Instant messaging account system

• US 20020007398A1
• Filed: 05/02/2001
• Published: 01/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chikka Com Pte Limited
• Original Assignee: Chikka Com Pte Limited
• Inventors: Mendiola, Dennis, Schlotman, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 7,200,634 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]

Abstract

An instant messaging system and a method of instant messaging between a plurality of clients having IM applications of the same or different types. The IM system includes a plurality of clients having IM client applications of the following types: a PC-based instant messaging client application program (101, 301); a GSM device (104, 303) forming part of a GSM network; an internet browser-based client application 201, 305; and an email-based client application (208, 307). An IM system host (141, 211, 316) including an IM server (143, 217, 311) is selectively connected to each of the clients via the direct electronic links or the internet (117, 213, 309) and provides a prescribed range of functionality to the clients. This functionality includes sending an IM, receiving an IM and identifying which members of a group of clients that a client is a member, or prospective member, of are online. Each client type has a unique identifier to enable access thereto via the internet (117, 213, 309) and each client has a single account on the IM host/server for all of its client types that can access the IM server (143, 217, 311). The account is identified by a unique identification number (“UIN”) common to all of the client types of that client and each unique identifier of each client type of a client is matched to the UIN of the particular client.

Claims

1. An instant messaging system comprising:

a plurality of clients having IM client applications of the same or different types;

an IM server selectively connected to each of said clients via a computer network and providing prescribed range of functionality to said clients;

each client type having a unique identifier to enable access thereto via said computer network; and

each client having a single account on said IM server for all of its client types that can access said IM server;

wherein said account is identified by a unique identification number common to all of the client types of that client;

and wherein each said unique identifier of each client type of a said client is matched to said unique identification number of the particular client.

2. An instant messaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said client types include clients connected to the computer network via:

(i) a PC-based instant messaging client application program;

(ii) a GSM device on a GSM network;

(iii) an internet browser-based client application;

or

(iv) an email-based client application.

3. An instant messaging system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said prescribed range of functionality includes:

(i) sending a textual message from one client to another;

(ii) receiving a textual message from one client to another; and

(iii) identifying which members of a group of clients that a client is a member or prospective member of are currently connected to the computer network, or are probably so connected.

4. An instant messaging system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said computer network is the internet or direct electronic links of computers and other electronic devices.

5. An instant messaging system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said client types connected to the computer network via the GSM network have SMS capability and are initially connected via an SMSC server to control and manage said SMS therebetween, and wherein said SMSC server is directly connected to said IM server via said computer network.

6. A method for instant messaging between a plurality of clients having IM applications of the same or different types, selectively interconnected to an IM server by way of a computer network, whereby each client type has a unique identifier to enable access thereto via the computer network, the method comprising the following steps:

providing a single account on the IM server for each client in respect of all of its client types that can access the IM server;

identifying the account by a unique identification number that is common to all of the client types of that client; and

matching each unique identifier of each client type of that client to said unique identification number thereof.

7. An instant messaging system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate.

8. A method for instant messaging between a plurality of clients having IM applications of the same or different types substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate.