Methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating peer-to-peer communication sessions across a communication network by uploading a coordination module to a hosting server

• US 20060040742A1
• Filed: 08/20/2004
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wright, Steven Allan, Anschutz, Thomas Arnold
• Application Number:
  US10/922,550
• Publication Number:
  US 20060040742A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality

Abstract

A communication network includes a hosting server and a plurality of data processing systems and is operated by uploading a coordination module from one of the plurality of data processing systems to the hosting server. The game hosting server coordinates peer-to-peer communication sessions among a plurality of users associated with the plurality of data processing systems.

Claims

1. A method of operating a communication network that includes a hosting server and a plurality of data processing systems, comprising:

uploading a coordination module from one of the plurality of data processing systems to the hosting server across the communication network; and

coordinating peer-to-peer communication sessions among a plurality of users associated with the plurality of data processing systems, respectively, at the hosting server.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hosting server is a game hosting server, wherein the coordination module is a game-play coordination module, and wherein coordinating peer-to-peer communication sessions among a plurality of users comprises:

coordinating a game among a plurality of game players associated with the plurality of data processing systems, respectively, at the game hosting server.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

reserving processing time on the game hosting server for playing the game.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein coordinating the game comprises:

inviting other ones of the plurality of data processing systems to participate in the game.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

adjusting quality of service (QoS) on communication links connecting the plurality of data processing systems to the game hosting server.

6. A communication network, comprising:

a plurality of data processing systems; and

a hosting server that comprises;

means for uploading a coordination module from one of the plurality of data processing systems across the communication network; and

means for coordinating peer-to-peer communication sessions among a plurality of users associated with the plurality of data processing systems, respectively, at the hosting server.

7. The communication network of claim 6, wherein the hosting server is a game hosting server, the coordination module is a game-play coordination module, and the means for coordinating comprises:

means for coordinating a game among a plurality of game players associated with the plurality of data processing systems, respectively, at the game hosting server.

8. The communication network of claim 7, wherein the one of the plurality of data processing systems comprises:

means for reserving processing time on the game hosting server for playing the game.

9. The communication network of claim 8, wherein the means for coordinating the game further comprises:

means for inviting other ones of the plurality of data processing systems to participate in the game.

10. The communication network of claim 7, wherein the game hosting server further comprises:

means for adjusting quality of service (QoS) on communication links connecting the plurality of data processing systems to the game hosting server.

11. A computer program product for operating a communication network that includes a hosting server and a plurality of data processing systems, comprising:

a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising;

computer readable program code configured to upload a coordination module from one of the plurality of data processing systems across the communication network; and

computer readable program code configured to coordinate peer-to-peer communication sessions among a plurality of users associated with the plurality of data processing systems, respectively, at the hosting server.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the hosting server is a game hosting server, the coordination module is a game-play coordination module, and the computer readable program code configured to coordinate comprises:

computer readable program code configured to coordinate a game among a plurality of game players associated with the plurality of data processing systems, respectively, at the game hosting server.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the one of the plurality of data processing systems comprises:

computer readable program code configured to reserve processing time on the game hosting server for playing the game.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the computer readable program code configured to coordinate the game further comprises:

computer readable program code configured to invite other ones of the plurality of data processing systems to participate in the game.

15. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the game hosting server further comprises:

computer readable program code configured to adjust quality of service (QoS) on communication links connecting the plurality of data processing systems to the game hosting server.

16. A communication network, comprising:

a plurality of data processing systems; and

a hosting server that is configured to upload a coordination module from one of the plurality of data processing systems across the communication network and to coordinate peer-to-peer communication sessions among a plurality of users associated with the plurality of data processing systems, respectively.

17. The communication network of claim 16, wherein the hosting server is a game hosting server, the coordination module is a game play coordination module, and the game hosting server is further configured to upload the game play coordination module from one of the plurality of data processing systems across the communication network and to coordinate a game among a plurality of game players associated with the plurality of data processing systems, respectively.

18. The communication network of claim 17, wherein the one of the plurality of data processing systems is configured to reserve processing time on the game hosting server for playing the game.

19. The communication network of claim 17, wherein the game hosting server is further configured to invite other ones of the plurality of data processing systems to participate in the game.

20. The communication network of claim 17, wherein the game hosting server is further configured to adjust a quality of service (QoS) on communication links connecting the plurality of data processing systems to the game hosting server.