Real-time, text-based messaging between devices in plural communities
First Claim
1. A method of communicating in a network having a plurality of communities each including a server, the method comprising:
- receiving, from the server in a first community associated with a first service provider, a request indicating desired real-time, text-based messaging from a first terminal coupled to the first community server to a second terminal coupled to the server in a second community associated with a second, different service provider;
processing the request, by the server in the second community, to establish a real-time, text-based messaging session between the first and second terminals through the first and second community servers;
determining if the second terminal has an established link with the second community server; and
sending a message to a predetermined communications device other than the second terminal if the second terminal does not have an established link with the second community server.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communications system includes a plurality of communities each associated with a service provider. Text-based messaging sessions, such as chat sessions, may be established between users in the communities. A request is received from a user in a first community, the request indicating a desired text-based messaging session with a user in a second community. The user in the second community is notified of a request, and it is determined if the user has accepted the request to establish a text-based messaging session. If so, the text-based messaging session is established between users in the first and second communities. If the user is not available, predetermined information stored in a server may be accessed to determine a plurality of devices that may be employed for communicating with the user. A message is sent to at least a selected one of the plurality of devices.
301 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of communicating in a network having a plurality of communities each including a server, the method comprising:
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receiving, from the server in a first community associated with a first service provider, a request indicating desired real-time, text-based messaging from a first terminal coupled to the first community server to a second terminal coupled to the server in a second community associated with a second, different service provider; processing the request, by the server in the second community, to establish a real-time, text-based messaging session between the first and second terminals through the first and second community servers; determining if the second terminal has an established link with the second community server; and sending a message to a predetermined communications device other than the second terminal if the second terminal does not have an established link with the second community server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of communicating in a network having a plurality of communities each including a server, the method comprising:
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receiving, from the server in a first community associated with a first service provider, a request indicating desired real-time, text-based messaging from a first terminal coupled to the first community server to a second terminal coupled to the server in a second community associated with a second, different service provider; processing the request, by the server in the second community, to establish a real-time, text-based messaging session between the first and second terminals through the first and second community servers; determining if the second terminal has an established link with the second community server; and performing a reverse log on to the second terminal if the second terminal does not have an established link with the second community server. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A server for use in a communications system having a plurality of communities coupled by a network, each community associated with a different service provider, the server being associated with a first one of the communities and comprising:
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an interface unit adapted to receive a contact request over the network from an entity associated with another community, the entity not logged on to the server, the contact request indicating a request to establish a text-based messaging session with a destination terminal linked to the server; and a controller adapted to send a notification to the destination terminal of the contact request and to receive an indication from the destination terminal of acceptance of the contact request if the destination terminal is logged on; the controller to send a message to an alternative communications device other than the destination terminal if the destination terminal is not logged on.
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11. An article including one or more machine-readable storage media containing instructions for establishing a text-based messaging session between subscribers in a plurality of communities, each community associated with a different service provider, the instructions when executed causing a system in a first community associated with a first service provider to:
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receive a request from a subscriber in a second community associated with a second service provider, the request indicating a desired text-based messaging session with a subscriber in the first community; determine if the subscriber in the first community is logged on to the first service provider; notify the subscriber in the first community of the request if the subscriber in the first community is logged on; determine if the subscriber in the first community has accepted the request; establish the text-based messaging session between the subscribers if the subscriber in the first community accepted; and send a message to an alternative destination in response to determining that the subscriber in the first community is not logged on. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A server for use in a communications system having a plurality of communities coupled by a network, each community associated with a different service provider, the server being associated with a first one of the communities and comprising:
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an interface unit adapted to receive a contact request over the network from an entity associated with another community, the entity not logged on to the server, the contact request indicating a request to establish a text-based messaging session with a destination terminal linked to the server; and a controller adapted to send a notification to the destination terminal of the contact request and to receive an indication from the destination terminal of acceptance of the contact request; wherein the controller is adapted to further send messaging to perform a reverse log-on procedure with the destination terminal. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method of communicating in a network having a plurality of communities each including a server, the method comprising:
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receiving, from the server in a first community associated with a first service provider, a request indicating desired real-time, text-based messaging from a first terminal coupled to the first community server to a second terminal coupled to the server in a second community associated with a second, different service provider; processing the request, by the server in the second community, to establish a real-time, text-based messaging session between the first and second terminals through the first and second community servers; providing a response, from the second community server, to the first terminal to present a web page in a web browser on the first terminal; and receiving a text message of the real-time, text-based messaging session originated from the web browser on the first terminal.
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22. A server for use in a communications system having a plurality of communities coupled by a network, each community associated with a different service provider, the server being associated with a first one of the communities and comprising:
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an interface unit adapted to receive a contact request over the network from an entity associated with another community, the entity not logged on to the server, the contact request indicating a request to establish a text-based messaging session with a destination terminal linked to the server; and a controller adapted to send a notification to the destination terminal of the contact request and to receive an indication from the destination terminal of acceptance of the contact request; wherein the controller is adapted to communicate a web page for display on the entity; the contact request comprising a message generated in response to user selection made in th web page at the entity. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. An article including one or more machine-readable storage media containing instructions for establishing a text-based messaging session between subscribers in a plurality of communities, each community associated with a different service provider, the instructions when executed causing a system in a first community associated with a first service provider to:
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receive a request from a subscriber in a second community associated with a second service provider, the request indicating a desired text-based messaging session with a subscriber in the first community; notify the subscriber in the first community of the request; determine if the subscriber in the first community has accepted the request; establish the text-based messaging session between the subscribers if the subscriber in the first community accepted, wherein the request is received at a first server in the system from a second server in the second community; and provide a web page for display at a subscriber terminal in the second community, wherein the request received at the first server comprises messaging generated in response to selection made in the web page displayed at the subscriber terminal in the second community. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification