Patent ID: 7366779
Filing Date: 2008-04-29
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of transferring a file from a first client associated with a first subscriber to a communications system to a second client associated with a second subscriber to the communications system, the method comprising: connecting the first client to a communications system host; establishing an instant messaging communications session with the second client to enable instant messaging communications to be exchanged between the first client and the second client over a first communications channel, the first communications channel passing through the communications system host, after establishing the instant messaging communications session, sending, through the communications system host, a request to the second client to establish a direct connection to the second client; if a user of the second client accepts the request, establishing, in the instant messaging communications session, a second communications channel between the first client and the second client to enable files to be directly transferred between the first client and the second client, wherein the second communications channel consists of a direct connection to the second client that bypasses the communications system host; and transferring a file over the second communications channel.