3. Terminology 132

4. Entity Relationships 133

VIII. INTELLIGENT NETWORK 134

A. Network Management 134

B. Customer Service 135

C. Accounting 137

D. Commissions 137

E. Reporting 138

F. Security 138

G. Trouble Handling 138

IX. ENHANCED PERSONAL SERVICES 139

A. Web Server Architecture 139

1. Welcome Server 450 140

2. Token Server 454 141

3. Application Servers 143

B. Web Server System Environment 144

1. Welcome Servers 145

2. Token Servers 454 149

3. Profile Management Application Servers 150

C. Security 150

D. Login Process 152

E. Service Selection 153

F. Service Operation 153

1. NIDS Server 154

2. TOKEN database service 155

3. SERVERS database service 156

4. HOSTILE.sub.-- IP database service 156

5. TOKEN.sub.-- HOSTS database service 157

6. SERVER.sub.-- ENV database service 158

7. Chron Job(s) 159

G. Standards 159

H. System Administration 160

I. Product/Enhancement 161

J. Interface Feature Requirements (Overview) 162

1. The User Account Profile 163

2. The Database of Messages 164

K. Automated Response Unit (ARU) Capabilities 165

1. User Interface 165

L. Message Management 168

1. Multiple Media Message Notification 168

2. Multiple Media Message Manipulation 168

3. Text to Speech 168

4. Email Forwarding to a Fax Machine 169

5. Pager Notification of Messages Received 170

6. Delivery Confirmation of Voicemail 170

7. Message Prioritization 170

M. Information Services 170

N. Message Storage Requirements 172

O. Profile Management 172

P. Call Routing Menu Change 173

Q. Two-way Pager Configuration Control and Response to Park and Page 174

R. Personalized Greetings 174

S. List Management 174

T. Global Message Handling 175

X. INTERNET TELEPHONY AND RELATED SERVICES 176

A. System Environment for Internet Media 178

1. Hardware 178

2. Object-Oriented Software Tools 179

B. Telephony Over The Internet 188

1. Introduction 189

2. IP Phone as a Commercial Service 192

3. Phone Numbers in the Internet 203

4. Other Internet Telephony Carriers 204

5. International Access 204

C. Internet Telephony Services 212

D. Call Processing 220

1. VNET Call Processing 220

2. Descriptions of Block Elements 224

E. Re-usable Call Flow Blocks 229

1. VNET PC connects to a corporate intranet and logs in to a directory service 229

2. VNET PC queries a directory service for a VNET translation 234

3. PC connects to an ITG 237

4. ITG connects to a PC 238

5. VNET PC to PC Call Flow Description 239

6. Determining best choice for Internet client selection of an Internet Telephony Gateway server on the Internet: 240

7. Vnet Call Processing 249

XI. TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK MANAGEMENT 256

A. SNMS Circuits Map 279

B. SNMS Connections Map 279

C. SNMS Nonadjacent Node Map 279

D. SNMS LATA Connections Map 279

E. NPA-NXX Information List 280

F. End Office Information List 280

G. Trunk Group Information List 280

H. Filter Definition Window 281

I. Trouble Ticket Window 281

XII. VIDEO TELEPHONY OVER POTS 282

A. Components of Video Telephony System 283

1. DSP modem pools with ACD 283

2. Agent 284

3. Video on Hold Server 284

4. Video Mail Server 284

5. Video Content Engine 284

6. Reservation Engine 285

7. Video Bridge 285

B. Scenario 285

C. Connection Setup 285

D. Calling the Destination 287

E. Recording Video-Mail, Store & Forward Video and Greetings 288

F. Retrieving Video-Mail and Video On Demand 288

G. Video-conference Scheduling 289

XIII. VIDEO TELEPHONY OVER THE INTERNET 289

A. Components 291

1. Directory and Registry Engine 291

2. Agents 292

3. Video Mail Server 292

4. Video Content Engine 292

5. Conference Reservation Engine 292

6. MCI Conference Space 293

7. Virtual Reality Space Engine 293

B. Scenario 293

C. Connection Setup 293

D. Recording Video-Mail, Store & Forward Video and Greetings 294

E. Retrieving Video-Mail and Video On Demand 295

F. Video-conference Scheduling 295

G. Virtual Reality 296

XIV. VIDEO-CONFERENCING ARCHITECTURE 296

A. Features 296

B. Components 297

1. End-User Terminals 297

2. LAN Interconnect System 298

3. ITU H.323 Server 298

4. Gatekeeper 299

5. Operator Services Module 299

6. Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) 300

7. Gateway 300

8. Support Service Units 301

C. Overview 301

D. Call Flow Example 302

1. Point-to-Point Calls 303

2. Multipoint Video-Conference Calls 308

E. Conclusion 308

XV. VIDEO STORE AND FORWARD ARCHITECTURE 309

A. Features 309

B. Architecture 310

C. Components 310

1. Content Creation and Transcoding 310

2. Content Management and Delivery 31