Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer session/connection establishing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-07
2001-04-17
Meky, Moustafa M. (Department: 2153)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer session/connection establishing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219710
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to computer communication, and more particularly to establishing peer-to-peer communication between computers using dynamic network addresses to access a network channel.
2. Discussion
The Internet provides a means for establishing a communication link between two remote computers. A peer-to-peer or one-to-one connection between remote computers allows these computer users to conduct a conversation, exchange files, or participate in real-time gaming. However, establishing peer-to-peer communication with someone through the Internet is at best inconvenient.
In the past, a user needed to schedule in advance a time when both users would connect to the Internet. At the appointed time, the first user would connect to the Internet to publish their dynamic address using an Internet address location service. The second user would then connect and use the same address location service to lookup the network address of the first user. Alternatively, after connecting to the Internet the first user may manually lookup their temporary network address and communicate it to the second user. Assuming both users are simultaneously connected, the two remote users could then establish a peer-to-peer connection. Comparable to trying to meet someone at an airport, this process is complicated, frustrating and unpredictable.
Difficulty in establishing peer-to-peer communication stems from using dynamic network addresses when connecting to the Internet. Many remote computer users gain access to the Internet through either of the following two means: (1) through a telephone dial-up connection provided by a local Internet service provider that dynamically assigns network addresses, or (2) through a local area network having a limited number of permanent Internet addresses and which dynamically assigns Internet network addresses to requesting local users. Predetermined methods for establishing peer-to-peer connections are thus inhibited by dynamic network addresses and temporary network connections.
Current communication methods also do not exploit cost efficiencies associated with using the Internet to eliminate the cost of a long distance phone call. For instance, unattended, automated file exchanges between remote users can be done cheaply using the Internet. However, two problems must be overcome. First, it can be problematic when a remote user of a receiving computer is not connected to the Internet when the user of the originating computer desires to establish communication. Maintaining a continuous connection to the Internet by a remote computer can be very expensive as costs accrue based on connection time. Second, establishing an immediate connection requires that a remote user of the receiving computer be present at the time communication is established.
Accordingly, a need exists for a simple automated method and apparatus for establishing peer-to-peer communication between remote computers over the Internet or other network channels. Establishing a connection should overcome any limitations caused by dynamic network addressing and temporary network connections. The receiving computer should monitor a second monitor channel. The originating computer can then initiate the connection process by sending a message along the monitoring channel, and thus minimize overall transaction costs associated with maintaining a continuous connection to either the monitor or network channel. It is further desirable that this method establish communication without any intervention by the remote user of the receiving computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a computer-implemented method of establishing peer-to-peer communication between two remote computing units over a network channel. An originating computer sends a message over a monitor channel to a receiving computer, and the receiving computer monitors the monitor channel. A triggering event is generated in response to at least one of the sending a message or the monitoring. The originating computer and/or the receiving computer, if necessary, will connect to the network channel. In response to the triggering event, either the originating computer or the receiving computer determines a network address associated with either the originating computer or the receiving computer. Using the network address, peer-to-peer communication between the originating computer and receiving computer is established over the network channel.
Various hardware configurations for either computer, with respect to the network channel, can be accommodated by this method for establishing peer-to-peer communication. In addition, determining the network address and establishing communication may be initiated, with or without the use of an address location service, by either computer.
The invention also provides an apparatus for supporting peer-to-peer communication over a network channel. The apparatus includes a call origination module for sending a message over a monitor channel. The call origination module is coupled to a first handler module for establishing communication. A monitor module, monitoring the monitor channel, is also coupled to a second handler module for establishing communication. A memory accessible by at least one of the handler modules is used for storing information indicative of the network address of at least one of the handler modules, and in response to the triggering message, another module, associated with either handler module, is used for accessing the memory, determining a network address and establishing the communication link.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5392454 (1995-02-01), Kowal et al.
patent: 5642350 (1997-06-01), Dailey
patent: 5761421 (1998-06-01), van Hoff et al.
patent: 5790553 (1998-08-01), Deaton, Jr. et al.
patent: 5862202 (1999-01-01), Bashoura et al.
Beamsley Jeffery F.
Everett, Jr. Robert D.
Gray Matthew H.
Hile John K.
Masters John C.
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
Hilgrave Incorporated
Meky Moustafa M.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer communication does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer communication, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer communication will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2530685