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`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`June 06, 2018
`
`THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT ANNEXED IS A TRUE COPY FROM THE
`
`RECORDS OF THIS OFFICE OF THE FILE WRAPPER AND CONTENTS
`
`
`
`OF:
`
`APPLICATION NUMBER: 10/817,994
`
`FILING DATE: April 05, 2004
`PATENT NUMBER:
`7,961,663
`
`ISSUE DATE: June 14, 2011
`
`
`
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`By Authority of the
`UnderSecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property
`and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
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`SEGSEGSERSESESESSSESUESESSTERSTTS
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`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 1
`
`

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`vOSOr0IPA
`
`PTO/SB/05 (01-04)
`Approvedfor use through 07/31/2006. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no pe
`rsons are required to respondto a collection ofinformation unless it displaysavalid OMB control number.
`
`
`
`|AtomeyDocketno.|QL“/
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`UTILITY
`DANIEL T Lyn |
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`PATENT APPLICATION
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`TRANSMITTAL
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`
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`22141
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`|ExpressMaiLabelNo.|ER 0366$039 US
`
`
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
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`Mail Stop Patent Application
`
`
`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`BOTgattasePatents
`ADDRESS TO:
`
`
`
`See MPEP chapter 600 concemingutility patent application contents.
`Alexandria VA 22313-1450
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`
`
`PTO10/817994igU.S.
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`]
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`1]
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`Fee Transmittal Form (e.g., PTO/SB/17)
`1.
`(Submit an original and a duplicate for fee processing)
`2 ey Applicant claims small entity status.
`See 37 CFR 1.27.
`3. Be] Specification
`[Total Pages i
`(preferred arrangementset forth below)
`- Descriptivetitle of the invention
`- Cross Reference to Related Applications
`- Statement Regarding Fed sponsored R & D
`- Reference to sequencelisting, a table,
`or a computerprogramlisting appendix
`- Background of the Invention
`- Brief Summary ofthe Invention
`- Brief Description of the Drawings(if filed)
`- Detailed Description
`- Claim(s)
`- Abstract of the Disclosure
`[Total Sheets 2
`4. EX] Drawing(s) (35 U.S.C. 113)
`.
`[Total Sheets _& )
`5. Oath or Declaration
`_.
`a. Rx] Newly executed (original or copy)
`b. [_] Copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))
`(for continuation/divisional with Box 18 completed)
`
`7. CI CD-ROMor CD-Rin dupticate, large table or
`Computer Program (Appendix)
`8. Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission
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`Cc. J Statements verifying identity
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`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATION PARTS
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`9. ) Assignment Papers (cover sheet & document(s))
`
`
`
`10. ([]
`37 CFR 3.73(b) Statement
`[[] Powerof
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`
`(whenthere is an assignee)
`Attorney
`1.) English Translation Document(ifapplicable)
`
`12. [$& Information Disclosure
`Copiesof IDS
`
`
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`Citations
`
`13. Cc
`Preliminary Amendment
`
`
`14. Cc] Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503)
`
`
`(Should be specifically itemized)
`
`15.) Certified Copyof Priority Document(s)
`
`
`(if foreign priority is claimed)
`
`
`16. C Nonpublication Request under 35 U.S.C. 122
`
`
`
`(b)(2)(B){i). Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/35
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`6. []
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`17. CJ Other: 20...c cece eee ccceeeecteeececcaeeeeuseeeeseeees
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`| 18. ifa CONTINUING APPLICATION, check appropriate box, and supply the requisite information below andin the first sentence of the
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`specification following thetitle, or in an Application Data Sheet under 37 CFR 1.76:
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`of prior application Nou: .............eeeceeeeceneeeneneee
`CJ Continuation
`CJ Divisional
`CJ Continuation-in-part (CIP)
`Art Unit:
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`Examiner
`
`For CONTINUATION ORDIVISIONAL APPSonly; The entire disclosure of the prior application, from which an oath or declaration is supplied under Box
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`5b, is considered a part of the disclosure of the accompanying continuation or divisional application and is hereby incorporated by reference.
`The incorporation can only be relied upon whena portion has been inadvertently omitted from the submitted application parts.
`
`19. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`CI Customer Number:[OR EY Correspondence address below
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`DAMEL FT _tiA
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`if] DELETION OF INVENTOR(S)
`Signed statementattached deleting inventor(s)
`namein the prior application, see 37 CFR
`1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
`
`[Pe
`
`This collection of information ts required by 37 CFR 1.53(b). The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public whichis to file (and by the
`USPTOto process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 12 minutes to complete,
`including gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO.Timewill vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments
`on the amountof time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent
`and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMSTO THIS
`ADDRESS. SEND TO:Mail Stop Patent Application, Commissionerfor Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`Ifyou need assistance in completing the form, call 1-800-PTO-9199 and select option 2.
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 2
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 2
`
`

`

`UnderthePaperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons
`
`quired to
`
`PTO/SB/17 (10-03)
`Approved for use through 07/31/2006. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`
`H
`la
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`nd to a collection of information unless it disp
`valid OMBcontrolnumber.
`
`
`
`April S; eso¥
`[OBE S Ci
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`
`Filing Date
`
`ik
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`Effective 10/01/2003. Patent fees are subject to annualrevision.
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`
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`
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`
`
`
`130 Non-English specification
`1053
`1812 2,520 Forfiling a request for ex parte reexamination
`1804
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`Examiner action
`1805 1,840* Requesting publication of SIR after
`Examineraction
`
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`
`
`FEE TRANSMITTAL}————3”
`
`
`
`
`forFY 2004=|==_|
`
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`Applicantclaims small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27 Cla
`\TOTAL AMOUNTOF PAYMENT _{(8) GSS
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`1812 2,520
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`165 Notice of Appeal
`
`1402
`330
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`2402
`165 Filing a brief in support of an appeal
`Plantfiling fee
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`1403
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`2403
`145 Requestfor ora! hearing
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` 1451
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`1453 1,330
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`2. EXTRA CLAIM FEES FOR UTILITY AND REISSUE}
`
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`2801
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`1802
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`1802
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`of a design application
`and overoriginal patent
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`
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`SUBTOTAL (2)
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`“Reduced by Basic Filing Fee Paid
`
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`OF numberpreviously paid, if greater; For Reissues, see above
`
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`SUBMITTED BY
`
`Fee Description
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`DANGL FT Li
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`[ResisratonNo.7 “4599.5
`
`
`
` WARNING: Information
`be included onthis form. Provide credit card information and authorization on PTO-2038.
`This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.17 and 1.27. The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public whichis to file (and by the
`USPTOto process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 12 minutes to complete,
`including gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Timewill vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments on
`the amountof time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sentto the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.
`SEND TO: Commissionerfor Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`Apple Inc.
`if you need assistance in completing the form, call 1-800-PTO-9199 and selectoption 2.
`PP
`Ex. 1004 - Page 3
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 3
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`IN_THEUNITEDSTATESPATENTANDTRADEMARKOFFICE
`
`
`
`
`
`Applicant:
`
`Daniel J. Lin
`
`Serial No.:
`
`Filed:
`
`April 5, 2004
`
`Group No.:
`
`Batch No.:
`
`Examiner:
`
`PEER-TO-PEER INSTANT MESSAGING
`For:
`METHOD AND DEVICE
`
`Attorney
`Docket No.: DJL-1
`
`Mail Stop Patent Application
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Sir:
`
`the attached Utility Patent Application Transmittal Form, Fee
`I hereby certify that
`Transmittal Form (and check), Declaration for Utility or Design Patent Application, Information
`Disclosure Statement (PTO/SB/08a) (and copies of IDScitations), specification entitled "Peer-to-
`Peer Mobile Instant Messaging Method and Device" and accompanying drawings are being
`deposited with the United States Postal Service as Express Mail in an envelope addressed to:
`Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA, 22313-1450 on this date.
`
`April 5, 2004
`
`Express MailNo: ER036214039 US
`
`.
`
`DA t.
`
`Daniel J. Lin
`Registration No. 47,750
`
`Daniel J. Lin
`240 LombardStreet #839
`San Francisco, CA 94111
`(415) 956-3005(tel)
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 4
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 4
`
`

`

`Peer-to-Peer Mobile Instant Messaging Method and Device
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`The presentinvention relates generally to messaging techniques for mobile devices, and
`more specifically, a technique to establish peer-to-peer session-based instant messaging ("IM")
`communications among mobile devices without the needforIM registration.
`
`10
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`Backgroundofthe Invention
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`35
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`Current instant messaging ("IM") technologies depend uponaregistration system to
`
`enable end users to communicate with one another. For example, to establish an IM session on
`AOL's Instant Messenger("AIM"), each participating end user must have registered with AOL and
`mustlog into an AIM serverin order to use the service. This registration system creates a virtual
`networkof registered users and the value to a newuserin joining an IM serviceis directly related
`to the numberof existing users already registered on the service. As more users register to use
`an IM service, the value of the IM service to registered users increases since registered users will
`be able establish IM sessions with an increasing numberof users. Known as a “network effect,"
`this phenomenon causesa further tipping effect, which is the natural tendency for few (or even a
`single) IM services to pull away from their competitors once they have gained aninitial edge by
`registering a critical mass of users. This tipping effect tends to occur rapidly and stems,in part,
`from users’ inclination to gravitate towards the IM services that they expect will be become
`dominant.
`This tipping effect gives proprietary IM services such as AIM, Microsoft's NET
`Messenger Service, and Yahoo! Messenger, that have achieved a large network of registered
`users, a strong barrier to entry into the IM market. As such, proprietary IM services may be
`reluctant to provide interoperability to other less established IM services since providing such
`accesscould cannibalize their competitive network advantage.
`From a technical perspective, the registration system used in IM servicesis necessary to
`provide presence capabilities.
`In order to establish an IM session, an end user must be
`registered with the IM service so that the end user can log into the service's IM server, which
`broadcasts the end user's availability to engage in IM sessions to an authorized group of the end
`user's peers that have also registered and logged into the IM server. The IM serveralso similarly
`provides the end userwithalist of registered peers that are available to engage in an IM session.
`When end users engage in IM sessions over a traditional connected network environment,
`presence capabilities are a critical characteristic of an IM service because such Capabilities are
`needed to provide an end user's peers with sufficient presence information (i.e., IP address and
`port number) in order to locate the end user within the network and establish a connection
`between the end user and a peerfor an IM session. Furthermore, logging into an IM serveralso
`
`40
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 5
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 5
`
`

`

`enables an end userto indicate whether or not he or she is physically present(e.g., sitting in front
`of a networked workstation or in front of a laptop that is connected the network) and willing to
`
`engagein an IM session.
`However,
`IM services for mobile devices, such as smartphones, appearto have less a
`need for presence capabilities. Unlike establishing an IM session on a laptop, desktop or
`workstation, where the end user must broadcast his or her availability and presence information
`on the network when he or sheis physically sitting in front of the laptop, desktop or workstation,
`establishing an IM session on a mobile device does not suffer from the same presence issues
`because the end useris presumed to be carrying the mobile device at all times. So long as the
`mobile device has enoughcontact information(e.g., cellular telephone number, PIN number,etc.)
`to directly communicate with other mobile devices through the underlying wireless network
`technology (e.g., cellular technology,etc.), an IM session could be initiated and established in a
`mannersimilar to making and answering mobile phonecalls without the need for registering with
`or logging into an IM serverin orderto broadcast presence information to other end users for IM
`
`purposes.
`
`Furthermore, unlike IM services in a traditional connected network environment,
`successful end user adoption of an IM service between mobile devices would not suffer from
`reliance uponestablishing a critical mass of end users througha registration system.
`In contrast,
`such an IM service would be instantly usable to any and all end users of mobile devices so long
`as such mobile devices are already capable of directly communicating with other mobile devices
`through the underlying wireless mobile technology without needing further presence information
`(e.g., cellular phones directly communicating with other cellular phonesthrough cellular telephone
`numbers). As such, what is needed is a methodto establish IM sessions directly between mobile
`devices, where such mobile devices are capable of directly communicating with other mobile
`devices through the underlying wireless technology, such that no IM registration or log-in serveris
`needed to provide presenceinformation to other mobile devicesfor IM purposes.
`Summary of the Invention
`
`The present invention provides a methodfor establishing a peer-to-peer session-based
`IM communications between mobile devices over a digital mobile network system that supports
`data packet-based communications. Underthe presentinvention, no IM registration or IM log-in
`server need be used to provide presence information.
`Instead, a mobile device initiating an IM
`session opensa listening port defined by an underlying data packet based network protocol. The
`initiating mobile device sends an invitation message containing the network address,
`including
`the listening port, of the initiating device to a target mobile device through a page-mode
`messaging service supported by the digital mobile network system. The initiating mobile device
`further utilizes and incorporates a unique identification number (e.g., telephone number, PIN
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 6
`
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`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 6
`
`

`

`number, etc.) associated with the target mobile device into the invitation message to locate and
`contact the target mobile device within the wireless mobile network. Oncethe initiating mobile
`device receives a response from the target mobile device at the listening port, the two mobile
`devices are able to establish a reliable virtual connection through the underlying data packet-
`based network protocol
`in order to exchange text messages directly between the two mobile
`devices through a session-based communication.
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`
`FIGURE 1 depicts a diagram of an environment for establishing an IM session in
`accordance with the present invention betweena first mobile device and a second mobile device
`in a GSM mobile network system supporting GPRS as a data packet-based communications
`service, SMS as a text messaging service, and TCP/IP as an underlying data packet based
`networkprotocol.
`
`FIGURE2 depicts a flow chart for establishing a peer-to-peer session-based IM system
`in accordancewith the presentinvention.
`
`Detailed Description of the Invention
`
`10
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`Figure 1 depicts one environment to deploy an embodimentof the present invention. As
`depicted, the underlying digital mobile network system in this environmentis the Global System
`for Mobile communications (GSM) 100 standard. Under the GSM standard, each of the mobile
`devices 105 and 110 includes a Subscriber Information Module (SIM) card that contains unique
`identification information that enables the GSM system to locate the mobile devices within the
`network and route data to them. A current commercial example of a mobile device (e.g.,
`smartphone, PDA, handheld, etc.) that might be used in Figure 1 could be Research In Motion's
`(RIM) BlackBerry handheld devices, which includes a QWERTY keyboard to facilitate the typing
`of text. As depicted, a GSM architecture includes the following components: base transceiver
`Stations (BTS) 115 and base station controllers (BSC)
`(120A or 120B) for managing the
`transmission of radio signals between the MSC (defined below) and the mobile devices, mobile
`service-switching centers (MSC) (125A and 125B)for performing the all switching functions and
`controlling calls to and from other telephone and data systems, a homelocation register (HLR)
`130 for containing all the administrative,
`routing and location information of each subscriber
`registered in the network,visitor location registers (VLR) (135A and 135B) for containing selected
`administrative information about subscribers registered in one HLR whoare roaming in a another
`HLR, and an equipmentidentity register (EIR) (not shown) for containingalist of all valid mobile
`equipment on the network). As depicted in Figure 1, in one architecture of a GSM network, there
`may be exist one HLR while there may exist multiple MSCs (each with a related VLR) which each
`serves a different geographic area. The MSCsalso provide the interface for the GSM network to
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`more traditional voice networks 170 such as the PSTN. This underlying GSM architecture
`provides radio resources Management(e.g., access, paging and handover procedures, etc.),
`mobility management
`(e.g.,
`location
`updating,
`authentication and security,
`etc.),
`and
`communication management (e.g., call routing, etc.) in order to enable mobile devices in the
`GSM network to send and receive data through a variety of services,
`including the Short
`Message Service (SMS), an asynchronous bi-directional
`text messaging service for short
`alphanumeric messages (up to 160 bytes) that are transported from one mobile device to another
`mobile device in a store-and-forward fashion.
`A GSM network within which the presentinvention may be deployed would also support a
`page-mode messaging service, such as SMS,thatrelies upon the underlying GSM mechanisms
`to resolve routing information in order to locate destination mobile devices.
`Page-mode
`messaging services such as SMStransmit messages that are independent or asynchronous with
`each other, but there is no formal relationship between one message and another.
`In contrast, an
`IM session that is implemented in accordance with the present invention is a session-mode or
`session-based messaging service where exchanged messages are formally associated in a
`session thereby minimizing the overhead costs of transmitting independent messages. A GSM
`network supporting SMS text messaging may further
`include the following SMS specific
`components: a short message service center (SMSC)(140A or 140B)for storing and forwarding
`messages to and from one mobile device to another, an SMS Gateway-MSC (SMS GMSC)for
`receiving the short message from the SMSC (140A or 140B) and interrogating the destination
`mobile device's HLR 130 for
`routing information to determine the current
`location of the
`destination device to deliver the short message to the appropriate MSC (125A or 125B). The
`SMS GMSCis typically integrated with the SMSC 140.
`in a typical transmission of an SMStext
`message from an originating mobile device 105 to a receiving mobile device 110,
`(i) the text
`messageis transmitted from the mobile 105 to the MSC 125A,(ii) the MSC 125A interrogatesits
`VLR 135A to verify that the message transfer does not violate any supplementary services or
`restrictions,(iii) the MSC 125A sends the text message to the SMSC 140A,(iv) the SMSC 140A,
`through the SMS GMSC, interrogates the receiving mobile device's HLR 130 (by accessing the
`SS7 network) to receive routing information for the receiving mobile device 110, (v) the SMSC
`sends the text message to the MSC 125B servicing receiving mobile device 110, (vi) the MSC
`125B retrieves subscriber information from the VLR 135B, and (vii) the MSC 125A transmits the
`text message to the receiving mobile device 110. Similar to other transactions on the GSM
`network, SMS text messaging utilizes telephone numbers as identifying addresses for mobile
`devices and as such,utilizes the SS7 network signaling system through which cellular service
`providers share information from the HLR with other service providers. As depicted in Figure 1,
`SS7 based signaling communication is represented by the broken lines.
`In contrast, the solid
`lines in Figure 1 represent data or voice based communications.
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`In addition to a page-mode messaging service such as SMS, a GSM network within
`which the present
`invention may be deployed would also support a data packet based
`communications service, such as the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS),
`that enables
`TCP/IP transmission protocol based communications between mobile devices within the network.
`As depicted in Figure 1, a core GPRS network exists in parallel
`to the existing GSM core
`network. The BSC 120 maydirect voice traffic through the MSC (125A or 125B) to the GSM
`network and data traffic through the Serving GPRS Support Note (SGSN) (145A or 145B)to the
`GPRS network. Such communication between the BSC (125A or 125B) and the SGSN (145A or
`145B) maybe, for example, based upon the IP network protocol communication 155. As such,
`GPRSsignaling and data traffic do not flow through the core GSM network.
`Instead, the core
`GSMnetwork is used by GPRSonly for table look-up in the HLR 130 and VLR (135A or 135B)to
`obtain routing,
`location and other subscriber information in order to handle user mobility. The
`SGSN (145A or 145B) serves as a "packet-switched MSC," delivering data packets to mobile
`devices in its service area.
`The Gateway GPRS Support Note (GGSN)
`(150A or 150B)
`communicates with the SGSN (145A or 145B) through an IP based GPRS backbone 160 and
`serves as aninterface to other external IP networks 165 such as the Internet and other mobile
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`service providers' GPRSservices.
`WhenanIM service is offered in a traditional online packet based network environment
`such as the Internet,
`the initiating computer must have knowledge of the IP address (and
`possibly, a port) that has been opened onthelistening computer to receive IM communications.
`In order to provide such IP address information, an IM service will set up a log-on or registration
`server through which end users can record the IP address on which they are currently listening
`for instant messaging communications. Because all end users have accessto(i.e., know the IP
`address of) the registration server, they are able to obtain the IP addresses of other end users
`who have also logged-on or registered on the server and therebyinitiate IM sessions directly with
`another end user's computer. Alternatively,
`the log-on or registration server may serve as a
`forwarding agent betweenthe two end users engagedin an instant messaging session.
`In contrast, in accordance with the present invention, a log-on or registration server for IM
`or presence purposescan beeliminated on a mobile network environment such as that depicted
`on Figure 1. Through the use of a page-mode messaging service, such as SMS,whichtransmits
`messages to mobile devices based upontheir telephone numbers,an initiating mobile device can
`transmit its IP address (andalistening port) in an invitation message to a target mobile device
`through the target device's telephone number. Once the target device receives the invitation
`message,it is able to contact theinitiating mobile device through the received IP address and the
`two devices can establish a reliable virtual connection, such as a TCP connection, for session-
`based IM communications. Figure 2 depicts a flow chart depicting the steps taken byaninitiating
`and target mobile device to establish an IM session in accordance with the present invention.
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`Initially, the initiating mobile device opens a TCPport to listen for communications from the target
`mobile device 210. The target mobile device has also similarly opened an SMS listening port to
`receive invitation SMS text messagesat the specified SMS port 220. The initiating mobile device
`then transmits its IP address (and TCPport) in an invitation SMS text messageto the telephone
`phone number and a specified SMS port of the target mobile device 230. The target mobile
`device receives the SMStext message containing theinitiating mobile device's IP address (and
`TCP port) at the specified SMS port 240. The target mobile device extracts the IP address and
`TCPport from the SMStext message and opensits own TCP port 250. The target mobile device
`then transmits a requestto establish a TCP connection to theinitiating mobile device's IP address
`and TCPport 260. The initiating mobile device receives this request 270 and a TCP connection
`is established between the IP addresses and TCP ports of the initiating and listening mobile
`devices and these devices are able to engagein an IM session overa reliable virtual connection
`
`280.
`
`While the foregoing detailed description has described the present invention using SMS,
`GSM, GPRS,and TCPIAIP, other similar services and protocols may be usedin a variety of similar
`environments in which the present invention may be implemented. For example and without
`limitation, rather than using SMSto transmit an IP address (and port) from the initiating mobile
`device to the listening mobile device through the devices’ telephone numbers, an alternative
`embodiment of the present invention might use a PIN-to-PIN messaging technology (as, for
`example, offered in RIM's Blackberry handheld devices) to transmit the IP address (and port)
`through unique PIN numbers associated with the mobile devices, or an alternative paging
`protocol using telephone numbers. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates that the
`actual protocol used during an established IM session may also vary depending upon the
`preference of the implementation. For example and withoutlimitation, Message Session Relay
`Protocol (MSRP) or any proprietary based protocol may be used during the IM session that is
`established in accordance with the present invention. Thus, various modifications, additions and
`substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these
`are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
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`Whatis claimedis:
`
`1. A method of establishing session-based instant messaging communications between mobile
`devices that support a data packet-based communications service over a digital mobile network
`system, the method comprising:
`
`openingalistening port on an initiating mobile device to receive communications through
`the data packet-based communications service;
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`transmitting an invitation message containing the address and the listening port of the
`initiating mobile device to a target mobile device through a page-mode messaging
`service, wherein the target mobile device is located by providing to the page-mode
`messaging service a unique identification number that
`is used by the digital mobile
`network system to locate the target mobile device;
`
`receiving a response from the target mobile device at the listening port on the initiating
`wireless device through the data packet-based communications service; and
`
`establishing a virtual connection through the data packet-based communications service
`for the session-basedinstant messaging session betweenthe initiating mobile device and
`the target mobile device.
`
`2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising:
`
`opening a second listening port on the initiating mobile device to receive invitation
`messages through the page-mode messaging service;
`
`receiving, at the secondlistening port and through the page-mode messaging service, a
`message from another mobile device invit