MXPA99003264A - Communications system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a communication system including a communications network, a multiplicity of communications terminals which are connectable to the communications network and which can be employed by users to communicate via the communications network, the user not necessarily being identified with a given communications terminal;apparatus for monitoring whether or not a user is connected to the communications network irrespective of which of the multiplicity of communications terminals that user is employing, and apparatus for annunciating to a seeking user, currently connected to the communications network via any of the multiplicity of communications terminals, network connection status information relating to other users who are in a set of sought users, which set is definable by the seeking user, and for providing the seeking user connection address information relating to those sought users who are currently connected to the communications network.

Description

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to communication systems generally and in particular to network communication systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Establishing a point-to-point communication between users who are connected via communication terminals to a communications network generally requires that the network address of each connected user be known to all connected users. Many systems of network communication service providers, such as Internet Service Providers (ISP's), assign users a different network address, such as an IP address, each time they connect to the network, which makes a prior knowledge of a network address of the particular user impossible.

Some commercial and non-commercial services maintain network servers connected to a network. Users who connect to the network provide their current network address and other identifying information to one or more of these network servers. This information is made available to other users connected to the network for the purpose of including point-to-point communications. Such services include Internet Relay Chat (IRC), for which a computer program is commercially available from Surfirig Squirrel Productions, Inc., Microsoft User Position Service (ULS), commercially available from Microsoft Corporation and the Microsoft System. Automatic Call Distribution (ACD), commercially available from Executone Information Systems, Inc.

A user who wishes to locate another user can connect to a network server that registers the user information to determine the network address of the other user.

A user usually locates another user by searching for the other user's email address, one or more nicknames that the other user often uses, or other identifying information. The effective use of such identification information is limited in that a single user may have multiple electronic addresses, multiple users may have the same nickname, or a user may be connected via a network connection of another user.

Unfortunately, services such as those mentioned above do not generally provide the unique identification of each user, thus facilitating the exact location of a specific user. In addition, such services require users to actively seek other users, often among several hundred or thousands of users that the server knows are connected to a network at any given time. These services also do not allow a user to limit who can have access to that user identification information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to provide an improved communication system to facilitate the location of a user that is connected to a communication network, preferably for the purpose of establishing point-to-point communications. A user's position in a communication network is typically expressed in terms of the user's current network address.

The communication system of the present invention preferably provides at least some and preferably all of the following advantages: a. Users can be located exactly, because each user has a permanent and unique identification code. b. Users can be located quickly and efficiently, because the network server automatically provides a user who is currently connected with a list of other users who are currently connected to the network from a predefined list of users whose connection status is user wants to know. c. Users are automatically notified when another user, in whom the user they are looking for, is connected to the network. d. Users can protect their private by limiting who can locate them.

Note that throughout the description and claims the term "user" covers any entity, preferably human, that operates a computer or other communications terminal, preferably for the purpose of connecting to and communicating via a communications network. Note also that the term "user searching" includes any user who wishes to locate at least one other user currently connected to the communication network. Note further that the term "searched user" comprises any user whose position, typically a res address, is desired by a searching user.

A communication system including a communication network, a multiplicity of communication terminals that are connectable to the communication network and that can be used by users to communicate via the network of communication is thus provided according to a preferred example of the present invention. communications, the user does not it is necessarily identified with a given communications terminal, devices for monitoring whether a user is connected or not to the communications network, regardless of which of the multiplicity of communication terminals that user is using and devices to announce to a user that is looking for, currently connected to the communication network via any of the multiplicity of communication terminals, information of the state of connection to the network in relation to other users that are in a group of wanted users, said group is defined by the user that searches, and to provide the user seeking the connection address information related to those searched users who are currently connected to the communication network.

In addition, according to a preferred specimen of the present invention, any of the users can function as at least one searching user and a wanted user.

Still in accordance with a preferred specimen of the present invention, any of the users can function simultaneously as a searching user and a wanted user.

Still in accordance with a preferred specimen of the present invention, the network connection status information includes an indication that a searched user is currently connected to the communication network.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred exemplary of the present invention, the network connection status information includes an indication that the searched user has now become connected to the communication network.

Still more in accordance with a preferred example of the present invention, the connection status information to the res includes an indication that a wanted user has currently disconnected from the communication network.

In addition to a preferred copy of the present invention, at least one of the users has a unique identification code.

Still in accordance with a preferred exemplary of the present invention, the unique identification code is independent of any communications terminal.

Furthermore, according to a preferred specimen of the present invention, at least one service is connected to the communication network, and the monitoring device is resident on at least one server.

Furthermore, according to a preferred exemplary of the present invention, at least one service is connected to the communication network, and the announcing device is resident on at least one server.

Moreover, in accordance with a preferred example of the present invention, the communication system includes devices for notifying at least once that at least one of the users is currently connected to the communications network.

Besides in accordance with a preferred exemplary of the present invention, the notification device is resident in any of the multiplicity of communication terminals.

Still according to a preferred exemplary of the present invention, at least one of the users is currently connected to the communication network and has a network address, and the communication system includes devices for determining the network address.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred exemplary of the present invention, at least one server is connected to the communication network, and the apparatus for determining is resident in at least one server.

Further still in accordance with a preferred exemplary of the present invention, the apparatus for determining is resident in any of the multiplicity of communication terminals.

Furthermore, according to a preferred specimen of the present invention, the communication system includes devices to authorize if the at least one searching user can have access to the information related to the searched users.

Still in accordance with a preferred exemplary of the present invention, the authorizing apparatus is resident in any of a multiplicity of communication terminals.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred exemplary of the present invention, the communication system includes devices for maintaining information with respect to any of the users.

Still more in accordance with a preferred specimen of the present invention, the apparatus for maintaining information is resident in at least one server connected to the communication network.

In addition to conforming to a preferred specimen of the present invention, at least one of the users provides information to the apparatus for maintaining information.

Still in accordance with a preferred specimen of the present invention, the information includes the group of intended users.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred exemplary of the present invention, the information comprises a request from a searched user to authorize whether the searching user can access any of the information related to the searched user.

Also provided in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a method for indicating connection information to the user in relation to users, the method includes monitoring whether a user is connected or not to a communication network via any of a multiplicity of communication terminals, and announce to a user who is looking, currently connected to the communication network via any of the multiplicity of communication terminals, information of the state of connection to the network in relation to other users who are in the group of intended users , said group is defined by the user that searches, and to provide the user searching for connection address information in relation to those searched users that are currently connected to the communications network.

In addition to conformance to a preferred specimen of the present invention, at least one of the users has a unique identification code.

Still in accordance with a preferred exemplary of the present invention, the unique identification code is independent of any communication terminals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a communications system constructed and operative according to a preferred example of the present invention, wherein a user is connected to a communication network via a communication terminal and the user information is provided to a server connected to the communication network.

Figure 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a communications system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred example of the present invention, wherein a wanted user connects to the communication network of Figure 1, the information that identifies the searched user it is provided to the server of Figure 1, and wherein the server of Figure 1 communicates the information identifying the searched user to the user of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a communications system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the user of Figure 1 communicates directly with the intended user of Figure 2, having received the network address of the searched user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference is now made to Figure 1 which is a simplified pictorial illustration of a communication system 10 constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred exemplary of the present invention.

The communication system 10 preferably includes a multiplicity of communications terminals 12 connectable to a communications network 14 via a multiplicity of connection means 16, which may be either wired or wireless. The communication terminals 12 are preferably operative to receive feed of an information displayed to a user 18, and to transmit and receive information via the communications network 14 via the connection means 16. The server 20 is similarly operative to send and receive information via the communications network 14.

The connection notification apparatus 30 is operative to receive power from the communications terminal 12, wherein the connection notification apparatus 30 typically resides. The communication terminal 12 points to the connection notification apparatus 30 when the communication terminal 12 is connected to the communication network. The connection notification apparatus 30 preferably transmits the notification via the communications network 14 to a connection monitor 22, which is operative to receive power via the communications network 14, and which typically resides in the server 20. An address extractor 26, typically resident in the server 20, is operative to determine the source network address of the notification received by the connection monitor 22, to which the connection extractor 26 is operatively interconnected. The address extractor 26 is operative to provide the network address to the information handling apparatus 28, typically resident in the server 20, where the address is maintained. The address extractor 26 is alternatively or additionally operative to communicate with the communication terminal 12, in which the address extractor 26 can alternatively or additionally reside, wherein the address extractor 25 is operative to determine the network address of the communication terminal 12 when a connection to the communication network 14 is established, and to provide the network address to the connection notification apparatus 30.

An annunciator 24, typically resident on the server 20, is operative to receive information maintained by the information handling apparatus 28 and transmit this information to the communication terminal 12.

The typical operation of the communication system 10 is described in detail below with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Reference is now made to Figure 1 which shows a user 18 establishing a connection to the communication network 14, typically the Internet, using a communication terminal 12 via a connection means 16. The connection to the communication network 14 is typically via a leased line or dial-up line to a network communication service provider, typically an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

At least one server 20 is continuously connected to the communications network 14 via the connecting means 16. More than one server 20 can be provided where all servers preferably are synchronized continuously to maintain and provide the same information.

Once the user 18 connects to the communication network 14, the connection notification apparatus 30 notifies the connection monitor 22 that the user 18 is connected to the communication network 14. This notification of preference includes an identification code. unique one predefined by the user 18 and maintained in a list of users connected by the information handling apparatus 28. This unique identification code is preferably independent of the communication terminal 12 used by the user 18. Preferably, this notification is also it comprises a user password for the authentication of the unique identification code. This notification may also include other information such as the user's current network address 18.

The address extractor 26 preferably determines the current network address of the user 18 when the user is connected to the communication terminal 12. The address extractor 26 is preferably operative to extract a network address from transmission bags used in the Network data transmission protocols such as TCP / IP. Thus the address extractor 26 can extract the current network address of the user 18 from the transmission bags sent by the connection notification device 30 to the connection monitor 22. The address extractor 26 then provides the current network address for the user 18 to the information management apparatus 18 which maintains the address in the list of connected users.

While the address extractor 26 typically communicates with the information handling apparatus 218 as mentioned above, the address extractor 26 can as an alternative or additionally communicate with the communication terminal 12, providing the current network address to the connection notification apparatus 30. The connection notification apparatus then transmits the network address to the connection monitor 22, which provides the address to the information handling apparatus 28 which maintains the address in the list of connected users.

The communications terminal 12 preferably provides a user-desired list predefined by the user 18 to the information management apparatus 128 that maintains it. The communication terminal 12 can also provide instructions of the user 18 to the information handling apparatus 28 with respect to whether the user 18 requests to be explicitly asked to authorize if the information corresponding to the user 18 is revealed or not to a user seeking who requests it this information. The information management apparatus 28 maintains a list of users who require authorization.

The information handling apparatus 28, upon receiving the list of wanted users of the user 18 in the communication terminal 12, verifies the list of users connected by any searched user that is currently connected to the communications network 14, typically to be displayed in the terminal. If searched users are found connected, the information management apparatus 28 causes the annunciator 24 to transmit an announcement to the user 18 on the communications terminal 12 where the advertisement generally includes the unique identification codes and the network addresses of all the users who are currently connected to the communications network 14 and to whom the user 18 searches.

The connection monitor 22 periodically asks the communication terminal 12 or otherwise determines whether the communications terminal 12 is still connected to the communications network 14 in accordance with the network communication protocols well known in the art, as is TCP / IP. As an alternative or additionally, the connection notification apparatus 30 periodically notifies the connection monitor 22 that the communications terminal 12 is still connected to the communication network 14 in accordance with the well-known network communication protocols in the technique, as is TCP / IP.

Reference is now made to Figure 2 which shows a user 34 establishing a connection to the communication network 14 preferably in the same manner described for the user 18 in Figure 1. Once the user 34 is connected, the device information handling 28 verifies the list of users searched to determine whether user 34 is searched by user 18. If yes, information management apparatus 28 then checks the list of connected users to determine if user 18 is still connected. If the user 18 is still connected, the information handling apparatus 28 causes the annunciator 24 to transmit an advertisement to the user 18, where the advertisement typically includes the unique identification code for the searched user 34, the current network address for the user. the searched user 34 and preferably other information provided by the user 18. The information management apparatus 28 preferably also checks the list of searched users to determine if the user 18 is searched by the user 34 and, if so, causes the annunciator 24 transmits an advertisement to the user 34 as described above.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 which shows the user 18 making a point-to-point connection with the searched user 34 using the searched user's network address 34 as provided by the annunciator 24 as described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2. It will be appreciated that the user 18 can establish a point-to-point connection with the user 34 once the user 18 possesses the network address of the user 34 independent of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that any of the computer program components of the present invention may, if desired, be implemented in the form of ROM (Read Memory Only). The computer program components can, in general, be implemented in the equipment, if desired, using conventional techniques.

It will be appreciated that several characteristics of the invention which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate copies may also be provided with combination in a single copy. On the contrary, several features of the invention that are described, for brevity, in the context of a single copy may also be provided separately or in any appropriate combination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described herein. But the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the following claims:

Claims (26)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A communications system comprising: a communications network; a multiplicity of communication terminals that are connectable to said communications network and that can be used by users to communicate via said communication network, the user does not necessarily identify with a given communication terminal; apparatuses for monitoring whether a user is connected or not to said communication network regardless of which of said multiplicity of communication terminals that user is using; and devices for announcing to a user who is looking, currently connected to said communication network via any of said multiplicity of communication terminals, information of the connection status to said network in relation to other users that are in a group of wanted users, said group is defined by the user seeking, and to provide the user seeking the connection address information related to those searched users who are currently connected to said communication network.
2. 2. A communication system according to Claim 1 and wherein any of said users can function as at least one of a searching user and a wanted user.
3. 3. A communication system according to Claim 1 and wherein any of said users can operate simultaneously as a searching user and a wanted user.
4. 4. A communication system according to Claim 1 and wherein said network connection status information includes an indication that a searched user is currently connected to the communication network.
5. 5. A communication system according to Claim 1 and wherein said network connection status information includes an indication of a wanted user having connected to the communication network.
6. 6. A communication system according to Claim 1 and wherein said network connection status information includes an indication that a searched user has currently disconnected from the communication network.
7. 7. A communication system according to Claim 1 and wherein at least one of said users has a unique identification code.
8. 8. A communication system according to Claim 1 and wherein said unique identification code is independent of any commuting terminal.
9. 9. A communication system according to Claim 1 wherein at least one server is connected to said communication network and wherein said monitoring apparatus is resident in said at least one server.
10. 10. A communication system according to Claim 1 wherein at least one server is connected to said communication network and wherein said announcing apparatus is resident in said at least one server.
11. 11. A communication system according to Claim 1 and comprising apparatuses for notifying at least once that at least one of said users is currently connected to said communication network.
12. 12. A communication system according to Claim 1 and wherein said notification device is resident in any of said multiplicity of communication terminals.
13. 13. A communication system according to Claim 1 wherein at least one of said users is currently connected to said communication network and has a network address, and comprises apparatuses for determining said network address.
14. 14. A communication system according to Claim 13 wherein at least one server is connected to said communication network and wherein said apparatus for determining is resident in said at least one server.
15. 15. A communication system according to Claim 13 and wherein said apparatus for determining is resident in any of said multiplicity of communication terminals.
16. 16. A communication system according to Claim 1 and comprising apparatuses to authorize if said at least one searching user can have access to any of said information in relation to said searched users.
17. 17. A communication system according to Claim 16 and wherein said apparatus for authorizing is resident in any of said communication terminals.
18. 18. A communication system according to Claim 1 and comprising apparatus for maintaining the information with respect to any of said users.
19. 19. A communication system according to Claim 18 and wherein said apparatus for maintaining the information is resident on at least one server connected to said communication network.
20. 20. A communication system according to Claim 18 and wherein at least one of said users provides information to said apparatus for maintaining the information.
21. 21. A communication system according to Claim 18 and wherein said information comprises said group of intended users.
22. 22. A communication system according to Claim 18 and wherein said information comprises a request from a searched user to authorize if a The user who searches may have access to any of said information with respect to said searched user.
23. 23. A communication system according to Claim 1 and wherein said communication network is configured to allow a first user between any of said users to establish a point-to-point connection with a second user among any of said users if said first user has said connection address information in relation to said second user.
24. 24. A method for indicating network connection information in relation to the users, the method comprises: monitoring whether a user is connected or not to a communication network via any of a multiplicity of communication terminals via any of a multiplicity of communication terminals regardless of which of said multiplicity of communications terminals that user is employing; announce to a user who is looking, currently connected to the communications network, information on the state of connection to the network in relation to other users who are in the group of users searched for, said group is defined by the user that searches; and providing the user searching for connection address information in relation to those searched users who are currently connected to the communications network.
25. 25. A method according to Claim 24 wherein at least one of said users has a unique identification code.
26. 26. A method according to Claim 25 wherein said unique identification code is independent of any communications terminal. EXTRACT OF THE INVENTION The present invention presents a communication system that includes a communications network, a multiplicity of communication terminals that are connectable to the communication network and that can be used by users to communicate via the communications network, and, the user is not necessarily identified with a given communications terminal; apparatuses for monitoring whether a user is connected to the communications network or not, regardless of which of the multiplicity of communication terminals that user is using, and devices to announce a user that is searching, currently connected to the communication network via any of the multiplicity of communication terminals, the state of connection to the network in relation to other users who are in a group of wanted users, said set is defined by the user that searches, and to provide the user seeking address information related to those wanted users who are currently connected to the communications network.