Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20010005859?dq=6480844
Timestamp: 2017-12-17 22:32:25
Document Index: 693857754

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 9', 'art 9', 'art 6', 'art 11', 'art 12', 'art 15', 'art 13', 'art 14', 'art 8', 'art 9']

Patent US20010005859 - Text messaging system and method - Google Patents
The text messaging system consists of mobile terminal (5) connected to mobile communication network (4), information terminal (3) connected to computer network (2), and server (1) connected to the mobile communication network and the computer network. The information terminal (3) has status detection...http://www.google.com/patents/US20010005859?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20010005859 - Text messaging system and method
Publication number US20010005859 A1
Application number US 09/772,000
Also published as EP1102443A1, EP1102443A4, EP1102443B1, US7437413, US20090082044, WO2000008813A1
Publication number 09772000, 772000, US 2001/0005859 A1, US 2001/005859 A1, US 20010005859 A1, US 20010005859A1, US 2001005859 A1, US 2001005859A1, US-A1-20010005859, US-A1-2001005859, US2001/0005859A1, US2001/005859A1, US20010005859 A1, US20010005859A1, US2001005859 A1, US2001005859A1
Inventors Satoshi Okuyama, Ai Manabe
Original Assignee Satoshi Okuyama, Ai Manabe
Patent Citations (13), Referenced by (107), Classifications (27), Legal Events (7)
US 20010005859 A1
1. A text messaging system made up of a plurality of information terminals provided with communications means, and servers connected to the information terminals via communications lines responsive to the communications means, the text messaging system comprising:
transmission means provided in the information terminals for transmitting to the servers text messages addressed to other of the information terminals;
reception means provided in the information terminals for receiving from the servers text messages from other of the information terminals;
status detection means provided in the information terminals for detecting and reporting to the servers operational status including at least status of connection with the communications lines;
reception means provided in the servers for receiving text messages from the information terminals;
transmission means provided in the servers for transmitting text messages received from ones of the information terminals to others of the information terminals;
status administration means provided in the servers for holding per user information-terminal operational status reported from said status detection means; and
decision means provided in the servers for deciding transmission modes for the text messages according to the information terminal operational status.
2. A text messaging system made up of at least one mobile terminal and at least one information terminal respectively provided with communication means, and at least one server connected to the at least one mobile terminal and to the at least one information terminal via at least one communications line responsive to the communications means, the text messaging system comprising:
transmission means provided in the at least one information terminal for transmitting to the at least one server text messages addressed to the at least one mobile terminal, or to at least one other information terminal wherein the system includes a plurality thereof;
reception means provided in the at least one information terminal for receiving from the at least one server text messages from the at least one mobile terminal, or from at least one other information terminal wherein the system includes a plurality thereof;
status detection means provided in the at least one information terminal for detecting and reporting to the at least one server operational status including at least status of connection with the at least one communications line;
reception means provided in the at least one server for receiving text messages from the at least one mobile terminal or the at least one information terminal;
transmission means provided in the at least one server for transmitting to the at least one information terminal text messages received from the at least one mobile terminal, and transmitting to the at least one mobile terminal text messages received from the at least one information terminal, or transmitting text messages received from the at least one mobile terminal or the at least one information terminal to at least one other mobile terminal or to at least one other information terminal wherein the system includes a plurality of either;
status administration means provided in the at least one server for holding per user information-terminal operational status reported from said status detection means; and
decision means provided in the at least one server for deciding transmission modes for the text messages according to the information terminal operational status.
3. A text messaging system according to
said status detection means further detects and reports to the at least one server whether the at least one information terminal is being used; and
said decision means if the at least one information terminal is being used decides the at least one information terminal to be a transmission destination for text messages.
4. A text messaging system according to
, the at least one information terminal further being provided with service detection means for detecting and for reporting to the at least one server network-application operational status in the at least one information terminal; wherein:
said status administration means holds the reported network-application operational status; and
said decision means, wherein the network application is operable on the at least one server, decides to transmit text messages using the network application if the network application is running on the at least one information terminal.
5. A text messaging system according to
, wherein said transmission means is enabled to notify the at least one server that a text message has been read, further comprising:
reporting administration means provided in the at least one server for saving text messages transmitted to the at least one information terminal, and, wherein not notified to the effect that a text message has been read, for forwarding the text message to the at least one mobile terminal.
6. A text messaging system according to
, wherein said reporting administration means forwards to the at least one mobile terminal text messages transmitted to the at least one information terminal in response to change in operational status of the at least one information terminal.
7. A text messaging system according to
, wherein if a text message transmitted to the at least one information terminal is not read within a predetermined time period, said reporting administration means forwards the text message to the at least one mobile terminal.
8. A text messaging system according to
, wherein said reporting administration means in predetermined instances reports to text message send sources that their text messages have been sent to the at least one mobile terminal.
9. A text messaging system according to
, wherein if said reporting administration means cannot send a text message to the at least one mobile terminal, said reporting administration means stores the text message and reports to the text message send source that its text message has been stored.
10. A text messaging system according to
said status detection means reports to the at least one server text message senders' contact phone numbers;
said status administration means holds the reported phone numbers; and
wherein a text message is sent from the at least one information terminal to the at least one mobile terminal, if the senders' contact phone number has been set, said decision means adds the phone number to and transmits the text message.
11. A text messaging system according to
, further comprising a proxy information terminal connected to the at least one communications line, wherein said proxy information terminal is provided with:
reception means for receiving from the at least one server text messages from the at least one mobile terminal;
information acquisition means for obtaining in accordance with the received text messages operational status of at least one other information terminal wherein the system includes a plurality thereof;
transmission means for transmitting the obtained operational status as a text message to the at least one mobile terminal; and
information setting means for setting and reporting to the at least one server operational status of the at least one other information terminal in accordance with the received text messages.
12. A text messaging system made up of at least one mobile terminal and at least one information terminal respectively provided with communication means, a first server connected to the at least one information terminal via at least one communications line responsive to the communications means, and a second server connected to the at least one mobile terminal and to the at least one information terminal via the at least one communications line, the text messaging system comprising:
transmission means provided in the at least one information terminal for transmitting to the second server text messages addressed to the at least one mobile terminal, or to at least one other information terminal wherein the system includes a plurality thereof;
reception means provided in the at least one information terminal for receiving from the second server text messages from the at least one mobile terminal, or from at least one other information terminal wherein the system includes a plurality thereof;
status detection means provided in the at least one information terminal for detecting and reporting to the first server operational status including at least status of connection with the at least one communications line;
status administration means provided in the first server for gathering and holding per user information-terminal operational status from the at least one information terminal;
reception means provided in the second server for receiving text messages from the at least one mobile terminal or the at least one information terminal;
transmission means provided in the second server for transmitting text messages received from the at least one mobile terminal or the at least one information terminal to at least one other mobile terminal or to at least one other information terminal wherein the system includes a plurality of either; and
decision means provided in the second server for obtaining from the first server operational status of the at least one information terminal for deciding text message transmission mode according to the obtained operational status.
13. A text messaging system according to
, the at least one information terminal is enabled to notify the second server that a text message has been read, further comprising:
reporting administration means provided in the second server for saving text messages transmitted to the at least one information terminal, and, wherein not notified to the effect that a text message has been read, for forwarding the text message to the at least one information terminal.
14. In an information terminal provided with communication means for transmitting and receiving text messages among mobile terminals or other information terminals via communication lines and servers responsive to said communication means, a text messaging device comprising:
transmission means for transmitting to the servers text messages addressed to the mobile terminals or to the other information terminals;
reception means for receiving from the servers text messages from the mobile terminals or from the other information terminals; and
status detection means for detecting and reporting to the servers operational status including at least status of connection with the communications lines.
15. A text-messaging server connected to at least one mobile terminal and at least one information terminal respectively provided with communication means, via at least one communications line responsive to the communications means, the server comprising:
reception means for receiving text messages from the at least one mobile terminal or the at least one information terminal;
transmission means for transmitting text messages received from the at least one mobile terminal or the at least one information terminal to at least one other mobile terminal or to at least one other information terminal wherein the server is connected to a plurality of either;
status administration means for receiving and holding per user operational status from the at least one information terminal; and
decision means for deciding transmission modes for the text messages according to the information terminal operational status.
16. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a text messaging program utilized in an information terminal provided with communication means for transmitting and receiving text messages among mobile terminals or other information terminals via communication lines and servers responsive to said communication means, the computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded the text messaging program for executing:
A: a transmission step for transmitting to the servers text messages addressed to the mobile terminals or to the other information terminals;
B: a reception step for receiving from the servers text messages from the mobile terminals or from the other information terminals; and
C: a status detection step for detecting and reporting to the servers operational status including at least status of connection with the communications lines.
17. A computer-readable recording medium on which is stored a text messaging administration program utilized in a server connected to at least one mobile terminal and at least one information terminal respectively provided with communication means, via at least one communications line responsive to the communications means, the computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded the text messaging administration program for executing:
A: reception step for receiving text messages from the at least one mobile terminal or the at least one information terminal;
B: a transmission step for transmitting received text messages to at least one other mobile terminal or to at least one other information terminal wherein the system includes a plurality of either;
C: a status administration step for obtaining and holding per user operational status of the at least one information terminal; and
D: a decision step for deciding text message transmission mode according to the operational status of the at least one information terminal.
18. A text messaging method utilized in a server connected to at least one mobile terminal and at least one information terminal respectively provided with communication means, via at least one communications line responsive to the communications means, the text messaging method:
transmitting and receiving text messages by way of the server between the at least one mobile terminal and the at least one information terminal, or between the at least one mobile terminal and the at least one other mobile terminal wherein the system includes a plurality thereof, or between the at least one information terminal and at least one other information terminal wherein the system includes a plurality thereof;
detecting and reporting to the server operational status of the at least one information terminal including at least status of connection with the at least one communications line;
holding per user in the server the operational status of the at least one information terminal; and
by means of the server deciding transmission mode for the text messages according to the operational status of the at least one information terminal.
19. A text message transmission and reception method utilized in an information terminal provided with communication means for transmitting and receiving text messages among mobile terminals or other information terminals via communication lines and servers responsive to said communication means, the text message transmission and reception method:
transmitting to the servers text messages addressed to the mobile terminals or to the other information terminals;
receiving from the servers text messages from the mobile terminals or from the other information terminals; and
detecting and reporting to the servers operational status including at least status of connection with the communications lines.
20. A text-messaging administration method for a server connected to at least one mobile terminal and at least one information terminal respectively provided with communication means, via at least one communications line responsive to the communications means, the text-messaging administration method:
receiving from the at least one mobile terminal or the at least one information terminal text messages addressed to the other at least one mobile terminal or at least one information terminal, or addressed to at least one other mobile terminal or to at least one other information terminal wherein the system includes a plurality of either;
transmitting the received text messages to the other at least one mobile terminal or at least one information terminal, or addressed to at least one other mobile terminal or to at least one other information terminal wherein the system includes a plurality of either;
gathering and holding per user operational status of the at least one information terminal including at least status of connection with the at least one communications line; and
deciding transmission mode for the text messages according to the operational status of the at least one information terminal.
[0007]FIG. 21 shows a conceptual structure of a conventional text messaging system using mobile phones, PHSs, and a center for relaying them.
[0078]FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a text messaging system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0079]FIG. 2 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of data stored in a status-storing module;
[0080]FIG. 3 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of a message table in a reporting administration module;
[0081]FIG. 4 is a display example of a window for setting status;
[0082]FIG. 5 is a display example of a text message send window;
[0083]FIG. 6 is a display example of a text message receive window;
[0084]FIG. 7 is a display example of an e-mail text message receive window;
[0085]FIG. 8 is a display example of an IRC text message receive window;
[0086]FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing flow of an operational status notification process;
[0087]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing flow of a connection status notification process;
[0088]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing flow of a send process;
[0089]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing flow of a receive process;
[0090]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing process flow in a decision part;
[0091]FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing flow of a status administration process;
[0092]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing flow of a reporting administration process;
[0093]FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing flow of a time-out process;
[0094]FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing flow of an operational status process;
[0095]FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing flow of another process;
[0096]FIG. 19 is a configuration of a text messaging system according to a second embodiment;
[0097]FIG. 20 is a configuration of a text messaging system according to a third embodiment; and
[0098]FIG. 21 is a conceptual configuration diagram of a conventional text messaging system using mobile terminals.
[0101]FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of a text messaging system according to the first embodiment. The text messaging system according to the first embodiment consists of server 1 connected to Internet 2 and mobile communication network 4, multiple PC clients 3, and multiple mobile phones 5A, 5B, . . . on the mobile communication network 4. Incidentally, to simplify the drawing, only one PC client 3 is shown. The mobile phone can send and receive a text message. The server 1 is notified of a detected self status of each mobile phone such as “busy” or “out of radio area.”
[0106]FIG. 2 shows an example of an operational status and a phone number of each PC client retained for each user by the status storage part 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the status storage part 9 retains only one active status for each user. For example, even if one user has multiple PC clients, a PC for which an up-to-date status is set according to the user's operation is valid. In FIG. 2, if data are blank, it is determined that the status is null.
[0128]FIG. 4 shows an example of a window for setting whereabouts of the user. The right side of the screen shown in the figure is a presence status setting window. This window is for writing presence status of the user (present, absent, away from seat, in council, in laboratory, etc.), his/her destination, phone number, brief schedule, etc. Input in the window by the user notifies the status administration part of the server 1 of a presence status. The presence status of another user obtained from the server 1 by the status setting part is displayed on a window on the left side in the figure.
[0130]FIG. 5 shows an example of a message send window in the PC client 3. Selecting the receiver of a text message on the above-mentioned left window in the figure opens the text message send window. With this, a brief message such as “hey, come on” or “call me” can be notified substantially in real time if the other party connects to the Internet 2 with a PC client. Furthermore, by checking the send result notification box, the result notification of a sent message can be asked for.
[0132]FIG. 6 shows the receive window of text messages. The receive window is displayed in the corner of the screen without being displayed in front of the window being used. On the right side of the window, there is a button for replying by call or text message. This button is for immediately replying to a received text message. The button on the right edge is for abandoning the text message without replying to it. By pressing any of the buttons or closing the window, the already-read message showing the text message was read is sent to the server 1 from the PC client 3. The text message receive part 6 of the server 1 that received notification notifies the notification management part 11 of an already-read notification.
As shown in FIG. 20, the radio server 1 b may be made to have the message storage part 12 and radio status detection part 15 by installing a radio sever 1 b independent of a text message server 1 a. In this case, the receive part 13 a and 13 b and the send part 14 a and 14 b are respectively installed in the text message server la and the radio server 1 b. The status administration server 1 c may also be made to have the status administration part 8 and decesion part 9 by further installing an independent status administration server 1.
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U.S. Classification 709/245, 709/226, 709/206, 709/238
International Classification G06F13/00, H04L12/54, H04W28/00, H04L12/58, H04M3/00, H04L29/00, H04M3/42, H04M11/00, H04W4/16, H04W8/22, H04W4/12
Cooperative Classification H04W8/22, H04W4/16, H04W4/12, H04L29/00, H04L51/14, H04L51/04, H04L51/38, H04L51/30
European Classification H04L51/14, H04L12/58G, H04L29/00, H04W4/12