US6148328A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for signaling presence of users in a networked environment
Assignee: Activision Publishing Inc
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Filing: 1998-01-29
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Granted: 2000-11-14
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Expires: 2018-01-29
Abstract
Abstract Dynamic information is unobtrusively provided to a target user about other users in an online environment. The target user is informed of the arrival and departure from the environment of particular selected users. Additionally, an indication of an aggregate number of users in the environment is given to the target user.
Inventors
- 👤 Gennaro Cuomo
- 👤 Sandeep Kishan Singhal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:04
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1895; H04L12/1813; H04L12/1822; H04L12/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of providing a target user with online awareness of other users in a networked environment, comprising the steps of: generating an online notification when a new other user enters the networked environment; generating audio signals to serve as on-going priority notifications that identify which particular ones of said other users are currently online; and generating an off-line notification when any of said other users is no longer online in the networked environment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of providing a target user with online awareness of other users in a networked environment, comprising the steps of: generating an online notification when a new other user enters the networked environment; generating audio signals to serve as on-going priority notifications that identify which particular ones of said other users are currently online; and generating an off-line notification when any of said other users is no longer online in the networked environment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of generating an online notification comprises generating an audio signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said audio signal identifies which of said other users has entered the networked environment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of said target user selecting which of said other users will cause said online notifications.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of generating an off-line notification comprises generating an audio signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said audio signal identifies which of said other users has departed the networked environment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising said target user selecting which of said other users will cause said off-line notifications.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of generating on-going notifications further comprises generating on-going aggregate notifications about how many said other users are currently online.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said on-going aggregate notifications comprise audio signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of said target user customizing a number and frequency of said audio signals for said aggregate notifications.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of said target user controlling a volume balance among said online notification, said off-line notification, and said on-going notifications.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
77 words
A system for providing a target user with online awareness of other users in a networked environment, comprising: means for generating an online notification when a new other user enters the networked environment; means for generating audio signals to serve as on-going priority notifications that identify which particular ones of said other users are currently online; and means for generating an off-line notification when any of said other users is no longer online in the networked environment.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
77 words
A system for providing a target user with online awareness of other users in a networked environment, comprising: means for generating an online notification when a new other user enters the networked environment; means for generating audio signals to serve as on-going priority notifications that identify which particular ones of said other users are currently online; and means for generating an off-line notification when any of said other users is no longer online in the networked environment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 12, wherein said means for generating an online notification comprises means for generating an audio signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 13, wherein said audio signal identifies which of said other users has entered the networked environment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 12, further comprising means for said target user selecting which of said other users will cause said online notifications.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 12, wherein said means for generating an off-line notification comprises means for generating an audio signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 16, wherein said audio signal identifies which of said other users has departed the networked environment.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 12, further comprising means for said target user selecting which of said other users should cause said off-line notifications.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 16, wherein said means for generating on-going notifications further comprises means for generating on-going aggregate notifications about how many said other users are currently online.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 19, wherein said on-going aggregate notifications comprise audio signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 20, further comprising means for said target user customizing a number and frequency of said audio signals for said aggregate notifications.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 12, further comprising means for said target user controlling a volume balance among said online notifications, said off-line notifications, and said on-going notifications.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
90 words
A computer program product recorded on computer readable medium for providing a target user with online awareness of other users in a networked environment, comprising: computer readable means for generating an online notification when a new other user enters the networked environment; computer readable means for generating audio signals to serve as on-going priority notifications that identify which particular ones of said other users are currently online; and computer readable means for generating an off-line notification when any of said other users is no longer online in the networked environment.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
90 words
A computer program product recorded on computer readable medium for providing a target user with online awareness of other users in a networked environment, comprising: computer readable means for generating an online notification when a new other user enters the networked environment; computer readable means for generating audio signals to serve as on-going priority notifications that identify which particular ones of said other users are currently online; and computer readable means for generating an off-line notification when any of said other users is no longer online in the networked environment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The program product of claim 23, wherein said computer readable means for generating an online notification comprises computer readable means for generating an audio signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The program product of claim 24, wherein said audio signal identifies which of said other users has entered the networked environment.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The program product of claim 23, further comprising computer readable means for said target user selecting which of said other users should cause said online notifications.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The program product of claim 23, wherein said computer readable means for generating an off-line notification comprises computer readable means for generating an audio signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The program product of claim 27, wherein said audio signal identifies which of said other users has departed the networked environment.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The program product of claim 23, further comprising computer readable means for said target user selecting which of said other users will cause said off-line notifications.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The program product of claim 23, wherein said computer readable means for generating on-going notifications further comprises computer readable means for generating on-going aggregate notifications about how many said other users are currently online.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The program product of claim 30, wherein said on-going aggregate notifications comprise audio signals.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The program product of claim 31, further comprising computer readable means for said target user customizing a number and frequency of said audio signals for said aggregate notifications.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The program product of claim 23, further comprising computer readable means for said target user controlling a volume balance among said online notifications, said off-line notifications, and said on-going notifications.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-14 | 2004-05-15 | 2004-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-14 | 2008-05-15 | 2008-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-14 | 2012-05-15 | 2012-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |