Direct file transfer between subscribers of a communications system
First Claim
1. A method of transferring a file from a first client associated with a first subscriber to a communications system to a second client associated with a second subscriber to the communications system, the method comprising:
- connecting the first client to a communications system host;
establishing an instant messaging communications session with the second client to enable instant messaging communications to be exchanged between the first client and the second client over a first communications channel, the first communications channel passing through the communications system host,after establishing the instant messaging communications session, sending, through the communications system host, a request to the second client to establish a direct connection to the second client;
if a user of the second client accepts the request, establishing, in the instant messaging communications session, a second communications channel between the first client and the second client to enable files to be directly transferred between the first client and the second client, wherein the second communications channel consists of a direct connection to the second client that bypasses the communications system host; and
transferring a file over the second communications channel.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and techniques for transferring a file from a first client associated with a first subscriber to a communications system to a second client associated with a second subscriber to the communications system by connecting from the first client to a communications system host; sending, through the communications system host, a request to the second client to establish a direct connection to the second client; when the second client accepts the request, establishing a direct connection to the second client that bypasses the communications system host; and transferring a file over the direct connection.
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Citations
72 Claims
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1. A method of transferring a file from a first client associated with a first subscriber to a communications system to a second client associated with a second subscriber to the communications system, the method comprising:
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connecting the first client to a communications system host; establishing an instant messaging communications session with the second client to enable instant messaging communications to be exchanged between the first client and the second client over a first communications channel, the first communications channel passing through the communications system host, after establishing the instant messaging communications session, sending, through the communications system host, a request to the second client to establish a direct connection to the second client; if a user of the second client accepts the request, establishing, in the instant messaging communications session, a second communications channel between the first client and the second client to enable files to be directly transferred between the first client and the second client, wherein the second communications channel consists of a direct connection to the second client that bypasses the communications system host; and transferring a file over the second communications channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of transferring a file from a first client associated with a first subscriber to a communications system to a second client associated with a second subscriber to the communications system, the method comprising:
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connecting the second client to a communications system host; establishing an instant messaging communications session with the first client to enable instant messaging communications to be exchanged between the first client and the second client over a first communications channel, the first communications channel passing through the communications system host, after establishing the instant messaging communications session, receiving, through the communications system host, a request from the first client to establish a direct connection; enabling a user to accept the request from the first client; establishing, in the instant messaging communications session, a second communications channel between the first client and the second client to enable files to be directly transferred between the first client and the second client, wherein the second communications channel consists of a direct connection to the first client that bypasses the communications system host; and receiving a file over the second communications channel. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An apparatus for transferring one or more files from a first client associated with a first subscriber to a communications system to a second client associated with a second subscriber to the communications system, the apparatus comprising a first client configured to:
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connect the first client to a communications system host; establish an instant messaging communications session with the second client to enable instant messaging communications to be exchanged between the first client and the second client over a first communications channel, the first communications channel passing through the communications system host, after establishing the instant messaging communications session, send, through the communications system host, a request to the second client to establish a direct connection to the second client; if a user of the second client accepts the request, establish, in the instant messaging communications session, a second communications channel between the first client and the second client to enable files to be directly transferred between the first client and the second client, wherein the second communications channel consists of a direct connection to the second client that bypasses the communications system host; and transfer a file over the second communications channel. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. An apparatus for transferring one or more files from a first client associated with a first subscriber to a communications system to a second client associated with a second subscriber to the communications system, the apparatus comprising a second client configured to:
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connect the second client to a communications system host; establish an instant messaging communications session with the first client to enable instant messaging communications to be exchanged between the first client and the second client over a first communications channel, the first communications channel passing through the communications system host, after establishing the instant messaging communications session, receive, through the communications system host, a request from the first client to establish a direct connection; enable a user to accept the request from the first client; establish, in the instant messaging communications session, a second communications channel between the first client and the second client to enable files to be directly transferred between the first client and the second client, wherein the second communications channel consists of a direct connection to the first client that bypasses the communications system host; and receive a file over the second communications channel. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46)
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47. A computer program, stored on a computer storage medium for transferring a file from a first client associated with a first subscriber to a communications system to a second client associated with a second subscriber to the communications system, comprising instructions for:
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connecting the first client to a communications system host; establishing an instant messaging communications session with the second client to enable instant messaging communications to be exchanged between the first client and the second client over a first communications channel, the first communications channel passing through the communications system host, after establishing the instant messaging communications session, sending, through the communications system host, a request to the second client to establish a direct connection to the second client; if a user of the second client accepts the request, establishing, in the instant messaging communications session, a second communications channel between the first client and the second client to enable files to be directly transferred between the first client and the second client, wherein the second communications channel consists of a direct connection to the second client that bypasses the communications system host; and transferring a file over the second communications channel. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A computer program, stored on a computer storage medium for transferring a file from a first client associated with a first subscriber to a communications system to a second client associated with a second subscriber to the communications system, comprising instructions for:
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connecting the second client to a communications system host; establishing an instant messaging communications session with the first client to enable instant messaging communications to be exchanged between the first client and the second client over a first communications channel, the first communications channel passing through the communications system host, after establishing the instant messaging communications session, receiving, through the communications system host, a request from the first client to establish a direct connection; enabling a user to accept the request from the first client; establishing, in the instant messaging communications session, a second communications channel between the first client and the second client to enable files to be directly transferred between the first client and the second client, wherein the second communications channel consists of a direct connection to the first client that bypasses the communications system host; and receiving a file over the second communications channel. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. A user interface embodied on a computer storage medium configured to enable to acceptance or rejection of a file transfer from a first client associated with a first subscriber to a communications system to a second client associated with a second subscriber to the communications system, the user interface comprising:
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a first graphical user interface element structured and arranged to notify an operator of the second client of a request by the first client to establish a direct connection to the second client, the request being communicated to the second client by a communications system host after establishment of an instant messaging communications session with the first client and the direct connection bypassing the communications system host, the instant messaging communications session enabling instant messaging communications to be exchanged between the first client and the second client over a first communications channel that passes through the communications system host; and a second graphical user interface element structured and arranged to enable an operator of the second client to authorize the establishment of the direct connection and a file transfer over the direct connection in the instant messaging communications session. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
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Specification