Methods and devices for including a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- receiving a request to create a conversation over a communication network employing an Internet protocol;
creating a conversation identifier according to the request;
receiving a plurality of lists of conversation gateways currently unused by a plurality of users;
selecting a plurality of conversation gateways to be used by the plurality of users for the conversation, the plurality of selected conversation gateways being selected according to the plurality of lists of currently unused conversation gateways; and
associating the plurality of selected conversation gateways and the plurality of users with the conversation identifier, the associating enabling at least a first user of the plurality of users to communicate across conversation gateways with at least a second user of the plurality of users, the first user using a first conversation gateway and the second user using a second conversation gateway that is different from the first conversation gateway; and
notifying the first user of an attempt to begin an additional conversation involving the first user when the first user has no unused conversation gateways, and enabling the first user to communicate in the additional conversation using a reserved communication gateway.
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Abstract
Methods and devices are disclosed for including a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network. A conversation is initiated when a text message is received requesting the conversation. A conversation is established using conversation gateways currently unused by users to be included in the conversation. Communication may occur across gateways in order to conserve conversation gateway resources.
27 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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receiving a request to create a conversation over a communication network employing an Internet protocol; creating a conversation identifier according to the request; receiving a plurality of lists of conversation gateways currently unused by a plurality of users; selecting a plurality of conversation gateways to be used by the plurality of users for the conversation, the plurality of selected conversation gateways being selected according to the plurality of lists of currently unused conversation gateways; and associating the plurality of selected conversation gateways and the plurality of users with the conversation identifier, the associating enabling at least a first user of the plurality of users to communicate across conversation gateways with at least a second user of the plurality of users, the first user using a first conversation gateway and the second user using a second conversation gateway that is different from the first conversation gateway; and
notifying the first user of an attempt to begin an additional conversation involving the first user when the first user has no unused conversation gateways, and enabling the first user to communicate in the additional conversation using a reserved communication gateway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13)
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7. A conversation communication system for including a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network, the system comprising:
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a communication interface configured to communicate with the plurality of users over the communication network; a conversation manager configured to communicate with the communication interface and to receive from the communication interface a plurality of lists of conversation gateways currently unused by the plurality of users, the conversation manager further configured to notify a user of the plurality of the users of an attempt to begin a conversation involving the user when the user has no unused conversation gateways, and to enable the user to communicate in the conversation using a reserved communication gateway; a conversation gateway selector configured to select a plurality of conversation gateways according to the plurality of lists of unused conversation gateways; and a mapper configured to associate the plurality of selected conversation gateways and the plurality of users with the conversation identifier, the mapper further configured to enable at least a first user of the plurality of users to communicate across conversations gateways with at least a second user of the plurality of users, the first user using a first conversation gateway and the second user using a second conversation gateway that is different from the first conversation gateway. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 14, 16)
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10. A computing device configured to include a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network, the computing device comprising:
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a processor configured to execute software programs; memory communicative with the processor, the memory being configured to store software programs and data according to the conversation; a communication interface configured to communicate with the processor and with the plurality of users over the communication network; a conversation manager software program configured to cause the processor to; create and store in memory a conversation identifier according to the conversation; and receive a plurality of lists of conversation gateways currently unused by the plurality of users; and
notify a user of the plurality of the users of an attempt to begin a conversation involving the user when the user has no unused conversation gateways, and enable the user to communicate in the conversation using a reserved communication gateway;a conversation gateway selector software program configured to cause the processor to select a plurality of conversation gateways according to the plurality of lists of unused conversation gateways; and a mapper software program configured to cause the processor to associate the selected plurality of conversation gateways with the conversation identifier, the mapper software program further configured to enable at least a first user of the plurality of users to communicate across conversation gateways with at least a second user of the plurality of users, the first user using a first conversation gateway and the second user using a second conversation gateway that is different from the first conversation gateway. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 15, 17)
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Specification