Method and system for inviting and creating accounts for prospective users of an instant messaging system
First Claim
1. A method for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user of an instant messaging system comprising a plurality of clients having IM applications of the same or different types, selectively interconnected to an IM server by way of a computer network, the method comprising the following steps:
- receiving a client specific access address of a prospective user on the computer network together with a request to register or tentatively register an account for said prospective user;
automatically allocating a unique identifier to the prospective user;
matching said unique identifier to the client specific access address of the prospective user;
registering or tentatively registering an account for said prospective user by storing the matched unique identifier and client specific access address with said IM server under the unique identifier; and
sending notification of said unique identifier to said prospective user at the client specific address of the prospective user, either;
confirming the registering of the prospective user if the initial sending was associated with a direct request to register from the prospective user;
or inviting registration of the prospective user if the initial sending was associated with a request to register from someone other than the prospective user.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user of an instant messaging system. The IM system comprises a plurality of clients (111) having IM applications of the same or different types, selectively interconnected to an IM server (113) by way of the internet (117). The system includes a registration handler (119) for receiving a client specific access address (johnsmith@company.com) of a prospective user (127) on the internet (117) together with a request (115) to register or tentatively register the prospective user (127). A unique identifier assigner is provided to automatically allocate a unique numeric identifier (UIN) to the prospective user (127) and match the UIN to the client specific address (johnsmith@company.com) of the prospective user. An account processer registers or tentatively registers an account for the prospective user (127) in a user database (123) for future use (125) by storing (121) the matched UIN and client specific access address under the UIN in the database. A message despatcher sends a notification (129) of the UIN to the prospective user (127) at the client specific address of the prospective user, either: confirming the registering of the prospective user if the initial sending was associated with a direct request to register from the prospective user; or inviting registration of the prospective user if the initial sending was associated with a request to register from someone other than the prospective user.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user of an instant messaging system comprising a plurality of clients having IM applications of the same or different types, selectively interconnected to an IM server by way of a computer network, the method comprising the following steps:
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receiving a client specific access address of a prospective user on the computer network together with a request to register or tentatively register an account for said prospective user;
automatically allocating a unique identifier to the prospective user;
matching said unique identifier to the client specific access address of the prospective user;
registering or tentatively registering an account for said prospective user by storing the matched unique identifier and client specific access address with said IM server under the unique identifier; and
sending notification of said unique identifier to said prospective user at the client specific address of the prospective user, either;
confirming the registering of the prospective user if the initial sending was associated with a direct request to register from the prospective user;
or inviting registration of the prospective user if the initial sending was associated with a request to register from someone other than the prospective user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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11. A system for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user of an instant messaging system comprising a plurality of clients having IM applications of the same or different types, selectively interconnected to an IM server by way of a computer network, the system comprising:
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a registration handling means for receiving a client specific access address of a prospective user on the computer network together with a request to register or tentatively register said prospective user;
a unique identifier assigning means to automatically allocate said unique identifier to said prospective user and match said unique identifier to the client specific address of the prospective user;
account processing means to register or tentatively register an account for said prospective user;
database means for storing the matched unique identifier and client specific access address under the unique identifier; and
a message despatching means for sending notification of said unique identifier to said prospective user at the client specific address of the prospective user, either;
confirming the registering of the prospective user if the initial sending was associated with a direct request to register from the prospective user;
or inviting registration of the prospective user if the initial sending was associated with a request to register from someone other than the prospective user.
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21. A method for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user of an instant messaging system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate.
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22. A system for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user of an instant messaging system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate.
Specification