Patent ID: 6397250
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: H04L,H04M

Abstract:
A network communications system comprising a plurality of user stations, each comprising respective processing and display means, and a plurality of service provider host systems coupled via a data network, wherein at least some of the user stations are registered as client stations with a first service provider host system, said host system including storage means maintaining a database of registered client station identification data;characterized in that each client station is configured to periodically identify to said host system, via the data network, when it is on-line; said host system is arranged to maintain an indication of those client stations on-line and includes means for, on receipt of data identifying a client station and additional data specifying a message, formatting a paging message and transmitting it via the network to the identified client station; each client station being configured to, on receipt of a paging message via the data network, generate an on-screen indication of receipt to the user and, in response to a predetermined command of the user, repeat the message.