Interactive communications system

• US 20080235342A1
• Filed: 03/14/2008
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: CVON
• Inventors: Aaltonen, Janne, Ahopelto, Timo
• Granted Patent: US 7,774,419 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication

Abstract

An interactive system and method for controlling access to a plurality of communications sessions involving a plurality of users including controlling access to a plurality of communications sessions, each of said communications sessions being for access by a plurality of users, wherein data identifying said plurality of communications sessions have been stored in association with data indicative of one or more characteristics thereof. The method includes receiving a request to initiate communications among members of a group of users, wherein said request includes data identifying the group of users, responsive to receiving said request, selecting a communications session on the basis of data identifying the group and at least some of said stored data indicative of characteristics of a given communications session, and transmitting messages to at least some members of the group. Each message has a message body including data providing access to the selected communications session and a destination address determined from data indicative of a given member of the group.

Claims

1. A method of controlling access to a plurality of communications sessions, each of said communications sessions being for access by a plurality of users, wherein data identifying said plurality of communications sessions have been stored in association with data indicative of one or more characteristics thereof, the method comprising:

receiving a request to initiate communications among members of a group of users, said request comprising data identifying the group of users;

responsive to receiving said request, selecting a communications session on the basis of data identifying the group and at least some of said stored data indicative of characteristics of a given communications session; and

transmitting messages to at least some members of the group, the or each message having a message body comprising data providing access to the selected communications session and a destination address determined from data indicative of a given member of the group.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which said request to initiate communications is received via a data message.

3. A method according to claim 2, in which the data message contains a group identifier, and the method includes accessing a storage system so as to identify group members corresponding thereto.

4. A method according to claim 3, in which the data message contains one or more keywords, and the method includes accessing a storage system so as to identify users having preference data corresponding to said keywords, whereby to identify members of the group.

5. A method according to claim 2, in which the data message contains one or more keywords, and the method includes accessing a storage system so as to identify users having preference data corresponding to said keywords, whereby to identify members of the group.

6. A method according to claim 5, in which said request to initiate communications is received from a terminal associated with a member of the group, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said terminal.

7. A method according to claim 4, in which said request to initiate communications is received from a terminal associated with a member of the group, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said terminal.

8. A method according to claim 3, in which said request to initiate communications is received from a terminal associated with a member of the group, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said terminal.

9. A method according to claim 2, in which said request to initiate communications is received from a terminal associated with a member of the group, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said terminal.

10. A method according to claim 1, in which said request to initiate communications is received from a terminal associated with a member of the group, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said terminal.

11. A method according to claim 10, in which the said request to initiate communications is received from an information source, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said information source.

12. A method according to claim 9, in which the said request to initiate communications is received from an information source, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said information source.

13. A method according to claim 8, in which the said request to initiate communications is received from an information source, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said information source.

14. A method according to claim 7, in which the said request to initiate communications is received from an information source, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said information source.

15. A method according to claim 6, in which the said request to initiate communications is received from an information source, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said information source.

16. A method according to claim 5, in which the said request to initiate communications is received from an information source, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said information source.

17. A method according to claim 4, in which the said request to initiate communications is received from an information source, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said information source.

18. A method according to claim 3, in which the said request to initiate communications is received from an information source, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said information source.

19. A method according to claim 2, in which the said request to initiate communications is received from an information source, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said information source.

20. A method according to claim 1, in which the said request to initiate communications is received from an information source, and the method includes identifying the group members on the basis of an identifier associated with said information source.

21. A method according to claim 20, including selecting said communications session from a list of predetermined communications sessions.

22. A method according to claim 10, including selecting said communications session from a list of predetermined communications sessions.

23. A method according to claim 5, including selecting said communications session from a list of predetermined communications sessions.

24. A method according to claim 3, including selecting said communications session from a list of predetermined communications sessions.

25. A method according to claim 2, including selecting said communications session from a list of predetermined communications sessions.

26. A method according to claim 1, including selecting said communications session from a list of predetermined communications sessions.

27. A method according to claim 26, including selecting said communications session on the basis of priority information associated with said predetermined communications sessions.

28. A method according to claim 25, including selecting said communications session on the basis of priority information associated with said predetermined communications sessions.

29. A method according to claim 24, including selecting said communications session on the basis of priority information associated with said predetermined communications sessions.

30. A method according to claim 23, including selecting said communications session on the basis of priority information associated with said predetermined communications sessions.

31. A method according to claim 22, including selecting said communications session on the basis of priority information associated with said predetermined communications sessions.

32. A method according to claim 21, including selecting said communications session on the basis of priority information associated with said predetermined communications sessions.

33. A method according to claim 32, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said predetermined communications sessions, whereby to select the communications session.

34. A method according to claim 31, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said predetermined communications sessions, whereby to select the communications session.

35. A method according to claim 30, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said predetermined communications sessions, whereby to select the communications session.

36. A method according to claim 29, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said predetermined communications sessions, whereby to select the communications session.

37. A method according to claim 28, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said predetermined communications sessions, whereby to select the communications session.

38. A method according to claim 27, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said predetermined communications sessions, whereby to select the communications session.

39. A method according to claim 26, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said predetermined communications sessions, whereby to select the communications session.

40. A method according to claim 25, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said predetermined communications sessions, whereby to select the communications session.

41. A method according to claim 24, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said predetermined communications sessions, whereby to select the communications session.

42. A method according to claim 23, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said predetermined communications sessions, whereby to select the communications session.

43. A method according to claim 22, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said predetermined communications sessions, whereby to select the communications session.

44. A method according to claim 21, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said predetermined communications sessions, whereby to select the communications session.

45. A method according to claim 44, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

46. A method according to claim 43, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

47. A method according to claim 42, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

48. A method according to claim 41, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

49. A method according to claim 40, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

50. A method according to claim 39, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

51. A method according to claim 38, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

52. A method according to claim 37, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

53. A method according to claim 36, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

54. A method according to claim 35, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

55. A method according to claim 34, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

56. A method according to claim 33, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

57. A method according to claim 32, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

58. A method according to claim 31, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

59. A method according to claim 30, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

60. A method according to claim 29, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

61. A method according to claim 28, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

62. A method according to claim 27, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

63. A method according to claim 26, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

64. A method according to claim 25, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

65. A method according to claim 24, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

66. A method according to claim 23, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

67. A method according to claim 22, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

68. A method according to claim 21, including identifying preference data associated with said identified members of the group and matching said identified preference data with preference data associated with said members of a group previously notified of the communications session, whereby to select the communications session.

69. A method according to claim 68, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

70. A method according to claim 67, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

71. A method according to claim 66, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

72. A method according to claim 65, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

73. A method according to claim 64, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

74. A method according to claim 63, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

75. A method according to claim 62, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

76. A method according to claim 61, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

77. A method according to claim 60, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

78. A method according to claim 59, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

79. A method according to claim 58, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

80. A method according to claim 57, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

81. A method according to claim 56, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

82. A method according to claim 55, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

83. A method according to claim 54, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

84. A method according to claim 53, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

85. A method according to claim 52, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

86. A method according to claim 51, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

87. A method according to claim 50, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

88. A method according to claim 49, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

89. A method according to claim 48, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

90. A method according to claim 47, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

91. A method according to claim 46, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

92. A method according to claim 45, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

93. A method according to claim 44, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

94. A method according to claim 43, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

95. A method according to claim 42, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

96. A method according to claim 41, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

97. A method according to claim 40, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

98. A method according to claim 39, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

99. A method according to claim 38, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

100. A method according to claim 37, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

101. A method according to claim 36, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

102. A method according to claim 35, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

103. A method according to claim 34, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

104. A method according to claim 33, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

105. A method according to claim 32, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

106. A method according to claim 31, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

107. A method according to claim 30, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

108. A method according to claim 29, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

109. A method according to claim 28, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

110. A method according to claim 27, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

111. A method according to claim 26, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

112. A method according to claim 25, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

113. A method according to claim 24, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

114. A method according to claim 23, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

115. A method according to claim 22, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

116. A method according to claim 21, including creating a plurality of messages for transmission to said at least some of the group members, in which each said created message contains a selectable link to the selected communications session.

117. A method according to claim 116, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

118. A method according to claim 111, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

119. A method according to claim 110, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

120. A method according to claim 105, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

121. A method according to claim 104, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

122. A method according to claim 99, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

123. A method according to claim 98, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

124. A method according to claim 93, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

125. A method according to claim 92, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

126. A method according to claim 87, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

127. A method according to claim 86, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

128. A method according to claim 81, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

129. A method according to claim 80, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

130. A method according to claim 74, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

131. A method according to claim 69, including identifying content accompanying the data indicative of said group of users, and appending said identified content to each said created message.

132. A method according to claim 131, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

133. A method according to claim 130, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

134. A method according to claim 129, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

135. A method according to claim 128, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

136. A method according to claim 127, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

137. A method according to claim 126, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

138. A method according to claim 125, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

139. A method according to claim 124, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

140. A method according to claim 123, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

141. A method according to claim 122, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

142. A method according to claim 121, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

143. A method according to claim 120, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

144. A method according to claim 119, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

145. A method according to claim 118, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

146. A method according to claim 117, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

147. A method according to claim 116, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

148. A method according to claim 111, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

149. A method according to claim 110, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

150. A method according to claim 105, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

151. A method according to claim 104, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

152. A method according to claim 99, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

153. A method according to claim 98, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

154. A method according to claim 93, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

155. A method according to claim 92, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

156. A method according to claim 87, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

157. A method according to claim 86, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

158. A method according to claim 81, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

159. A method according to claim 80, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

160. A method according to claim 74, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

161. A method according to claim 69, including accessing an information source so as to retrieve information relating to said at least some of the group members, and appending the retrieved information to each said created message.

162. A method according to claim 1, in which the communications session is in progress at the time of transmission of the messages to said at least some members of the group.

163. A method according to claim 1, in which the communications session is triggered in response to receipt of a HTTP request from one of said members of the group.

164. A method according to claim 1, in which the communications session is publicly accessible.

165. A method according to any claim 2, in which the communications session is publicly accessible.

166. A method according to any claim 10, in which the communications session is publicly accessible.

167. A method according to claim 20, in which the communications session is publicly accessible.

168. A method according to claim 1, in which the data indicative of a group of users is received via the short messaging service (SMS).

169. A method according to claim 1, in which the data indicative of a group of users is received via the Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) messaging service.

170. A method according to claim 1, in which the messages are transmitted to at least some members of the group via the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Push messaging service.

171. A method of announcing a group communications session for access by a plurality of users, wherein data identifying said communications session have been stored in association with data indicative of one or more characteristics thereof, the method comprising:

receiving data indicative of a group of users;

selecting a communications session on the basis of data identifying the group and at least some of said stored data indicative of characteristics of a given communications session; and

transmitting messages to at least some members of the group, the or each message having a message body comprising data providing access to the selected communications session and a destination address determined from data indicative of a given member of the group,

wherein the message body includes an information portion providing information in relation to the communications session, the information portion being selected at least on the basis of stored data associated with the selected communications session.