US6167426A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact alerts for unconnected users
Assignee: Wireless Internet Inc
•
Filing: 1997-11-14
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Granted: 2000-12-26
•
Expires: 2017-11-14
Abstract
Abstract Users access an on-line address service to register their name (which may be a pseudonym or other fictitious or imaginary identity) and a unique contact address that may be used directly or indirectly to address a message over another communication network to an associated listening device. Once a potential user has registered his on-line identity and contact information, other users accessing the address service can then designate one of the listed names, either by selecting the name from a display list of registered names (if all registered names are displayed) or by entering the designated name onto an appropriate form, whereupon the computer hosting the address service will broadcast a message addressed to the identified person's associated listening device. Once the message is received, the listening device notifies the associated user by causing the user's computer to initiate an appropriate visual and/or audio alert display concerning the contact attempt. The user is then given an opportunity to connect to the on-line network and access a designated site to obtain further information about the attempted contact and/or to establish a direct connection with the interactive on-line activity from which the contact attempt originated, at the same time automatically launching any required browser or application software.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Payne
- 👤 Tim Von Kaenel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:58
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L61/00; H04L61/45; H04L51/00; H04L51/21; H04L51/224; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L51/58; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for connecting users to a first communication network, comprising: providing an address service connected to the first communication network on which a user may register a name and an associated address on a second communication network; using the first communication network to access the address service; designating a name registered on the address service; in response to the designation of said registered name, automatically broadcasting a message over the second communication network to the registered address associated with the selected name, said message identifying an interactive activity to be conducted over the first communication network; using a receiving device not connected to the first communication network to receive said message; in response to the reception of said message by said receiving device, automatically generating a user prompt to commence the identified interactive activity; and in response to a positive acknowledgment of said user prompt, automatically connecting an interactive device to the first communication network and commencing the identified interactive activity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for connecting users to a first communication network, comprising: providing an address service connected to the first communication network on which a user may register a name and an associated address on a second communication network; using the first communication network to access the address service; designating a name registered on the address service; in response to the designation of said registered name, automatically broadcasting a message over the second communication network to the registered address associated with the selected name, said message identifying an interactive activity to be conducted over the first communication network; using a receiving device not connected to the first communication network to receive said message; in response to the reception of said message by said receiving device, automatically generating a user prompt to commence the identified interactive activity; and in response to a positive acknowledgment of said user prompt, automatically connecting an interactive device to the first communication network and commencing the identified interactive activity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication network is the Internet, and the second communication network is a wireless paging network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the user prompt comprises a hyperlink to a site on the Internet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said Internet site includes a display of further information about the attempted contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said further information includes information identifying the person from whom the contact attempt originated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said further information includes a message from the person from whom the contact attempt originated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said further information includes information identifying a particular interactive Internet activity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2, wherein each user registers a screen name and an associated contact address of an associated listening device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said screen name is a pseudonym or other factitious or imaginary identity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said contact address is a serial number programmed into the associated listening device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said contact address is converted into an activation code by the address service.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said activation code is available only to the address service and to the user who originally registered the information.
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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) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | 2008-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-26 | 2012-06-26 | 2012-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |