U.S. patent application number 16/223016 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-30 for providing supplemental contact information corresponding to a referenced individual.
The applicant listed for this patent is Facebook, Inc.. Invention is credited to Barry Appelman.
Application Number | 20190166077 16/223016 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29548294 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-30 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20190166077 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Appelman; Barry |
May 30, 2019 |
PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL CONTACT INFORMATION CORRESPONDING TO A
REFERENCED INDIVIDUAL
Abstract
Providing supplemental contact information for an individual
referenced in an electronic message typically includes receiving an
electronic message, examining the electronic message, detecting an
identifier for a referenced individual contained in the electronic
message, and making supplemental contact information for the
referenced individual available to a recipient of the electronic
message. The supplemental contact information may include
information that is in addition to information contained in the
electronic message. The supplemental contact information may
include at least one of an e-mail address, a screen name, a
telephone number, a facsimile number, and a mailing address, each
of which is associated with the referenced individual.
Inventors: |
Appelman; Barry; (New York,
NY) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Facebook, Inc. |
Menlo Park |
CA |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
29548294 |
Appl. No.: |
16/223016 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15237883 |
Aug 16, 2016 |
10158588 |
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16223016 |
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14586793 |
Dec 30, 2014 |
9461950 |
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15237883 |
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13784647 |
Mar 4, 2013 |
9699122 |
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14586793 |
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13149368 |
May 31, 2011 |
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13784647 |
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10146814 |
May 17, 2002 |
7979802 |
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13149368 |
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09843788 |
Apr 30, 2001 |
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10146814 |
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60229311 |
Sep 1, 2000 |
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60201738 |
May 4, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 51/00 20130101;
G06F 3/0482 20130101; G06F 15/16 20130101; H04L 51/046 20130101;
G06Q 10/107 20130101; G06F 3/04817 20130101; H04L 51/08 20130101;
H04L 51/04 20130101; G06F 3/04842 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/58 20060101
H04L012/58; G06Q 10/10 20060101 G06Q010/10; G06F 3/0482 20060101
G06F003/0482; G06F 15/16 20060101 G06F015/16 |
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. A method comprising: determining, based on electronic data
associated with a user of an electronic messaging application, a
plurality of individuals associated with the user; providing, for
display via a user interface of the electronic messaging
application on a device associated with the user, a listing of the
plurality of individuals associated with the user; determining, for
the individuals within the listing, that a first individual from
the plurality of individuals is a user of the electronic messaging
application and that the first individual is a connection of the
user within the electronic messaging application; receiving, via
the device associated with the user, an input selecting the first
individual; customizing, for display on the device associated with
the user in response to the input selecting the first individual, a
graphical user interface to include a first set of one or more
options specific to determining that the first individual is a user
of the electronic messaging application and that the first
individual is a connection of the user; determining, for the
individuals within the listing, that a second individual from the
plurality of individuals is not a user of the electronic messaging
application or is not a connection of the user within the
electronic messaging application; receiving, via the device
associated with the user, an input selecting the second individual
from the listing; and customizing, for display on the device
associated with the user in response to the input selecting the
first individual, the graphical user interface to include a second
set of one or more options specific to determining that the second
individual is not a user of the electronic messaging application or
that the second individual is not a connection of the user.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: determining, for
the individuals within the listing, that a third individual from
the plurality of individuals is a user of the electronic messaging
application and is not a connection of the user within the
electronic messaging application; receiving, via the device
associated with the user, an input selecting the third individual
from the listing; and customizing, for display on the device
associated with the user in response to the input selecting the
first individual, the graphical user interface to include a third
set of one or more options specific to determining that the third
individual is a user of the electronic messaging application and
that the third individual is not a connection of the user within
the electronic messaging system.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the third set of one or more
options comprises a selectable option to add the third individual
as a connection within the electronic messaging application.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the first set of one or more
options comprises a selectable option to send a first type of
electronic message to the first individual via the electronic
messaging application.
25. The method of claim 21, wherein the first set of one or more
options further comprises a second selectable option to send a
second type of electronic message to the first individual.
26. The method of claim 21, wherein the second set of one or more
options comprises a selectable option to add the second individual
as a connection within the electronic messaging application.
27. The method of claim 21, wherein the second set of one or more
options comprises a selectable option to invite the second
individual to subscribe to the electronic messaging
application.
28. The method of claim 21, wherein: the electronic data is stored
in a local database associated with the user; and determining the
plurality of individuals associated with the user comprises
analyzing the electronic data to determine, within the local
database associated with the user, identifiers associated with the
plurality of individuals.
29. The method of claim 21, wherein customizing the graphical user
interface to include the first set of one or more options comprises
generating a first user interface element that includes the first
set of one or more options to overlay a display of the electronic
messaging application.
30. The method of claim 21, wherein customizing the graphical user
interface to include the second set of one or more options
comprises generating a second user interface element that includes
the second set of one or more options to overlay a display of the
electronic messaging application.
31. A system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one
non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising
instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor,
cause the system to: determine, based on electronic data associated
with a user of an electronic messaging application, a plurality of
individuals associated with the user; provide, for display via a
user interface of the electronic messaging application on a device
associated with the user, a listing of the plurality of individuals
associated with the user; determine, for the individuals within the
listing, that a first individual from the plurality of individuals
is a user of the electronic messaging application and that the
first individual is a connection of the user within the electronic
messaging application; receive, via the device associated with the
user, an input selecting the first individual; customize, for
display on the device associated with the user in response to the
input selecting the first individual, a graphical user interface to
include a first set of one or more options specific to determining
that the first individual is a user of the electronic messaging
application and that the first individual is a connection of the
user; determine, for the individuals within the listing, that a
second individual from the plurality of individuals is not a user
of the electronic messaging application or is not a connection of
the user within the electronic messaging application; receive, via
the device associated with the user, an input selecting the second
individual from the listing; and customize, for display on the
device associated with the user in response to the input selecting
the first individual, the graphical user interface to include a
second set of one or more options specific to determining that the
second individual is not a user of the electronic messaging
application or that the second individual is not a connection of
the user.
32. The system of claim 31, further comprising instructions that,
when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to:
determine, for the individuals within the listing, that a third
individual from the plurality of individuals is a user of the
electronic messaging application and is not a connection of the
user within the electronic messaging application; receive, via the
device associated with the user, an input selecting the third
individual from the listing; and customize, for display on the
device associated with the user in response to the input selecting
the first individual, the graphical user interface to include a
third set of one or more options specific to determining that the
third individual is a user of the electronic messaging application
and that the third individual is not a connection of the user
within the electronic messaging system.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein the third set of one or more
options comprises a selectable option to add the third individual
as a connection within the electronic messaging application.
34. The system of claim 31, wherein the first set of one or more
options comprises: a selectable option to send a first type of
electronic message to the first individual via the electronic
messaging application; and a second selectable option to send a
second type of electronic message to the first individual.
35. The system of claim 31, wherein the second set of one or more
options comprises a selectable option to invite the second
individual to subscribe to the electronic messaging
application.
36. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising
instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause a
computer device to: determine, based on electronic data associated
with a user of an electronic messaging application, a plurality of
individuals associated with the user; provide, for display via a
user interface of the electronic messaging application on a device
associated with the user, a listing of the plurality of individuals
associated with the user; determine, for the individuals within the
listing, that a first individual from the plurality of individuals
is a user of the electronic messaging application and that the
first individual is a connection of the user within the electronic
messaging application; receive, via the device associated with the
user, an input selecting the first individual; customize, for
display on the device associated with the user in response to the
input selecting the first individual, a graphical user interface to
include a first set of one or more options specific to determining
that the first individual is a user of the electronic messaging
application and that the first individual is a connection of the
user; determine, for the individuals within the listing, that a
second individual from the plurality of individuals is not a user
of the electronic messaging application or is not a connection of
the user within the electronic messaging application; receive, via
the device associated with the user, an input selecting the second
individual from the listing; and customize, for display on the
device associated with the user in response to the input selecting
the first individual, the graphical user interface to include a
second set of one or more options specific to determining that the
second individual is not a user of the electronic messaging
application or that the second individual is not a connection of
the user.
37. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 36,
further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least
one processor, cause the computer device to: determine, for the
individuals within the listing, that a third individual from the
plurality of individuals is a user of the electronic messaging
application and is not a connection of the user within the
electronic messaging application; receive, via the device
associated with the user, an input selecting the third individual
from the listing; and customize, for display on the device
associated with the user in response to the input selecting the
first individual, the graphical user interface to include a third
set of one or more options specific to determining that the third
individual is a user of the electronic messaging application and
that the third individual is not a connection of the user within
the electronic messaging system.
38. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 37,
wherein the third set of one or more options comprises a selectable
option to add the third individual as a connection within the
electronic messaging application.
39. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 36,
wherein the first set of one or more options comprises: a
selectable option to send a first type of electronic message to the
first individual via the electronic messaging application; and a
second selectable option to send a second type of electronic
message to the first individual.
40. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 36,
wherein the second set of one or more options comprises a
selectable option to invite the second individual to subscribe to
the electronic messaging application.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/237,883, filed Aug. 16, 2016, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/586,793, filed
Dec. 30, 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,461,950, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/784,647, filed
Mar. 4, 2013, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,699,122, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/149,368, filed
May 31, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/146,814, filed May 17, 2002, now issued as U.S. Pat.
No. 7,979,802, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/843,788, filed Apr. 30, 2001, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/229,311, filed
Sep. 1, 2000, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/201,738,
filed May 4, 2000, all of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to online
communications systems and more particularly to an online
communications system that automatically provides supplemental
contact information corresponding to a referenced individual.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the client-server network architecture of the Internet
and/or the Web, electronic documents are stored in computer systems
running server programs and are accessed by computer systems
running client programs. For example, information on the Web is
provided by Web servers and is accessible by a client program such
as a Web browser (e.g., Netscape's Navigator, Microsoft's Internet
Explorer, or Java's micro-browser).
[0004] Information on the Internet and/or Web may be represented by
specially formatted text files (e.g., Web pages) written in
Hypertext Markup Language ("HTML,") or some other markup language,
such as XML, HDML, and/or VRML. Each text file may be identified by
a network address such as a Universal Resource Locator ("URL"). A
typical Web page may include one or more hyperlinks referring to
the network addresses of other Web pages.
[0005] Hyperlinks may be displayed as underlined text or graphical
images that, when clicked, send a request for the associated page.
For example, when a hyperlink in a home page is selected, a request
is sent out by the client to the address specified in the
hyperlink, and the associated Web page is downloaded and displayed,
by replacing the home page on the user's screen with the associated
Web page.
[0006] Browsers and other client programs typically use a
communications protocol such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol
("HTTP") to request pages from Web servers. HTTP is a
request/response protocol. Through a connection established between
a client and a server, the client sends a request to the server,
and the server provides a response to the client. An Internet
service provider ("ISP") may be used to provide subscribers with
access to the Internet and/or the World Wide Web ("Web"). In
general, a subscriber relies on an ISP to provide computers that
are connected to and therefore enable communication over the
Internet and/or the Web. An ISP may offer services in addition to
basic Internet access such as, for example, providing e-mail and
instant messaging services that enable electronic communication,
Web-hosting services that allow subscribers to publish homepages,
newsgroup services that allow subscribers to read and post to
newsgroups, and image services that allow subscribers to view and
order digital images of pictures from a developed film roll.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one general aspect, providing supplemental contact
information for an individual referenced in an electronic message
typically includes receiving an electronic message, examining the
electronic message, detecting an identifier for a referenced
individual contained in the electronic message, and making
supplemental contact information for the referenced individual
available to a recipient of the electronic message. The
supplemental contact information may include information that is in
addition to information contained in the electronic message.
[0008] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, the supplemental contact information for the
referenced individual may include an e-mail address, a screen name,
a telephone number, a facsimile number, and/or a mailing address,
each of which is associated with the referenced individual. The
supplemental contact information for the referenced individual may
include supplemental contact information that was communicated by
the referenced individual to a host that maintains the supplemental
contact information. The electronic message may include an e-mail
message and/or an instant message.
[0009] A communication scheme may be configured between a sender of
the electronic message and the individual referenced in the
electronic message using the supplemental contact information. The
referenced individual may include a sender of the electronic
message, a recipient of the electronic message, and/or a name
included in a body of the electronic message.
[0010] The preferences of the referenced individual may be checked
such that the supplemental contact information for the referenced
individual is made available according to the preferences of the
referenced individual. Additionally or alternatively, the
preferences of the recipient may be checked such that additional
supplemental information is made available for the referenced
individual according to the preferences of the recipient.
[0011] A personal address book may be updated with the supplemental
contact information of the referenced individual. A global address
book that includes the supplemental contact information for the
referenced individual may be maintained. The global address book
may be automatically updated when the referenced individual makes
changes to the supplemental contact information.
[0012] A status of online presence for the referenced individual
may be made available. A real time messaging capability of the
referenced individual may be determined such that the real time
messaging capability of the referenced individual may be made
available.
[0013] An invitation may be sent to the referenced individual to
subscribe to an instant messaging service. An invitation to
subscribe to an instant messaging service may be sent to a
referenced individual who is not an instant messaging service
subscriber.
[0014] An e-mail address may be detected for the referenced
individual and a domain may be stripped from the e-mail address
such that a reverse-lookup may be performed to obtain an instant
messaging screen name for the referenced individual. An indicator
associated with the referenced individual may be displayed to
indicate available supplemental contact information.
[0015] The referenced individual may define the rights of
recipients for viewing the supplemental contact information
associated with the referenced individual. The referenced
individual may define the rights of recipients for viewing the
supplemental contact information to change temporally. The
referenced individual may define the rights of recipients to enable
only designated recipients to view the supplemental contact
information associated with the referenced individual, only persons
designated in a personal address book to view the supplemental
contact information associated with the referenced individual,
and/or only persons designated in a global address book to view the
supplemental contact information associated with the referenced
individual.
[0016] The supplemental contact information may include a screen
name, which may be added to an instant messaging buddy list. Real
time contact information for the referenced individual may be made
available to the recipient of the electronic message.
[0017] In another general aspect, receiving supplemental contact
information for an individual referenced in an electronic message
typically includes receiving from a host an electronic message that
includes an identifier for a referenced individual and receiving
supplemental contact information for the referenced individual from
the host. The supplemental contact information may be in addition
to information contained in the electronic message.
[0018] Implementations may include one or more of the features
described above.
[0019] These general and specific aspects may be implemented using
a system, a method, or a computer program, or any combination of
systems, methods, and computer programs.
[0020] Other features and advantages will be apparent from the
description and drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications system.
[0022] FIGS. 2-6 are block diagrams of expansions of aspects of the
block diagram of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIGS. 7 and 8 are flows charts of communications methods
that may be implemented by the system of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIGS. 9-11b are illustrations of different graphical user
interfaces that may be provided by the system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 1-5 show an example of a
communications system for implementing techniques for transferring
electronic data. For brevity, several elements in the figures
described below are represented as monolithic entities. However, as
would be understood by one skilled in the art, these elements each
may include numerous interconnected computers and components
designed to perform a set of specified operations and/or may be
dedicated to a particular geographical region.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, a communications system 100 is capable
of delivering and exchanging data between a client system 105 and a
host system 110 through a communications link 115. The client
system 105 typically includes one or more client devices 120 and/or
client controllers 125, and the host system 110 typically includes
one or more host devices 135 and/or host controllers 140. For
example, the client system 105 or the host system 110 may include
one or more general-purpose computers (e.g., personal computers),
one or more special-purpose computers (e.g., devices specifically
programmed to communicate with each other and/or the client system
105 or the host system 110), or a combination of one or more
general-purpose computers and one or more special-purpose
computers. The client system 105 and the host system 110 may be
arranged to operate within or in concert with one or more other
systems, such as, for example, one or more LANs ("Local Area
Networks") and/or one or more WANs ("Wide Area Networks").
[0027] The client device 120 (or the host device 135) is generally
capable of executing instructions under the command of a client
controller 125 (or a host controller 140). The client device 120
(or the host device 135) is connected to the client controller 125
(or the host controller 140) by a wired or wireless data pathway
130 or 145 capable of delivering data.
[0028] The client device 120, the client controller 125, the host
device 135, and the host controller 140 each typically include one
or more hardware components and/or software components. An example
of a client device 120 or a host device 135 is a general-purpose
computer (e.g., a personal computer) capable of responding to and
executing instructions in a defined manner. Other examples include
a special-purpose computer, a workstation, a server, a device, a
component, other physical or virtual equipment or some combination
thereof capable of responding to and executing instructions. The
client device 120 and the host device 135 may include devices that
are capable of peer-to-peer communications.
[0029] An example of client controller 125 or a host controller 140
is a software application loaded on the client device 120 or the
host device 135 for commanding and directing communications enabled
by the client device 120 or the host device 135. Other examples
include a program, a piece of code, an instruction, a device, a
computer, a computer system, or a combination thereof, for
independently or collectively instructing the client device 120 or
the host device 135 to interact and operate as described. The
client controller 125 and the host controller 140 may be embodied
permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component,
physical or virtual equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal
capable of providing instructions to the client device 120 or the
host device 135.
[0030] The communications link 115 typically includes a delivery
network 160 making a direct or indirect communication between the
client system 105 and the host system 110, irrespective of physical
separation. Examples of a delivery network 160 include the
Internet, the World Wide Web, WANs, LANs, analog or digital wired
and wireless telephone networks (e.g. PSTN, ISDN, and xDSL), radio,
television, cable, satellite, and/or any other delivery mechanism
for carrying data. The communications link 115 may include
communication pathways 150 and 155 that enable communications
through the one or more delivery networks 160 described above. Each
of the communication pathways 150 and 155 may include, for example,
a wired, wireless, cable or satellite communication pathway.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a communications system 200 including a
client system 205 communicating with a host system 210 through a
communications link 215. Client system 205 typically includes one
or more client devices 220 and one or more client controllers 225
for controlling the client devices 220. Host system 210 typically
includes one or more host devices 235 and one or more host
controllers 240 for controlling the host devices 235. The
communications link 215 may include communication pathways 250 and
255 that enable communications through the one or more delivery
networks 260.
[0032] Examples of each element within the communications system of
FIG. 2 are broadly described above with respect to FIG. 1. In
particular, the host system 210 and the communications link 215
typically have attributes comparable to those described with
respect to host system 110 and communications link 115 of FIG. 1.
Likewise, the client system 205 of FIG. 2 typically has attributes
comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of the
client system 105 of FIG. 1.
[0033] The client device 220 typically includes a general-purpose
computer 270 having an internal or external storage 272 for storing
data and programs such as an operating system 274 (e.g., DOS,
Windows.TM., Windows 95.TM., Windows 98.TM., Windows 2000.TM.,
Windows Me.TM., Windows XP.TM., Windows NT.TM., OS/2, or Linux) and
one or more application programs. Examples of application programs
include authoring applications 276 (e.g., word processing programs,
database programs, spreadsheet programs, or graphics programs)
capable of generating documents or other electronic content; client
applications 278 (e.g., AOL client, CompuServe client, AIM client,
AOL TV client, or ISP client) capable of communicating with other
computer users, accessing various computer resources, and viewing,
creating, or otherwise manipulating electronic content; and browser
applications 280 (e.g., Netscape's Navigator or Microsoft's
Internet Explorer) capable of rendering standard Internet
content.
[0034] The general-purpose computer 270 also includes a central
processing unit 282 (CPU) for executing instructions in response to
commands from the client controller 225. In one implementation, the
client controller 225 includes one or more of the application
programs installed on the internal or external storage 272 of the
general-purpose computer 270. In another implementation, the client
controller 225 includes application programs externally stored in
and performed by one or more device(s) external to the
general-purpose computer 270.
[0035] The general-purpose computer typically will include a
communication device 284 for sending and receiving data. One
example of the communication device 284 is a modem. Other examples
include a transceiver, a set-top box, a communication card, a
satellite dish, an antenna, or another network adapter capable of
transmitting and receiving data over the communications link 215
through a wired or wireless data pathway 250. The general-purpose
computer 270 also may include a TV ("television") tuner 286 for
receiving television programming in the form of broadcast,
satellite, and/or cable TV signals. As a result, the client device
220 can selectively and/or simultaneously display network content
received by communications device 284 and television programming
content received by the TV tuner 286.
[0036] The general-purpose computer 270 typically will include an
input/output interface 288 for wired or wireless connection to
various peripheral devices 290. Examples of peripheral devices 290
include, but are not limited to, a mouse 291, a mobile phone 292, a
personal digital assistant 293 (PDA), a MP3 player (not shown), a
keyboard 294, a display monitor 295 with or without a touch screen
input, a TV remote control 296 for receiving information from and
rendering information to subscribers, and an audiovisual input
device 298.
[0037] Although devices such as a mobile telephone 292, a PDA 293,
a MP3 player (not shown), and a TV remote control 296 may be
peripheral with respect to the general-purpose computer 270, in
another implementation, such devices may themselves include the
functionality of the general-purpose computer 270 and operate as
the client device 220. For example, the mobile phone 292 or the PDA
293 may include computing and networking capabilities and function
as a client device 220 by accessing the delivery network 260 and
communicating with the host system 210. Furthermore, the client
system 205 may include one, some or all of the components and
devices described above.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 3, a communications system 300 is capable
of delivering and exchanging information between a client system
305 and a host system 310 through a communication link 315. Client
system 305 typically includes one or more client devices 320 and
one or more client controllers 325 for controlling the client
devices 320. Host system 310 typically includes one or more host
devices 335 and one or more host controllers 340 for controlling
the host devices 335. The communications link 315 may include
communication pathways 350 and 355 that enable communications
through the one or more delivery networks 360.
[0039] Examples of each element within the communications system of
FIG. 3 are broadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2.
In particular, the client system 305 and the communications link
315 typically have attributes comparable to those described with
respect to client systems 105 and 205 and communications links 115
and 215 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Likewise, the host system 310 of FIG. 3
may have attributes comparable to and illustrates one possible
implementation of the host systems 110 and 210 shown in FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0040] The host system 310 includes a host device 335 and a host
controller 340. The host controller 340 is generally capable of
transmitting instructions to any or all of the elements of the host
device 335. For example, in one implementation, the host controller
340 includes one or more software applications loaded on the host
device 335. In other implementations, as described above, the host
controller 340 may include any of several other programs, machines,
and devices operating independently or collectively to control the
host device 335.
[0041] The host device 335 includes a login server 370 for enabling
access by subscribers and for routing communications between the
client system 305 and other elements of the host device 335. The
host device 335 also includes various host complexes such as the
depicted OSP ("Online Service Provider") host complex 380 and IM
("Instant Messaging") host complex 390. To enable access to these
host complexes by subscribers, the client system 305 includes
communication software, for example, an OSP client application and
an IM client application. The OSP and TM communication software
applications are designed to facilitate the subscriber's
interactions with the respective services and, in particular, may
provide access to all the services available within the respective
host complexes.
[0042] Typically, the OSP host complex 380 supports different
services, such as e-mail, discussion groups, chat, news services,
and Internet access. The OSP host complex 380 is generally designed
with an architecture that enables the machines within the OSP host
complex 380 to communicate with each other and employs certain
protocols (i.e., standards, formats, conventions, rules, and
structures) to transfer data. The OSP host complex 380 ordinarily
employs one or more OSP protocols and custom dialing engines to
enable access by selected client applications. The OSP host complex
380 may define one or more specific protocols for each service
based on a common, underlying proprietary protocol.
[0043] The IM host complex 390 is generally independent of the OSP
host complex 380, and supports instant messaging services
irrespective of a subscriber's network or Internet access. Thus,
the IM host complex 390 allows subscribers to send and receive
instant messages, whether or not they have access to any particular
ISP. The IM host complex 390 may support associated services, such
as administrative matters, advertising, directory services, chat,
and interest groups related to the instant messaging. The IM host
complex 390 has an architecture that enables all of the machines
within the IM host complex to communicate with each other. To
transfer data, the IM host complex 390 employs one or more standard
or exclusive TM protocols.
[0044] The host device 335 may include one or more gateways that
connect and therefore link complexes, such as the OSP host complex
gateway 385 and the IM host complex gateway 395. The OSP host
complex gateway 385 and the IM host complex gateway 395 may
directly or indirectly link the OSP host complex 380 with the IM
host complex 390 through a wired or wireless pathway. Ordinarily,
when used to facilitate a link between complexes, the OSP host
complex gateway 385 and the IM host complex gateway 395 are privy
to information regarding the protocol type anticipated by a
destination complex, which enables any necessary protocol
conversion to be performed incident to the transfer of data from
one complex to another. For instance, the OSP host complex 380 and
IM host complex 390 generally use different protocols such that
transferring data between the complexes requires protocol
conversion by or at the request of the OSP host complex gateway 385
and/or the IM host complex gateway 395.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 4, a communications system 400 is capable
of delivering and exchanging information between a client system
405 and a host system 410 through a communication link 415. Client
system 405 typically includes one or more client devices 420 and
one or more client controllers 425 for controlling the client
devices 420. Host system 410 typically includes one or more host
devices 435 and one or more host controllers 440 for controlling
the host devices 435. The communications link 415 may include
communication pathways 450 and 455 that enable communications
through the one or more delivery networks 460. As shown, the client
system 405 may access the Internet 465 through the host system
410.
[0046] Examples of each element within the communications system of
FIG. 4 are broadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3. In
particular, the client system 405 and the communications link 415
typically have attributes comparable to those described with
respect to client systems 105, 205, and 305 and communications
links 115, 215, and 315 of FIGS. 1-3. Likewise, the host system 410
of FIG. 4 may have attributes comparable to and illustrates one
possible implementation of the host systems 110, 210, and 310 shown
in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 4 describes an aspect of the host system 410,
focusing primarily on one particular implementation of OSP host
complex 480.
[0047] The client system 405 includes a client device 420 and a
client controller 425. The client controller 425 is generally
capable of establishing a connection to the host system 410,
including the OSP host complex 480, the IM host complex 490 and/or
the Internet 465. In one implementation, the client controller 425
includes an OSP application for communicating with servers in the
OSP host complex 480 using exclusive OSP protocols. The client
controller 425 also may include applications, such as an IM client
application, and/or an Internet browser application, for
communicating with the 1M host complex 490 and the Internet
465.
[0048] The host system 410 includes a host device 435 and a host
controller 440. The host controller 440 is generally capable of
transmitting instructions to any or all of the elements of the host
device 435. For example, in one implementation, the host controller
440 includes one or more software applications loaded on one or
more elements of the host device 435. In other implementations, as
described above, the host controller 440 may include any of several
other programs, machines, and devices operating independently or
collectively to control the host device 435.
[0049] The host system 410 includes a login server 470 capable of
enabling communications with and authorizing access by client
systems 405 to various elements of the host system 410, including
an OSP host complex 480 and an IM host complex 490. The login
server 470 may implement one or more authorization procedures to
enable simultaneous access to the OSP host complex 480 and the IM
host complex 490. The OSP host complex 480 and the IM host complex
490 are connected through one or more OSP host complex gateways 485
and one or more IM host complex gateways 495. Each OSP host complex
gateway 485 and IM host complex gateway 495 may perform any
protocol conversions necessary to enable communications between the
OSP host complex 480, the IM host complex 490, and the Internet
465.
[0050] The OSP host complex 480 supports a set of services from one
or more servers located internal to and external from the OSP host
complex 480. Servers external to the OSP host complex 480 generally
may be viewed as existing on the Internet 465. Servers internal to
the OSP complex 480 may be arranged in one or more configurations.
For example, servers may be arranged in centralized or localized
clusters in order to distribute servers and subscribers within the
OSP host complex 480.
[0051] In one implementation of FIG. 4, the OSP host complex 480
includes a routing processor 4802. In general, the routing
processor 4802 will examine an address field of a data request, use
a mapping table to determine the appropriate destination for the
data request, and direct the data request to the appropriate
destination. In a packet-based implementation, the client system
405 may generate information requests, convert the requests into
data packets, sequence the data packets, perform error checking and
other packet-switching techniques, and transmit the data packets to
the routing processor 4802. Upon receiving data packets from the
client system 405, the routing processor 4802 may directly or
indirectly route the data packets to a specified destination within
or outside of the OSP host complex 480. For example, in the event
that a data request from the client system 405 can be satisfied
locally, the routing processor 4802 may direct the data request to
a local server 4804. In the event that the data request cannot be
satisfied locally, the routing processor 4802 may direct the data
request externally to the Internet 465 or the IM host complex 490
through the gateway 485.
[0052] The OSP host complex 480 also includes a proxy server 4806
for directing data requests and/or otherwise facilitating
communication between the client system 405 and the Internet 465.
The proxy server 4806 may include an IP ("Internet Protocol")
tunnel for converting data from OSP protocol into standard Internet
protocol and transmitting the data to the Internet 465. The IP
tunnel also converts data received from the Internet 465 in the
standard Internet protocol back into the OSP protocol and sends the
converted data to the routing processor 4802 for delivery back to
the client system 405.
[0053] The proxy server 4806 also may allow the client system 405
to use standard Internet protocols and formatting to access the OSP
host complex 480 and the Internet 465. For example, the subscriber
may use an OSP TV client application having an embedded browser
application installed on the client system 405 to generate a
request in standard Internet protocol, such as HTTP ("HyperText
Transport Protocol"). In a packet-based implementation, data
packets may be encapsulated inside a standard Internet tunneling
protocol, such as, for example, UDP ("User Datagram Protocol") and
routed to the proxy server 4806. The proxy server 4806 may include
an L2TP ("Layer Two Tunneling Protocol") tunnel capable of
establishing a point-to-point protocol (PPP) session with the
client system 405.
[0054] The proxy server 4806 also may act as a buffer between the
client system 405 and the Internet 465, and may implement content
filtering and time saving techniques. For example, the proxy server
4806 can check parental controls settings of the client system 405
and request and transmit content from the Internet 465 according to
the parental control settings. In addition, the proxy server 4806
may include one or more caches for storing frequently accessed
information. If requested data is determined to be stored in the
caches, the proxy server 4806 may send the information to the
client system 405 from the caches and avoid the need to access the
Internet 465.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 5, a communications system 500 is capable
of delivering and exchanging information between a client system
505 and a host system 510 through a communication link 515. Client
system 505 typically includes one or more client devices 520 and
one or more client controllers 525 for controlling the client
devices 520. Host system 510 typically includes one or more host
devices 535 and one or more host controllers 540 for controlling
the host devices 535. The communications link 515 may include
communication pathways 550 and 555 that enable communications
through the one or more delivery networks 560. As shown, the client
system 505 may access the Internet 565 through the host system
510.
[0056] Examples of each element within the communications system of
FIG. 5 are broadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4. In
particular, the client system 505 and the communications link 515
typically have attributes comparable to those described with
respect to client systems 105, 205, 305, and 405 and communications
links 115, 215, 315, and 415 of FIGS. 1-4. Likewise, the host
system 510 of FIG. 5 may have attributes comparable to and
illustrates one possible implementation of the host systems 110,
210, 310, and 410 shown in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 5 describes an aspect of
the host system 510, focusing primarily on one particular
implementation of IM host complex 590.
[0057] The client system 505 includes a client device 520 and a
client controller 525. The client controller 525 is generally
capable of establishing a connection to the host system 510,
including the OSP host complex 580, the IM host complex 590 and/or
the Internet 565. In one implementation, the client controller 525
includes an IM application for communicating with servers in the IM
host complex 590 utilizing exclusive IM protocols. The client
controller 525 also may include applications, such as an OSP client
application, and/or an Internet browser application for
communicating with the OSP host complex 580 and the Internet 565,
respectively.
[0058] The host system 510 includes a host device 535 and a host
controller 540. The host controller 540 is generally capable of
transmitting instructions to any or all of the elements of the host
device 535. For example, in one implementation, the host controller
540 includes one or more software applications loaded on one or
more elements of the host device 535. However, in other
implementations, as described above, the host controller 540 may
include any of several other programs, machines, and devices
operating independently or collectively to control the host device
535.
[0059] The host system 510 includes a login server 570 capable of
enabling communications with and authorizing access by client
systems 505 to various elements of the host system 510, including
an OSP host complex 580 and an IM host complex 590. The login
server 570 may implement one or more authorization procedures to
enable simultaneous access to the OSP host complex 580 and the IM
host complex 590. The OSP host complex 580 and the IM host complex
590 are connected through one or more OSP host complex gateways 585
and one or more IM host complex gateways 595. Each OSP host complex
gateway 585 and IM host complex gateway 595 may perform any
protocol conversions necessary to enable communication between the
OSP host complex 580, the IM host complex 590, and the Internet
565.
[0060] To access the IM host complex 590 to begin an instant
messaging session, the client system 505 establishes a connection
to the login server 570. The login server 570 typically determines
whether the particular subscriber is authorized to access the IM
host complex 590 by verifying a subscriber identification and
password. If the subscriber is authorized to access the IM host
complex 590, the login server 570 employs a hashing technique on
the subscriber's screen name to identify a particular IM server
5902 for use during the subscriber's session. The login server 570
provides the client system 505 with the IP address of the
particular IM server 5902, gives the client system 505 an encrypted
key (i.e., a cookie), and breaks the connection. The client system
505 then uses the IP address to establish a connection to the
particular IM server 5902 through the communications link 515, and
obtains access to that IM server 5902 using the encrypted key.
Typically, the client system 505 will be equipped with a Winsock
API ("Application Programming Interface") that enables the client
system 505 to establish an open TCP connection to the IM server
5902.
[0061] Once a connection to the IM server 5902 has been
established, the client system 505 may directly or indirectly
transmit data to and access content from the IM server 5902 and one
or more associated domain servers 5904. The IM server 5902 supports
the fundamental instant messaging services and the domain servers
5904 may support associated services, such as, for example,
administrative matters, directory services, chat and interest
groups. In general, the purpose of the domain servers 5904 is to
lighten the load placed on the IM server 5902 by assuming
responsibility for some of the services within the 1M host complex
590. By accessing the IM server 5902 and/or the domain server 5904,
a subscriber can use the IM client application to view whether
particular subscribers ("buddies") are online, exchange instant
messages with particular subscribers, participate in group chat
rooms, trade files such as pictures, invitations or documents, find
other subscribers with similar interests, get customized news and
stock quotes, and search the World Wide Web.
[0062] In the implementation of FIG. 5, the IM server 5902 is
directly or indirectly connected to a routing gateway 5906. The
routing gateway 5906 facilitates the connection between the IM
server 5902 and one or more alert multiplexors 5908, for example,
by serving as a link minimization tool or hub to connect several IM
servers 5902 to several alert multiplexors 5908. In general, an
alert multiplexor 5908 maintains a record of alerts and subscribers
registered to receive the alerts.
[0063] Once the client system 505 is connected to the alert
multiplexor 5908, a subscriber can register for and/or receive one
or more types of alerts. The connection pathway between the client
system 505 and the alert multiplexor 5908 is determined by
employing another hashing technique at the IM server 5902 to
identify the particular alert multiplexor 5908 to be used for the
subscriber's session. Once the particular multiplexor 5908 has been
identified, the IM server 5902 provides the client system 505 with
the IP address of the particular alert multiplexor 5908 and gives
the client system 505 an encrypted key (i.e., a cookie). The client
system 505 then uses the IP address to connect to the particular
alert multiplexor 5908 through the communication link 515 and
obtains access to the alert multiplexor 5908 using the encrypted
key.
[0064] The alert multiplexor 5908 is connected to an alert gate
5910 that, like the IM host complex gateway 595, is capable of
performing the necessary protocol conversions to form a bridge to
the OSP host complex 580. The alert gate 5910 is the interface
between the 1M host complex 590 and the physical servers, such as
servers in the OSP host complex 580, where state changes are
occurring. In general, the information regarding state changes will
be gathered and used by the IM host complex 590. However, the alert
multiplexor 5908 also may communicate with the OSP host complex 580
through the IM host complex gateway 595, for example, to provide
the servers and subscribers of the OSP host complex 580 with
certain information gathered from the alert gate 5910.
[0065] The alert gate 5910 can detect an alert feed corresponding
to a particular type of alert. The alert gate 5910 may include a
piece of code (alert receive code) capable of interacting with
another piece of code (alert broadcast code) on the physical server
where a state change occurs. In general, the alert receive code
installed on the alert gate 5910 instructs the alert broadcast code
installed on the physical server to send an alert feed to the alert
gate 5910 upon the occurrence of a particular state change. Upon
detecting an alert feed, the alert gate 5910 contacts the alert
multiplexor 5908, which in turn, informs the client system 505 of
the detected alert feed.
[0066] In the implementation of FIG. 5, the IM host complex 590
also includes a subscriber profile server 5912 connected to a
database 5914 for storing large amounts of subscriber profile data.
The subscriber profile server 5912 may be used to enter, retrieve,
edit, manipulate, or otherwise process subscriber profile data. hi
one implementation, a subscriber's profile data includes, for
example, the subscriber's buddy list, alert preferences, designated
stocks, identified interests, and geographic location. The
subscriber may enter, edit and/or delete profile data using an
installed IM client application on the client system 505 to
interact with the subscriber profile server 5912.
[0067] Because the subscriber's data is stored in the IM host
complex 590, the subscriber does not have to reenter or update such
information in the event that the subscriber accesses the 1M host
complex 590 using a new or a different client system 505.
Accordingly, when a subscriber accesses the IM host complex 590,
the IM server 5902 can instruct the subscriber profile server 5912
to retrieve the subscriber's profile data from the database 5914
and to provide, for example, the subscriber's buddy list to the IM
server 5902 and the subscriber's alert preferences to the alert
multiplexor 5908. The subscriber profile server 5912 also may
communicate with other servers in the OSP host complex 580 to share
subscriber profile data with other services. Alternatively, user
profile data may be saved locally on the client device 505.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 6, a communications system 600 is capable
of delivering and exchanging information between a client system
605 and a host system 610 through a communication link 615. Client
system 605 typically includes one or more client devices 620 and
one or more client controllers 625 for controlling the client
devices 620. Host system 610 typically includes one or more host
devices 635 and one or more host controllers 640 for controlling
the host devices 635. The communication link 615 may include
communication pathways 650 and 655 that enable communications
through the one or more delivery networks 660. The network 660 may
be any known or described delivery network including, but not
limited, to a telephone network and/or the Internet.
[0069] Examples of each element within the communication system of
FIG. 6 are broadly described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5. In
particular, the client system 605 and the communications link 615
typically have attributes comparable to those described with
respect to client systems 105, 205, 305, 405, and 505 and
communications links 115, 215, 315, 415, and 515 of FIGS. 1-5.
Likewise, the host system 610 of FIG. 6 may have attributes
comparable to and illustrates one possible implementation of the
host systems 110, 210, 310, 410, and 510 shown in FIGS. 1-5,
respectively. However, FIG. 6 describes an aspect of the host
system 610, focusing primarily on one particular implementation of
the host device 635.
[0070] The client system 605 includes a client device 620 and a
client controller 625. The client controller 625 is generally
capable of establishing a connection to the host system 610 through
the delivery network 615. In one implementation, the client
controller 625 includes one or more applications, such as an IM
application, an OSP application, and/or an Internet browser
application.
[0071] The host system 610 includes a host device 635 and a host
controller 640. The host controller 640 is generally capable of
transmitting instructions to any or all of the elements of the host
device 635. For example, in one implementation, the host controller
640 includes one or more software applications loaded on one or
more elements of the host device 635. However, in other
implementations, as described above, the host controller 640 may
include any of several other programs, machines, and devices
operating independently or collectively to control the host device
635. The host device 635 includes a mail gateway 6350 having a send
mail server 6352 and a read mail server 6354. The send mail server
6352 is configured to perform functions relating to transmitting
electronic data. The read mail server 6354 is configured to perform
functions relating to receiving and accessing electronic data. The
mail gateway 6350 is in communication with one or more processing
servers 6360.
[0072] The mail gateway 6350 also is in communication with the
storage area 6370 and a tandem database 6380. The storage area 6370
includes electronic content databases 6372, 6374 and attachment
database 6376. The tandem database 6380 includes a system of
folders that store electronic data for subscribers of the host
system 610.
[0073] The host device 635 also includes an identification ("ID")
host complex 6390. The II) host complex 6390 includes a
configuration server 6392 in communication with the client system
605, the read mail server 6352, a look-up server 6394, and an IM
server 6396. The IM server 6396 typically has attributes comparable
to some or all elements of IM host complexes 390, 490, 590, and
690. In general, the IM server 6396 is capable of supporting
instant messaging services including the identification of whether
a particular individual is available for IM messaging, the look-up
server 6394 is capable of finding subscriber account information
(e.g., screen name) from a given e-mail address, and the
configuration server 6392 is capable of configuring communication
schemes between the intended recipient of an e-mail message and the
sender and/or other recipients of the e-mail message. The
configuration server 6392 may include an electronic data store
(e.g., a cache) that may be used, for example, to cache attributes
of electronic data communicated using the host 610. The cache of
attributes of electronic data may be associated with a previously
encountered message (e.g., a cache entry may indicate that a
message stored in the cache with ID-514 references individuals x,
y, z) to avoid the need to analyze the message each time it is
encountered.
[0074] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a sender 702 and a host 704
interact according to a procedure 700 to transmit electronic data.
The procedure 700 may be implemented by any type of hardware,
software, device, computer, computer system, equipment, component,
program, application, code, storage medium, or propagated
signal.
[0075] Examples of each element of FIGS. 7 and 8 are broadly
described above with respect to FIGS. 1-6. In particular, the
sender 702 typically has attributes comparable to those described
with respect to client devices 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, and 620
and/or client controllers 125, 225, 325, 425, 525, and 625. The
host 704 typically has attributes comparable to those described
above with respect to host devices 135, 235, 335, 435, 535, and 635
and/or host controllers 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, and 640. The
sender 702 and/or the host 704 may be directly or indirectly
interconnected through a known or described delivery network.
[0076] Initially, the sender 702 transmits electronic data to the
host 704 (step 705). In one implementation, the sender 702 is a
client system 605 associated with an end user of the communication
system 600. In another implementation, the sender 702 aids the
client system 605 in transmitting electronic data through a
communications link 615 to the host system 610. In yet another
implementation, the sender 702 is a processing server 6360 within
the host system 610. For example, the processing server 6360 may be
a web mail server arranged to store and forward electronic data
transmitted between end users of the communication system 600.
[0077] The host 704 receives the electronic data from the sender
702 (step 710). In one implementation, the host 704 includes a mail
gateway such as mail gateway 6350 of FIG. 6. In this
implementation, the mail gateway 6350 generally receives the
electronic data from the client system 605 and/or the processing
server 6360. Typically, the mail gateway 6350 will receive
electronic content from subscribers through a dial-up telephone
network or DSL (digital subscriber line) and will receive
electronic content from non-subscribers indirectly through the
Internet. The mail gateway 6350 may perform protocol conversions if
necessary to receive electronic content from non-subscribers.
[0078] After receiving the electronic data from the sender 702
(step 710), the host 704 determines one or more attributes of the
electronic data (step 715). Attributes of the electronic data may
include, but are not limited to, an identification token, the
author of the electronic data, the recipient(s) of the electronic
data, the subject of the electronic data, the date and time of the
transmission, and/or whether the electronic data contains
attachments or embedded images. The host 704 typically will store
the contents and attributes of the electronic data. For example, in
one implementation of the structure shown by FIG. 6, contents of
the electronic data are stored in the storage area 6370 and the
attributes of the electronic data are cached locally in the
configuration server 6392 and also stored in the tandem database
6380. The body of the electronic data is stored in electronic
content databases 6372, 6374 and any attachments are stored in the
attachment database 6376. In this example, the body of the
electronic data is stored twice to assure its availability. Due to
the typically large sizes of attachments, however, such objects are
only stored once to conserve memory space.
[0079] The tandem database 6380 includes a system of actual or
virtual folders corresponding to the subscribers of the host system
610. Each folder may have properties assigned by the subscriber
including, for example, properties for filtering electronic content
from certain sources. When electronic data are received, the folder
stores the attributes of the electronic data including the
location(s) of the electronic data content (i.e., body and
attachments) in the storage area 6370.
[0080] The host 704 then provides supplemental contact information
for a referenced individual (step 720). The supplemental contact
information for the referenced individual may be provided to the
sender of the electronic data, the recipients of the electronic
data, and other individuals referenced in the electronic data. In
one implementation, the host 704 uses the supplemental contact
information to configure a communication scheme between the
recipient and the referenced individual.
[0081] In one implementation, the supplemental contact information
may include real time contact information. Real time contact
information includes information that reflects the current
availability of the user to communicate through one or more
communication schemes. For example, the real time contact
information may include a referenced individual's current online
status to communicate using instant messaging or a referenced
individual's current availability to communicate using phone
communications.
[0082] Additionally or alternatively, real time contact information
may include information that reflects contact information provided
by the referenced individual for display to others seeking their
availability when viewing electronic messages that identify the
individual.
[0083] FIG. 8 illustrates one implementation of a process 720 for
providing supplemental contact information for a referenced
individual. Initially, the configuration server 6392 detects a
token or other information capable of identifying incoming
electronic data (e.g., an e-mail message or an instant message)
(step 805). The identification token may be intercepted by the
configuration server 6392 and/or presented to the configuration
server 6392 by the client system 605, the processing server 6360,
and/or the read mail server 6354 (communication path not shown by
FIG. 6). Referencing the token, the configuration server 6392
accesses a cache (step 810) and determines whether attributes of
the electronic data are stored locally (step 815). Such attributes
may include, but are not limited to, a listing of referenced
individuals associated with the electronic data. The listing of
referenced individuals may include the sender and all recipients
associated with the electronic data identified from addressing
information. The listing of referenced individuals also may include
names detected in the body of an electronic communication. For
example, the listing of referenced individuals associated with an
e-mail message may include the sender of the e-mail message, all
recipients of the e-mail message, and any names of individuals
detected in the body of the e-mail message.
[0084] If attributes of the electronic data are stored locally, the
configuration server 6392 retrieves the attributes from the local
cache (step 820). If, on the other hand, attributes of the
electronic data are not stored locally, the configuration server
6392 determines the attributes of the electronic data (step 825)
and then supplements the local cache with those attributes (step
830). The configuration server 6392 may determine the attributes of
the electronic data itself and/or may access another server to
determine the attributes. In one implementation, the configuration
server 6392 accesses the read mail server 6354. The read mail
server 6354 then determines attributes of the electronic data.
Determining attributes of the electronic data may include detecting
referenced individuals associated with the electronic data by
examining addressing information and the content of the electronic
data. The read mail server 6354 then presents the attributes to the
configuration server 6392. The configuration server 6392 receives
the listing from the read mail server 6354 and stores the listing
in the local cache.
[0085] The configuration server 6392 sends the listing of
referenced individuals to the look-up server 6394, which can be
used to determine the real time messaging capability of each
referenced individual (step 835). In one implementation, the
look-up server 6394 determines whether supplemental contact
information is associated with any or all referenced individuals.
The supplemental contact information may include e-mail addresses,
IM screen names, telephone numbers, and/or mailing addresses
associated with the referenced individual. However, the referenced
individuals may or may not be subscribers of the communication
system 600. For instance, in one implementation, the listing
includes e-mail addresses of subscribers and non-subscribers. Thus,
to facilitate a determination of real time messaging capabilities,
the configuration server 6392 may strip the domain (e.g., @aol.com)
from the e-mail address of a subscriber with a recognized domain to
obtain the subscriber's screen name and facilitate a reverse
look-up process. In another implementation, the listing includes
names detected in the content of an electronic message (e.g., an
e-mail message or an instant message) or e-mail addresses otherwise
recognizable to the configuration server 6392.
[0086] In general, the supplemental contact information will be
provided by the referenced individuals themselves and will be
maintained by the host system 610. For example, a subscriber may
provide contact information when establishing an account with the
host system 610. A subscriber also may provide contact information
transparently by connecting to host system 610 and allowing the
host system 610 to monitor the subscriber's online presence. In one
implementation, the host system 610 maintains a global electronic
address book containing supplemental contact information associated
with subscribers. Each subscriber may control what type of contact
information is provided and to whom such contact information is
made available. In addition, each subscriber may place conditions
on when certain contact information is made available. For
instance, a subscriber may make certain contact information
available only at specified times.
[0087] In one example, a subscriber may make supplemental contact
information available only to family members. In this example, the
subscriber may have minimal privacy concerns and therefore may
allow family members access to supplemental contact information
including home and work e-mail addresses, IM screen names,
telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, and mailing addresses. In
addition, the subscriber may provide contact information for a
person to contact in emergency cases when the subscriber is
unavailable.
[0088] In another example, the subscriber may make supplemental
contact information available to fellow employees during working
hours. In this example, the subscriber may allow fellow employees
access to supplemental contact information including a work e-mail
address, IM screen name, telephone number, facsimile number, and
mailing address. In addition, the subscriber may provide contact
information for an assistant or supervisor that people should
contact in urgent cases when the subscriber is unavailable. In
another example for a working environment, the supplemental contact
information may include an office layout (i.e., a map) so that a
remote manager may be able to reach an unresponsive employee by
sending a message to an employee located in close proximity to the
unresponsive employee.
[0089] In yet another example, the subscriber may set preferences
to enable the supplemental contact information to be provided to
designated persons. For example, the subscriber may designate which
group or groups of persons may receive the supplemental contact
information, such as, senders of electronic messages, other
recipient of electronic messages, and/or other individuals
referenced. The subscriber may designate specific individuals to
received the supplemental contact information. Additionally and/or
alternatively, the subscriber may designate specific individuals
who should be blocked from receiving the supplemental contact
information.
[0090] A subscriber may set preferences that control the
presentation of supplemental contact information by the host system
610. For example, the subscriber may allow the host system 610 to
examine some or all of the content of electronic messages sent to
or by the subscriber. In one implementation, the host system 610
may examine the content of an electronic message (e.g., an e-mail
message or an instant message) authored by the subscriber or
delivered to the subscriber, detect names of referenced individuals
included in the electronic message, and provide supplemental
contact information for each referenced individual, if
available.
[0091] In addition, the host system 610 may update a personal
address book associated with the subscriber. For example, the host
system 610 may ask the subscriber if a referenced individual should
be included in a subscriber's personal address book and/or may ask
the subscriber if an existing entry for a referenced individual in
the subscriber's personal address book should be updated with the
supplemental contact information. Upon receiving an affirmative
response from the subscriber, the host system 610 may populate
and/or update the subscriber's personal address book. The
subscriber's personal address book may be maintained on the host
system 610 and/or on the subscriber's client system 605.
[0092] In some cases, a subscriber may allow the host system 610 to
facilitate the acquisition of supplemental contact information.
Typically, a subscriber will set preferences that control the
amount of intervention by the host system 610. In one
implementation, a subscriber may allow the host system 610 to
automatically update a global electronic address book containing
supplemental contact information associated with the subscriber.
That is, the host system 610 may be permitted to automatically
update a subscriber's contact information in the global electronic
address book as new contact information for the subscriber becomes
available. For example, contact information may be automatically
added or updated whenever a subscriber creates and/or changes an
e-mail address, screen name, telephone number, facsimile number,
and/or mailing address. As such, the most current contact
information associated with the subscriber may be made available to
other subscribers.
[0093] In one implementation, the configuration server 6392
interacts with the IM server 6396 to make known whether referenced
individuals are available for instant messaging communication, and
to enable such communications. For example, the configuration
server 6392 may request the IM server 6396 to identify the IM state
(e.g., online, offline, away, busy, not a member) of each
referenced individual. As described above, the IM server 6396 may
be a network of interconnected servers capable of determining the
status or online presence of subscribers. The online presence of
the referenced individual can be detected, for example, from a
persistent connection to an IM server and/or the activity of a
specific control port.
[0094] In response to the request, the IM server 6396 identifies
the IM state of the referenced individual to the configuration
server 6392. In one implementation, the IM state is given by
whether the referenced individual is online, offline, or does not
have instant messaging capability. The configuration server 6392
may instruct the IM server 6396 to send an invitation to referenced
individuals without instant messaging capability. The invitation
may invite the referenced individual to subscribe to the IM host
complex 6390 and/or the host system 610. For referenced individuals
having instant messaging capability, the IM server 6396 reports
whether each referenced individual is online or offline.
[0095] Once the look-up server 6394 has determined the supplemental
contact information for the referenced individuals, the look-up
server 6394 reports the real time messaging capabilities of each
referenced individual to the configuration server 6392 (step 840).
In one implementation, the look-up server 6394 identifies the
capability of each referenced individual to communicate by e-mail,
instant messaging, telephone, facsimile, and regular mail, for
example, by using icons near references to the individual's
name/reference within the electronic content, or by changing the
font of the individual's name/reference. The look-up server 6394
also may provide supplemental contact information (e.g., screen
name, e-mail address, telephone number, facsimile number, mailing
address) to the configuration server 6392. Based on the reported
capabilities of the references individuals, the configuration
server 6392 facilitates real time communication with each
referenced individual.
[0096] In one implementation, when the look-up server 6394 reports
the real time messaging capabilities of each referenced individual
to the configuration server 6392, the configuration server 6392 may
present a particular instant messaging user interface ("UI"). For
example, the configuration server 6392 may cause a user's existing
buddy list window to be updated with the screen names of referenced
individuals capable of participating in an IM session. Additionally
or alternatively, a new buddy list window may be created and
updated with referenced individuals capable of participating in an
IM session. In the example of FIG. 9, the UI 900 includes a buddy
list window. The screen names of referenced individuals who are
able to receive instant messages will appear in the buddy list
window in a new group called Mail Contacts. A user may send an
instant message to a person in the Mail Contacts list by clicking
that person's screen name. Thus, when an individual referenced in
electronic content (e.g., in an e-mail) is determined to have IM
capabilities, a buddy list window may be presented with a screen
name of the referenced individual.
[0097] FIG. 10 illustrates another example of how the IM state of
each of the sender and the recipients may be represented. An icon
may indicate that the referenced individual has IM capability. The
icon may be presented upon opening an e-mail message, for example,
in response to one or more redirection commands associated with the
IM state of the referenced individual. The redirection command may
include a URL for navigating a browser to a particular URL
associated with a graphical user interface and/or icon
corresponding to one of the IM states. By clicking on the IM icon,
a subscriber may launch an instant message.
[0098] Where an icon does not appear next to a referenced
individual, the referenced individual does not presently have IM
capability, and selection of the subscriber reference (e.g., screen
name) may elicit a list of other contact information. Thus, even if
a referenced individual does not have IM capability, a subscriber
still may be able to communicate with the referenced individual
through an alternate communication scheme. For example, the
configuration server 6392 may receive an e-mail address for a
referenced individual with e-mail capability. In one
implementation, the configuration server 6392 displays an e-mail
address of a referenced individual. By clicking the e-mail address,
the subscriber may launch an e-mail message to the referenced
individual, or the user may be presented with other forms of
contact information such as the telephone number of the
individual.
[0099] It should be noted that the e-mail address is displayed
according to the supplemental contact information. As such, the
displayed e-mail address is not necessarily the e-mail address
included in the originally-transmitted message. For example, if a
referenced individual has indicated a preferred e-mail address, the
preferred e-mail address will displace another e-mail address. To
illustrate with reference to FIG. 10, assume that a referenced
individual (Sally Smith) has indicated that a work e-mail address
(sallysmith@straitsight.com) is to be provided as supplemental
contact information during working hours and that a home e-mail
address (sallysmith@aol.com) is to be provided as supplemental
contact information during all other times. Even if a sender (Chris
Barker) sends the e-mail message using the home e-mail address
(sallysmith@aol.com), the work e-mail address
(sallysmith@straitsight.com) may be displayed when the e-mail
message is opened during working hours.
[0100] FIGS. 11a and 11b illustrate another example of how the
supplemental contact information for referenced individuals may be
presented. For example, in FIG. 11a, e-mail 1100 includes two
referenced individuals in the body of the e-mail 1100 (i.e., John
Doe 1105 and Tim Smith 1110). As the cursor 1115 is moved over the
referenced individuals 1105 and 1110, a window (e.g., a pop-up
window) may be displayed for each referenced individual listing the
individual's supplemental contact information. For instance, as
cursor 1115 is moved over John Doe 1105, pop-up window 1120
displays John Doe's supplemental contact information.
[0101] The supplemental contact information displayed in the pop-up
window 1120 may depend on the date and/or time at which the e-mail
is being viewed. In this case, the date-time stamp 1125a on e-mail
1100 indicates that the e-mail 1100 is being viewed on "04/24/2002
11:26AM" 1125a. Based on the date and the time 1125a that the
e-mail 1100 is being viewed, the supplemental contact information
for John Doe indicates that the address "JDOE@AOL.COM" 1130a should
be used to reach John Doe by e-mail.
[0102] In FIG. 11b, when the same e-mail 1100 is viewed at a
different time 1125b, the pop-up window 1120 displays different
supplemental contact information for John Doe 1105. In this case,
based on the date and time 1125b that the e-mail 1100 is being
viewed, the supplemental contact information for John Doe indicates
that the address "JDOE@AIM.COM" 1130b should be used to reach John
Doe by e-mail.
[0103] As is true with respect to other drawings, the contact
information may be provided for individuals referenced in the
header (e.g., To, From, cc) or body of the message, and may be
formed of complete or partial names or aliases, or by complete or
partial reference to other contact information that is recognizable
and that may be associated with the individual. Furthermore, the
pop-up window of FIGS. 11a and 11b, while shown as being positioned
so as to avoid overlap of the current message, may be positioned
over, under, or away from the viewable area of the message that
references the individual.
[0104] In one exemplary implementation, an individual referenced in
an electronic message may make other supplemental information
available to recipients of the electronic message based on the
preferences of the recipient. A host system may facilitate this
exchange of supplemental information by maintaining this other
supplemental information for the referenced individual and by
enabling recipients to designate the other supplemental information
they desire to receive about referenced individuals. For example,
the host may maintain other supplemental information provided by
the referenced individual, such as, for example, a type of PDA
used, date of birth, clothes sizes, favorites (e.g., type of food
or restaurant), and other types of other supplemental information.
A recipient, who also may subscribe to the host system, may
designate what other supplemental information the recipient desires
to receive about referenced individuals, if that information is
made available by a referenced individual. For example, in addition
to supplemental contact information, a recipient also may want to
receive information about a referenced individual's favorite
restaurant. As long as that information is made available by a
referenced individual, then the recipient may receive that
information.
[0105] While the general aspects described above relate to instant
messaging and e-mail, other types of supplemental contact
information such as telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, and
mailing addresses for the referenced individual may be displayed.
In some implementations, all available supplemental contact
information for a referenced individual is displayed. For example,
a pull-down menu listing all supplemental contact information for a
referenced individual may be presented by clicking text or an icon
associated with the referenced individual. In such cases, a
subscriber may choose the manner in which to contact the referenced
individual. In other implementations, only the most efficient or
reliable ways of contacting the referenced individual are
displayed. For example, limited contact information such as a
primary e-mail address, screen name, and telephone number may be
displayed even if other contact information is available.
[0106] Other implementations are within the scope of the following
claims.
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