Patent US6094676A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6094676A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer communication
Assignee: HIGRAEVE Inc
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Filing: 1997-05-30
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Granted: 2000-07-25
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Expires: 2017-05-30
Abstract
Abstract Peer-to-peer communication is established between two remote computing units over a network channel, even though a permanent network address is not known. An originating computer sends a message over a monitor channel, such as a circuit-switched telephone line, to a receiving computer creating a triggering event. In response to the triggering event, either the originating computer or the receiving computer determines a network address associated with either the originating computer or the receiving computer. Then, using the network address, peer-to-peer communication between the originating computer and receiving computer is established over the network channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Matthew H. Gray
- 👤 John K. Hile
- 👤 Robert D. Everett, Jr.
- 👤 Jeffery F. Beamsley
- 👤 John C. Masters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/12; H04L12/28; H04L12/2854; H04L12/2856; H04L12/2858; H04L12/2859; H04L12/2869; H04L12/2898; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/007; H04L61/00; H04L61/45; H04L61/4535; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D30/00; Y02D30/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of establishing a peer-to-peer communication between an originating unit and a receiving unit over a network channel that identifies communicating units by network address, comprising the steps of: sending a message from said originating unit to said receiving unit over a monitor channel; monitoring a monitor channel by said receiving unit; determining information indicative of the identity of at least one of said originating unit and said receiving unit; generating a trigger event in response to at least one of said sending and monitoring steps, wherein said trigger event includes connecting at least one of said originating unit and said receiving unit to said network channel, thereby establishing a first network address for at least one of said originating unit and said receiving unit, and determining said first network address by the other of said originating unit or said receiving unit using the information indicative of the identity of at least one of said originating unit and said receiving unit; and in response to said triggering event, establishing communication between said originating unit and said receiving unit over said network channel using said first network address.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of establishing a peer-to-peer communication between an originating unit and a receiving unit over a network channel that identifies communicating units by network address, comprising the steps of: sending a message from said originating unit to said receiving unit over a monitor channel; monitoring a monitor channel by said receiving unit; determining information indicative of the identity of at least one of said originating unit and said receiving unit; generating a trigger event in response to at least one of said sending and monitoring steps, wherein said trigger event includes connecting at least one of said originating unit and said receiving unit to said network channel, thereby establishing a first network address for at least one of said originating unit and said receiving unit, and determining said first network address by the other of said originating unit or said receiving unit using the information indicative of the identity of at least one of said originating unit and said receiving unit; and in response to said triggering event, establishing communication between said originating unit and said receiving unit over said network channel using said first network address.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: initiating communication for sending said message over said monitor channel by said originating unit; and terminating communication after sending said message over said monitor channel by said originating unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: responding to said message by initiating communication over said monitor channel by said receiving unit; exchanging information indicative of a first network address between said originating unit and said receiving unit over said monitor channel; and terminating communication over said monitor channel by said receiving unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said first network address associated with at least one of said originating unit and said receiving unit is determined using the identity of at least one of said originating unit and said receiving unit and an address locator service.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said originating unit determines said first network address for said receiving unit by using said identity of said originating unit and an address locator service, where said address locator service is found on said network channel and can be accessed by said originating unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said receiving unit determines said first network address for said originating unit by using said identity of said originating unit and an address locator service, where said address locator service is found on said network channel and can be accessed by said receiving unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said message is indicative of the identity of said originating unit and said receiving unit determines said first network address by using said identity of said originating unit and a stored rule set.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said monitor channel is based upon a circuit switched communication medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said monitor channel is based upon an unbounded communication medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said network channel is based upon a packet switched communication medium.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for supporting peer-to-peer communication over a network channel that identifies communicating units by network address, said apparatus using a monitor channel, comprising: a monitor module connected to said monitor channel; a first network communication handler coupled to said monitor module for establishing communication with said network channel; an origination module for sending a message to said monitor module over said monitor channel, where said origination module is operative to initiate communication with said monitor module over said monitor channel; a second network communication handler coupled to said origination module for establishing communication with said network channel; a memory accessible by at least one of said first and second network communication handlers for storing information indicative of a first network address associated with at least one of said first and second network communication handlers; and at least one of said first and second network communication handlers responsive to at least one of said monitor module and said origination module for accessing said memory, thereby determining said first network address, and establishing communication between said first and second network communication handlers over said network channel using said first network address.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for supporting peer-to-peer communication over a network channel that identifies communicating units by network address, said apparatus using a monitor channel, comprising: a monitor module connected to said monitor channel; a first network communication handler coupled to said monitor module for establishing communication with said network channel; an origination module for sending a message to said monitor module over said monitor channel, where said origination module is operative to initiate communication with said monitor module over said monitor channel; a second network communication handler coupled to said origination module for establishing communication with said network channel; a memory accessible by at least one of said first and second network communication handlers for storing information indicative of a first network address associated with at least one of said first and second network communication handlers; and at least one of said first and second network communication handlers responsive to at least one of said monitor module and said origination module for accessing said memory, thereby determining said first network address, and establishing communication between said first and second network communication handlers over said network channel using said first network address.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a connection between said origination module and said monitor channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a connection between said monitor module and said monitor channel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a connection between said first network communication handler and said network channel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a connection between said second network communication handler and said network channel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said monitor channel is based on a circuit switched communication media.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said monitor channel is based on an unbounded communication media.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said network channel is based on a packet switched communication media.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of establishing a peer-to-peer communication between an originating unit and a receiving unit, comprising the steps of: providing a network channel that identifies communicating units by dynamic network addressing; connecting said originating unit to said network channel, thereby establishing a first network address for said originating unit; sending a message from said originating unit to said receiving unit over a monitor channel, wherein said first network address is transmitted via said message to said receiving unit by said originating unit; monitoring a monitor channel by said receiving unit; receiving said message by said receiving unit; and establishing communication between said originating unit and said receiving unit over said network channel using said first network address.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of establishing a peer-to-peer communication between an originating unit and a receiving unit, comprising the steps of: providing a network channel that identifies communicating units by dynamic network addressing; connecting said originating unit to said network channel, thereby establishing a first network address for said originating unit; sending a message from said originating unit to said receiving unit over a monitor channel, wherein said first network address is transmitted via said message to said receiving unit by said originating unit; monitoring a monitor channel by said receiving unit; receiving said message by said receiving unit; and establishing communication between said originating unit and said receiving unit over said network channel using said first network address.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-25 | 2004-01-24 | 2004-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-25 | 2008-01-24 | 2008-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-25 | 2012-01-24 | 2012-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |