System computer product and method for providing a private communication portal

• US 6,928,479 B1
• Filed: 06/16/2000
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 01 Communique Laboratory Incorporated
• Original Assignee: 01 Communique Laboratory Incorporated
• Inventors: Cheung, Andrew, Meyer, Steven P., Nascimento, Pedro P.
• Primary Examiner(s): BANANKHAH, MAJID A
• Application Number:
  US09/595,533
• Time in Patent Office: 1,880 Days
• Field of Search: 769/100, 309/223, 309/224, 309/226, 309/227, 370/232, 370/490, 370/323, 370/242, 370/352, 370/102, 370/103, 370/104, 370/338, 370/342, 709/220, 709/221, 709/223, 709/224, 709/226, 709/230, 709/238, 709/217, 709/218, 709/227, 718/100, 713/201, 713/200
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A system, computer product and method for providing a private communication portal at a first computer connected to a network of computers includes a communication facility resident at the first computer, and a second computer including a locating facility for locating the current location of the first computer on the network, where the second computer facilitates communication between the first computer and a third computer by authenticating the third computer for communication with the first computer and providing the location of the first computer for communication with the third computer.

Claims

1. A system for providing access to a personal computer having a location on the Internet defined by a dynamic IP address from a remote computer, the system comprising:

(a) a personal computer linked to the Internet, its location on the Internet being defined by either (i) a dynamic public IP address (publicly addressable), or (ii) a dynamic LAN IP address (publicly un-addressable), the personal computer being further linked to a data communication facility, the data communication facility being adapted to create and send a communication that includes a then current dynamic public IP address (publicly addressable) or dynamic LAN IP address (publicly un-addressable) of the personal computer;

(b) a locator server computer linked to the Internet, its location on the Internet being defined by a static IP address, and including a location facility for locating the personal computer; and

(c) a remote computer linked to the Internet, the remote computer including a communication facility, the communication facility being operable to create a request for communication with the personal computer, and send the request for communication to the locator server computer;

wherein the data communication facility includes data corresponding to the static IP address of the locator server computer, thereby enabling the data communication facility to create and send on an intermittent basis one or more communications to the locator server computer that include the then current dynamic public IP address or dynamic LAN IP address of the personal computer; and

wherein the locator server computer is operable to act as an intermediary between the personal computer and the remote computer by creating one or more communication sessions there between, said one or more communication sessions being created by the location facility, in response to receipt of the request for communication with the personal computer from the remote computer, by determining the then current location of the personal computer and creating a communication channel between the remote computer and the personal computer, the location facility being operable to create such communication channel whether the personal computer is linked to the Internet directly (with a publicly addressable) dynamic IP address or indirectly via an Internet gateway/proxy (with a publicly un-addressable dynamic LAN IP address).

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first computer is linked to the Internet directly or via an Internet gateway/proxy.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the personal computer is linked to a database, and said system provides means for remotely accessing said database from the remote computer.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said system enables communication settings associated with the data communication facility to be set remotely for the personal computer from the remote computer.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said location facility enables the current location of the personal computer to be known to the locator server computer.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the location facility includes a dynamic location directory, wherein said dynamic location directory is responsive to the communication from the personal computer, including data for locating and/or communicating with the personal computer, to dynamically store such data to a server database linked to the locator server computer.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the location facility is responsive to the request from the remote computer for communication with the personal computer to retrieve the current location and port number or the current communication session associated with the personal computer from the dynamic location directory, and provide said current location and port number, or the current communication session, to the personal computer.

8. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said data communication facility creates and sends the communication including the current location or the current communication session of the personal computer to the locator server computer periodically.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said system further includes a security facility for restricting access to the locator server computer to one or more authorized users only.

10. A system as claimed claim 9, wherein said data communication facility further includes a communication interface for sending and receiving data communications.

11. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data communication facility interfaces with data generating facilities linked to the database and the personal computer, so as to provide remote access to data created by the data generating facilities from the remote computer.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data communication facility further includes a private messaging and contact facility linked to the database for processing and managing messages and contact data in co-operation with said communication interface.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said private messaging and contact facility includes a unified messaging facility and a contact information facility, each being linked to the database.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said unified messaging facility enables the remote management of messages linked to the database and the personal computer from the remote computer.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said unified messaging facility enables reading, replying and managing said messages linked to the personal computer remotely from the remote computer.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said messages include e-mails, facsimiles and/or voice mails.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said unified messaging facility includes an e-mail message facility.

18. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said unified messaging facility further includes a fax message management facility.

19. A system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said unified messaging facility further includes a voice message facility.

42. The system claimed in claim 1, wherein once the communication channel is created between the remote computer and the personal computer, the personal computer is operable to receive and act on commands from the remote computer for remote control and/or remote access of the personal computer from the remote computer.

20. A system for providing access to a personal computer from a remote computer, the personal computer being linked to the Internet, the location of the personal computer on the Internet being defined by either (i) a dynamic public IP address (publicly addressable), or (ii) a dynamic LAN IP address (publicly un-addressable), the personal computer being further linked to a data communication facility, the data communication facility being adapted to create and send a communication that includes a then current dynamic public IP address (publicly addressable) or dynamic LAN IP address (publicly un-addressable) of the personal computer, the system comprising:

(a) a locator server computer linked to the Internet, its location on the Internet being defined by a static IP address, and including a location facility for locating the personal computer;

wherein the remote computer is also linked to the Internet, the remote computer including a communication facility, the communication facility being adapted to create a request for communication with the personal computer, and send the request for communication to the locator server computer;

wherein, the data communication facility is operable to access data corresponding to the static IP address of the locator server computer, thereby enabling the data communication facility to create and send on an intermittent basis one or more communications to the locator server computer that include the then current dynamic public IP address or dynamic LAN IP address of the personal computer; and

wherein the locator server computer is operable to act as an intermediary between the personal computer and the remote computer by creating one or more communication sessions there between, said one or more communication sessions being created by the location facility, in response to receipt of the request for communication with the personal computer from the remote computer, by determining the then current location of the personal computer and creating a communication channel between the remote computer and the personal computer, the location facility being operable to create such communication channel whether the personal computer is linked to the Internet directly with a (publicly addressable) dynamic IP address or indirectly via an Internet gateway/proxy (with a publicly un-addressable dynamic LAN IP address).

43. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein once the communication channel is created between the remote computer and the personal computer, the personal computer is operable to receive and act on commands from the remote computer for remote control and/or remote access of the personal computer from the remote computer.

21. A method of providing access to a personal from a remote computer, the personal computer being linked to the Internet, its location on the Internet being defined by either (i) a dynamic public IP address (publicly addressable), or (ii) a dynamic LAN IP address (publicly un-addressable), the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a data communication facility on the personal computer, the data communication facility being adapted to create and send a communication that includes a then current dynamic public IP address (publicly addressable) or dynamic LAN IP address (publicly un-addressable) of the personal computer;

(b) by operation of the data communication facility;

(i) obtaining the static IP address for a locator server computer, that includes a location facility for locating the personal computer;

(ii) sending the communication that includes the then current dynamic public IP address (publicly addressable) or dynamic LAN IP address (publicly un-addressable) of the personal computer to the locator server computer;

(c) receiving a request from the remote computer at the locator server computer to communicate with the personal computer;

(d) in response to the request, the locator server computer acting as an intermediary between the personal computer and the remote computer by creating one or more communication sessions there between, said one or more communication sessions being created by the location facility, in response to receipt of the request for communication with the personal computer from the remote computer, by determining the then current location of the personal computer and creating a communication channel between the remote computer and the personal computer, the location facility being operable to create such communication channel whether the personal computer is linked to the Internet directly with a (publicly addressable) dynamic IP address or indirectly via an Internet gateway/proxy (with a publicly un-addressable dynamic LAN IP address).

22. The method claimed in claim 21, further comprising the step of the locator server computer storing the current location of the personal computer into a directory linked to the location facility, the current location being obtained from a communication sent by the personal computer to the locator server computer.

23. A computer readable memory having recorded thereon statements and instructions for execution by a computer to carry out the method of claim 21.

44. The method claimed in claim 21, further comprising the step of the personal computer receiving and acting on commands from the remote computer for remote control and/or remote access of the personal computer from the remote computer.

24. A computer program product for use on a server computer linked to the Internet and having a static IP address, for providing access to a personal computer from a remote computer, the personal computer being linked to the Internet, its location on the Internet being defined by either (i) a dynamic public IP address (publicly addressable), or (ii) a dynamic LAN IP address (publicly un-addressable), the computer program product comprising:

(a) a computer usable medium;

(b) computer readable program code recorded or storable in the computer useable medium, the computer readable program code defining a server computer program on the server computer wherein;

(i) the server computer program is operable to enable a connection between the remote computer and the server computer; and

(ii) the server computer program includes a location facility and is responsive to a request from the remote computer to communicate with the personal computer to act as an intermediary between the personal computer and the remote computer by creating one or more communication sessions there between, said one or more communication sessions being created by the location facility, in response to receipt of the request for communication with the personal computer from the remote computer, by determining a then current location of the personal computer and creating a communication channel between the remote computer and the personal computer, the location facility being operable to create such communication channel whether the personal computer is linked to the Internet directly (with a publicly addressable) dynamic IP address or indirectly via an Internet gateway/proxy (with % publicly un-addressable dynamic LAN IP address).

25. The computer program product claimed in claim 24, wherein the location facility is responsive to a communication from the personal computer including its current location to store the current location to a storage medium linked to the server computer.

45. The computer program product claimed in claim 24, wherein by operation of the location facility the personal computer is operable to receive and act on commands from the remote computer for remote control and/or remote access of the personal computer from the remote computer.

46. The computer program product claimed in claim 45, wherein by operation of the location facility the personal computer is operable to receive commands from the remote computer for remote control and/or remote access of the personal computer from the remote computer.

26. A computer program product for use on a personal computer for providing access to the personal computer from a remote computer, the personal computer being linked to the Internet, its location on the Internet being defined by either (i) a dynamic public IP address (publicly addressable), or (ii) a dynamic LAN IP address (publicly un-addressable), the computer program product comprising:

(a) a computer usable medium;

(b) computer readable program code recorded or storable in the computer useable medium, the computer readable program code defining a data communication program on the personal computer wherein;

(i) the data communication program is operable to send a communication to a locator server computer, wherein the locator server computer is linked to a location facility and includes data for locating the personal computer; and

(ii) the data communication program is operable to communicate with the remote computer, the locator server computer acting as an intermediary between the personal computer and the remote computer by creating one or more communication sessions there between, said one or more communication sessions being created by the location facility, in response to receipt of a request for communication with the personal computer from the remote computer, by determining a then current location of the personal computer and creating a communication channel between the remote computer and the personal computer, the location facility being operable to create such communication channel whether the personal computer is linked to the Internet directly (with a publicly addressable) dynamic IP address or indirectly via an Internet gateway/proxy (with a publicly un-addressable dynamic LAN IP address).

27. The computer program product as claimed in claim 26, wherein the personal computer is linked to the Internet directly or indirectly via an Internet gateway/proxy.

28. A computer program product as claimed in claim 27, wherein the personal computer is linked to a database linked to the data communication program, and said system provides means for remotely accessing said database linked to the personal computer from the remote computer.

29. A computer program product as claimed in claim 28, wherein said data communication program enables communication settings associated with the data communication program to be set remotely from the remote computer for the personal computer.

30. A computer program product as claimed in claim 29, wherein said data communication program enables the current location of the personal computer to be known to the locator server computer.

31. A computer program product as claimed in claim 30, wherein said data communication program creates and sends the communication including the current location or the current communication session of the personal computer to the locator server computer periodically.

32. A computer program product as claimed claim 31, wherein said data communication program further includes, or is linked to, a communication interface for sending and receiving data communications.

33. A computer program product as claimed in claim 32, wherein said data communication program interfaces with data generating facilities linked to the database, so as to provide remote access to data created by the data generating facilities linked to the personal computer from the remote computer.

34. A computer program product as claimed in claim 33, wherein said data communication program further includes a private messaging and contact facility linked to the database for processing and managing messages and contact data in co-operation with said communication interface.

35. A computer program product as claimed in claim 34, wherein said private messaging and contact facility includes a unified messaging facility and a contact information facility, each being linked to the database.

36. A computer program product as claimed in claim 35, wherein said data communication program further includes, or is linked to, a remote message management facility linked to the database.

37. A computer program product as claimed in claim 36, wherein said unified messaging facility enables reading, replying and managing said messages linked to the personal computer remotely from the remote computer.

38. A computer program product as claimed in claim 37, wherein said messages include e-mails, facsimiles and/or voice mails.

39. A computer program product as claimed in claim 38, wherein said unified messaging facility includes an e-mail message facility.

40. A computer program product as claimed in claim 39, wherein said unified messaging facility further includes a fax message management facility.

41. A computer program product as claimed in claim 40, wherein said unified messaging facility further includes a voice message facility.