Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Switching a message which includes an address header
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-22
2001-03-27
Olms, Douglas (Department: 2661)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Switching a message which includes an address header
C370S400000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208659
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates in general to a data processing system and method for providing information in a communication network, and more particularly, to a data processing system and method for selectively providing representations of personal information in the communication network.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The worldwide network of computers commonly known as the “Internet” has seen explosive growth in the last several years. This growth has been typically fueled by the introduction and widespread use of “web” browsers that allow for simple graphical user interface-based access to network servers. Such network servers typically support documents formatted as “web pages.” The “world wide web” (www) is a collection of servers on the Internet that utilize the Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP). HTTP is a known application protocol that provides users access to files using a standard page description language referred to as Hyper Text Mark-up Language (HTML). It should be noted that files may be provided in different formats such as text, graphics, images, sound, and video, among others. HTML provides basic document formatting and allows a developer to specify “links” to other servers and files. Use of an HTML-compliant client browser involves specification of a link via a Uniform Resource Locator, known commonly by the acronym “URL.” Upon specification of a URL, a client may make a TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) request to the server identified in the link and receive a “web page” in return, where the “web page” is a document formatted according to HTML.
Currently, many individuals have personal web pages on the Internet to provide personal information to others communicating via the world wide web. Through the use of such personal web pages, individuals may advertise goods or services they provide, as well as information about themselves, to the general public. Given the general accessibility of web pages by the public, individuals typically limit personal information displayed on their web page to a discrete amount of data. When information is disseminated about an individual via a web page, some of the information may include phone numbers, e-mail addresses, fax numbers, mobile telephone numbers, and pager numbers, as well as other communication services. However, even though a person is able to access another person's web page via the Internet, the accessing party must use a separate communication device to access the web page owner. For example, the accessing party must use a telephone to call the individual's land line telephone, page the person, or call the owner's cellular or mobile phone. Furthermore, it is only after attempting to reach the owner's communication device that the accessing party is able to determine that the communication device is inactive or inaccessible. Thus, the accessing party may lose valuable time in attempting to contact an individual associated with a web page, or even a regular paper business card, through communication devices listed thereon that are currently inaccessible.
Therefore, a need exists for a data processing system and methodology for providing information, including accessibility, about an individual in a communication system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The previously mentioned needs are fulfilled with the present invention. Accordingly, there is provided, in a first form, a communication system. The communication system includes a web card database server for storing a plurality of access values. Each of the plurality of access values corresponds to one of a plurality of communication media and a first entity. Additionally, the communication system includes a communication network capable of selectively communicating a first portion of the plurality of access values in response to a first control signal.
Additionally, there is provided, in a second form, a communication system. The communication system includes a communication network for selectively providing a first control signal. The communication system also includes a data processing system for displaying a plurality of icons. Each of the plurality of icons corresponds to one of a plurality of roles of an entity. The data processing system generates a plurality of uniform resource locators. Each of the plurality of uniform resource locators corresponds to one of the plurality of roles of the entity. The data processing system displays a first plurality of information values corresponding to the entity in response to the first control signal. The communication system also includes a memory for storing the first plurality of information values corresponding to the entity. The memory provides the first plurality of information values in response to a first one of the plurality of uniform resource locators.
Furthermore, there is provided, in a third form, a method for utilizing a web page in a global communication network. The method includes the steps of accessing the web page in the global communication network and placing a plurality of icons on the web page. Each of the plurality of icons corresponds to one of a plurality of roles of an entity. The method also includes the step of associating each of a plurality of sets of communication devices with each of the plurality of icons.
Furthermore, there is provided, in a fourth form, a method for operating a global communication network. The method includes the steps of accessing a web page corresponding to an entity in the global communication network and indicating availability of each of the plurality of communication devices for use in communicating with the entity. The web page includes the plurality of communication devices.
There is also provided, in a fifth form, a data processing system for implementing a business card. The data processing system includes a server for providing a web card page. The web card page includes an entity associated with the web card page and a device icon corresponding to a communication device controlled by the entity. The data processing system also includes a device for accessing the device icon to selectively enable the communication device to access the entity.
There is provided, in a sixth form, a business card in a data processing system. The business card includes at least a portion of a web card page, an entity title, and a device icon hyperlinked to a corresponding communication device under the control of said entity.
These and other features, and advantages, will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is important to note the drawings are not intended to represent the only form of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5634129 (1997-05-01), Dickinson
patent: 5638504 (1997-06-01), Scott
patent: 5706517 (1998-01-01), Dickinson
patent: 5732229 (1998-03-01), Dickinson
patent: 5793365 (1998-08-01), Tang
patent: 5943399 (1999-08-01), Bannister
patent: 6018338 (2000-01-01), Greulich
Bannister Cecil
Edwards Russ
Gostanian, Jr. Raffi
Govindarajan Rangaprasad
Carr & Storm, L.L.P.
Nortel Networks Limited
Olms Douglas
Pizarro Ricardo M.
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