Method and system for messaging across cellular networks and a public data network

• US 8,027,694 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2008
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AOL Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Robinson, Bruce A., Carey, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): GESESSE, TILAHUN
• Application Number:
  US12/022,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20110002313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,337 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/464, 455/403, 455/414.1, 455/422.1
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/184 Messaging devices, e.g. message centre

Abstract

A computer program product for instant message communication in a wireless and non-wireless environment. A message is sent from a mobile unit device over a wireless communication network. The message includes a destination address, information associated with the mobile unit device'"'"'s user, message content and message address. If, according to information previously stored for the mobile unit device'"'"'s user at the instant message system, the destination address is associated with an instant message function, the associated instant message function is executed at the instant message system using the information contained in the message content, if required as determined by the associated instant message function. If, according to information previously stored for the mobile unit device'"'"'s user, the destination address is associated with an instant message user name, an instant message is created according to the message content and is sent to the user with the associated instant message user name.

Claims

1. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium, the computer readable medium residing on a cellular communications device for enabling a user cellular communications device to communicate with other users using instant messages, the computer program product comprising:

a first component for creating and initiating the sending of a sign on function from the cellular communications device based on manual selection by a user of the cellular communications device, the manual selection is not associated with a power-on sequence wherein a wireless instant message sign on window includes data filed for entering user screen name and password; and

a second component for displaying availability information received in response to the sent sign on function, wherein the availability information is based on a user-defined group of other users, wherein the availability information includes an indication of an availability of the other users to communicate using instant messages.

2. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium, the computer readable medium residing on a server in data communication with a short message service center and an instant message system, the computer program product comprising:

a database comprising a plurality of user profiles, each of the plurality of user profiles further comprises user identification information and at least one of an instant message has name or an instant message function assigned to a user destination address;

a component for receiving an instant text message signal from at least one cellular communications device via a mobile carrier and the short message service center, the received instant text message signal comprises a destination address, information associated with the cellular communications device'"'"'s user, message content and message address;

a component for executing the assigned instant message function with an instant message server through the public data network according to the information contained in the message content, if the destination address is assigned to an instant message function; and

a component for creating an instant text message comprising the message content for delivery to the assigned instant message user name, if the destination address is assigned to an instant message user name.