Patent ID: 9673953
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: H04L,H04W

Claim:
1. A communication network comprising: a messaging server; and a plurality of user devices, wherein the messaging server and each of the user devices includes a control channel configured to send and receive control data, wherein the messaging server is configured to send control data to an originating device, wherein the control data indicates recipient availability, status, and/or presence prior to the originating device sending a message, and wherein wherein the control data stream includes at least one unique identifier that differentiates the control data stream from the message payload stream, wherein the messaging server control channel is configured to enable end user initiated availability, status, and/or presence updates to be shared with the messaging network and with recipient devices, wherein the messaging server is configured to provide seamless availability, status and/or presence sharing data within closed user groups without the need for state-oriented protocols, and wherein the server control channel is configured to initiate a dialogue with each of the user devices a short response time including sending a trigger for each of the user devices to generate a user interface for inputting data.