High level network layer system and method

• US 8,356,070 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2010
• Issued: 01/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: eBuddy Technologies B.V.
• Original Assignee: eBuddy Holding B.V. (Booking Holdings, Inc., fka Priceline Group Inc.)
• Inventors: Taylor, Paulo, Rueb, Jan-Joost, Bakker, Onno
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Application Number:
  US12/721,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20100228747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709206-207, 709223-229, 709/250
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/043 using or handling presence information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/216 Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM] H04L51/04; selective video distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1044 Group management mechanisms management of multicast group membership H04L12/185; reconfiguring of node membership in a computing system to eliminate errors G06F11/1425
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals

Abstract

A technique for providing high level network layer functionality to an IM environment involves providing a high level platform through which IM clients can connect to IM networks. A platform according to the technique may include a low level network connect engine, an aggregated low level information database, and/or a high level function engine. A method according to the technique may include facilitating a high level login; checking user configurations; accomplishing one or more IM network logins in accordance with the user configurations; and providing high level services in association with at least one of the IM networks. Another method according to the technique may include logging into a high level platform; logging into a first IM network; logging into a second IM network; and accessing at the high level platform aggregated low level information associated with the first IM network and the second IM network.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

facilitating a high level login to a high level network by a low level client;

checking a user configuration based on the high level login;

performing an instant messaging (IM) network login from the high level network to an instant messaging (IM) network in accordance with the user configuration;

providing a high level service to the low level client in association with the IM network, the high level network providing the high level service to the low level client, and the high level service providing functionality that is not otherwise provided to the low level client by the IM network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising prompting a user for information to accomplish the IM network login.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing the user configuration to accomplish the IM network login.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising making data associated with the IM network login available online.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the data associated with the IM network login comprises a stored image, the method further comprising providing the stored image in association with a message from the low level client to a low level server of the IM network.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising facilitating an IM network logoff.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the high level service comprises providing the low level client access to the IM network, the low level client being incapable of accessing the IM network but for the high level service.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the high level service comprises a location-based service configured to sort an instant messaging (IM) contacts list based upon locations associated with the contacts.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

coupling the low level client to the IM network through the high level network;

aggregating low level information associated with the lower level client; and

providing aggregated low level information for use on the high level network in association with the low level client.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the aggregated low level information comprises a stored image, the method further comprising providing the stored image on the high level network in association with a message from the low level client to the IM network.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the aggregated low level information comprises an aggregated contact list that comprises a contact associated with the low level client and the IM network.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the aggregated low level information comprises a location-based field associated with a contact of a contacts list.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the contacts list is remotely maintained on the IM network.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising converting from a low level protocol of the IM network to a high level protocol of the high level network.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising converting from a high level protocol of the high level network to a low level protocol of the IM network.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an event notification to the low level client in response to a high level from the high level network or a low level event from the IM network.

17. A system comprising:

means for facilitating a high level login to a high level network by a low level client;

means for checking a user configuration based on the high level login;

means for performing an instant messaging (IM) network login from the high level network to an instant messaging (IM) network in accordance with the user configuration;

means for providing a high level service to the low level client in association with the IM network, the high level network providing the high level service to the low level client, and the high level service providing functionality that is not otherwise provided to the low level client by the IM network.

18. A non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store electronic instructions, the electronic instructions being executable by a processor to perform the operations of:

facilitating a high level login to a high level network by a low level client;

checking a user configuration based on the high level login;

performing an instant messaging (IM) network login from the high level network to an instant messaging (IM) network in accordance with the user configuration;

providing a high level service to the low level client in association with the IM network, the high level network providing the high level service to the low level client, and the high level service providing functionality that is not otherwise provided to the low level client by the IM network.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the high level service comprises providing the low level client access to the IM network, the low level client being incapable of accessing the IM network but for the high level service.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the high level service comprises a location-based service configured to sort an instant messaging (IM) contacts list based upon locations associated with the contacts.