Peer-to-peer (P2P) communication system
First Claim
1. A method for establishing a peer-to-peer (P2P) computing service between a plurality of peer computers that are operatively coupled through at least one network, the method comprising:
- causing a first peer computer, being used by a first user, to send a query message over said network to at least one other peer computer, said query message including information identifying a buddy user; and
causing a second peer computer, being used by said identified buddy user, to send a hit response message over said network in response to receiving said query message, said hit response message including identifying information about said second peer computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques are provided for use in establishing and maintaining a contacting/communication service and/or network that does not necessarily require the use of dedicated server devices. For example, improved methods and apparatuses are provided that can be used to provide peer-to-peer (P2P) or other like forms of communication in such a manner that users can remain aware of others'"'"' online/offline statuses, search for other users, conduct audio/video talk and chat with others, exchange information, and/or communicate in other ways with one another.
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Citations
72 Claims
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1. A method for establishing a peer-to-peer (P2P) computing service between a plurality of peer computers that are operatively coupled through at least one network, the method comprising:
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causing a first peer computer, being used by a first user, to send a query message over said network to at least one other peer computer, said query message including information identifying a buddy user; and
causing a second peer computer, being used by said identified buddy user, to send a hit response message over said network in response to receiving said query message, said hit response message including identifying information about said second peer computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer readable medium having computer implementable instructions for performing acts comprising:
establishing a peer-to-peer (P2P) computing service between a plurality of peer computers that are operatively coupled through at least one network, by;
causing a first peer computer, being used by a first user, to send a query message over said network to at least one other peer computer, said query message including information identifying a buddy user; and
causing a second peer computer, being used by said identified buddy user, to send a hit response message over said network in response to receiving said query message, said hit response message including identifying information about said second peer computer. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for use in a peer computer that is configurable to connect to at least one other peer computer to form a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, the method comprising:
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establishing buddy user information associated with a current user of said peer computer, said buddy user information including identifying information about at least one buddy user; and
causing said peer computer to prepare a query message based on said identifying information about said buddy user, said query message being suitable for transmission over at least one network to at least one other peer computer as identified in said buddy user information. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A computer readable medium having computer implementable instructions for performing acts comprising:
configuring a peer computer to connect to at least one other peer computer to form a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, by;
establishing buddy user information associated with a current user of said peer computer, said buddy user information including identifying information about at least one buddy user; and
causing said peer computer to prepare a query message based on said identifying information about said buddy user, said query message being suitable for transmission over at least one network to at least one other peer computer as identified in said buddy user information. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A system comprising:
a plurality of peer computers operatively interconnected through at least one network and arranged to form a peer-to peer (P2P) network that includes at least;
a first peer computer associated with a first user, said first peer computer being configured to send a query message over said at least one network to at least one other peer computer, said query message including information identifying a buddy user, and a second peer computer associated with said identified buddy user, said second peer computer begin configured to send a hit response message back to said first peer computer over said at least one network in response to receiving said query message, said hit response message including identifying information about said second peer computer. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
Specification