Transparent proxy server for instant messaging system and methods

• US 20030131061A1
• Filed: 11/27/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Active Buddy, Inc.
• Inventors: Newton, Michael O., Fritzler, Adam, Kay, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US10/306,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20030131061A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0281 Proxies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload

Abstract

A proxy server connected to a local network. The proxy server receives an instant message which was sent from a first-end user who is also connected to the local network. This message is associated with an instant messaging service which, in turn, is supported supported by a back-end instant messaging server. The proxy server determines whether the second end-user, to whom the message is intended, is connected to the local network. In the event that the second end-user is connected to the local network, the proxy server directs the instant message to the second end-user solely within the local network while bypassing the remote network and the instant messaging server. Also disclosed is a method for enhancing instant messaging functionality using a proxy server.

Claims

1. A method for directing an instant message to an end-user using an instant messaging protocol, comprising the steps of:

providing a proxy server on a local network;

receiving at the proxy server the instant message sent from a first end-user connected to the local network to a second end-user, the instant message being associated with an instant messaging service supported by a back-end instant messaging server;

determining at the proxy server whether the second end-user is connected to the local network; and

in the event that the second end-user is connected to the local network, directing the instant message to the second end-user solely within the local network while bypassing the remote network and the back-end instant messaging server.

2. The method of claim 1, including the further step, in the event that the second user is not connected to the local network, of forwarding the instant message to the second end-user by way of the back-end instant messaging server.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step receives the instant message from an end-user instant messaging software application.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the receiving step is performed transparently to the end-user instant messaging software application.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the directing step is performed transparently to the end-user instant messaging software application.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the directing step is performed transparently to the end-user instant messaging software application.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the receiving step receives the instant message from an end-user instant messaging software application.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the receiving step is performed transparently to the instant messaging software application.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the forwarding step is performed transparently to the instant messaging software application.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the forwarding step is performed transparently to the instant messaging software application.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the proxy server is a software application.

12. A method for providing enhanced instant messaging functionality to an end-user using an instant messaging software application that is implemented on a client computer, the instant messaging software application being configured to connect to a back-end instant messaging server, comprising the steps of:

providing a proxy server;

creating a first network connection between the instant messaging software application and the proxy server;

whereby the instant messaging software application is caused to connect to the proxy server in a manner that does not require changes to the client software configuration nor the client computer configuration;

creating a second network connection between the proxy server and the back-end instant messaging server; and

selectively directing messages between the instant messaging software application and the back-end instant messaging server trough the proxy server by way of the first network connection and the second network connection.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the proxy server is a software application.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the proxy server has a first port connected to the first network connection which is configured to emulate the communication interface of the back-end instant messaging server;

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the proxy server is transparent to the back-end instant messaging server.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the proxy server has a second port connected to the second network connection which is configured to emulate the communication interface of the instant messaging software application.