Patent US539145A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6785708B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6785708B1
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US
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Method and apparatus for synchronizing browse and chat functions on a computer network
Assignee: Acuity Corp
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Filing: 1996-10-30
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Granted: 2004-08-31
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Expires: 2016-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A real time chat server (610) not only maintains the chat session but also synchronizes the browse and chat functions by dynamically linking the browser and chat applications to allow the contents of the browser window and the chat window to change in a coordinated manner. The chat server is built from a number of core software objects, namely user objects (616, 618), connection objects, and room objects (612, 614). In this way, multiple users' browsers may be connected into one powerful distributed chat/HTTP server and all such users are able to fully interact with one another in a coordinated manner via type-written messages, HTML web documents, and file transfers.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew T. Busey
- 👤 Gerald H. Weghorst, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1813; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; H04L12/1827; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/02; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L51/00; H04L51/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
A method for synchronizing browse and chat functions on a computer connected to a computer network, comprising: establishing browser and chat regions on a first display device; receiving a first document from a first document address through the computer network and, in response thereto, displaying the first document in the browser region; receiving chat content from a first chat session through the computer network and, in response thereto, displaying the chat content in the chat region; receiving a first request originating through a user's action in the chat region and, in response thereto, receiving a second document from a second document address through the computer network, and displaying the second document in the browser region; receiving a second request originating through a user's action in the chat region and, in response thereto, changing content of the chat region from the first chat session to a second chat session, receiving a third document associated with the second chat session, and displaying the third document in the browser region; receiving a third request originating from a user's action in the browser region and, in response thereto, changing content of the chat region from the first chat session to a third chat session; and receiving a fourth request originating from a user's action in the browser region and, in response thereto, changing content of the chat region from the first chat session to a fourth chat session, receiving a fourth document associated with the fourth chat session, and displaying the fourth document in the browser region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
253 words
A method for synchronizing browse and chat functions on a computer connected to a computer network, comprising: establishing browser and chat regions on a first display device; receiving a first document from a first document address through the computer network and, in response thereto, displaying the first document in the browser region; receiving chat content from a first chat session through the computer network and, in response thereto, displaying the chat content in the chat region; receiving a first request originating through a user's action in the chat region and, in response thereto, receiving a second document from a second document address through the computer network, and displaying the second document in the browser region; receiving a second request originating through a user's action in the chat region and, in response thereto, changing content of the chat region from the first chat session to a second chat session, receiving a third document associated with the second chat session, and displaying the third document in the browser region; receiving a third request originating from a user's action in the browser region and, in response thereto, changing content of the chat region from the first chat session to a third chat session; and receiving a fourth request originating from a user's action in the browser region and, in response thereto, changing content of the chat region from the first chat session to a fourth chat session, receiving a fourth document associated with the fourth chat session, and displaying the fourth document in the browser region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the establishing comprises: establishing the chat region embedded in the browser region, the chat region being a real time continuously open bi-directional communications chat region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the establishing comprises: establishing the chat region embedded in a Web page; and establishing the Web page embedded in the browser region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: receiving a third request comprises in response to a change in the document address from the first document address to a second document address, changing the chat region from the first chat session to the third chat session, the third chat session being associated with the second document address.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: receiving a second request comprises in response to the change in the chat region from the first chat session to the second chat session, receiving a third document from a third document address through the computer network, and displaying the third document in the browser region, the third document address being associated with the second chat session.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
237 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: establishing browser and chat regions on a second display device; currently receiving a document through the computer network and, in response thereto, displaying the currently-received document in the browser region of the second display device; currently receiving chat content from a chat session through the computer network and, in response thereto, displaying the currently-received chat content in the chat region of the second display device; receiving a fifth request originating with a user of the second display device and, in response thereto, receiving through the computer network and displaying in the browser region of the first display device the document that is currently displayed in the browser region of the second display device, and receiving through the network and displaying in the chat region of the first display device the chat content that is currently displayed in the chat region of the second display device; receiving a sixth request originating with a user of the second display device and, in response thereto, receiving through the computer network and displaying in the browser region of the first display device a document specified by the sixth request; and receiving a seventh request originating with a user of the second display device and, in response thereto, receiving through the computer network and displaying in the chat region of the first display device chat content from a chat session specified by the seventh request.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 6 wherein receiving a sixth request further comprises: receiving through the computer network and displaying in the chat region of the first display device chat content from a chat session corresponding to the document specified by the sixth request.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 6 wherein receiving a seventh request further comprises: receiving through the computer network and displaying in the browser region of the first display device a document corresponding to the chat session specified by the seventh request.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
310 words
A system for synchronizing browse and chat functions on a computer network, comprising: a first display device; a first computer connected to the display device and to the computer network and for: establishing browser and chat regions on the first display device; receiving a first document from a first document address through the computer network and, in response thereto, causing the display device to display the first document in the browser region; receiving chat content from a first chat session through the computer network and, in response thereto, causing the display device to display the chat content in the chat region; and receiving a first request originating from a user's action in the chat region and, in response thereto, receiving a second document from a second document address through the computer network, and causing the first display device to display the second document in the browser region; receiving a second request originating through a user's action in the chat region and, in response thereto, causing the display device to change content of the chat region from the first chat session to a second chat session, receiving a third document associated with the second chat session, and causing the display device to display the third document in the browser region; receiving a third request originating from a user's action in the browser region and, in response thereto, causing the display device to change content of the chat region from the first chat session to a third chat session; and receiving a fourth request originating from a user's action in the browser region and, in response thereto, causing the display device to change content of the chat region from the first chat session to a fourth chat session, receiving a fourth document associated with the fourth chat session, and causing the display device to display the fourth document in the browser region.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
310 words
A system for synchronizing browse and chat functions on a computer network, comprising: a first display device; a first computer connected to the display device and to the computer network and for: establishing browser and chat regions on the first display device; receiving a first document from a first document address through the computer network and, in response thereto, causing the display device to display the first document in the browser region; receiving chat content from a first chat session through the computer network and, in response thereto, causing the display device to display the chat content in the chat region; and receiving a first request originating from a user's action in the chat region and, in response thereto, receiving a second document from a second document address through the computer network, and causing the first display device to display the second document in the browser region; receiving a second request originating through a user's action in the chat region and, in response thereto, causing the display device to change content of the chat region from the first chat session to a second chat session, receiving a third document associated with the second chat session, and causing the display device to display the third document in the browser region; receiving a third request originating from a user's action in the browser region and, in response thereto, causing the display device to change content of the chat region from the first chat session to a third chat session; and receiving a fourth request originating from a user's action in the browser region and, in response thereto, causing the display device to change content of the chat region from the first chat session to a fourth chat session, receiving a fourth document associated with the fourth chat session, and causing the display device to display the fourth document in the browser region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the chat region is a real time continuously open bi-directional communications chat region embedded in the browser region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the chat region is embedded in a Web page, and the Web page is embedded in the browser region.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 9 wherein: the first computer's response to the third request comprises in response to a change in the document address from the first document address to a second document address, changing the chat region from the first chat session to the third chat session, the third chat session being associated with the second document address.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system of claim 9 wherein: the first computer's response to the second request comprises in response to the change in the chat region from the first chat session to the second chat session, receiving the third document from a third document address through the computer network, and causing the display device to display the third document in the browser region, the third document address being associated with the second chat session.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
272 words
The system of claim 9 further comprising: a second display device; a second computer connected to the second display device and to the computer network and for: establishing browser and chat regions on the second display device; currently receiving a document through the computer network and, in response thereto, causing the second display device to display the currently-received document in the browser region of the second display device; and currently receiving chat content from a chat session through the computer network and, in response thereto, causing the second display device to display the currently-received chat content in the chat region of the second display device; wherein the first computer is further for: in response to a fifth request originating with a user of the second computer, receiving through the computer network and causing displaying in the browser region of the first display device the document that is currently displayed in the browser region of the second display device, and receiving through the network and causing displaying in the chat region of the first display device the chat content that is currently displayed in the chat region of the second display device; in response to a sixth request originating with a user of the second computer, receiving through the computer network and causing displaying in the browser region of the first display device a document specified by the sixth request; and in response to a seventh request originating with a user of the second computer, receiving through the computer network and causing displaying in the chat region of the first display device chat content from a chat session specified by the seventh request.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the first computer further responds to the a sixth request by: receiving through the computer network and causing displaying in the chat region of the first display device chat content from a chat session corresponding to the document specified by the sixth request.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the first computer further responds to the seventh request by: receiving through the computer network and causing displaying in the browser region of the first display device a document corresponding to the chat session specified by the seventh request.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
307 words
A computer program product, comprising: a computer application processable by a first computer for causing the computer to: establish browser and chat regions on a first display device; receive a first document from a first document address through a computer network and, in response thereto, cause the display device to display the first document in the browser region; receive chat content from a first chat session through the computer network and, in response thereto, cause the display device to display the chat content in the chat region; receive a first request originating from a user's action in the chat region and, in response thereto, receive a second document from a second document address through the computer network, and cause the display device to display the second document in the browser region; receive a second request originating from a user's action in the chat region, and in response thereto, cause the display device to change content of the chat region from the first chat session to a second chat session, receive a third document associated with the second chat session, and cause the display device to display the third document in the browser region; receive a third request originating from a user's action in the browser region and, in response thereto, cause the display device to change content of the chat region from the first chat session to a third chat session; and receive a fourth request originating from a user's action in the browser region and, in response thereto, cause the display device to change content of the chat region from the first chat session to a fourth chat session, receive a fourth document associated with the fourth chat session, and cause the display device to display the fourth document in the browser region; and apparatus from which the computer application is accessible by the first computer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
307 words
A computer program product, comprising: a computer application processable by a first computer for causing the computer to: establish browser and chat regions on a first display device; receive a first document from a first document address through a computer network and, in response thereto, cause the display device to display the first document in the browser region; receive chat content from a first chat session through the computer network and, in response thereto, cause the display device to display the chat content in the chat region; receive a first request originating from a user's action in the chat region and, in response thereto, receive a second document from a second document address through the computer network, and cause the display device to display the second document in the browser region; receive a second request originating from a user's action in the chat region, and in response thereto, cause the display device to change content of the chat region from the first chat session to a second chat session, receive a third document associated with the second chat session, and cause the display device to display the third document in the browser region; receive a third request originating from a user's action in the browser region and, in response thereto, cause the display device to change content of the chat region from the first chat session to a third chat session; and receive a fourth request originating from a user's action in the browser region and, in response thereto, cause the display device to change content of the chat region from the first chat session to a fourth chat session, receive a fourth document associated with the fourth chat session, and cause the display device to display the fourth document in the browser region; and apparatus from which the computer application is accessible by the first computer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer program product of claim 17 wherein the chat region is a real time continuously open bi-directional communications chat region embedded in the browser region.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer program product of claim 18 wherein the chat region is embedded in a Web page, and the Web page is embedded in the browser region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
66 words
The computer program product of claim 17 wherein the computer application causes the computer to respond to the third request as follows: in response to a change in the document address from the first document address to a second document address, change the chat region from the first chat session to the third chat session, the third chat session being associated with the second document address.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
78 words
The computer product of claim 17 wherein the computer application causes the computer to respond to the second request as follows: in response to a change in the chat region from the first chat session to the second chat session, receive the third document from a third document address through the computer network, and cause the display device to display the third document in the browser region, the third document address being associated with the second chat session.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
278 words
The computer program product of claim 17 further comprising: a computer application processable by a second computer for causing the second computer to: establish browser and chat regions on a second display device; currently receive a document through the computer network and, in response thereto, cause the second display device to display the currently-received document in the browser region of the second display device; and currently receive chat content from a chat session through the computer network and, in response thereto, cause the second display device to display the currently-received chat content in the chat region of the second display device; wherein the computer application processable by the first computer is further for causing the first computer to: in response to a fifth request originating with a user of the second computer, receive through the computer network and cause displaying in the browser region of the first display device the document that is currently displayed in the browser region of the second display device, and receive through the network and cause displaying in the chat region of the first display device the chat content that is currently displayed in the chat region of the second display device; in response to a sixth request originating with a user of the second computer, receive through the computer network and cause displaying in the browser region of the first display device a document specified by the sixth request; and in response to a seventh request originating with a user of the second computer, receive through the computer network and cause displaying in the chat region of the first display device chat content from a chat session specified by the seventh request.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
62 words
The computer program product of claim 22 wherein the computer application processable by the first computer is further for causing the first computer to: receive through the computer network and cause displaying in the chat region of the first display device chat content from a chat session corresponding to the document specified by the sixth request, in response to the sixth request.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer program product of claim 22 wherein the computer application processable by the first computer is further for causing the first computer to: receive through the computer network and cause displaying in the browser region of the first display device a document corresponding to the chat session specified by the seventh request, in response to the seventh request.
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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) | 2007-08-31 | 2008-03-01 | 2008-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-08-31 | 2012-03-01 | 2012-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-08-31 | 2016-03-01 | 2016-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |