DE102006032254A1 - Method for controlling status information over network nodes, involves displaying and updating of status information on end user network nodes of user, by which user accesses communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves displaying of the status information (N,N',N'') at the end user network nodes (EUNA1,EUNA2, EUNA3,EUNBn) of the user. The status information displays whether detailed communications are requested by the user by accessing the communication system (CB), which are present for the user. The status information is updated at the end user network node by which the user accesses the communication system and queries for the detailed communication. The status information is adjusted at all momentary end user network nodes of this user connected with the communication system. An independent claim is also included for the communication system with controlled network units in the form of network nodes, for execution of the method.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for controlling status information via network nodes, assigned to the users of a communication system and as logical End-user network nodes are formed, each user at least two such logical End user network nodes are assigned, by means of which the user accesses the communication system. In particular, the Invention A method for controlling status information via network nodes an internet-based Communication system in which also terminals network node functions To run. The invention further relates to a communication system for carrying out a Such method and network units for controlling the status information, In particular, a number of incoming communications, such as e.g. of text messages, Video and / or audio data, specify which to the user via the Communication system sent and provided for query.

by virtue of the increasing networking of end devices, especially desktop computers, Notebooks, PDA's (Personal Digital Assistant), mobile phones and the like arise for users diverse from communication networks Options, communicate with each other or exchange data. These are usually one or several communication services or communication types used, especially multimedia services, all the possibilities of deployment and the exchange of information. Possible services, for example be: instant messaging services, Internet telephony services (Voice over IP or VOIP for short), data exchange services (FileSharing) or data access services (WindowSharing) or else Data provision services, in particular for video, audio, video and video Program data. Other services are e.g. Whiteboard services, at which multiple users share a common area for common, simultaneous Edit and view a shared graph, as well as other services that rely on the exchange of information between two or more terminals based. The data can be accessed via direct Compounds (so-called peer-to-peer) or over indirect connections with intermediate storage (so-called Store & Forward) between be sent to the users.

It Communication systems are known in which even the individual Users multiple devices can use to access the communication system. For example can be in the range of e-mail systems each user across multiple devices on Access e-mail account and retrieve stored messages there. Known methods are POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) or IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol), which roughly in http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/POP3 or http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imap are described. The single user can e.g. by personal computer and / or mobile terminal alike the for him incoming emails, So the incoming communication, retrieve and answer if necessary. It would be desirable that a user over the status of the communication on all its terminals up to date is informed. This should also be possible if the terminals are not permanently, but only when needed and temporarily with the communication system or network.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, a method and a Communication system available in which the status information is controlled as intelligently as possible be to solve the difficulties mentioned above.

These The object is achieved by a method for controlling the status information via network nodes a communication system according to the features of claim 1 and by a communication system or a network unit according to the features one of the independent claims solved.

• – Anzeigen von Statusinformationen an den Endnutzer-Netzwerkknoten des Nutzers, wobei die Statusinformationen angeben, ob für den Nutzer eingehende Kommunikationen vorliegen, die durch den Nutzer mittels Zugriff auf das Kommunikationssystem abfragbar ist;
• – Aktualisieren der Statusinformationen an demjenigen Endnutzer-Netzwerkknoten, über den der Nutzer auf das Kommunikationssystem zugreift und die eingehende Kommunikation abfragt;
• – Abgleichen der Statusinformation zumindest an allen momentan mit dem Kommunikationssystem verbundenen Endnutzer-Netzwerkknoten dieses Nutzers.

Accordingly, a method or implementing devices for controlling status information via network nodes are presented, which are assigned to users of a communication system and formed as a logical end-user network nodes, each user at least two such logical end-user network nodes are assigned by the user to the communication system accesses. The following steps or measures are proposed:

• Displaying status information to the user's end-user network node, the status information indicating whether there are inbound communications to the user that are retrievable by the user through access to the communication system;
• Updating the status information at the end user network node via which the user accesses the communication system and polls the incoming communication;
• - Matching the status information at least at all currently connected to the communication system end user network node of this user.

These measures ensure that the individual user has the same status with regard to the status information as quickly as possible on all of his terminals. In particular, a number of incoming communications, in particular text messages, video and / or audio data, which are sent to the user via the communication system and provided for polling.

It also becomes a communication system with controlling network entities to carry out the method according to the preceding claims, wherein the Communication system the controlling network units in the form of Contains network node, the decentralized updating and synchronization of status information control, and / or contains in the form of a central control, the centrally the data flow at least in connection with the network nodes controls. Likewise, a network unit for such a communication system proposed, wherein the network unit in the form of a network node decentralized updating and reconciliation the status information controls. Alternatively, it becomes a network unit for a proposed such communication system, wherein the network unit is designed in the form of a central control, which centrally Updating and reconciling the status information at least in conjunction with network nodes of the communication system controls. Accordingly, the control of the status information can be decentralized and / or centrally.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims: Accordingly Advantageously, the adjustment of the status information even at any moment not connected to the communication system End-user network node of this user as soon as this end-user network node connected to the communication network. Alternatively or in addition The communication system includes a core network with logical User network nodes, at least one each of which User is assigned and with the at least one logical end user network node This user is connectable.

In In this context, it is advantageous when updating and Matching the status information to the end user network node the user of the associated user network node and / or an associated user management is controlled.

Advantageous It is also when the status information receives a number of incoming Communications, in particular of text messages, video and / or Specify audio data to the user via the communication system, in particular by at least one second user and be provided for query. It is preferred indicated by the number of how many of the incoming communications the user has not yet retrieved.

Also it is advantageous if the status information is also a number outgoing communications, especially text messages, video and / or audio data indicating which of the user based on the Communication system sent to at least one second user and / or provided for interrogation.

These and further preferred embodiments The invention and the resulting advantages will be below with the attached Drawing in detail The drawings show the following schematic representations:

The 1 schematically shows the structure of a communication system in a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the method for controlling the status information is executed.

The 2 shows, in particular, the display of status information at the terminals or end user nodes of the first user.

The 3 shows a communication window on the screen of a terminal of the first user, where also the status information is displayed.

The 4 shows a flowchart for the method for controlling the status information in the communication system.

The 5a and 5b show exemplary representations of direct and indirect connections within the communication system, via which the control of the status information can take place.

First, here on the 1 and 2 Referenced. In the 1 the schematic structure of a communication system CB is shown, which is designed as an Internet-based communication system. By way of example for a large number of users, two users A and B are shown who can communicate with one another via the communication system CB, in particular by exchanging data for multimedia communication by text, image, graphics, video and / or audio as well as data for user applications (Word processing, work tables, presentations, databases, etc.).

By way of example, for many users, the first user, A, is presented here with a woman named "Tinoky," who communicates with the second user B, a man named "Jagger," via the CB communication system. For this purpose, the communication system CB has a variety of network node, namely user-near or terminal-near node EUN and network-near node UHN. The actual user data and the signaling data, preferably in the form of data packets or data blocks, are transmitted via the nodes for communication between the users. In this case, an intelligent control of the data flow takes place, which means that the data can be transmitted via different paths, that is to say via different connections between the network nodes.

The after the 1 The illustrated logical structure of the communication system CB corresponds to a decentralized structured architecture in which all (logical) network nodes EUN and UHN can interact with substantially equal rights. This means that all network nodes can establish connections with one another, be it as a transmitting node, as a receiving node and / or as a relay node. The function is determined by the current request to the respective network node or to the data or data packets to be transmitted. In particular, direct connections and indirect connections can be established. Direct connections (peer-to-peer) are switched between equal network nodes. These direct connections are also indicated by way of example by the arrow P2P. On the other hand, indirect connections (store & forward) are connected between non-equivalent network nodes and / or via a plurality of intermediate nodes or relay nodes, whereby data buffering or data retention in individual network nodes can also take place. The arrow S & F refers to such indirect connections.

That in the 1 Communication system shown comprises a core network TSC with logical user network nodes UHNA, UHNB and UHNB * (also called user home node or UserHomeNode), each of which a user A or B can access by means of its terminals. The terminals in turn are designed as logical end-user network nodes EUNA1 EUNA2, EUNA3 or EUNB1 EUNB2 ... EUNBn (also called end user node or EndUserNode) and are thus in an association with the corresponding user network node. Thus, each user, such as user A, has access to an associated end-user network node (in this case EUNA1 to EUNA3) and to a user network node (here UHNA). The user network nodes UHN belong to the core network TSC and are set up on servers of the service provider or network operator. The end-user nodes EUN are set up on the terminals of the users or users.

In the example shown, the user A ("Tinoky") has, for example, three terminals, namely a personal computer, a laptop and a mobile communication terminal, so that the user A has three corresponding end-user nodes, namely EUNA1, EUNA2 or EUNA3 A user can also have more terminals and thus EUNs 1 is indicated by the user B ("Jagger") to whom the end user network nodes EUNB1, EUNB2 ... EUNBn are assigned, so that the users A and B communicating with each other have at least two associated end user network nodes EUN, via which the users communicate with communication with the communication system and in particular can send and / or receive data.

On the terminal side the end-user nodes EUN are essentially one on each terminal executed Client software realized with the or the corresponding server-side user network node UHN interact or interact.

Each user can therefore have at least two end-user network nodes (eg EUNA1 and EUNA2), which are each realized as a client, and can be connected to the communication system CB via at least one user network node (eg UHNA), which is realized as a server. As the 1 Users have shown several end-user network nodes EUN (also called EndUserNodes). The users can also have several user network nodes UHN (also UserHomeNodes), wherein preferably only one UserHomeNode per user is installed, so that the network side, the control and management of the data for users based on the respective UserHomeNodes can be performed clearly.

to Administration of users, in particular for the authentication of users, a central network unit is provided in the core network TSC, which is referred to herein as the authentication unit CID. The provided by the communication system CB services are only the accessible to authenticated users. It will also be a log-in process in which the user log in must, performed, before the user gets access to the system. The network unit CID can also for the user administration, in particular for the administration of user profiles including associated user rates, be responsible in the core network TSC.

The communication between the users is now closer also on the basis of 2 described:
The special feature of the communication presented here is that it takes place via so-called ComBOTS. These are animatable icons or figures that represent the communication partner and appear as a desktop element on the user's terminal and have communication functions. From there, the user can in particular by house control (click, drag & drop) very simply start, continue and / or answer a communication. As the 2 shows the user B "Jagger" on the desktop (user interface) of his PC or end node EUNB1 such a ComBOT, which is labeled "Tinoky". The ComBOT virtually represents avatar as the user A. "Tinoky" If Jagger wants to send a message to Tinoky, he only has to click on the "Tinoky" with the mouse cursor and can then in particular via a communication window with her communicate. On the side of the user A, thus on the terminals of Tinoky, are in each case ComBOTS, which represent Jagger. For example, there is a ComBOT, which is shown in the figure "man in a hat", others have the shape of a cartoon character, here, for example, a helicopter male.The appearance of the ComBOTS can be changed by both users Once a user (here Eg Jagger) sends a message, appears on the receiving side (here at Tinoky) an animation of the corresponding ComBOTS (ie the characters or characters "Jagger"). If the user for whom the communication or message is intended is not present (offline), then the message can be stored in the system (eg in the node UHN) and / or on the terminal (EUN). The message can then later be queried or retrieved by the intended recipient (here user A).

Based on status information N; N ', N''the user (here user A) a number of not yet retrieved messages is displayed. In this case, the number would usually refer to the respective terminal or end node EUN. In this here in the 2 For example, on the end node EUNA1, the number would be equal to "one" (N = 1) Since the user has not used the end nodes EUNA2 or EUNA3 for a long time, the display with higher counter readings of, for example, N '= 3 or N '= 2. However, the most up-to-date and thus realistic display for all terminals or nodes would be the number N = 1. Thus, the user is not irritated by old status information, the method according to the invention is used, which is also referred to below on 4 is described in more detail:
That in the 4 schematically illustrated method 100 causes the status information under the nodes of a user to be synchronized and brought to a common state:
This will be done in a first step 110 the at least one status information N, N 'or N "is displayed to the end user network node EUNA1, EUNA2 or EUNA3 of the user (here A" Tinoky "), the status information indicating whether there are incoming communications for the user that are transmitted by the user can be queried by accessing the communication system.

In a next step 120 the status information N is updated at the end user network node EUNA1 via which the user accesses the communication system and polls the incoming communication. For example, the user Tinoky last requested the communication on the end node EUNA1 so that in the meantime only one more message has arrived that has not yet been read by her. Therefore, the display or number N is also at the value "1".

In a further step 130 The status information is then matched to at least all the end user network nodes of this user currently connected to the communication system. Here, for example, the nodes EUNA1 and EUNA3 are online, but the node EUNA2 is offline. Then the status displays of these two nodes are brought up to date, ie N = 1 and thus also N "= 1.

In addition, in step 130 the adjustment of the status information is also prepared for each end user network node of that user not currently connected to the communication system, and then performed as soon as that end user network node is connected to the communication network. Thus, even at the node EUNA2, the counter or the number N 'is at the most recent value "1" as soon as the user uses this node EUNA2 to access the system.

In the 3 the communication window shows how the constantly updated status information can be used to improve the communication or the organization thereof:
The 3 shows the system-provided communication window for the user Tinoky. The window refers specifically to communication with the user B "Jagger." The window opens as soon as Tinoky clicks on one of their devices to the local ComBOT "Jagger". In the upper part of the window there is an input field IN or message exchange field, where "Tinoky" can enter messages, messages can be read and edited there, an input in the field IN can be text, but it can also be pictures and / or or audio data, etc., which are added there by drag-and-drop, and the transfer to "Jagger" is then carried out automatically or at least by clicking the send button (button / arrow).

In the lower part of the communication window is the so-called History, a field H, which gives the chronology of the previous communication again and consists of line-shaped headings or short lines. For example, the two users have exchanged a few lines of text and also a picture. By clicking on the respective line in the History H, the corresponding communication opens in the subwindow or message window IN (full text with picture and / or sound) and the user can make additional entries there. Otherwise the communication will always be continued successively. If the user (as here "Tinoky") has not yet read or retrieved one or more messages, a so-called "notifier" appears, ie a display N indicating how many messages have not yet been retrieved. The Notifier N appears both at the edge of the window as well as on the ComBOT "Jagger", for instance within a representation AR of both ComBOTS called "Arena". In addition, the Notifier N also appears within the history directly in the line that represents the message concerned. By clicking on the line, the message will be opened in the IN-box and can be viewed there. Thereafter, the counter N would then go from the value "1" to the value "0", whereby the value zero is not explicitly displayed as a notifier. The Notifiers N are only displayed for values greater than zero.

Due to the comparison according to the invention of all notifiers of a user, in this case for example the displays or counters N, N 'and N'', the affected user (here "Tinoky") is automatically supplied with the most up-to-date status regarding the status information on all his terminals As soon as the user connects a terminal to the system or network, a comparison with the latest status information is carried out, so that the user is always up-to-date with the information.The synchronization or synchronization can be performed by the nodes EUN or UHN This can also be done by a central network unit (s. 1 CRT and / or CID). Preferably, the adjustment is performed by adding time stamps to the respective status information. The adjustment preferably also takes place in conjunction with the synchronization or transmission of other data, in particular user data.

The various ways of data transmission or data flow are exemplary in the 5a and 5b represented, is assumed by terminals that can be connected via DSL connections (DSL: Digital Subscriber Line) with the HomeUserNodes of the Internet-based communication network. There in the 5a The direct connections P2P between two EndUserNodes EUNA and EUNB are connected via the network cards NICA or NICB located in the terminals and via the associated DLS routers DSLR. The direct connections P2P thus run over the routers and do not go over the UserHomeNodes of the core network. In the simplest case, both terminals are connected to the same router, so that the connection P2P runs directly through this one router. The indirect connections S & F run via the respective network card NICA or NICB and the associated DSL router DSLR to the corresponding HomeUserNode UHNA or UHNB. The indirect connections S & F always run via at least one UserHomeNode.

The 5b is different from the 5a only in that in the 5b the direct connections P2P run directly over the two network cards NICA and NICB involved, ie that the terminals exchange their data directly, eg via a Bluetooth interface or also via a transparent LAN connection. The network system or the core network (see TSC in 1 ) then has the task of managing or documenting data transmission via these connections. For example, this is documented within an entry in a history, which in turn is assigned to the users involved, so that users A and B can later see that this data has been transmitted via P2P connection.

CB

communication system

A; B

user or communication partner

TSC

Core network Trusted System Core

EUN ... UHN

Network nodes, the above direct and / or indirect connections can be connected to each other

EUNA1,

End User Network Node (EndUserNodes) For

EUNA2,

user A

EUNA3; EUNB ...

respectively. for users B

UHNA;

User network node (HomeUserNode) For

UHNB,

user A or for User B

N, N ', N

status information with the number of incoming, in particular not yet called, Communication for the user A

CID

Network unit in the form of an authentication unit or user administration

CRT

Control, which is connected to the administration

P2P

direct Connection of network nodes (peer to peer)

S & F

indirect Connection of network nodes with caching (Store & Forward)

NICA; NICB

network card of the user A or B

DSLR

DSL router

Claims (10)

Procedure ( 100 ) for controlling status information (N, N ', N'') via network nodes (EUNA1, EUNA2 ... EUNB1 ... EUNBn) associated with users (A, B) of a communication system (CB) and as logical end-user network nodes are formed, each user (A) are associated with at least two such end user network nodes (EUNA1, EUNA2, EUNA3), by means of which the user (A) accesses the communication system (CB), comprising the following steps: - displaying the status information ( N, N ', N ") at the end-user network node (EUNA1, EUNA2 ...) of the user, the status information (N, N', N") indicating whether there are incoming communications for the user (A) which can be queried by the user (A) by means of access to the communication system (CB) (step 110 ); Updating the status information (N) at the end user network node (EUNA1) via which the user (A) accesses the communication system (CB) and polls the incoming communication (step 120 ); - Matching the status information (N, N '') at least at all currently connected to the communication system (CB) end user network node (EUNA1, EUNA3) of this user (A). Procedure ( 100 ) according to claim 1, wherein the matching of the status information (N ') is also prepared and carried out for each end user network node (EUNA2) of this user (A) currently not connected to the communication system (CB) as soon as said end user network node (EUNA2 ) is connected to the communication network (CB) (step 130 ). The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication system (CB) a core network (TSC) with user logical network nodes (UHNA, UHNB, UHNB *), of which at least one (UHNA) associated with this user (A) and with the at least one logical End-user network node (EUNA1, EUNA2, EUNA3) of this user (A) is connectable. The method of claim 3, wherein updating and matching the status information (N, N ', N ") to the end user network node (EUNA1, EUNA2, EUNA3) of the user (A) from the associated user network node (UHNA) and / or associated user management (CID) or control (CRT) is controlled. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the status information a number of incoming communications, in particular text messages, video and / or audio data, which to the user (A) via the communication system (CB), in particular of at least one second user (B), sent and provided for query become. The method of claim 5, wherein the number (N) is how many of the incoming communications of the User (A) has not yet retrieved. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the status information also includes a number of outbound communications, in particular text messages, video and / or audio data, which from the user (A), starting via the communication system (CB) sent to at least one second user (B) and / or to Query be provided. Communication system (CB) with controlling network units (EUN, UHN, CRT) for implementation the method according to the preceding claims, wherein the communication system (CB) the controlling network units in the form of network nodes Contains (EUN, UHN), the decentralized updating and synchronization of status information control and / or in the form of a central control (CRT) containing centrally the data flow at least in connection with the network nodes (EUN, UHN) controls. Network unit for A communication system (CB) according to claim 8, wherein the network entity is designed in the form of a network node (EUN, UHN), the decentralized controls the updating and comparison of status information. Network unit for a communication system (CB) according to claim 8, wherein the network unit is in the form of a central Control (CRT) is designed to centrally update and the reconciliation of the status information at least in connection with network nodes (EUN, UHN) of the communication system (CB) controls.