Network communication system

• US 6,880,011 B1
• Filed: 01/19/2000
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shosaku Kawai
• Original Assignee: Shosaku Kawai
• Inventors: Kawai, Shosaku
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit, Bunjob
• Application Number:
  US09/487,309
• Time in Patent Office: 1,910 Days
• Field of Search: 709/224, 709/227, 709/248
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0063 where the network is a peer-to-peer network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0075 Details of addressing, directories or routing tables

Abstract

The object of the invention is to provide a network system capable of solving the problems above without applying excessive load to the host computer and enabling users to exchange views freely. The network communication system 1 comprises the host device 3, the first communication device 5, and the second communication device 7. The first communication device 5 in turn includes a primary connection information generating means 11, an identity information generating means 12, a major identity information generating means 13, and a transmitting means 14. The second communication device 7 includes a receiving means 15, a storage means 16, a display means 17, a selecting means 18, and a connecting means 19. Therefore, a network system capable of solving the problems above without applying excessive load to the host computer and enabling users to exchange views freely, is provided.

Claims

1. A network communication system comprising:

at least a host device;

a first communication device; and

a second communication device,

wherein the second communication device is connected with the first communication device by obtaining from the host device primary connecting information for connecting to the first communication device,

wherein when the first communication device prefers a direct call from the second communication device in the future, the first communication device sends to the second communication device identity information for identifying one of an identity for an operator of the first communication device and an identity for the first communication device, the identity information including none of the primary connecting information,

wherein the second communication device stores the primary connecting information from the host device and the identity information from the first communication device,

wherein for future communications, the second communication device displays the identity information to the operator of the second communication device, and

wherein the second communication device calls for the first communication device in accordance with the primary connecting information corresponding to a selecting of the identity information.

2. A method for operating a network communication system including at least a host device, a first communication device, and a second communication device, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting the second communication device with the first communication device by obtaining from the host device primary connecting information for connecting to the first communication device;

when the first communication device prefers a direct call from the second communication device in the future, sending to the second communication device identity information for identifying one of an identity for an operator of the first communication device and an identity for the first communication device by the first communication device, the identity information including none of the primary connecting information, and the identity information being sent from the first communication device;

storing the primary connecting information from the host device and the identity information from the first communication device within the second communication device;

for future communications, displaying the identity information but none of the primary connecting information to an operator of the second communication device by the second communication device; and

calling for the first communication device by the second communication device in accordance with the primary connecting information corresponding to a selecting of the identity information.

3. A first communication device comprising:

receiving means for receiving identity information for identifying one of an identity for an operator of a second communication device and an identity for the second communication device, and for receiving primary connecting information for connecting to the second communication device, the identity information including none of the primary connecting information;

storage means for storing the identity information and the primary connecting information;

display means for displaying the identity information but none of the primary connecting information to an operator of the first communication device for future communications;

selecting means for selecting the identity information; and

connecting means for connecting to the second communication device in accordance with the primary connecting information corresponding to the selected identity information.

4. The first communication device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the first communication device is capable of sending to a third communication device, the identity information and the primary connecting information.

5. The first communication device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the first communication device contacts the second communication device, and on receipt of an authorization from the second communication device indicating that the identity information and the primary connecting information may be sent to a third communication device from the first communication device, the first communication device is able to send to the third communication device the primary connecting information and the identity information.

6. The first communication device in accordance with claim 4, wherein when a certain piece of identity information is selected from self-owned identity information, the first communication device specifies and displays a communication device from which the selected certain piece of identity information is obtained.

7. The first communication device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the first communication device displays information on a relative relationship between another communication device which is directly connected to the first communication device and the first communication device.

8. The first communication device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the first communication device displays information on a relative relationship between another communication device which is directly connected to the first communication device and the first communication device.

9. The first communication device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the authorization is obtained when the first communication device is directly connected to the second communication device.

10. The first communication device in accordance with claim 5, wherein a message indicating that an authorization being given is displayed when the authorization is obtained.

11. The first communication device in accordance with claim 5, wherein when a certain piece of identity information is selected from self-owned identity information, the first communication device specifies and displays a communication device from which the selected certain piece of identity information is obtained.

12. The first communication device in accordance with claim 9, wherein a message indicating that an authorization being given is displayed when the authorization is obtained.

13. The first communication device in accordance with claim 9, wherein when a certain piece of identity information is selected from self-owned identity information, the first communication device specifies and displays a communication device from which the selected certain piece of identity information is obtained.

14. The first communication device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the first communication device displays information on a relative relationship between another communication device which is directly connected to the first communication device and the first communication device.

15. The first communication device in accordance with claim 3, wherein a message indicating that an authorization being given is displayed when the authorization is obtained.

16. The first communication device in accordance with claim 15, wherein when a certain piece of identity information is selected from self-owned identity information, the first communication device specifies and displays a communication device from which the selected certain piece of identity information is obtained.

17. The first communication device in accordance with claim 15, wherein the first communication device displays information on a relative relationship between another communication device which is directly connected to the first communication device and the first communication device.

18. The first communication device in accordance with claim 3, wherein when a certain piece of identity information is selected from self-owned identity information, the first communication device specifies and displays a communication device from which the selected certain piece of identity information is obtained.

19. The first communication device in accordance with claim 18, wherein the first communication device displays information on a relative relationship between another communication device which is directly connected to the first communication device and the first communication device.

20. The first communication device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the first communication device displays information on a relative relationship between another communication device which is directly connected to the communication device and the communication device.

21. The first communication device in accordance with claim 20, wherein when a desired relative information is selected, the communication device distinguishably displays the selected relative information and unselected relative information.