Temporary messaging address system and method

• US 7,192,235 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2001
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kammer, David, Blight, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang; Fan
• Assistant Examiner(s): SING, SIMON P
• Application Number:
  US09/999,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20030083045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,965 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412.2, 455/556.2, 455/426.2, 455/414.3, 455/417, 455/445, 455/432.1, 455/435.1, 379/211.02, 379/212.01
• US Class Current: 455/412.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication

Abstract

A messaging system is disclosed. The system includes a communications network including a wireless access point, a messaging server coupled to the communications network, and a mobile device in communication with the communications network via an access point. The mobile device has a mobile ID associated with the device, and a program running on the mobile device from which a temporary address may be created corresponding to the mobile ID. The temporary address is useable for messaging over the communications network. The temporary address is registered with the messaging server.

Claims

1. A messaging system comprising:

a communications network including a wireless access point;

a messaging server coupled to the communications network;

a mobile device in communication with the communications network via an access point, the mobile device having a mobile ID associated with the device;

a program running on the mobile device configured to enable a user to initiate creation of and dynamically create, from the mobile device, a temporary address corresponding to the mobile ID, the temporary address being useable for messaging over the communications network, the temporary address being registered with the messaging server and further being dynamically revocable upon user selection;

an address translator of the messaging server, the translator translating an address of an incoming message to a corresponding temporary address; and

a mobile device state information unit, the unit keeping track of the state of the mobile device, including location of the mobile device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the program enables the deletion of a temporary address that is corresponding to the mobile ID.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the program enables communication of the temporary address to the messaging server.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the program enables the forwarding of incoming messages via the temporary address to alternative communications devices.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is associated with a shopping mall environment.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is associated with a campus environment.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a handheld computer.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications network is a local area network (LAN).

9. A method of providing messaging services to a user of a mobile communications device, comprising:

providing a mobile device having a mobile ID associated therewith;

running a messaging program on the device;

dynamically creating, via the program, a temporary messaging address associated with the mobile ID of the mobile device, wherein the temporary messaging address is dynamically revocable upon user selection;

communicating the temporary messaging address to a messaging server;

sending a message via the messaging server using the temporary messaging address;

translating a destination address to a corresponding temporary messaging address;

checking a mobile device state information unit to determine whether the mobile device is in a state to receive the message; and

receiving by the messaging server an incoming message having a destination address.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving, by the mobile communications device via the messaging server, a message addressed to the temporary messaging address.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

creating multiple temporary messaging addresses associated with the mobile ID.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

deleting multiple temporary messaging addresses associated with the mobile ID.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

deleting a temporary messaging address associated with the mobile ID.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

associating the temporary messaging address with multiple mobile communication devices each mobile communication device having a unique mobile ID.