REDIRECTION AND INVITATION FOR ACCESSING AN ONLINE SERVICE

• US 20060259632A1
• Filed: 05/12/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Oath Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Crawford, Lee, So, Albert
• Application Number:
  US11/383,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20060259632A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066

Abstract

A system and method are directed towards enabling a user to access an online service such as an online multiplayer game. The online service notifies a message service, such as a portal service, that a first client is interacting with the online service. The message may include a network address to which the first client is connected, or the network address may be obtained separately. The message may also identify a second client, which the first client wishes to invite to participate in the online service. The second client can also be identified by the message service with a contact list. The message service may determine a current presence of the second client to determine a device and format currently being used by the second client. The message service provides the second client with a link to the network address and/or a redirection link to the online service.

Claims

1. A method for enabling a user to access an online service, comprising:

receiving from the online service, an indication that a first client is interacting with the online service;

receiving from the online service, a network address of a network device to which the first client is connected for interacting with the online service; and

sending to a second client, a message including a selectable interface control for accessing the online service at the network address.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the second client based on an identifier of the first client.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving from the online service, an identifier of the second client.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first client causes the online service to send the indication that the first client is interacting with the online service.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprises at least one of the following;

an instant message, a short message service message, and an email.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the online service comprises a multiplayer game.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first client and the second client comprises a mobile terminal.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a presence of the second client, including determining a type of client device currently used by the second client; and

generating the message to conform with a format of the client device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectable interface control comprises at least one of the following;

a hyper link and a selectable graphic.

10. A computer readable medium, comprising executable instructions for performing actions, including:

receiving from the online service, an indication that a first client is interacting with the online service;

receiving from the online service, a network address of a network device to which the first client is connected for interacting with the online service; and

sending to a second client, a message including a selectable interface control for accessing the online service at the network address.

11. A modulated data signal for communicating data over a network, the modulated data signal comprising instructions that enable a computing device to perform the actions of:

receiving from the online service, an indication that a first client is interacting with the online service;

receiving from the online service, a network address of a network device to which the first client is connected for interacting with the online service; and

sending to a second client, a message including a selectable interface control for accessing the online service at the network address.

12. A server device for enabling a user to access an online service, comprising:

a communication interface in communication with the online service and a second client;

a memory for storing instructions and data; and

a processor in communication with the communication interface and with the memory, wherein the processor performs actions based at least in part on the stored instructions, including;

receiving from the online service, an indication that a first client is interacting with the online service;

receiving from the online service, a network address of a network device to which the first client is connected for interacting with the online service; and

sending to the second client, a message including a selectable interface control for accessing the online service at the network address.

13. The client device of claim 12, wherein the processor further performs the action of determining the second client based on an identifier of the first client.

14. The server device of claim 12, wherein the processor further performs the action of accessing comprises the actions of receiving from the online service, an identifier of the second client.

15. The server device of claim 12, wherein the first client causes the online service to send the indication that the first client is interacting with the online service.

16. The client device of claim 12, wherein the message comprises at least one of the following;

an instant message, a short message service message, and an email.

17. The client device of claim 12, wherein the online service comprises a multiplayer game.

18. The client device of claim 12, wherein the processor further performs the actions of:

determining a presence of the second client, including determining a type of client device currently used by the second client; and

generating the message to conform with a format of the client device.

19. A client device for enabling a user to access an online service, comprising:

a communication interface in communication with a message service that is in communication with an online service;

a memory for storing instructions and data; and

a processor in communication with the communication interface and with the memory, wherein the processor performs actions based at least in part on the stored instructions, including;

receiving from the message service, an indication that a first client is interacting with the online service;

receiving from the message service, a network address of a network device to which the first client is connected for interacting with the online service;

detecting selection of a selectable interface control; and

accessing the online service at the network address.

20. The client device of claim 19, wherein the processor further performs the actions of:

detecting that a predefined process is executing, wherein the predefined process causes the client device to interact with the online service;

requesting that the message service send a notification to another client that the client device is interacting with the online service, wherein the notification includes the network address.