Qwest Communications International Inc.

U S West, Inc.

Mediaone Group, Inc.

Qwest Communications Int'l., Inc.

Randall B Sparks

Scott A Dooley

Arnold M Lund

Kyle D Habermehl

Craig I Weich

Bradley S Reeves

Dereck A Stertz

Kyle Habermehl

A Scott Wolff

Sherman Woo

C Reid Turner

James L Lane

An adaptable communication system provides capability to change the format of multimedia files being transmitted over a data network in real-time. Incorporated into a network server is a processor and other functionality for downloading multimedia files and then recreating the files to accommodate different download formats. A file may be created that is appropriate for real-time playing for a 14.4 k modem connection as well as an high-bandwidth line, such as an ADSL line connection. A separate file is created in the network server for these different type of connections. Also incorporated into each of the newly created multimedia files are reference marks which are located at the same playing interval for each of the files. Once a system user has accessed and is viewing a multimedia file as it is being downloaded, an interface connection may detect that noise or other problems on the network are decreasing the quality of the playback. Once this occurs, a different file may be retrieved from memory which is more appropriate for that transmission medium. The processor uses the reference marks included in each of the multimedia files to make a seamless replacement of one file for the other.

Method and apparatus for optimizing playback of media files over a data network

A method and system for delivering audio and data files includes a data network and a voice network. A user station provided in communication with the data network receives data files. A telephone provided in communication with the voice network receives audio files. An application server in communication with the data network stores and executes applications programs which include audio features. An audio server in communication with the application server and the voice network is operative to dial a telephone, deliver a selected audio file to the telephone, or record and store an audio file.

Method and system for delivering audio and data files

A computerized method and system for interactively simulating a plurality of telecommunications services operates in response to a user sending a message from his client computer across a data network to a server requesting to download on one of the service simulation programs. In response to the message from the client, the server provides the requested telecommunications service simulation program. The program provided by the server is downloaded and executed by the client. The downloaded program provides the user with an interaction experience representative of the selected one of the plurality of telecommunications services. This interaction experience may include additional communication between the service simulation program and the server. Additionally, the service simulation program provides guidance to the user in using and configuring both the service simulation program and, potentially, the actual telecommunications service to which the user has subscribed.

Computerized method and system for interactively simulating

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Lafayette, CO, United States of America

Randall B Sparks