Method, Apparatus, System, Medium, and Signals for Intercepting a Multiple-Party Communication

• US 20080244702A1
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AK Meeting IP LLC (Pueblo Nuevo LLC)
• Original Assignee: Uranus International Limited
• Inventors: Kropivny, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 7,950,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/3
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities

Abstract

Systems, apparatus and methods related to multiple-party communications conducted between client computers in a computer network. For example, a method and apparatus for intercepting a multiple-party communication between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network is disclosed. The method involves receiving an input message at the server, the message representing user input received at one of the plurality of client computers, producing an output message representing the user input provided by the input message. The method further involves authorizing a designated client computer that is not part of the multiple-party communication to communicate with the server to cause the server to transmit output messages to the designated client computer, and transmitting the output message to each of the plurality of client computers and to the designated client computer. A method and apparatus for supporting access to a plurality of saved messages by a designated client computer in communication with a server in a computer network is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for intercepting a multiple-party communication between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network, the method comprising:

receiving an input message at the server, said message representing user input received at one of the plurality of client computers;

producing an output message representing said user input provided by said input message;

authorizing a designated client computer that is not part of the multiple-party communication to communicate with the server to cause the server to transmit output messages to said designated client computer; and

transmitting said output message to each of the plurality of client computers and to said designated client computer.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a message type associated with said input message and wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting said output message to:

a) each of the plurality of client computers when said input message is associated with a persistent message type;

b) ones of the plurality of client computers that meet a criterion when said input message is associated with a non-persistent message type; and

c) said designated client computer when said input message is associated with a persistent message type or a non-persistent message type.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting at least one identifier identifying multiple-party communications being hosted by the server to the designated client computer.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein transmitting said at least one identifier comprises transmitting a web page including:

an identifier identifying at least one multiple-party communication; and

information associated with said at least one multiple-party communication.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising receiving a request from said designated client computer to intercept a selected multiple-party communication, said request including a communication identifier identifying said selected multiple-party communication.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

storing a client identification of said designated client computer in a client table associated with said selected multiple-party communication in response to receiving said request, said client identification being operable to indicate to the server that output messages associated with said selected multiple-party communication should be transmitted to said designated client computer; and

associating a silent flag with said client identification, said silent flag indicating that said client identification is associated with a designated client computer.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising transmitting user interface program codes to said designated client computer, said program codes being operable to direct a processor circuit of said designated client computer to display a user interface for viewing content associated with said output messages transmitted to said designated client computer.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising causing output messages transmitted to at least some of the plurality of client computers prior to storing said client identification of said designated client computer in said client table, to be transmitted to said designated client computer.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

receiving an input message from said designated client computer, said message representing user input received at said designated client computer;

determining whether said input message represents a request from the designated client computer to discontinue the intercepting of said selected multiple-party communication;

causing said client identification associated with said designated client computer in said client table to be deleted when said input message represents a request from the designated client computer to discontinue intercepting said selected multiple-party communication; and

causing said input message to be ignored by the server when said input message does not represent a request from the designated client computer to discontinue intercepting said selected multiple-party communication.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

determining a first number of client computers having client identifications in said client table;

determining a second number of client computers having client identifications in said client table with said silent flag set to active, said second number corresponding to a number of designated client computers intercepting said selected multiple-party communication;

computing a client count number by taking a difference between said first number and said second number, said client count number representing a number of non-designated client computers in said selected multiple-party communication; and

transmitting said client count number to the plurality of client computers in said selected multiple-party communication.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein authorizing said designated client computer comprises authenticating a user of said designated client computer.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said authenticating comprises receiving an authentication indicator from an authentication server, said authentication indicator providing validation of credentials provided by said user wishing to intercept the multiple-party communication.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving media messages from at least a first participant in the multiple-party communication, said media messages representing at least one of audio and video content communicated during a media communication associated with the multiple-party-communication;

transmitting said media messages to at least a second participant in the multiple-party communication; and

transmitting intercept information to said designated client computer.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein transmitting said intercept information comprises transmitting at least one of:

information identifying said first and second participants;

information identifying a time of said media communication;

information identifying a duration of said media communication; and

copies of said media messages including said at least one of said audio and said video content.

15. An apparatus for intercepting a multiple-party communication between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving an input message at the server, said message representing user input received at one of the plurality of client computers;

means for producing an output message representing said user input provided by said input message;

means for authorizing a designated client computer that is not part of the multiple-party communication to communicate with the server to cause the server to transmit output messages to said designated client computer; and

means for transmitting said output message to each of the plurality of client computers and to said designated client computer.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising means for determining a message type associated with said input message and wherein said means for transmitting comprises means for transmitting said output message to:

a) each of the plurality of client computers when said input message is associated with a persistent message type;

b) ones of the plurality of client computers that meet a criterion when said input message is associated with a non-persistent message type; and

c) said designated client computer when said input message is associated with a persistent message type or a non-persistent message type.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising means for transmitting at least one identifier identifying multiple-party communications being hosted by the server to the designated client computer.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said means for transmitting said at least one identifier comprises means for transmitting a web page including:

an identifier identifying at least one multiple-party communication; and

information associated with said at least one multiple-party communication.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising means for receiving a request from said designated client computer to intercept a selected multiple-party communication, said request including a communication identifier identifying said selected multiple-party communication.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:

means for storing a client identification of said designated client computer in a client table associated with said selected multiple-party communication in response to receiving said request, said client identification being operable to indicate to the server that output messages associated with said selected multiple-party communication should be transmitted to said designated client computer; and

means for associating a silent flag with said client identification, said silent flag indicating that said client identification is associated with a designated client computer.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising means for transmitting user interface program codes to said designated client computer, said program codes being operable to direct a processor circuit of said designated client computer to display a user interface for viewing content associated with said output messages transmitted to said designated client computer.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising means for causing output messages transmitted to at least some of the plurality of client computers prior to storing said client identification of said designated client computer in said client table, to be transmitted to said designated client computer.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising:

means for receiving an input message from said designated client computer, said message representing user input received at said designated client computer;

means for determining whether said input message represents a request from the designated client computer to discontinue the intercepting of said selected multiple-party communication;

means for causing said client identification associated with said designated client computer in said client table to be deleted when said input message represents a request from the designated client computer to discontinue intercepting said selected multiple-party communication; and

means for causing said input message to be ignored by the server when said input message does not represent a request from the designated client computer to discontinue intercepting said selected multiple-party communication.

24. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising:

means for determining a first number of client computers having client identifications in said client table;

means for determining a second number of client computers having client identifications in said client table with said silent flag set to active, said second number corresponding to a number of designated client computers intercepting said selected multiple-party communication;

means for computing a client count number by taking a difference between said first number and said second number, said client count number representing a number of non-designated client computers in said selected multiple-party communication; and

means for transmitting said client count number to the plurality of client computers in said selected multiple-party communication.

25. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said means for authorizing said designated client computer comprises means for authenticating a user of said designated client computer.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said means for authenticating comprises means for receiving an authentication indicator from an authentication server, said authentication indicator providing validation of credentials provided by said user wishing to intercept the multiple-party communication.

27. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

means for receiving media messages from at least a first participant in the multiple-party communication, said media messages representing at least one of audio and video content communicated during a media communication associated with the multiple-party-communication;

means for transmitting said media messages to at least a second participant in the multiple-party communication; and

means for transmitting intercept information to said designated client computer.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said means for transmitting said intercept information comprises means for transmitting at least one of:

information identifying said first and second participants;

information identifying a time of said media communication;

information identifying a duration of said media communication; and

copies of said media messages including said at least one of said audio and said video content.

29. An apparatus for intercepting a multiple-party communication between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network, the apparatus comprising a processor circuit operably configured to:

receive an input message at the server, said message representing user input received at one of the plurality of client computers;

produce an output message representing said user input provided by said input message;

authorize a designated client computer that is not part of the multiple-party communication to communicate with the server to cause the server to transmit output messages to said designated client computer; and

transmit said output message to each of the plurality of client computers and to said designated client computer.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to determine a message type associated with said input message and wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit said output message to:

a) each of the plurality of client computers when said input message is associated with a persistent message type;

b) ones of the plurality of client computers that meet a criterion when said input message is associated with a non-persistent message type; and

c) said designated client computer when said input message is associated with a persistent message type or a non-persistent message type.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit at least one identifier identifying multiple-party communications being hosted by the server to the designated client computer.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmitting said at least one identifier by transmitting a web page including:

an identifier identifying at least one multiple-party communication; and

information associated with said at least one multiple-party communication.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to receive a request from said designated client computer to intercept a selected multiple-party communication, said request including a communication identifier identifying said selected multiple-party communication.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to:

store a client identification of said designated client computer in a client table associated with said selected multiple-party communication in response to receiving said request, said client identification being operable to indicate to the server that output messages associated with said selected multiple-party communication should be transmitted to said designated client computer; and

associate a silent flag with said client identification, said silent flag indicating that said client identification is associated with a designated client computer.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit user interface program codes to said designated client computer, said program codes being operable to direct a processor circuit of said designated client computer to display a user interface for viewing content associated with said output messages transmitted to said designated client computer.

36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to cause output messages transmitted to at least some of the plurality of client computers prior to storing said client identification of said designated client computer in said client table, to be transmitted to said designated client computer.

37. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to:

receive an input message from said designated client computer, said message representing user input received at said designated client computer;

determine whether said input message represents a request from the designated client computer to discontinue the intercepting of said selected multiple-party communication;

cause said client identification associated with said designated client computer in said client table to be deleted when said input message represents a request from the designated client computer to discontinue intercepting said selected multiple-party communication; and

cause said input message to be ignored by the server when said input message does not represent a request from the designated client computer to discontinue intercepting said selected multiple-party communication.

38. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to:

determine a first number of client computers having client identifications in said client table;

determine a second number of client computers having client identifications in said client table with said silent flag set to active, said second number corresponding to a number of designated client computers intercepting said selected multiple-party communication;

compute a client count number by taking a difference between said first number and said second number, said client count number representing a number of non-designated client computers in said selected multiple-party communication; and

transmit said client count number to the plurality of client computers in said selected multiple-party communication.

39. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to authorize said designated client computer by authenticating a user of said designated client computer.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to receive an authentication indicator from an authentication server, said authentication indicator providing validation of credentials provided by said user wishing to intercept the multiple-party communication.

41. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to:

receive media messages from at least a first participant in the multiple-party communication, said media messages representing at least one of audio and video content communicated during a media communication associated with the multiple-party-communication;

transmit said media messages to at least a second participant in the multiple-party communication; and

transmit intercept information to said designated client computer.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit said intercept information by transmitting at least one of:

information identifying said first and second participants;

information identifying a time of said media communication;

information identifying a duration of said media communication; and

copies of said media messages including said at least one of said audio and said video content.

43. A computer readable medium encoded with codes for directing a processor circuit to intercept a multiple-party communication between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network, said codes directing the processor circuit to:

receive an input message at the server, said message representing user input received at one of the plurality of client computers;

produce an output message representing said user input provided by said input message;

authorize a designated client computer that is not part of the multiple-party communication to communicate with the server to cause the server to transmit output messages to said designated client computer; and

transmit said output message to each of the plurality of client computers and to said designated client computer.

44. A computer readable signal encoded with codes for directing a processor circuit to intercept a multiple-party communication between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network, said codes directing the processor circuit to:

receive an input message at the server, said message representing user input received at one of the plurality of client computers;

produce an output message representing said user input provided by said input message;

authorize a designated client computer that is not part of the multiple-party communication to communicate with the server to cause the server to transmit output messages to said designated client computer; and

transmit said output message to each of the plurality of client computers and to said designated client computer.

45. A system for intercepting a multiple-party communication between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network, the system comprising:

a server processor circuit operably configured to;

receive an input message at the server, said message representing user input received at one of the plurality of client computers;

produce an output message representing said user input provided by said input message;

authorize a designated client computer that is not part of the multiple-party communication to communicate with the server to cause the server to transmit output messages to said designated client computer; and

transmit said output message to each of the plurality of client computers and to said designated client computer;

a designated client processor circuit operably configured to;

receive said output messages; and

display a user interface for viewing content associated with said output messages received by said designated client computer.

46. A method for supporting access to a plurality of saved messages by a designated client computer in communication with a server in a computer network, the saved messages being associated with a previous multiple-party communication, the method comprising:

authorizing the designated client computer to access the saved messages;

reading the saved messages from persistent memory storage on the server;

producing respective output messages representing content provided by respective saved messages; and

transmitting said output messages to the designated client computer.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein authorizing said designated client computer comprises authenticating a user of said designated client computer.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein said authenticating comprises receiving an authentication indicator from an authentication server, said authentication indicator providing validation of credentials provided by the user wishing to access the saved messages.

49. The method of claim 46 further comprising transmitting at least one identifier identifying at least one previous multiple-party communication saved in said persistent memory storage on the server, to the designated client computer.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein transmitting said at least one identifier comprises transmitting a web page including:

an identifier identifying at least one previous multiple-party communication; and

information associated with said at least one previous multiple-party communication.

51. The method of claim 50 further comprising receiving a request from said designated client computer to access the saved messages associated with said previous multiple-party communication, said request including a communication identifier identifying said previous multiple-party communication.

52. The method of claim 51 further comprising:

creating a designated client communication having only the designated client computer as a client;

associating a client table with the designated client communication; and

storing a client identification of said designated client computer in said client table, said client identification being operable to indicate to the server that output messages associated with said previous multiple-party communication should be transmitted to said designated client computer.

53. The method of claim 52 further comprising setting a hidden flag associated with said designated client communication to active to cause the server not to display information identifying said designated client communication for view by client computers joining other multiple-party communications hosted by the server.

54. The method of claim 53 further comprising transmitting user interface program codes to said designated client computer, said program codes being operable to direct a processor circuit of said designated client computer to display a user interface for viewing content associated with output messages transmitted to said designated client computer.

55. The method of claim 46 wherein producing said output messages comprises copying respective saved messages into a transmit buffer associated with the designated client computer to facilitate said transmitting.

56. The method of claim 46 wherein transmitting said output messages comprises reading a timestamp associated with each saved message and transmitting said output messages at corresponding transmission time intervals corresponding to respective time intervals between transmissions of said saved messages during the previous multiple-party communication.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein transmitting said output messages at said corresponding transmission time intervals comprises transmitting said output messages at a modified transmission time intervals to cause one of an increased transmission rate and a decreased transmission rate of said output messages to the designated client computer.

58. The method of claim 46 wherein transmitting said output messages comprises transmitting respective output messages to the designated client computer in a sequence corresponding to a sequence in which the saved messages were received during the previous multiple-party communication.

59. An apparatus for supporting access to a plurality of saved messages by a designated client computer in communication with a server in a computer network, the saved messages being associated with a previous multiple-party communication, the apparatus comprising:

means for authorizing the designated client computer to access the saved messages;

means for reading the saved messages from persistent memory storage on the server;

means for producing respective output messages representing content provided by respective saved messages; and

means for transmitting said output messages to the designated client computer.

60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein said means for authorizing said designated client computer comprises means for authenticating a user of said designated client computer.

61. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein said means for authenticating comprises means for receiving an authentication indicator from an authentication server, said authentication indicator providing validation of credentials provided by the user wishing to access the saved messages.

62. The apparatus of claim 59 further comprising means for transmitting at least one identifier identifying at least one previous multiple-party communication saved in said persistent memory storage on the server, to the designated client computer.

63. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein said means for transmitting said at least one identifier comprises means for transmitting a web page including:

an identifier identifying at least one previous multiple-party communication; and

information associated with said at least one previous multiple-party communication.

64. The apparatus of claim 63 further comprising means for receiving a request from said designated client computer to access the saved messages associated with said previous multiple-party communication, said request including a communication identifier identifying said previous multiple-party communication.

65. The apparatus of claim 64 further comprising:

means for creating a designated client communication having only the designated client computer as a client;

means for associating a client table with the designated client communication; and

means for storing a client identification of said designated client computer in said client table, said client identification being operable to indicate to the server that output messages associated with said previous multiple-party communication should be transmitted to said designated client computer.

66. The apparatus of claim 65 further comprising means for setting a hidden flag associated with said designated client communication to active to cause the server not to display information identifying said designated client communication for view by client computers joining other multiple-party communications hosted by the server.

67. The apparatus of claim 66 further comprising means for transmitting user interface program codes to said designated client computer, said program codes being operable to direct a processor circuit of said designated client computer to display a user interface for viewing content associated with output messages transmitted to said designated client computer.

68. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein said means for producing said output messages comprises means for copying respective saved messages into a transmit buffer associated with the designated client computer to facilitate said transmitting.

69. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein said means for transmitting said output messages comprises means for reading a timestamp associated with each saved message and transmitting said output messages at corresponding transmission time intervals corresponding to respective time intervals between transmissions of said saved messages during the previous multiple-party communication.

70. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein said means for transmitting said output messages at said corresponding transmission time intervals comprises means for transmitting said output messages at a modified transmission time intervals to cause one of an increased transmission rate and a decreased transmission rate of said output messages to the designated client computer.

71. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein said means for transmitting said output messages comprises means for transmitting respective output messages to the designated client computer in a sequence corresponding to a sequence in which the saved messages were received during the previous multiple-party communication.

72. An apparatus for supporting access to a plurality of saved messages by a designated client computer in communication with a server in a computer network, the saved messages being associated with a previous multiple-party communication, the apparatus comprising a processor circuit operably configured to:

authorize the designated client computer to access the saved messages;

read the saved messages from persistent memory storage on the server;

produce respective output messages representing content provided by respective saved messages; and

transmit said output messages to the designated client computer.

73. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to authorize said designated client computer by authenticating a user of said designated client computer.

74. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to receive an authentication indicator from an authentication server, said authentication indicator providing validation of credentials provided by the user wishing to access the saved messages.

75. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit at least one identifier identifying at least one previous multiple-party communication saved in said persistent memory storage on the server, to the designated client computer.

76. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit said at least one identifier by transmitting a web page including:

an identifier identifying at least one previous multiple-party communication; and

information associated with said at least one previous multiple-party communication.

77. The apparatus of claim 76 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to receive a request from said designated client computer to access the saved messages associated with said previous multiple-party communication, said request including a communication identifier identifying said previous multiple-party communication.

78. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to:

create a designated client communication having only the designated client computer as a client;

associate a client table with the designated client communication; and

store a client identification of said designated client computer in said client table, said client identification being operable to indicate to the server that output messages associated with said previous multiple-party communication should be transmitted to said designated client computer.

79. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to set a hidden flag associated with said designated client communication to active to cause the server not to display information identifying said designated client communication for view by client computers joining other multiple-party communications hosted by the server.

80. The apparatus of claim 79 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit user interface program codes to said designated client computer, said program codes being operable to direct a processor circuit of said designated client computer to display a user interface for viewing content associated with output messages transmitted to said designated client computer.

81. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to produce said output messages by copying respective saved messages into a transmit buffer associated with the designated client computer to facilitate said transmitting.

82. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to read a timestamp associated with each saved message and transmit said output messages at corresponding transmission time intervals corresponding to respective time intervals between transmissions of said saved messages during the previous multiple-party communication.

83. The apparatus of claim 82 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit said output messages at a modified transmission time intervals to cause one of an increased transmission rate and a decreased transmission rate of said output messages to the designated client computer.

84. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit respective output messages to the designated client computer in a sequence corresponding to a sequence in which the saved messages were received during the previous multiple-party communication.

85. A computer readable medium encoded with codes for directing a processor circuit to support access to a plurality of saved messages by a designated client computer in communication with a server in a computer network, the saved messages being associated with a previous multiple-party communication, said codes directing the processor circuit to:

authorize the designated client computer to access the saved messages;

read the saved messages from persistent memory storage on the server;

produce respective output messages representing content provided by respective saved messages; and

transmit said output messages to the designated client computer.

86. A computer readable signal encoded with codes for directing a processor circuit to support access to a plurality of saved messages by a designated client computer in communication with a server in a computer network, the saved messages being associated with a previous multiple-party communication, said codes directing the processor circuit to:

authorize the designated client computer to access the saved messages;

read the saved messages from persistent memory storage on the server;

produce respective output messages representing content provided by respective saved messages; and

transmit said output messages to the designated client computer.

87. A system for supporting access to a plurality of saved messages by a designated client computer in communication with a server in a computer network, the saved messages being associated with a previous multiple-party communication, the system comprising:

a server processor circuit operably configured to;

authorize the designated client computer to access the saved messages;

read the saved messages from persistent memory storage on the server;

produce respective output messages representing content provided by respective saved messages;

transmit said output messages to the designated client computer;

a designated client processor circuit operably configured to;

receive said output messages; and

display a user interface for viewing content associated with said output messages.