Signaling method for Internet telephony

• US 20050165894A1
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Schulzrinne, Henning G., Rosenberg, Jonathan David
• Granted Patent: US 8,166,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1096 Supplementary features, e.g. call forwarding or call holding systems providing special services or facilities to telephony subscribers H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/561 by multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling

Abstract

A method for creating, modifying, and terminating connections between Internet end systems, particularly, although not exclusively, for Internet telephony communication. The method relies on several request messages sent between a client and a server and the response messages sent back in response. Each request and response message may contain one or more header fields which modify or more uniquely link the messages with a given connection. On this basis, advanced telephony services, such as call forwarding, call transferring, and multiparty conferencing are provided.

Claims

1. In a client-server computer network, a method for determining when a particular user enters or exits the network, comprising the steps of:

having a first user send a first request message to a server on the network, the request message identifying at least one second user;

having the server send a second request message to the first user when entry or exit of the at least one second user from the network is detected.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first request message is sent to the server on the network via at least one intermediate server on the network.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second request message is sent to the first user via at least one intermediate server.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first request message is a SUBSCRIBE request message and the second request message is a NOTIFY request message.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first request message is effective for a finite time period.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the finite time period is defined in a header field contained in the first request message.

7. The method according to claim 5, comprising a step of terminating the pendency of the first request message by having the first user issue a third request message canceling the first request message.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second user can control who is notified of the entry or exit of the at least one second user from the network.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second request message additionally indicates the at least one second party'"'"'s communication capabilities.