Method and system for facilitating instant messaging transactions between disparate service providers

• US 20040128352A1
• Filed: 12/27/2002
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Abou-Rizk, Mitri, Srinivas, Bindignavile
• Granted Patent: US 7,249,161 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]

Abstract

A method and system is described for facilitating instant messaging (IM) between a first user with an address that includes a first domain name and a second user with an address that includes a second domain name different from the first. A substitute address is chosen that includes the second domain name and is mapped to the first address. An IM sent from the first user to the second is copied and re-addressed to be sent from the substitute address. This maintains consistency of domain names between the addressor and addressee, allowing existing IM systems that inhibit IM between incompatible IMSPs to deliver the message.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating instant messaging (IM) over an electronic communication network between a first address that includes a first domain and a second address that includes a second domain that is different from the first, comprising:

receiving a first message from the first address that is directed to the second address; and

mapping the first address to a substitute address that includes the second domain name.

2. The method of claim 1, where the substitute address is selected from a pool of addresses that each include the second domain and that are created and maintained by a first instant messaging service provider (IMSP1).

3. The method of claim 2, where the mapping between the first address and the substitute address is deleted after IM between the first address and the second address is terminated.

4. The method of claim 2, where the substitute address is one of returned to the pool or deleted after IM between the first address and the second address is terminated.

5. The method of claim 1, executed by a first instant messaging service provider (IMSP1) that is identified with the first domain.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising copying a text of the first message;

and sending the copied text of the first message from the substitute address to the second address.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising copying a text of the first message;

and reformatting the copied text of the first message.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising copying a text of the first message;

and appending the copied text to another message.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

monitoring the substitute address for a reply message;

mapping the substitute address to the first address;

copying a text of the reply message; and

sending the copied text of the reply message to the first address.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising one of deleting the substitute address or returning the substitute address to the pool of addresses.

11. The method of claim 9, where the reply message is directed from the substitute address to the first address by means of the mapping.

12. A system for facilitating instant messaging (IM) over an electronic network between a first address that includes a first domain name that is associated with a first instant messaging service provider (IMSP1) and a second address that includes a second domain name that is associated with a second instant messaging service provider (IMSP2) and wherein the first and the second domain names differ from one another, comprising:

a substitute address that includes the second domain name; and

a map that correlates the substitute address to the first address once IM is initiated from the first address.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a pool of substitute addresses from which the substitute address is selected, and wherein the map is deleted upon termination of a catenated series of instant messages between the first address and the second address.

14. The system of claim 12, where the substitute address is assigned to IMSP1.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the map is stored in IMSP1.

16. The system of claim 12, where the map is deleted upon termination of a plurality of instant messages between the first address and the second address.