HK1024578A - Communications system - Google Patents

Description

communication system

The present invention relates to communication systems, and more particularly to network communication systems.

Establishing a point-to-point connection between users connected to a communication network via communication terminals generally requires that the network address of each connecting user is known to all other connecting users. Many network communication providers, such as Internet Service Providers (ISPs), assign a user a different network address, such as an IP address, and it is not possible for a user to know the network address of a particular user in advance each time the user connects to the network.

Some commercial or non-commercial services support network servers connected to a network. Users connected to the network provide their current web address and other identifying information to one or more network servers, which information is known to other users connected to the network who want to implement peer-to-peer communications, and such services include: internet chat over Internet (IRC), software commercially available from Surfing squrrel products inc; microsoft User Location Service (ULS), commercially offered by Microsoft corporation; an automatic paging distribution system (ACD) is commercially available from Executone information systems.

A user who wants to locate another user may connect to a network server that records user information to determine the network address of the other user. One user typically locates another user by looking up the other user's email address, one or more nicknames that are frequently used by the other user, or other identifying information. Effective use of such identifying information is limited because a single user may have multiple email addresses, multiple users may use the same nickname, or one user may be connected through another user's network connection.

Unfortunately, like the services mentioned above, it is often not possible to provide a unique identification for each user in order to accurately locate a particular user. Moreover, such services also require users to try to find out other users from hundreds to thousands of users who are connected to the network at any time and are known to a server. Such services also do not allow the user to define which users can learn their identification information.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved communication system for locating a subscriber connected to a communication network, and more particularly for establishing point-to-point communication. The location of a user on a communication network is typically represented as the user's current network address.

The communication system of the present invention advantageously provides at least some or even all of the following advantages:

a. the users are accurately located because each user has a permanently unique identification code.

b. Location is fast and efficient because the network server automatically provides the list of other users currently connected to the network for users currently connected to the network from their preset list that the user wants to know the connection status of those users.

c. When another user interested in the searching user connects to the network, the searching user is automatically notified.

d. Users can protect their privacy by defining who can locate them.

It is noted that throughout the description and claims the term "user" includes any entity, and even more includes a person using a computer or other communication terminal, especially a person wishing to connect to and communicate over a network. It is further noted that the term "searching user" includes any user who wishes to locate at least one other user currently connected to the communication network, while the term "searched user" includes any user whose location, typically a web address, is known to the searching user.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a communication system including: a communication network; various communication terminals connectable to the communication network, which can be used by a user to communicate through the communication network without being coincident with a specific terminal; means for monitoring whether a user is connected to the communication network, irrespective of which communication terminal the user uses; means for notifying a searching user who is connected in real time to a communication network through any one of the communication terminals of network connection state information on other users in a searched user group set by the searching user and providing the searching user with connection address information on those searched users who are connected in real time to the communication network.

Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, any user can be at least one of a searching user or a searched user.

Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, any user can be simultaneously a searching user and a searched user.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the network connection status information includes an indication that the searched user is connected to the communication network in real time.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the network connection status information includes an indication that the searched user has connected to the communication network in real time.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the network connection status information includes an indication that the searching user has disconnected from the communication network in real time.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one user possesses a unique identification code.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unique identification code is independent of any communication terminal.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one server is connected to the communication network, and the means for monitoring is present in the at least one server.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication system includes means for notifying at least one of the users of a real-time connection to the communication network at least once.

Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for notifying exists in any of various communication terminals.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the subscribers is connected to the communication network in real time and has a network address, and the communication system comprises means for determining the network address.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one server is connected to the communication network, and the means for determining is present in the at least one server.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for determining is present in any of a variety of communication terminals.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication system includes means for authorizing the at least one searching user to access any information related to the searched user.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, means for authorization exist in any of various communication terminals.

Furthermore in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the communication system includes means for maintaining information about any one user.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for maintaining information resides in at least one server connected to the communication network.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the bits of the user provides information to the means for saving information.

Also in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information includes settings of the searched user.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information includes a request by the searched user whether the searched user is authorized to access any information about the searched user.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for indicating information about a network connection status of a subscriber, comprising: monitoring whether a user is connected to a communication network through any of various communication terminals, notifying a searching user who is connected to the communication network through any of various communication terminals in real time of network connection status information on other users of a searched user group set by the searching user, and providing the searching user with connection address information on those searched users who are connected to the communication network in real time.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the users has a unique identification code.

Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unique identification code is independent of any communication terminal.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a communication system in which a user is connected to a communication network through a communication terminal and the user's information is provided to a server connected to the communication network, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a communication system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which a sought user is connected to the communication network of fig. 1, identification information of the sought user is provided to the server of fig. 1, and the server of fig. 1 communicates information identifying the sought user to the user of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a communication system established and operating in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Wherein: the user of fig. 1 receives the network address of the searched user in fig. 2 and then directly communicates with the searched user.

Referring to fig. 1, a simplified pictorial illustration of a communication system 10 that is constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

The communication system 10 preferably includes various communication terminals 12 that may be connected to a communication network 14 through various connection media 16, which may be wired or wireless. The communication terminal 12 is adapted to receive input from a user 18 and display the input, send information to at least one server 20 via the communication network 14 and receive information from the server 20, the server 20 also being connected to the communication network 14 via the connection medium 16. Likewise, server 20 also sends and receives information over communication network 14.

The connection notification apparatus 30 is typically present in the communication terminal 12 for receiving an input of the communication terminal 12. When the communication terminal 12 connects to the communication network 14, the communication terminal 12 signals the connection notification device 30. The connection notification device 30 is adapted to send notifications to the connection monitor 22 via the communication network 14, the monitor 22 typically being present in the server 20 for receiving input via the communication network 14. An address extractor 26 is typically present in the server 20 to determine the source network address of the notification received by the connection monitor 22, the address extractor 26 being operatively connected to the connection monitor 22. The address extractor 26 provides the network address to an information management device 28 typically present in the server 20, where the address is saved. The address extractor 26 may alternatively or additionally be used for communication with the communication terminal 12 and the address extractor 26 may alternatively or additionally be present in the communication terminal 12, where it is used to determine the network address of the connection terminal 12 when a connection with the communication network 14 is established and to provide this network address to the connection notification means 30.

An annunciator 24, typically present in the server 20, receives information stored by the information management device 28 and transmits the information to the communication terminal 12.

Typical operation of communication system 10 is described in detail below with reference to fig. 1, 2, and 3.

Referring to fig. 1, a user 18 is shown using a communication terminal 12 to establish a connection, typically the Internet, with a communication network 14 via a connection medium 16. The connection to the communication network 14 is typically through a leased line or a dial-up line to a network communication service provider, typically an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

At least one server 20 is typically uninterruptedly connected to the communication network 14 via the connection medium 16, and more than one server 20 may be provided, wherein all servers are capable of maintaining and providing the same information uninterruptedly at the same time.

Once user 18 connects to communication network 14, connection notification apparatus 30 notifies connection monitor 22 that user 18 has connected to communication network 14. Preferably, the notification contains a unique identification code predetermined for subscriber 18 and this identification code is stored by information management device 28 in the list of connected subscribers. The unique identification code is preferably independent of the communication terminal 12 used by the user 18. Preferably, the notification also contains a user authorization code for the unique identification code, and may also include other information, such as the real-time network address of user 18.

When the user 18 connects with the communication terminal 12, the address extractor 26 determines the real-time network address of the user. The address extractor 26 is used to extract a network address from transport packets used by a network data transport protocol, such as the TCP/IP protocol. Address extractor 26 then extracts the real-time network address of user 18 from the transport packets sent to connection monitor 22 by connection notification apparatus 30, and provides the address to information management apparatus 28, and apparatus 28 stores the address in the list of connected users.

When the address extractor 26 communicates with the information management device 28, typically as described above, the real-time network address is provided to the connection notification device 30, which then sends the network address to the connection monitor 22, which provides the address to the information management device 28, and the information management device 28 saves the address in the list of connected users.

The communication terminal 12 preferably provides a list of searched users preset by the user 18 to the information management device 28 that maintains it. Communication terminal 12 may also provide information management device 28 with instructions to user 18 as to whether explicit authorization permission is requested to disclose its relevant information to a searcher who wants to know its information, and information management device 28 maintains a list of users who requested authorization.

Information management apparatus 28 examines any searched user in the list of connected users who are connected to communication network 14 in real time, based on the list of searched users received from user 18 at communication terminal 12, and typically displays on the terminal. If a connected sought user is found, information management device 28 causes annunciator 24 to send an announcement to user 18 at communication terminal 12, wherein the announcement typically includes a unique identification code and network address of all users connected to communication network 14 in real time and being sought by user 18.

The connection monitor 22 periodically registers the communication terminal 12 or determines whether the communication terminal 12 is still connected to the communication network 14 according to a network communication protocol well known in the art, such as the TCP/IP protocol. Connection notification apparatus 30 may alternatively or additionally periodically notify connection monitor 22 that communication terminal 12 is still connected to communication network 14 according to a network communication protocol well known in the art, such as the TCP/IP protocol.

Referring to fig. 2, a user 34 is shown establishing a connection with the communication network 14 in the same manner as described for the user 18 in fig. 1. Once user 34 connects to the network, information management device 28 checks the list of searched users to determine whether user 34 is searched by user 18. If so, information management device 28 may then check the list of connected users to determine that user 18 is still connected. If user 18 is still connected, information management device 28 causes annunciator 24 to send an announcement to user 18, where the announcement typically contains the unique identification code and real-time network address of the sought user 34 and other information provided by user 18. Information management device 28 also preferably checks the list of users being searched to determine whether user 18 is being searched by user 34 and, if so, causes annunciator 24 to send an annunciation to user 34 as described above.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the information management device 28 checks the list of users who want authorization to determine whether the user 34 wants to explicitly authorize a searcher's request for information about the user 34. If explicit authorization is obtained from the user 34, the annunciator 24 sends an authorization request to the authorization device 36, the authorization device 36 typically being present in the communication terminal 12. User 34 authorizes or denies the request by user 18 for location or other information about user 34. Authorization device 36 then provides authorization information to information management device 28 and information management device 28 determines whether to cause annunciator to send an announcement to user 18.

Referring to fig. 3, the user 18 is shown establishing a point-to-point connection with the sought user 34 using the network address of the sought user 34 provided by the annunciator 24 described with reference to fig. 1 and 2. It is appreciated that once user 18 has knowledge of user 34's network address, independent of the present invention, user 18 may establish a point-to-point connection with user 34.

It may be desirable for any software portion of the present invention to be implemented in ROM (read only memory) form, if desired. Generally, the software portions may be implemented in hardware using conventional techniques, if desired.

It will be appreciated that various features of the invention which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the specific details and illustrations set forth above. The scope of the invention is, of course, limited only by the following claims:

Claims (25)

1. A communication system, comprising:

a communication network;

various communication terminals connectable to the communication network, through which users can communicate, wherein a user does not have to be in agreement with a given terminal;

means for monitoring whether a user is connected to said communication network regardless of which of said various communication terminals the user uses; and

means for notifying a searching user who is connected in real time to said communication network via any of said communication terminals about network connection status information of other users in a searched user group set by the searching user, and providing said searching user with connection address information about those searched users who are connected in real time to said communication network.

2. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein any of said users is at least one of a searching user or a searched user.

3. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein any of said users is simultaneously available as a searching user and a searched user.

4. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said network connection status information includes an indication that the searched user is currently connected to the communication network.

5. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said network connection status information includes an indication that the searched user has connected to the communication network in real time.

6. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said network connection status information comprises information that the searched user has currently disconnected from the communication network.

7. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said subscribers has a unique identification code.

8. A communication system according to claim 7, wherein said unique identification code is independent of any communication terminal.

9. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein at least one server is connected to said communication network and said means for monitoring is present in at least one of said servers.

10. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein at least one server is connected to said communication network and said means for notifying is present in at least one of said servers.

11. A communication system according to claim 1, including means for informing at least one of said users of a real time connection to said communication network at least once.

12. A communication system according to claim 11, wherein said means for notifying is present in any of said various communication terminals.

13. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said subscribers is connected to said communication network in real time and has a network address, and the communication system comprises means for determining said network address.

14. A communication system according to claim 13, wherein at least one server is connected to said communication network and said means for determining is present in at least one of said servers.

15. A communication system according to claim 13, wherein said means for determining is present in any of said various communication terminals.

16. A communications system according to claim 1, including means for authorising at least one of said searching users to access any of said information relating to said searched user.

17. A communication system according to claim 16, wherein said means for authorising is present in any of said various communication terminals.

18. A communications system according to claim 1, including means for storing information relating to any of said subscribers.

19. A communication system according to claim 18, wherein said means for storing information is present in at least one server connected to said communication network.

20. A communications system according to claim 18, wherein at least one of said users provides information to said means for storing information.

21. A communication system according to claim 18, wherein said information includes settings for said searched user.

22. A communications system according to claim 18, wherein said information comprises a request by a searched user as to whether a searching user is authorized to access any information about the searched user.

A communications system according to claim 1, wherein if said first user has knowledge of said connection address information relating to said second user, said communications network is configured to permit a first one of any of said users to establish a peer-to-peer connection with a second one of any of said users.

23. A method for indicating network connection information about a user, the method comprising:

monitoring whether a user is connected to a communication network through any of various communication terminals regardless of which of the various communication terminals is used;

notifying a searching user who is connected to the communication network in real time through any of the various communication terminals to network connection state information of other users who are in a searched user group set by the searching user; and

the searching user is provided with connection address information on the searched users connected to the communication network in real time.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein at least one of said subscribers has a unique identification code.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein said unique identification code is independent of any communication terminal.