Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Distributed data processing – Client/server
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-11
2004-05-04
Maung, Zarni (Department: 2155)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Distributed data processing
Client/server
C709S217000, C709S227000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06732143
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
N/A
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to client-server networks and more particularly a method and system for directing an incoming telephone call to a desired user over a client-server network.
A client-server network architecture is a network in which one computer, the client, requests access to data, software, or services from another computer, the server, which then supplies the requested data, software, or services for the client. In one type of client-server network known as a file server network, a user at a client machine is connected to the server via a local area network (LAN) and accesses data that is centrally located on the server. In general, the user retrieves the centrally located data from the server and locally processes this data using software applications that are stored and executed on the client machine. This type of client, typically referred to as a “fat client”, performs most or all of the processing locally, leaving little or no processing to be performed by the server.
Client-server networks have several advantages over individual personal computers (PCs). One advantage is that by providing centrally stored data, a client server network ensures that the most recent data is always available to the users. Individual clients may operate on the data, but after processing, the data will again be centrally stored on the server. Also, as new data becomes available it becomes available to all of the clients. In addition to allowing multiple clients access to the centrally located data, a user may access this data at a remote client machine. Provided that the needed software is installed on the remote client machine, a user may log onto the server, retrieve data, and then process that data from the remote location thus enhancing productivity. Also, a user may be able to dial into the LAN via a remote client and access the server remotely, for example from their home. This would allow the user to download the desired data, process this data at home and, when finished, save the data back onto the server.
A disadvantage to the client-server network architecture, however, is that when a user is operating a client machine other than their primary client machine, the user will not have access to their computer “desktop”, and any local data stored on their “own” or primary machine. For example, a user may use a particular set of macros when using a word processor, spreadsheet, or presentation program. These macros typically are stored locally and would be a part of the user's desktop. Other examples of items available on a users personal desktop may include particular programming tools or productivity tools the user has developed or purchased. Thus, although a user may have access to the centrally located data, the lack of availability of their personalized desktop and software tools may limit their ability to work efficiently.
Another disadvantage of client-server network architectures is that a user operating at a client machine other than the user's primary client machine may not have access to incoming telephone calls directed to them. Although a LAN may provide easy user access to centrally located data from different clients, the standard telephone system does not provide a mechanism by which the user's calls automatically follow the user. The traditional telephone system paradigm that is embodied in the public switched telephone system (PSTN) and private branch exchanges (PBX) is that a user's phone number is coupled to a single physical telephone located physically proximate to the user's principle work area. Unless the user manually forwards their telephone calls to a specified remote location, incoming calls will be directed to the single telephone associated with the user.
Recently, another form of the client-server network architecture, known as a “thin-client” network has been developed that addresses some of the problems of a traditional client-server network. In this architecture, a client machine referred to as a thin-client machine is employed. The thin client performs minimal processing, and stores little or no data. The thin client is employed to provide a graphical user interface and to display data and information generated by the server. The thin client includes an interface for communicably coupling the thin client to the server. The server provides the processing power and data storage that is required by the respective thin client. A user may log onto any thin client machine connected to the server and the server, which may store the applications software and the user's data and desktop, provides the user with their customary operating environment associated with that user. The server performs all the data processing and data storage functions. The thin client provides only the user interfaces to display graphics, text, and data, and to receive user input data. The ability of a user to log onto any one of a plurality of thin clients and obtain access to his usual desktop and computational configuration is known in the art as “hot desking”.
A thin-client network architecture offers several advantages over traditional client-server network architectures. One advantage of the thin client network is that a user can access their desktop features including their personal software, data, and tools from the server from any thin-client machine in the network. Flexibility is therefore afforded since multiple users may utilize a single thin-client machine at different times during the day depending on individual schedules, work hours and needs. In addition, a user may select a different thin client machine to use each day, depending on the availability of the machines. This flexibility may result in better asset management, a higher availability of machines, and a concomitant increase in productivity and efficiency of the users.
However as discussed above, a user of a remote client machine may not have access to the user's incoming telephone calls directed to a single telephone. A thin-client network architecture may exacerbate this problem even more because of the use of a thin-client network architecture, it is likely that users may not be physically proximate to their telephone. Thus, it is likely that increasing numbers of telephone calls may be missed.
Various methods such as voice mail, electronic messaging and call forwarding have been attempted to overcome this lack of telephone connectivity, but all have had substantial disadvantages.
It would therefore be desirable to be able to connect telephone signals to a particular user at a telephone communicably coupled to a client station being employed by the respective user so that telephone calls track the user in a hot-desking environment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Consistent with the present invention, a method and system is disclosed for directing a telephone signal intended for a user of a client-server network to a telephone appliance communicably coupled to the client being employed by that user and for creating a telephone connection between the telephone appliance and a calling party. The user is identified to the client via a logon process, a smartcard, biometric identification, or any other suitable user identification technique. The client forwards a user identifier associated with the user to a server within the client-server network. A telephone number or other such user call destination identifier is associated with each user and the server maintains a mapping table that stores the user identifier for the respective user along with the associated user call destination identifier for that user. In response to receipt of the user identifier from a particular client, the server associates a client identifier associated with that client with the entry in the table that includes the corresponding user identifier. In response to receipt at the server of a telephone signal initiated by a calling party and having a specif
Foley & Hoag LLP
Maung Zarni
Sun Microsystems Inc.
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