Including a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network
First Claim
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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 computing devices;
selecting a plurality of conversation gateways to be used by the plurality of computing devices 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 computing devices with the conversation identifier, the associating enabling at least a first computing device of the plurality of computing devices to communicate across conversation gateways with at least a second computing devices of the plurality of computing devices, wherein the first computing device uses a first conversation gateway and the second computing device uses a second conversation gateway that is different from the first conversation gateway to communicate across conversation gateways.
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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.
34 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 computing devices; selecting a plurality of conversation gateways to be used by the plurality of computing devices 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 computing devices with the conversation identifier, the associating enabling at least a first computing device of the plurality of computing devices to communicate across conversation gateways with at least a second computing devices of the plurality of computing devices, wherein the first computing device uses a first conversation gateway and the second computing device uses a second conversation gateway that is different from the first conversation gateway to communicate across conversation gateways. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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selecting a first conversation gateway, from a list of currently unused conversation gateways, to enable a first conversation over a communication network between a first computing device and a second computing device, the communication network employing an Internet protocol; selecting a second conversation gateway, from a list of currently unused conversation gateways, to enable a second conversation over the communication network between the second computing device and a third computing device; and enabling a third conversation between the first computing device and the third computing device over the conversation network across conversation gateways, the enabling comprising enabling the first computing device to utilize the first conversation gateway and enabling the third computing device to utilize the second conversation gateway. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system comprising:
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one or more processors; and one or more memories comprising instructions stored thereon that, responsive to execution by the one or more processors, implement a conversation gateway selector, the conversation gateway selector configured to; select a first conversation gateway, from a list of currently unused conversation gateways, to enable a first conversation over a communication network between a first computing device and a second computing device, the communication network employing an Internet protocol; select a second conversation gateway, from the list of currently unused conversation gateways, to enable a second conversation over the communication network between the second computing device and a third computing device; and enable a third conversation between the first computing device and the third computing device over the conversation network across conversation gateways by enabling the first computing device to utilize the first conversation gateway and enabling the third computing device to utilize the second conversation gateway. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification