WO2006092810A2

WO2006092810A2 - A system and method for delivering video email

Info

Publication number: WO2006092810A2
Application number: PCT/IN2006/000068
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ayyappa Nagubandi
Original assignee: Ayyappa Nagubandi
Priority date: 2005-03-03
Filing date: 2006-03-01
Publication date: 2006-09-08
Also published as: WO2006092810A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to E-mail delivery system and, in particular, to a video e- mail transmission system whereby a video message can be effectively transmitted from the sender's end to one or more recipients through a server based graphical interface. Importantly, the video' e-mail system of the invention would enable the user to record a message with video camera or any other digital video equipment and transmit the same to a server based graphical interface to selected recipients. The system would further enable the recipient to reply and / or forward the video e-mail at other selected e-mail addressees. The invention is also directed to a method for video e-mail transmission using the above system and to a computer program adapted for use in the system and the method of video e-mail transmission of the invention.

Description

A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING VIDEO EMAIL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to E-mail delivery system and, in particular, to a video e-mail transmission system whereby a video message can be effectively transmitted from the sender's end to one or more recipients through a server based graphical interface. This is here to mention that wherever video e-mail or audio-video e-mail terms have appeared in this entire document, it can be considered as either video e-mail along with audio/voice or video e-mail without audio/voice which,suits to that particular relevance. Importantly, the video e- mail system of the invention would enable the user to record a message with video camera or any other digital video equipment and transmit the same to a server based graphical interface to selected recipients. The system would further enable the recipient to reply and / or forward the video e-mail at other selected e-mail addressees. The invention is also directed to a method for video e-mail transmission using the above system and to a computer program adapted for use in the system and the method of video e-mail transmission of the invention.

BACKGROUND ART lit is well known that with the advent of internet e-mails and, in other words, exchanging of e-mails between internet users has been very common and extensively used throughout the world. In the technique of transmission of electronic mails it is common that user information mentioning e-mail ids of internet users can be managed by a corresponding e-mail server device. Technology relating to "User-Information" is already established by using an established protocol (i. e. methodology accepted by long practice or continued, accepted practice). Commonly, the e-mail server devices transmit e-mails using Simple Mail Transfer

Protocol (SMTP). In a SMTP technique, on sending a e-mail, the recipient server first determines the existence of the "Service Provider" of the sender; verifies the address of the recipient and accepts/stores the message on its server on such verification. The process is therefore essentially web enabled i. e., interlinking of different servers. The user is required to view the e-mail stored in the hard disk of the server by retrieving it on the individual email - id. In case, the e-mail addressee is not the addresses managed by the Recipient server the e- mail is transmitted to the server managing the corresponding e-mail. The World Wide Web (WWW) enables such wide spread transmission of e-mails from one server to other and in the process transmit electronic mails through different servers - of the sender and recipient source.

Electronic mail (e-mail) has rapidly become a significant tool for communication within organization and between organizations and outside parties such as their customers. Initial communication usually consists of ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) text. However, text e-mail messages have over the years progressed to include graphics, audio and even video files which are transmitted along with e-mails to target audience in the manner mentioned above, by adopting the SMT Protocol.

As discussed above, e-mails are largely web based and hence are universally accessible without any proverbial limitations or as geographic time etc. Facilities, such as, PDA or Mobile Phones which are widely used can be advantageously utilized to transmit or check e- mails. Usually, such PDAs or Mobile phones are provided with large storage capacities with facilities like, directories; group IDS, instant, global connectivity.

Usually, e-mail in the form of text involves simple typing of the text message and sending it in text form to identified recipient. The technology of such e-mail communication using SMT Protocol is significantly applied across the globe, the same is restricted to "typed or digital text". It, by limitations, does not include the audio-video component. In short when the 'text' is typed the protocol becomes functional and carried out all dictates till the 'message¹ is received/stored/retrieved at receiver end. E-mail therefore is not a solution to those who cannot send "typed message". This dis-enabling factor could be literacy based, language based or any other challenge of the genre.

Video e-mails have thus been also of extreme utility and is very often required to be transmitted with or without text content. Video e-mails are simply, video recorded files that get submitted onto Mail Server. Unlike any typical e-mail where the sender gives the mail ID and here instead of typing any text message it is required to transmit mails containing video and audio message.

Any audio-video e-mail is today either by a 'audio-video chat-facility' or as an 'attachment'. While the former is restricted to persons' subscribed to a common facilitator, and by nature a duplex communication, the later brings with it challenges of space, downloading time of attachment and security. Hitherto, in order to send a audio-video e-mail in the existing system, the user has to record a audio-video message by using separate software and then attach the recorded audio-video message and send to the recipient. At the recipient's end, the user has to download the attached recorded audio-video message in order to view and listen to the audio-video message. Such limitations of conventional video e-mail delivery system are found to be of relevance as far as regular and fast transmissions of video e-mails are concerned. Importantly, it is found to be^' inconvenient and inefficient to develop, deliver and

maintain user specific applications and utilities. Technological advancement has led to conferencing facilities with users across the globe. However, video e-mail conferencing presently available does not permit the user to store the communication. Moreover, such video e-mail systems presently available do not provide for any interface for retrieval of the audio-video message, if required, unless under a common service provider. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide a system and a method of video e-mail transmission which would provide for the much desired transmission of video message through a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which would facilitate fast and effective transmission, storage and also possible retrieving of video messages to benefit wide scale use and application of video e-mails.

Another object of the present invention is directed to a server based interface for storage and transmission of video e-mails from the sender to one or more recipients which would avoid the limitations of the conventional video e-mail delivery system which are either specific to facility provider or depend on server size or bandwidth and now no solution for virus with the 'attachments'.

Another object of the present invention is directed to a server based interface for video transmission and in particular video e-mail transmission which would favor convenient and efficient system for delivery and maintain user specific applications and utilities.

Yet another object of the present invention is directed to a video e-mail transmission system which would facilitate more advantageous and effective use of conferencing facilities with many users across the globe and, more importantly, enable permitting the user of a video e- mail conferencing to also store the communication for retrieval and use as and when desired. Another object of the present invention is directed to a system and method of video e-mail transmission, which would enable the mail user to send a text and audio-video recording messages to multiple users through the interface for recording video messages.

Yet another object of the; present-invention is directed to a video e-mail transmission system which would provide an interface for recording video messages and forwarding of mails with encrypted name of the file in which the video message is stored and sent along with the actual message as either a part of the message or as a URL.

It is yet another object of the present invention to overcome the problems of recording a audio-video message using separate software, attach and send which are mentioned in the background art, now can be directly recorded and send without having any attachment.

A further object of the present invention is directed to provide for a video e-mail transmission system with tools, which would defy language localization wherein the recipient would have the option of listening to the video message in his or her native language.

A further object of the present invention is directed to video e-mail transmission system having a server based interface wherein the mail is delivered to the server and only authentic users are allowed to log in to see and view and hear their mails. ^{"' ■'}

Another object of the invention is to provide for a method of video e-mail transmission wherein the limits on the size of each video e-mail and the total mail box can be calibrated based on optimizing experience, total server size and bandwidth and other relevant logistics. A further object of the invention is to provide for programmed computer systems and server based system adapted to favor video e-mail transmission more effectively and with user friendly attributes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for video e- mail transmission comprising:

a device for generating the video e-mail;

an interface for instant recording the video message, sending such recorded message to one/or plural recipients through a software as adapted for recording and storing the video e-mail under a file name;

and apply similar interface for further interactions;

At the receiving end, the technology implied receiving the embedded message in video mode with facility to view, hear, save, forward and reply.

In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention there is provided a system for video e- mail transmission comprising:

a device for generating an audio-video e-niail; an interface for instant recording the audio-video message, sending such recorded message to one/or plural recipients through a software as adapted for recording and storing the audio- video e-mail under a file name;

and apply similar interface for further interactions;

At the receiving end, the technology implied receiving the embedded message in audio-video mode with facility to view, hear, save, forward and reply.

In the above system for video e-mail .transmission the user records the messages using hardware devices such as video camera, microphone and/or any other digital audio/video equipment and command the 'Record facility' that is visible on the website.

Importantly, in the above system the said server comprises graphical interface for receiving,recording video messages and send the same to single/multiple users/recipients. When the mail is sent, the encrypted name of the file in which the video message is stored is also sent along with the actual message as either a part of the message or as a URL.

Also, the Server is suitably programmed for recording of the audio-Video message. The server is adapted to store the message into a file and move into the appropriate user folder on the server and the file name of the audio-Video message allotted. Such messages can also be replayed or forward. On recording message, the same can be replayed, heard, viewed, altered, saved, sent, copy forwarded. For hearing and viewing a message the user can go to the file

which in turn retrieves the message from the back-end and plays the same for the benefit of

the user. Such a server interface is adapted to receive and store , audio-video messages of predetermined sizes based on the size of each video e-mail, total mail box which are calibrated based on optimizing operating conditions, total server size and bandwidth and other relevant logistics. The interface is further adapted to allow only authentic users to log in to see and view and hear their mails stored in the server interface.

The software embedded enables the sending/receiving of audio-video e-mail generated from a PC/Laptop/Mobile Phone/PDA to be received using a Mobile/Laptop/PDA/PC.

Also, the sender is provided with means for sending a video e-mail to receiver along with/instead of a text mail. A audio-video recording device is therefor planted with the text space. The server is adapted to receive the said text mail and/or audio-video file with the help of request object and the receiver receives the file with a response object such as to read text mail and hear, view the audio-video e-mail.

Another aspect of the present invention is that audio-video email is not compulsory. Thus provided a method for user may choose to deliver an e-mail with or without audio-video

However for generating a video e-mail can be by using a device such as a video camera or any other digital video equipment;

using the interface for recording the video message and sending to one recipient/multiple recipients by recording and storing the video e-mail under a file name in said interface; Before sending the interface includes the facility to view, hear, correct, save, send immediately, send later or forward to multiple accounts.

recipient having provision for receiving and playing such video e-mail playing the video under the file name in the message.

In the above method for delivering a video e-mail, the video recorded files are submitted to the audio-video communication server for transmission to the • recipient. Using the above method it is possible to send text and video messages to multiple recipients through the server based interface for recording video messages. When the mail is sent, the encrypted name of the file in which the video message is stored is also sent along with the actual message as either a part of the message or as a URL. The server used in the method is adapted to store the file and moves into appropriate user folder and the file name is duly allotted.

Following the above method according to the invention the method for delivering a audio- video e-mail can be retrieved from the back end and played to the user or the user gets access through a URL to the resource in the selected web page to play the message, for others.

The recipient has to establish authentic log-in before having access to the message.

The method provides for a very simple user friendly interface of audio-video e-mail involving at user end basic conventional audio-video means to send and receive the video e-

mail through the server. In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a computer readable information recording medium adapted to record a program on a server based storage, a computer readable information storage medium which stores the recorded message on a server, and a computer readable information recording medium which decodes a recorded message from a server and delivers the same to the user.

It is thus possible by way of the above disclosed video e-mail transmission system to provide an effective system of video e-mail transmission involving simple means for the user to record a message with video camera or any other digital audio-video equipment and deliver it and providing a means for accessing of video e-mail from Graphical User Interface. The above system thus favors a simple method for achieving video e-mail transmission by way of an effective server based Graphical User Interface.

The use of video e-mail overcomes any user concerns for size of saving such messages and the band width and makes it convenient and efficient to develop, deliver and maintain user specific application and utilities.

Importantly, by way of above discussed system and method the mail user can send text and video recording messages to many users through the interface by recording a single video message. When the mails are sent, the encrypted name of the file in which the video messages are stored is also sent along with the actual message as either a part of the message or as a URL.

The details of the invention, its objects and advantages are explained hereunder in greater detail in relation to non-limiting exemplary illustration as per the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

Figure 1 is a flow chart of the video e-mail transmission system in accordance with the present invention involving the server based interface;

Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating the interaction between the components wherein sender sends a video e-mail to receiver by using video and audio recording devices; juxta positioned with text mail facility.

Reference is first invited to Figure 1, which illustrates the use of an application of the video e-mail transmission system in accordance with the present invention. As represented in said figure in accordance with the above server based interface in the system, the sender sends the video e-mail, which is received by the receiver. For such purpose as shown in the Figure, the sender sends the video e-mail from sources such as PC/Laptop/mobile phone/PDA. Mail server is adapted to receive the request and passes the request to a particular user/receiver. In particular, the mail receiver with mobile/laptop/a PC etc., receives the request and can open and view and listen the video e-mail using monitor and audio device. The receiver can reply or forward the mail to other users or senders. The receiver ,can choose to respond by text/voice/video/any two of the above formats/all the above three formats of mail. Reference is now invited to Figure 2, which is a flow chart illustrating the interaction between the component wherein.Λhe sender sends a video e-mail to receiver by using text mail and a video/audio recording devices. The mail server receives the text mail and audio and video files with the help of request object. Receiver receives the file with help of response object and can read the text mail and view and listen to the audio-video message. The receiver can, if required, reply back or forward the mail. Both the sender and the receiver must have video and audio facilities.

In particular, to record a message the sender can use a video camera and microphone and any other digital audio-video equipment and then mail or deliver it while the receiver can use a video unit for accessing the video e-mail from a server based graphical interface.

Importantly, as apparent from the . above illustrative embodiments the video e-mail delivery system is not necessarily dependent ^; on system specific or on the server size and the bandwidth and is directed to favor convenient and efficient manner of video e-mail transmission.

Importantly, as a step- forward of the prior art, the video message is not required to be downloaded to be viewed/heard. It only requires to be played to be viewed/heard.

Advantageously, also the video e-mail transmission system would provide for wide scale application and use of video based communications especially conferencing facilities with many users across the globe. Importantly, the system of the invention would permit the user to store the communication and provide for much desired interface for retrieval of video e- mails. Delivery of the original video and not a downloaded format is the key of the new invention system.

Claims

WE CLAM:

1. A system for video e-mail transmission comprising:

an algorithm for generating the video e-mail;

an interface for recording the video message and adapted to carryout selectively at least one of the following : , .

(i) sending to multiple recipients through a server means adapted for recording and storing the video e-mail under a file name,,

(ii) Selectively sending to single or multiple recipients through a server means adapted for recording and storing the video e-mail under a file name;

(iii) forwarding through a server means a message embedded with the file name to a single recipient;

(iv) forwarding through a server means a message embedded with. the file name to multiple

recipients.

(v) forwarding through a server means a message embedded with the file name to multiple

recipients constituting a single characteristic user group. (vi) forwarding through a server means a message embedded with the file name to multiple recipients constituting multiple characteristic user groups

2. A system for video e-mail transmission comprising:

an algorithm for generating an audio-video e-mail;

an interface for recording the audio-video message and adapted to selectively carryout atleast one of the following:

(i) sending to multiple, recipients through a server means adapted for recording and storing the audio-video e-mail under a file name;

(ii) selectively sending to single or multiple recipients through a server means adapted for recording and storing the audio-video e-mail under a file name;

(iii) forwarding through a server means for forwarding a message embedded with the file name to a single recipient;

(iv) forwarding through a server means for forwarding a message embedded with the file name to multiple recipients;

(v) forwarding through a server means a message embedded with the file name to multiple recipients constituting a single characteristic user group; and (vi) forwarding through a server means a message embedded with the file name to multiple recipients constituting multiple characteristic user groups.

3. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 or 2 wherein the user records the messages using devices preferably selected from video camera and microphone and/or any other digital audio-video equipment.

4. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein the said server comprises graphical interface for receiving, recording video messages and send the same to multiple users/recipients.

5. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 4 adapted such that when the mail is sent, the encrypted name of the file in which the video message is stored is also sent along with the actual message as either a part of the message or as a URL.

6. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 5 wherein the server is suitably programmed for recording of the Video message.

7. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein the server is adapted to store the message into a file and move into the appropriate user folder on the server and the file name of the Video message duly allotted.

8. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 7 wherein the server is adapted to embed the allotted file name to the Video message and forward the same

to the selective user/recipieni.

9. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 8 wherein for viewing and hearing of the message by the user, the filename of the video is retrieved from the message which in turn retrieves the message from the back-end and played selectively to the user/recipient.

10. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 9 wherein for viewing of the message by the user, the user is provided with a URL to the resource upon clicking whereby the user is re-directed to a web page where the Video message file can be played.

11. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 10 server interface adapted such that the recipient has the option of playing the video.

12. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 11 comprising said server interface adapted to receive and store Video messages of predetermined sizes based on the size of each video e-mail , total mail box which are calibrated based on optimizing operating conditions, total server size and bandwidth and other relevant logistics.

13. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 12 comprising said server interface allows only authentic users to log in to see and view and hear their mails stored in the server interface.

14. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 13 wherein the device for generating the Video comprises a video e-mail generated from a PC/Laptop/ mobile phone/PDA.

15. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 14 wherein the mail receiver also receives the message using a mobile/a laptop/a PDA.

16. A system for video e-mail transmission according to anyone of claims 1 to 15 wherein the mail receiver is provided with provision for replying or forwarding the video e-mail received at the receivers end.

17. A system for video, e-mail transmission according to anyone .of claims 1 to 16 wherein the sender is provided with means for sending a video e-mail to receiver by using a text mail and audio-video recording devices and the mail server is adapted to receive the said text mail and audio and video files with the help^' of request object and the receiver receives the file with a response object such as to read text mail and view and listen the audio-video e-mail.

18. A method for delivering a video e-mail with or without audio comprising the steps of:

providing an algorithm' for generating the video e-mail;

using an interface for recording the video message and selectively carrying out atleast one of the following: (i) sending to multiple recipients through a server means adapted for recording and storing the video e-mail under a file name;

(ii) -selectively sending to single or multiple recipients through a server means adapted for recording and storing the video e-mail under a file name;

(iv) forwarding through a server means a message embedded with the file name to multiple recipients;

(v) forwarding through a server means a message embedded with the file name to multiple recipients constituting a single characteristic user group; and

(vi) forwarding through a server means a message embedded with the file name to multiple recipients constituting multiple characteristic user groups.

19. A method for delivering a video e-mail as claimed in claim 18 wherein the video recorded file are submitted to the mail server for transmission to the recipient.

20. A method for delivering a video e-mail as claimed in anyone of claims 18 or 19 comprising sending text and video messages to multiple recipients through the server based

interface for recording video messages.

21. A method for delivering a video e-mail as claimed in anyone of claims 18 to 20 wherein when the mail is sent, the encrypted name of the file in which the video message is stored is also sent along with the actual message as either a part of the message or as a URL.

22. A method for delivering a video e-mail as claimed in anyone of claims 18 to 21 wherein the server stores the file and moves into appropriate user folder and the file name duly allotted.

23. A method for delivering a video e-mail as claimed in anyone of claims 18 to 22 wherein the message is retrieved from the back end and played to the user or the user gets access through a URL to the resource in the selected web page to play the message.

24. A method for delivering a video e-mail as claimed in anyone of claims 18 to 23 wherein the recipient plays the video.

25. A method for delivering a video e-mail as claimed in anyone of claims 18 to 24 wherein the recipient has to establish authentic log-in before having access to the message.

26. A method for delivering a video e-mail as claimed in anyone of claims 18 to 25 comprising using conventional video and audio means to send and receive the video e-mail.

27. A computer readable information recording medium which records a program for controlling a server based storage and forwarding of video e-mail using the system according

to claim 1.

28. A computer readable information recording medium which records a program for controlling a server based method for providing a video e-mail service, according to claim 18.

29. A system for video e-mail transmission substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.