Method and apparatus for sharing mobile user event information between wireless networks and fixed IP networks

• US 20010034224A1
• Filed: 01/26/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Altamira Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Invertix
• Inventors: McDowell, Mark, Stead, Graham, Khalil, Joseph, Zweifach, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 6,839,554 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/412.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/08 Mobility data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/10 between location register and external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/184 Messaging devices, e.g. message centre
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

The present invention provides for a system and method for sharing user event information (such as, and without limitation, presence on a network) among mobile (wireless) devices and those connected to fixed IP networks such as the Internet. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the system and method support instant messaging between wireless devices and fixed IP network devices and between wireless devices and other wireless devices. The term wireless device is used broadly to include cell phones, laptop computers with wireless modems, wireless PDAs, and any other remote wireless devices.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating instant messaging for a specific wireless device associated with a wireless telephone network, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from a home location register of the wireless telephone network indicating that the specific wireless device is connected to the wireless telephone network;

broadcasting, over a second network, a signal indicating presence of the specific wireless device; and

inquiring of one or more instant messaging providers information concerning the presence of one or more users on the second network.

2. A method of facilitating instant messaging for a specific handset associated with a wireless telephone network, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from a home location register of the wireless telephone network indicating that the specific handset is connected to the network;

broadcasting, over a fixed network, a signal indicating presence of the specific handset;

inquiring of one or more instant messaging providers information concerning the presence of one or more users on the fixed network;

transmitting to a short messaging service platform any information received from the one or more instant messaging providers information concerning the presence of one or more users on the fixed network, along with information directing the short messaging service to forward the transmitted information to the specific handset.