`
`Glenn W. Hutton, et al.
`08!533,115
`September 25. 1995
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING POINT-TO-POINT
`COMMUNICATIONS OVER A COMPUTER NETWORK
`M. Rinehart
`
`Applicant:
`Serial No.
`Filed:
`For:
`
`Examiner:
`Art Unit:
`
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING UNDER 37 C.F.R. §1.8(a}
`The undersigned hereby certifies that this document is being placed in the United States mail
`with first-class postage attached, addressed to Assistant Commissioner for P
`
`Box Non-Fee Amendment. Washington. DC 20231 on I‘m
`
`
` Frances M. Cunningham
`
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`
`Washington. 0.0. 20231
`
`In response to the office communication dated October 28, 1998, please
`amend the above-identified application as follows:
`
`In the Specification:
`
`Page 2, Iine 13. ch36 .XXX.XXX.XXX” to --XXX.XXX.XXX-—;
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`line 14, aha/e"XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX.10" to --XXX.XXX.XXX.10-;
`line 15. change “
`.XXX.XXX.XXX.11" to —-XXX.XXX.XXX.11-;
`line 15. chwl/XXXXXXXXXXXXXXJZ" to --XXX.XXX.XXX.12-;
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`Page 11. line 10. change "232 " to --32-bit--.
`
`In the claims: /
`Please amyhe claims as follows:
`
`Please ca cel claims 1-4 and 6-11. without prejudice.
`
`l
`,21.
`(Amended) A computer program product for use with a computer system.
`
`0 the computer system executin a first recess and o erativel connectabte to a
`
`Page 1 of 19
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`Cisco--Exhibit1021
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`Page 1 of 19
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`Cisco -- Exhibit 1021
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`second process [having first and second processors] and a server [operatively
`
`coupled] over a computer network, the computer program product comprising:
`
`a computer usable medium having program code [means] embodied in the
`
`medium [for establishing a point-to-point communications link between the first
`
`processor and the second processor over the computer network], the [medium '
`
`further] program code comprising:
`
` C/\ re ram codefortransmittin to the pprvera network protocol address
`
`
`
`
`
`received b the first rocess foltowin connection to the com uter network;
`
`program code [means] for transmitting. [from the first processor] to the
`
`server, a query as to whether the second [processor] process is connected to the
`
`computer network;
`
`program code [means] for receiving a network protocol address of the
`
`second [processor] process from the server. when the second [processor]
`
`process is connected to the computer network; and
`
`program code [means], responsive to the network protocol address of the
`
`second [processor] process, for establishing a point-to-point communication link
`
`between the first [processor] process and the second [processor] process over
`
`the computer network.
`
`2*
`23,:
`
`(Amended) [A computer server] m apparatus for enabling point-to—point
`
`(/7 communications'between a first and a second [processor] process overa
`
`computer network, the [server] apparatus comprising:
`
`a [server] processor;
`a network interface [means]. operatively coupled to the [server] processor.
`
`for connecting the [server] apparatus to the computer network;
`
`a memory, operativety coupied to the processor, for storing a network
`
`protocol address for selected of a plurality of [processors connected] processes.
`
`
`
`each network rotocol address stored in the memo followin connection of a
`
`respective process to the computer network;
`
`means. responsive to a query from the first [processor] process, for
`
`determining the on—line status of the second [processor] process and for
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`’0
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`'6
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`transmitting [the] a network protocol address of the second {processor} process
`
`to the first [processor] process in response to a positive determination of the on-
`? tine status of the second [processor] process.
`‘
`
`24’.
`
`(Amended) The computer server apparatus of claim gs further comprising
`
`a timer [means], operatively coupled to the [server] processor. for time stamping
`
`'
`
`
`the network protocol addresses stored in the memo .
`
`T;————————————¥——’
`}6’.‘
`(Amended) [in a connection server having a database and a computer
`network operatively coupled thereto. a] A method for enabling point-to-point
`
`0/7 communication between a first [processing unit] process and a second
`
`[processing unit] process over a computer network, the method comprising the
`
`steps of:
`
`A.
`
`receiving and storing into a computer memogg [storing in the
`
`database] a respective network protocol address for [each]
`
`selected of a pluraiity of [processing units] processes that have an
`
`on-line status with respect to the computer network each of the
`
`network protocol addresses received following connection of the
`
`respective process to the computer netwprk;
`
`B.
`
`receiving a query from the first [processing unit] process to
`
`determine the on-iine status of the second [processing unit]
`
`process;
`
`C.
`
`determining the on—line status of the second [processing unit]
`
`‘ process; and
`
`D.
`
`transmitting an indication of the on-line status of the second
`
`[processing unit] process to the first [processing unit] process over
`
`the computer network.
`
`hi
`3
`(Amended) The method of claim g6 wherein step C further comprises the
`g1.
`steps of:
`
`Page 3 of 19
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`Page 3 of 19
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`Cisco -- Exhibit 1021
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`c.1
`
`searching the [database] computer memory for an entry relating the
`
`second [processing unit] process; and
`
`c2
`
`retrieving [the] a_ network protocol address of the second
`
`[processing unit] process in response to a positive determination of the on-Iine
`
`status of the second {processing unit] process.
`
`ti
`“P
`(Amended) The method of claim 26 wherein step D further comprises the
`267
`{7
`0 steps of:
`d.1
`
`transmitting the network protocol address of the second [processing
`
`unit] process to the first [processing unit} process when the second [processing
`
`unit] process is determined in step C to have a positive on-Iine status with
`
`respect to the computer network.
`
`229'.
`
`'
`
`4
`(Amended) The method ofclaim ydwherein step D furthercomprises the
`
`steps of:
`
`d.1
`
`generating an off-line message when the second [processing unit}
`
`process is determined in step C to have a negative on—Iine status with respect to
`
`the computer network; and
`
`d.2
`
`transmitting the off-line message to the first [processing unit]
`
`QI'OCBSS.
`
`c;
`y}.
`
`i
`(Amended) The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of:
`
`E.
`
`receiving an E-mail signal comprising a first network protocol
`
`address from the first [processing unit} process;-and
`
`F.
`
`transmitting the E-mail signal over the computer network to the
`
`second [processing unit] process.
`‘5
`0i
`(Amended) The method of claim §6 wherein the E-mail signal further
`;’1.
`comprises a session number and wherein step F further comprises the step of:
`
`f.1
`
`transmitting the session number and network protocol address over
`
`the computer network to the second [processor] process.
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`Page 4 of 19
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`Cisco -- Exhibit 1021
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`\O
`)2?
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`(Amended) in a corn Liter s stem 3 [A] method for establishing a point-
`
`to-point communication link from a caller [processor] process to a callee
`
`[processor] process over a computer network, the cailer [processor having]
`
`process having a user interface and being operatively [coupled] connectable to
`
`the callee [processor] process and a server over the computer network, the
`
`method comprising the steps of:
`
`[generating an] providing a user interface eiement representing a
`A.
`A?
`U first communication line;
`
`B.
`[generating an] providing a user interface eiement representing a
`first callee [processor] process; M
`
`'
`
`C.
`
`establishing a point-to-point communication link from the caller
`
`[processor] process to the first caiiee [processor] process, in response to a user
`
`associating the element representing the first callee [processor] process with the
`element representing the first communication line.
`i l
`l 0
`9f (Amended) The method of claim ,3'2'wherein step C further comprises the
`steps of:
`
`0.1
`= querying the server as to the on-iine status of the first callee
`[processor], process and
`0.2
`receiving a network protocol address of the first callee [processor]
`
`process over the computer network from the server.
`
`\9\
`)4?
`
`10
`(Amended) The method of claim)” further comprising the step of:
`D.
`[generating] providing an element representing a second
`
`communication line.
`
`(3)
`fitfi
`
`5'
`\9\
`(Amended) The method of claim 94 further comprising the Steal of:
`E.
`terminating the point-to-point communication link from the caller
`
`[processor]m to the first callee [processor] rm, in response to the
`
`372
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`Page 5 of 19
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`Cisco-- Exhibit 1021
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`Cisco -- Exhibit 1021
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`user disassociating the element representing the first callee [processor] process
`
`from the element representing the first communication line; and
`
`F.
`
`establishing a different point-to-point communication link from the
`
`caller [processor] process to the first callee [processor] process, in response to
`
`the user associating the element representing the first callee [processor]m
`
`with the element representing the second communication line.
`14'
`[O
`)6’.
`(Amended) The method of claim 92’further comprising the steps of:
`D.
`[generating an] providing a user interface element representing a
`
`second callee [processor] process; and
`
`U]?
`
`E.
`
`establishing a conference point-to-point communication link
`
`between the caller [processor] process and the first and second callee
`
`[processors] process, in response to the user associating the element
`
`representing the second cailee [processor] process with the element
`
`representing the first communication line.
`
`l5
`2/.
`
`l D
`(Amended) The method of claim g27further comprising the step of:
`F.
`removing the second callee [processor] process from the
`
`conference point-to-point communication link in response to the user
`
`disassociating the element representing the second Callee [processor] process
`
`from the element representing the first communication line.
`(Li?
`(0
`)6.
`(Amended) The method of claim 92‘ further comprising the steps of:
`D.
`[generating an] providing a user interface element representing a
`
`communication line having a temporarily disabled status: and
`
`E.
`
`temporarily disabling a point-to-point communication link between
`
`the caller [processor] process and the first callee [processor] process, in
`
`response to the user associating the element representing the first callee
`
`[processor] process with the element representing the communication line having
`
`a temporarily disabled status.
`
`3.
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`Page 6 of 19
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`\V
`\7
`(Amended) The method of claim figwherein the element [generated]
`)5.
`provided in step D represents a communication line on hold status.
`
`l
`i7
`9 (Amended) The method of claim giwherein the element [generated]
`provided in step D represents a communication line on mute status.
`
`[y
`
`0%
`
`[0
`
`(Amended) The method of claim 32 wherein the caller [processor]
`process further comprises a visual display and the user interface comprises a
`
`graphic user interface.
`
`
`g
`20
`(Amended) The method of claim
`wherein the steps of establishing a
`\>\ }2’
`point-to-point link as described in step C is performed in response to [a user
`C/
`manipulating] manipulation of the graphic elements on the graphic user interface.
`
`
`9%
`}K (Amended) A computer program product for use with a computer system
`
`y comprising:
`
`a computer usable medium having program code [means] embodied in the
`
`medium for establishing a point-to-point communication link from a caller
`
`[processor] process to a callee [processor] process over a computer network, the
`
`caller [processor] process having a user interface and being operatively [coupled]
`
`connectaple to the callee [processor] process and a server over the computer
`
`network, the medium further comprising:
`
`program code [means] for generating an element representing a first
`
`communication line;
`
`program code [means] for generating an element representing a first
`
`callee [processor] process;
`
`program code [means], responsive to a user associating the element
`
`representing the first callee [processor] process with the element representing
`
`the first communication line. for establishing a point-to-point communication link
`
`from the caller [processor] process to the first callee [processor] process.
`
`Page 7 of 19
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`Cisco -- Exhibit 1021
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`Cisco -- Exhibit 1021
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`O
`
`Q
`
`Qi
`2»? .
`)47 (Amended) The computer program product of claim 95wherein the
`
`program code [means] for establishing a point-to-point communication link further
`
`comprises:
`
`program code [means] for querying the server as to the on-tine status of
`
`the first callee [processor] process; and
`
`program code [means] for receiving a network protocol address of the first
`
`callee [processor] process over the computer network from the server.
`
`(y fi.
`
`(Amended)Acomputerprogramproductofclaimfigfurthercomprising:
`
`program code [means] for generating an element representing a second
`
`communication line.
`5d
`/4E>(
`
`3
`(Amended) The computer program product ofclaimfdfurthercomprising:
`
`program code [means]. responsive to the user disassociating the element
`
`representing the first callee [processor] process from the element representing
`
`the first communication line, for terminating the point-to-point communication link
`
`from the caller [processor] process to the first callee [processor] process; and
`
`program code [means], reSponsive to the user associating the element
`representing the first callee [processor] process with the element presenting the
`
`second communication tine. for establishing a different point—to—point
`
`communication link from the caller [processor] process to the first callee
`
`[processor] process.
`a9
`fi.
`
`4'
`(Amended) The computer program product of claim 473’ further comprising:
`program code [means] for generating an element representing a second
`
`callee [processor] process; and
`
`program code means, responsive to the user associating the element
`
`representing the second callee [processor] process with the element
`
`representing the first communication line, for establishing a conference
`
`communication link between the caller [processor] process and the first and
`
`second callee [processors] process.
`
`Oi
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`Page 8 of 19
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`Page 8 of 19
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`o
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`0
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`2w
`)8/
`
`2:
`(Amended) The computer program product of claim,4r7 further comprising:
`program code [means], responsive to the user disassociating the element
`
`representing the second callee [processor] process from the element
`
`representing the first communication line, for removing the second callee
`
`[processor] process from the conference communication link.
`9')
`2‘
`fig.
`(Amended) The computer program product of claim A6 further comprising:
`program code [means] forgenerating an element representing a
`
`communication line having a temporarily disabled status; and
`
`C?
`
`program code [means]. responsive [to user associating] association of the
`
`element representing the first callee [processor] process with the element
`
`representing the communication line having a temporarily disabled status, for
`
`temporarily disabling the point-to-point communication link between the caller
`
`[processor] process and the first callee [processor] process.
`f6
`2:)
`;& The computer program product of claimf9}wherein the communication
`
`line having a temporarily disabled status comprises a communication line on hold
`
`status.
`
`9; Thecomputerprogram productofclaimégwherein thecommunication
`
`line having a temporarily disabled status comprises a communication line on
`
`mute status.
`
`X‘
`20
`(Amended) A computer program product of claim flé wherein the
`)5.
`
`com ter 5 stern [caller processor] further comprises a visual display and the
`
`user interface comprises a graphic user interface.
`
`£50
`}\
`(Amended) The computer program product of claim ?2 wherein the
`93.
`element representing the first communication line and the element representing
`
`the first callee [processor] prpcess are graphic elements and wherein the
`
`C20
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`Page 9 of 19
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`Cisco -- Exhibit 1021
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`Cisco -- Exhibit 1021
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`program code [means] for establishing a point-to-point communication link from
`
`the caller [processor] process to the first callee [processor] process further
`
`comprises:
`
`(/(9
`
`program code [means], responsive to [a user manipulating] manipulation
`
`o_f the graphic elements on the graphic user interface, for establishing the point-
`
`to-point communication link from the caller [processor] process to the first callee
`
`[processor] process.
`
`5% (Amended) A method of locating a [user] process over a computer
`network comprising the steps of :
`a.
`maintaining an Internet accessible list having a plurality of selected
`
`\9
`U
`
`entries. each entry comprising an [electronic mail address] identifier and a
`
`corresponding Internet protocol address [for] of a process currently connected to
`the Internet, the Internet Protpppl address added to the list following connection
`
`of the process to the computer network; and
`
`b.
`
`in response to identification of one of the list entries by a requesting
`
`process, providing one of the [electronic mail address] identifier and the '
`
`corresponding Internet protocol address of the identified entry to the requesting
`
`process.
`
`€55?
`
`(Amended) A method for locating [users] processes having dynamically
`
`assigned network protocol addresses over a computer network. the method
`
`cemprising the steps of:
`
`a.
`
`maintaining] in a computer memory, a network accessible
`
`compilation of entries, [each entry] selected of the entries comprising a network
`
`protocol address and a corresponding identifier [for a user] of a process
`
`
`connected to the computer network[;] the network rotocol address of the
`
`corresponding process assigned to the process upon connection to the computer
`
`network' and
`
`49]]
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`Cisco -- Exhibit 1021
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`b.
`
`in response to identification of one of the entries by a requesting
`
`process providing one of the identifier and the network protocol address to the
`
`requesting process.
`, at}
`256'
`
`(3:3
`(Amended) The method of claim 5/5 further comprising the step of:
`
`c.
`
`modifying the acmpilation of entries.
`
`(Amended) The method ofclaim Sail-wherein step 0 further comprises:
`ii.
`adding an entry to the compiiation upon the occurrence of a
`c.1
`\fl
`V predetermined event.
`39
`W
`.
`/58f
`(Amended) The method of claim{57 wherein the predetermined event
`comprises notification by a user process of an assigned network protocol
`
`.
`L4
`address.
`y (Amended) The method of claimyf wherein step 0 further comprises:
`c.1
`deleting an entry from the compilation upon the occurrence of a
`
`predetermined event.
`
`(Amended) A computer program product for use with a [server apparatus]
`
`99-
`
`com uters stem havin a memo
`and bein operatively [coupled] connectable
`
`over a computer network to one or more computer processes, the computer
`
`program product comprising a computer usable medium having program code
`
`embodied in the medium the program code comprising:
`
`a.
`
`program code configured to maintain, in {a} th_e computer memory.
`
`a network accessible compilation of entries. [each entry] selected of the entries
`
`' comprising a network protocol address and a corresponding identifier {for} of a
`
`process connected to the computer networigthe network rotocot address of the
`corres ondin
`rocess assi ned to the rccessu on connection to the com uter
`
`
`network; and
`
`till
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`Page 11 of 19
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`b.
`
`program code responsive to identification of one of the entries by a
`
`requesting process and configured to provide one of the identifier and the
`
`network protocol address to the requesting process.
`
`/6’i .
`'
`
`(Amended) The computer program product of claim §Ef further comprising:
`0.
`program code configured to modify the campilati0n of entries.
`
`fit
`bio
`91 (Amended) The computer program product of claim/64 wherein program
`code configured to modify comprises:
`
`0.1
`
`program code configured to add an entry to the compilation upon
`
`\P
`
`O
`
`the occurrence of a predetermined event.
`
`u0
`all
`(Amended) The computer program product of claimfié wherein the
`’83.
`predetermined event cemprises notification by a process of an assigned network
`
`protocol address.
`
`5%!
`d9
`(Amended) The c0mputer program product of claim fl wherein step 0
`’64.
`further comprises:
`
`0.1
`
`program code configured to delete an entry from the compilation
`
`upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.
`
`’3)
`
`(Amended) A computer program product for use with a computer system,
`
`A &.
`C/
`
`the computer system [including] executing a first process operativety coupled
`
`over a computer network to a second process and a server process . the
`
`computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having
`
`computer readable program code embodied therein, the program code [means]
`
`comprising:
`
`a.
`
`program code configured to access a directory database. the
`
`database having a network protocol address for a selected plurality of processes
`
`having on-Iine status with respect to the computer network, the network protocol
`
`Page 12 of 19
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`Cisco -- Exhibit 1021
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`
`
`address of each res ective recess forwarded to the database followin
`
`connection to the com uter network; and
`
`b.
`
`program code responsive to one of the network protocol addresses
`
`and configured to establish a point-to-point communication link from the first
`
`process to the second process over the computer network.
`
`or
`2% (Amended) In a first computer process Operativeiy coupled over a
`<\
`computer network to a second process and an address server, a method of
`U establishing a point—to—point communication between the first and second
`
`processes comprising the steps of:
`
`&
`
`following connection of the first process to the computer network
`
`forwarding to the address server a network protocol address at which the first
`
`process is connected to the computer network;
`
`[A.] g querying the address server as to whether the second process is
`
`connected to the computer network;
`
`[3.] ; receiving a network protocol address of the second process from
`
`the address server. when the second process is connected to the computer
`I network; and
`
`[C.] gin [responsive] response to the network protocol address of the
`
`second process. establishing a point—to-point communication link with the second
`
`process over the computer network.
`
`
`Remarks
`
`Applicants have considered carefully the Office Action dated October 28,
`
`1998 and the references cited therein.
`
`in response, the claims have been
`
`amended. Applicants respectfully request reexamination and reconsideration of
`
`the application.
`
`Claims 1-4, 6—1 1. 21, 23-24, 26—64, 66 and 67 have been examined and
`
`are rejected over Various combinations of US Patent 5,608,786(Gordon); US.
`
`Patent 5.740.231 (Conn); US Patent 5,524,254 (Morgan); and excerpts from
`The Worid Wide Web Unleashed (December). Before responding to the
`I
`
`i/
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`div
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`
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`individual rejections set forth in the Office Action (Paper No. 23). Applicants
`
`request that the Examiner consider the following remarks.
`
`In the office action, the Examiner has repeatedly stated that "[l]t would
`
`have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was
`
`made to include a database and search retrieval mechanism to locate the
`
`needed network address because such mechanism permits the database to be
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`modified over time to allow dynamic address assignment thus reducing the need
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`to large address identifiers and thus the amount of data that needs to be
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`transmitted with each packet of data."( Paper No. 23, paragraph 11).
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`Applicants respectfully note that this mischaracterization of the motivation for the
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`invention was first introduced by the prior Examiner (Paper 18. paragraph 7).
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`Applicants' invention solves a fundamental problem associated with the Internet.
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`The problem is not reducing the need for larger address identifiers. The problem
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`is not the amount of data which needs to be transmitted with each packet over
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`the network. The problem is: How can a global network user be located if
`he/she has no permanent network address?
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`Applicants have disclosed a solution to the above-described problem. The
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`solution utilizes a client! server system.
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`In the disclosed system. a client process
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`contacts a dedicated address directory server and fonNards to the server the
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`network protocol address to which it has been assigned upon connection to the
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`computer network, along with other identification information. The dedicated
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`address directory server maintains a compilation or list of entries, each of which
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`contain a process identifier and the corresponding network protocol address
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`forwarded to the server by the process itself. Other processes wishing to contact
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`a desired target process simply query the address directory server to determine
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`whether the target process is on-line and the current network protocol address at
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`which the target process is located. The server forwards the network protocol
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`address of the target process to the querying process. The querying process
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`utilizes the information to establish a point-to-point communication with the target
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`process.
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`14-
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`Cisco -- Exhibit 1021
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`"'
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`The Examiner is relying primarily on Morgan to disclose a database
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`containing one or more network addresses. The Examiner will note that although
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`a database may be programmable or contain writable memory. such a database
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`does not teach or suggest Applicants' inventive client/service system in which the
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`client processes themselves update the database with their current information.
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`This aspect distinguishes Applicants' system from the art of record.
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`Applicants have cancelled claims 1-4. and 6-11 without prejudice.
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`Accordingly, any rejections of those claims are hereby deemed moot.
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`Applicants have made global amendments to the claims to ensure
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`consistent use terminology throughout the claims and to conform the claims to 35
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`U.S.C. Section 112. 2nd paragraph. Specifically. the term “means" has been
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`eliminated from the remaining pending claims. Also, all occurrences of
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`“processors" have been changed to “process". Various other claims have been
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`made for clarity sake. Such amendments are not necessitated by any reference
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`cited by the Examiner but are offered to clarify the claim language and to more
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`particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which Applicants
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`regard as their invention.
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`The Examiner has rejected the remaining pending claims under 35 USC
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`§103 as being unpatentable over US. Patent 5,740,231 (Cohn et al.) in view of
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`US. Patent 5,524,254 (Morgan et al.). Applicants respectfully assert that the
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`claims, as amended, patentably distinguishes over the combined teachings of
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`Cohn and Morgan for the following reasons. As stated by the Examiner, Cohn
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`does not specify searching a database to match an address with a destination
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`node. Although the sections of Morgan cited by the Examiner disclose an
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`address recognition engine which reads each request and uses the address
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`contained in the request as an index into an information database for look-up of a
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`corresponding entry (Morgan, column 4, lines 44-56), the Examiner has failed to
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`show where Morgan discloses a database in which the client process supply the
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`database with their respective network addresses.
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`Claim 21 is directed to a computer program product for use with a
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`computer system functioning as a client process in the inventive client/server
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`system of the subject application. Claim 21 has been amended to recite
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`"program code for transmitting to the server a network protocol address received
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`by the first process foliowing connection to the computer network " (claim 21,
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`lines 9—10). None of the references cited by the Examiner, whether considered
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`singulariy or in combination, disclose, teach or suggest a process or ciient
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`process which forwards its network protocol address received upon connection to
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`the computer network to a server. As discussed previously. the reporting or
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`"logging-in" of a client process with an address directory server to provide the
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`server with the current network protocol address at which the process can be
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`located is not shown in the prior art.
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`Claim 23 is an apparatus claim directed to the server portion of Applicants'
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`inventive system. Claim 23 has been amended to now recite an apparatus
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`comprising a processor. a network interface and "a memory
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`for storing a
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`network protocol address for selected of a plurality of processes, each network
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`protocol address stored in the memory following connection of the respective
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`process to the computer network" (claim 23. lines 7-10). Claim 23 is believed
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`patentable over the art of record. particularly the Morgan reference. as none of
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`the references disclose or suggest. whether considered singularly or in
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`combination the subject matter now claimed. Claim 24 includes all the limitations
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`of claim 23 and is likewise believed patentable over the cited references for the
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`same reasons as claim 23.
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`_
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`Claim 26 recites a method and has been amended similarly to claim 23.
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`Specifically, claim 26 now recites a method for enabling point-to-point
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`communication between a first process and a second process over a computer
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`network including the step of "receiving and storing in a computer memory a
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`respective network protocol address for selected of a plurality of processes that
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`have an on-line status with respect to the computer network, each of the network
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`protocol addresses received foliowing connection of the respective process to the
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`computer network" (claim 26, tines 6-11). As stated previously, none of the
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`references of record, particularly Morgan et at, are believed to disclose a
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`process for storing network protocol address in which the network protocol
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`--.
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`.
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`address are received following connection of the process to the computer
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`network. Claims 27-31 include all the limitations of claim 26 and are likewise
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`believed patentable over the art of record for the same reasons as claim 26.
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`Applicants are puzzled by Examiner’s assertion in Paragraphs 16 and 17
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`of the Office Action that claims 32-42 and 43-53 fail to teach or define beyond the
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`subject matter of claims 1-4. Claims 32-42 are directed to a method for
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`establishing a point-to-point communication link with the user interface of a client
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`process by associating elements representing a communication line and various
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`processes. None of the references cited by the Examiner, including Gordon,
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`Morgan, Cohn and December disclose or suggest a user interface or a technique
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`for establishing communications by manipulation of user interface elements.
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`Claims 43-53 are computer program product claims and are directed to a
`computer program product containing program code for performing a process
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`similar to the method defined in claims 32-42. Applicants respectfully assert that
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`claims 32—53 with, or without the current amendments patentably distinguish over
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`the cited references, whether considered singularly or in combination. Applicants
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`respectfully assert that the Examiner has failed to disclose where any of the cited
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`references teach or suggest a user interface for establishing point-to-point
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`communications by associating user interface elements representing various
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`processes and communication lines.
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`Claim 54 recites a method of locating a process over a computer network
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`comprising the step of “maintaining an Internet accessible list having a plurality of
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`selected entries, each entry comprising an identifier and a corresponding Internet
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`protocol address of a process currently connected to the lntemet, the Internet
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`protocol address added to the list following connection of the process to the
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`computer network" (claim 54, lines 3-7). For reasons similar to those stated with
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`reference to claims 23 and 26, claim 54 is believed patentable over the art of
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`record.
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`Claim 55 also recites a method of locating processes over a computer
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`network. Claim 55 has been amended to include the step of "maintaining. in a
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`computer memory, a network accessible compilation of entries, selected of the
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`entries comprising a network protocol address and a corresponding identifier of a
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`process connected to the computer network, the network protocol address of the
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`corresponding process assigned to the process upon connection to the computer
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`network (claim 55.