Patent ID: 8443090
Filing Date: 2013-05-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of initiating a peer-to-peer network connection between a first computer and a second computer across a public network, wherein at least one of the first and second computers is on a private network and is connected to the public network by a network address translator, the first and second computers having each established a connection to a common Relay server, the method comprising: receiving at the second computer from the Relay server a message originating at the first computer comprising a request to initiate a connection and one or more addresses corresponding to the first computer; transmitting an address-determination message from the second computer to an address-determination server; receiving at the second computer a reply to the address-determination message; sending a message from the second computer to at least one of the addresses corresponding to the first computer so as to prepare a network address translator corresponding to the second computer to receive an invitation message from the first computer; composing and sending from the second computer to the Relay server for re-transmitting to the first computer a message comprising one or more addresses corresponding to the second computer; and receiving directly from the first computer, at the second computer, an invitation message sent to one of the addresses corresponding to the second computer so as to establish a direct connection between the first and second computers.