System and method of messaging and obtaining message acknowledgement on a network

• US 7,631,079 B1
• Filed: 05/21/2007
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Network Apparel Group, LP
• Original Assignee: Charles Flynn, Chris Bowman, David Daugherty, Frank Sheiness
• Inventors: Bowman, Chris, Daugherty, David, Flynn, Charles, Sheiness, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): EL CHANTI, HUSSEIN A
• Application Number:
  US11/804,934
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 709223-226, 709/246
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles

Abstract

A system and method for messaging and obtaining message acknowledgement on a limited-area network managed by a network management device connected to a wide-area network. The system allows messages to target individual end user devices and receive message acknowledgement from end users. The method allows the recipient of an individually targeted message to prevent service interruption or to be rewarded by acknowledging receipt of a message.

Claims

1. A system for managing messaging on a limited-area network comprising:

a network management device attached to a wide area network;

a limited area network attached to said network management device, said limited area network capable of connecting network devices identified by a unique attribute to said network management device;

a controller attached to said network management device;

wherein said controller authenticates a particular network device identified by its unique attribute;

wherein responsive to authenticating said particular network device identified by its unique attribute, said controller creates a first access rule within said network management device for said particular network device;

wherein said network management device provides a level of access to a wide area network from said limited area network to said particular network device pursuant to said first access rule;

wherein responsive to a message sent to said particular network device identified by its unique attribute, said controller creates a second access rule within said network management device for said particular network device;

wherein said second access rule limits access to the wide area network by said particular network device identified by its unique attribute more than said first access rule;

wherein said network management device provides a level of access to said wide area network from said limited area network pursuant to said second access rule until said message sent to said particular network device is acknowledged by a user of said particular network device; and

wherein responsive to said user acknowledging said message, said network management device provides a level of access to said wide area network from said limited area network pursuant to said first access rule.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said controller is attached to said network management device via said wide area network.

3. The system for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 1 wherein said device unique attribute is a MAC address.

4. The system for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 1 wherein said wide area network is a worldwide computer network.

5. The system for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 1 wherein said device unique attribute is an end user Identification Module.

6. The system for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 1 wherein said wide area network is an audiovisual network.

7. The system for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 1 wherein said wide area network is telephone service network.

8. The system for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 1 wherein said device unique attribute is an end user account.

9. A method for managing messaging on a limited-area network comprising the steps of:

authenticating a uniquely-identifiable device on the limited area network via a network management device;

establishing a first access rule for the uniquely-identifiable device on a wide area network;

providing access to the wide area network from the limited area network pursuant to the first access rule;

sending a targeted message to the device;

limiting access to the wide area network by the uniquely-identifiable device by a second access rule that is more restrictive than the first access rule until the message is acknowledged by a user of the device; and

reestablishing the wide area network connection pursuant to the first access rule once the message has been acknowledged by the user of the device.

10. The method for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 9 further comprising:

waiting for a predetermined time interval after the sending step and prior to the limiting step.

11. The method for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 9 wherein the step of reestablishing the wide area network connection further comprises reestablishing the wide area network connection pursuant to a third access rule for the uniquely-identifiable device on the wide area network for a predetermined time prior to reestablishing the wide area network connection pursuant to the first access rule, wherein the third access rule is less restrictive than the first access rule.

12. The method for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 9 further comprising:

issuing an end user account for limited area network end users;

establishing end user access rules for each end user account.

13. The method for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 9 wherein the step of reestablishing the wide area network connection further comprises altering the rules for the end user account on the wide area network for a predetermined time.

14. The method for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 9 further comprising enabling a messenger to send targeted messages to devices attached to the network.

15. A method for managing messaging on a limited-area network comprising the steps of:

issuing an end user account for limited area network end users;

establishing end user access rules for each end user account;

authenticating a uniquely-identifiable device on the limited area network via a network management device;

establishing a first wide area network access rule for the uniquely-identifiable device;

enabling a messenger to send targeted messages to devices and end users attached to the network;

providing access to a wide area network from the limited area network pursuant to the first wide area network access rule;

sending a targeted message to the device;

limiting access to the wide area network by the uniquely-identifiable device by providing access to the wide area network from the limited area network pursuant to a second wide area network access rule that is more restrictive than the first wide area network access rule until the message is acknowledged by a user of the device; and

reestablishing the wide area network connection pursuant to the first wide area network access rule once the message has been acknowledged by the user of the device.

16. The method for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 15 wherein the step of reestablishing the wide area network connection further comprises reestablishing the wide area network connection pursuant to a third wide area network access rule for the uniquely-identifiable device on the wide area network for a predetermined time prior to reestablishing the wide area network connection pursuant to the first wide area network access rule, wherein the third wide area network access rule is less restrictive than the first wide area network access rule.

17. The method for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 15 wherein the providing access to a wide area network from the limited area network step includes providing access to a plurality of wide area networks.

18. The method for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 17 wherein the plurality of wide area networks include data and audiovisual networks.

19. The method for managing messaging on a limited-area network of claim 18 wherein the step of reestablishing the wide area network connection further comprises altering the rules for the end user account on the wide area network for a predetermined time.