`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a @qu r‘ ‘
`xxx WV r
`Iw 7681054
`7 ::
`v
`I mWfil
`..
`’
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I
`v
`I
`w
`
`
`
`
`
`J E‘
`I95“
`_.
`3% T
`459—,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`W
`
`« V,
`
`5
`
`.
`
`‘31“
`W
`V
`
`;
`
`a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`:TOWH;.Mi'flHESIEPRESENT; SHAH9 CHM 2::
`
`
`W
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`
`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
`
`
`
`,
`
`, gm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`By Authority of the
`
`Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property
`and DirectOr of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`fig
`3%}:
`
`
`
`P. R. GRANT
`
`Certifying Officer
`
`
`
`
`
`:‘9$;- i
`'99 :" "'99s:
`_
`.41
`j
`_ 4&1 ‘:
`IT '
`"669 ; W99
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I ”III
`llUH‘fHIllllll
`4anniIHIIlbllmmmnmlnHimmllmmmlmHHHHHHmlllmml llll HHHUILH mmumImmmnm uhmumrmrmnnumuunnmum
`x 1mm ll!
`III!
`H In |
`HMI
`ml
`1!
`4|
`I
`H
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 1
`
`
`
`17090170IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIll
`
`Under the Panrvork Reduction Act of 1995 no 7. :
`
`PTO/SB/OS (01-04)
`Approved for use through 07/31/2006. OMB 0651-0032
`US. Patent and Trademark Office. US. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`rsons are re uire to re ond to a collection of information unless it dis-Ia s a valid OMB control number.
`
`UTILITY
`
`.
`
`PATENT APPLICATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`__,
`TRANSMITTAL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`—_
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1. 53(b))
`
`
`
`Mail Stop Patent Application
`
`
`
`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`ggngfigggrmam
`ADDRESS TO:
`
`
`
`See MPEP chapter 600 concerning utility patent application contents.
`Alexandria VA 22313-1450
`
`
`
`us.PTO10/817994
`
`22141
`
`lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`1. Ea Fee Transmittal Form (e.g., PTO/SB/17)
`(Submit an original and a duplicate for fee processing)
`2 E5 Applicant claims small entity status.
`See 37 CFR 1.27.
`[Total Pages M
`3. g Specrfication
`(preferred arrangement set forth below)
`- Descriptive title of the invention
`- Cross Reference to Related Applications
`- Statement Regarding Fed sponsored R 8r D
`- Reference to sequence listing, a table,
`or a computer program listing appendix
`- Background of the Invention
`— Brief Summary of the Invention
`- Brief Description of the Drawings (if filed)
`- Detailed Description
`- Claim(s)
`- Abstract of the Disclosure
`
`7. [3 CD-ROM or CD-R in duplicate, large table or
`Computer Program (Appendix)
`8. Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission
`(if ap licable, all necessary)
`a.
`Computer Readable Form (CRF)
`
`]
`
`b.
`
`Specification Sequence Listing on:
`
`i. CI CD-ROM orCD—R (2 copies); or
`
`ii. I: Paper
`
`[TotalSheets
`
`2"
`
`1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of above co-ies
`
`
`
`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATION PARTS
`
`
`
`
`9. I: Assignment Papers (cover sheet&document(s))
`4. If Drawing(s) (35 U.S.C. 113)
`
`10. [:1 37 CFR 3.73(b) Statement
`[:1 Power of
`
`
`(when there is an assignee)
`Attorney
`.
`[Total SheetsLI 11. CI
`English Translation Document (ifa
`licable)
`,
`.
`5‘ Oath or Declaration
`
`
`a. K Newly executed (0"9'"aI or 0°”)
`12. [g Information Disclosure
`Copies of IDS
`
`
`Statement (IDS)/PTO—1449
`Citations
`
`
`b. |:] Copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))
`
`Preliminary Amendment
`13. I:I
`(for continuation/divisional with Box 18 completed)
`14. [3 Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503)
`(Should be specifically itemized)
`
`15. CI Certified Copy of Priority Document(s)
`
`(if foreign priority is claimed)
`
`
`16. CI Nonpublication Request under 35 U.S.C. 122
`
`(b)(2)(B)(i). Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/35
`or its equivalent.
`
`17. I:I Other: ...............................................................
`
`
`i. E) DELETION OF |NVENTOR(S)
`Signed statement attached deleting inventor(s)
`name in the prior application. see 37 CFR
`1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6. El
`Application Data Sheet. See 37 CFR 1.76
`
`
`
`' 18. If a CONTINUING APPLICATION, check appropriate box, and supply the requisite information below and in the first sentence of the
`
`specification following the title, or in an Application Data Sheet under 37 CFR 1. 76:
`
`
`
`of prior application No.: .................................
`D Divisional
`CI Continuation
`Art Unit:
`Examiner
` Pn'or application information:
`For CONTINUATION OR DNISIONAL APPS only; The entire disclosure of the prior application, from which an oath or declaration Is supplied under Box
`
`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 when a portion has been inadvertently omitted from the submitted application parts.
`19. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`I:I Continuation-impart (CIP)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I:I Customer Number:
`
`Dé‘N/w;
`
`_.r em
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OR X Correspondence address below
`—
`
`
`_°"”_«S‘Wamirw
`
`
`
`e, fi7$1§00r _—
`—Country—(/5fl
`Registration No. (Attomey/Agent)
`3/ 7 7g?
`Name (Print/Type) D 4 til/GK (1' LI”
`
`
`m ,
`92 z:
`
`This collection of information IS required by 37 CFR 1.53(b). The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the
`USPTO to 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. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments
`on the amount of time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief lnforrnation Officer, U.S. Patent
`and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, PO. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS
`ADDRESS. SEND To: Mail Stop Patent Application, Commissioner for 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
`
`
`
`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
`
`
`Under the _aeork Redution Act of 15 n e_g Uired to end to a collection of imrmoatio unless it dis-Ia
`valid ONInInumer.
`
`
`
`l
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2251
`2252
`2253
`
`55 Extension for reply within first month
`210 Extension for reply within second month
`475 Extension for reply within third month
`
`740 Extension for reply within fourth month
`2254
`2255 1,005 Extension for reply within fifth month
`
` 1451
`
`ETMNSMITTA_l
`
`
`
`for FY 2004
`E Filing Date
`E flffll S} WV
`
`
`
`
`
`_—Effective 10/01/2003. Patent fees are subject to annual revision. E FIrst Named Inventor ~ 04” 61 J é/fl/
`
`-.w“_—
`
`
`Applicant claims small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27
`Art Unit —
`
`
`. TOTAL AMOUNT OF PAYMENT
`($) é $5“
`X
`
`
`E '
`‘ METHOD OF PAYMENT (check all that apply)
`
`
`
`
`ECheck D Credit card E] Money
`
`
`D Deposit Account:
` Fee Description
`Deposit
`
`Account
`1051
`130
`Number
`2051
`65 Surcharge - late filing fee or oath
`
`
`
`Deposit
`1052
`50
`2052
`25 Surcharge - late provisional filing fee or
`Account
`
`cover sheet
`
`
`Name
`
`1053
`130
`130 Non-English specification
`1053
`
`
`
`; The Director is authorized to: (check all that apply)
`1812 2,520
`1812 2520 For filing a request for ex parte reexamination
`
`
`
`Charge fee(s) indicated below D Credit any overpayments
`
`1804
`920' 1804 920' Requesting publication of SIR prior to
`
`Examiner action
`D Charge any additional fee(s) or any underpayment of fee(s)
`
`
`
`
`1805 1,840'
`1805 1.840“ Requesting publication of SIR after
`EDCharge fee(s) indicated below. except for the filing fee
`
`
`
`Examiner action
`
`
`
`“ to the above-identit'ed deposit account.
`
`1251
`1 10
`
`
`FEE CLCULAT'ON
`
`
`1252
`420
`
`
`
`FILING FEE
`
`
`1253
`950
`Large Entity Small Entity
`
`
`
`Fee Descrigtlon
`1254 1.480
`
`
`
`1255 2.010
`
`
`
`Utility filing fee
` 2001 385
`
`1401
`330
`2002 170
`Design filing fee
`165 Notice of Appeal
` 2401
`
`
`
`1402
`330
`165 Filing a brief in support of an appeal
`2402
`2003 265
`Plant filing fee
`
`
`
`
`1403
`290
`145 Request for oral hearing
`2403
`2004 385 .
`Reissue filing fee
`
`
`
`
`1451 1,510
`1.510 Petition to institute a public use proceeding
`2005
`80
`Provisional filing fee
`
`
`
`1452
`110
`2452
`55 Petition to revive - unavoidable
`
`
`
`
`($) 373‘
`SUBTOTAL (1)
`.
`
`
`2453
`665 Petition to revive - unintentional
`1453 1,330
`
`
`
`
`
`2. EXTRA CLAIM FEES FOR UTILITY AND REISSUE
`1501 1.330
`Fee from
`.
`665 Utility issue fee (or reissue)
`2501
`
`
`
`
`Extra Claims
`Fee Pald II
`1502
`480
`
`240 Design issue fee
`2502
`
`
`
`
`
`1503
`640
`320 Plant issue fee
`2503
`Total Claims
`.20" =
`X =-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1460
`130
`ggrnegndem
`=
`x I: 4:
`1460
`130 Petitions to the Commissioner
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1807
`50
`Multiple Dependent
`: :1:
`
`
`1807
`50 Processing fee under 37 CFR 1.17(q)
`
`
`1806
`180
`1806
`180 Submission of Information Disclosure Stmt
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fee Description
`
`
`
`8021
`40
`
`
`
`
`
`2202
`9 Claims in excess of 20
`
`
`
`1809
`770
`
`1201
`86
`
`
`
`
`2201
`43
`Independent claims in excess of 3
`
`
`1203 290
`1810
`770
`2203 145 Multiple dependent claim. if not paid
`
`
`
`
`
`1204
`86
`2204
`43
`“ Reissue independent claims
`
`
`
`
`1801
`770
`over original patent
`
`
`
`
`1802
`900
`“ Reissue claims in excess of 20
`1205
`18
`
`
`
`
`and over original patent
`
`
`Other fee (specify)
`
`
`suarom (2)
`3
`‘Reduoed by Basic Filing Fee Paid
`
`
`I
`. ”or number reviousl aid, if creater; For Reissues, see above
`
`
`
`‘ SUBMITTED BY
`
`
`
`Wm
`
`40 Recording each patent assignment per
`property (times number of properties)
`385 Filing a submission after final rejection
`(37 CFR 1.129(3))
`385 For each additional invention to be
`examined (37 CFR 1.129(b))
`385 Request for Continued Examination (ROE)
`900 Request for expedited examination
`of a design application
`
`
`
`aGI
`
`
`
`8021
`
`2809
`
`2810
`
`2801
`1802
`
`2205
`
`9
`
`we .7- w
`
`
`WARNING: InformatIon on this form may become public. Credit card Information should not
`be included on this 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 which is to file (and by the
`USPTO to 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. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments on
`the amount of 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 FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS.
`SEND TO: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`A le Inc.
`If you need assistance in completing the form, call 1—800-PTO-9199 and select option 2,
`pp
`Ex. 1004 - Page 3
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 3
`
`
`
`WW
`
`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-l
`
`Mail Stop Patent Application
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Sir:
`
`I hereby certify that
`
`the attached Utility Patent Application Transmittal Form, Fee
`
`Transmittal Form (and check), Declaration for Utility or Design Patent Application, Information
`
`Disclosure Statement (PTO/SB/08a) (and copies of HDS citations), 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, PO. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA, 22313-1450 on this date.
`
`April 5, 2004
`
`Express Mail No: ER 036214039 US
`
`‘
`
`Z ’/ A
`
`Daniel J. Lin
`
`Registration No. 47,750
`
`Daniel J. Lin
`
`240 Lombard Street #839
`
`San Francisco, CA 941 1 1
`(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 present invention 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 need for IM registration.
`
`Background of the Invention
`
`technologies depend upon a registration system to
`Current instant messaging ("IM")
`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
`must log into an AIM server in order to use the service. This registration system creates a virtual
`network of registered users and the value to a new user in joining an IM service is directly related
`
`this phenomenon causes a further tipping effect, which is the natural tendency for few (or even a
`single) lM services to pull away from their competitors once they have gained an initial 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 lM services may be
`reluctant to provide interoperability to other less established IM services since providing such
`access could cannibalize their competitive network advantage.
`From a technical perSpective, the registration system used in IM services is necessary to
`provide presence capabilities.
`in order to establish an IM session, an end user must be
`registered with the M service so ”that the end user can log into the service's lM 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 M server also similarly
`provides the end user with a list 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 peer for an IM session. Furthermore, logging into an IM server also
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 5
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 5
`
`
`
`enables an end user to 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
`engage in an IM session.
`
`IM services for mobile devices, such as smartphones, appear to have less a
`However,
`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 she is 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 user is presumed to be carrying the mobile device at all times. So long as the
`mobile device has enough contact 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
`manner similar to making and answering mobile phone calls without the need for registering with
`or logging into an IM server in order to broadcast presence information to other end users for lM
`purposes.
`
`Furthermore, unlike lM services in a traditional connected network environment,
`successful end user adoption of an IM service between mobile devices would not suffer from
`reliance upon establishing a critical mass of end users through a 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 phones through cellular telephone
`numbers). As such, what is needed is a method to establish lM 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 server is
`needed to provide presence information to other mobile devices for lM purposes.
`
`Summary of the Invention
`
`The present invention provides a method for establishing a peer-to-peer session-based
`lM communications between mobile devices over a digital mobile network system that supports
`data packet-based communications. Under the present invention, no N registration or IM log-in
`server need be used to provide presence information.
`Instead, a mobile device initiating an IM
`session opens a 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
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25‘
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 6
`
`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. Once the 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 between a 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
`
`network protocol.
`
`FIGURE 2 depicts a flow chart for establishing a peer-to-peer session-based IM system
`in accordance with the present invention.
`
`Detailed Description of the Invention
`
`Figure 1 depicts one environment to deploy an embodiment of the present invention. As
`
`depicted, the underlying digital mobile network system in this environment is 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 (380) (120A or 1203) for managing the
`
`transmission of radio signals between the MSC (defined below) and the mobile devices, mobile
`
`service-switching centers (MSC) (125A and 1258) for performing the all switching functions and
`
`controlling calls to and from other telephone and data systems, a home location 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 1353) for containing selected
`
`administrative information about subscribers registered in one HLR who are roaming in a another
`
`HLR, and an equipment identity register (EIR) (not shown) for containing a list 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 M805 also provide the interface for the GSM network to
`
`1O
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 7
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 7
`
`
`
`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.
`
`page-mode messaging service, such as SMS, that relies upon the underlying GSM mechanisms
`to resolve routing information in order to locate destination mobile devices.
`Page-mode
`messaging services such as SMS transmit 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
`
`components: a short message service center (SMSC) (140A or 1408) for storing and fon/varding
`messages to and from one mobile device to another, an SMS Gateway-MSG (SMS GMSC) for
`receiving the short message from the SMSC (140A or 1403) 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 1258). The
`SMS GMSC is typically integrated with the SMSC 140.
`In a typical transmission of an SMS text
`message from an originating mobile device 105 to a receiving mobile device 110,
`(i) the text
`message is transmitted from the mobile 105 to the MSC 125A, (ii) the MSC 125A interrogates its
`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 1258 servicing receiving mobile device 110, (vi) the MSC
`1258 retrieves subscriber information from the VLR 1353, 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.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
`
`Apple Inc.
`' Ex. 1004 - Page 8
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 8
`
`
`
`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 may direct voice traffic through the MSC (125A or 1258) to the GSM
`
`network and data traffic through the Serving GPRS Support Note (SGSN) (145A or 1458) to the
`
`GPRS network. Such communication between the BSC (125A or 1258) and the SGSN (145A or
`
`1458) may be, for example, based upon the IP network protocol communication 155. As such,
`
`GPRS signaling and data traffic do not flow through the core GSM network.
`
`Instead, the core
`
`GSM network is used by GPRS only for table look-up in the HLR 130 and VLR (135A or 1358) to
`
`obtain routing,
`
`location and other subscriber information in order to handle user mobility. The
`
`SGSN (145A or 1458) serves as a "packet-switched MSC," delivering data packets to mobile
`
`devices in its service area.
`
`The Gateway GPRS Support Note (GGSN)
`
`(150A or 1508)
`
`communicates with the SGSN (145A or 1458) through an IP based GPRS backbone 160 and
`
`serves as an interface to other external IP networks 165 such as the Internet and other mobile
`
`service providers' GPRS services.
`When an IM 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 on the listening 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 access to (Le, 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 thereby initiate IM sessions directly with
`
`another end user's computer. Alternatively,
`
`the log—on or registration server may serve as a
`
`fowvarding agent between the two end users engaged in an instant messaging session.
`
`In contrast, in accordance with the present invention, a log-on or registration sewer for IM
`
`or presence purposes can be eliminated on a mobile network environment such as that depicted
`
`on Figure 1. Through the use of a page-mode messaging service, such as SMS, which transmits
`
`messages to mobile devices based upon their telephone numbers, an initiating mobile device can
`
`transmit its IP address (and a listening 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 the initiating 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 lM communications. Figure 2 depicts a flow chart depicting the steps taken by an initiating
`
`and target mobile device to establish an IM session in accordance with the present invention.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 9
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 9
`
`
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`then transmits a request to establish a TCP connection to the initiating mobile device's IP address
`and TCP port 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 engage in an IM session over a reliable virtual connection
`280.
`
`While the foregoing detailed description has described the present invention using SMS,
`GSM, GPRS, and TCP/IP, other similar services and protocols may be used in a variety of similar
`environments in which the present invention may be implemented. For example and without
`limitation, rather than using SMS to 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 PlN-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 lM session may also vary depending upon the
`preference of the implementation. For example and without limitation, 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.
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 10
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 10
`
`
`
`What is claimed is:
`
`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:
`
`opening a listening port on an initiating mobile device to receive communications through
`the data packet-based communications service;
`
`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-based instant messaging session between the initiating mobile device and
`the target mobile device.
`
`2. The method of claim 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 second listening port and through the page-mode messaging service, a
`message from another mobile device inviting the initiating mobile device to establish an
`instant messaging session, wherein such message contains the address and listening
`port of the other mobile device; and
`
`transmitting a response to the address and listing port of the other mobile device through
`the data packet-based communications service, wherein the response acknowledges the
`ability to establish a virtual reliable connection.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`3. The method of claim 1 wherein the data packet-based communications service is GPRS and
`the digital mobile network system is GSM.
`
`40
`
`4. The method of claim 1 wherein the initiating mobile device and the target mobile device
`include QWERTY keyboards.
`
`Apple Inc.
`EX. 1004 - Page 11
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1004 - Page 11
`
`
`
`5. The method of claim 1 wherein the address of the initiating mobile device is an IP address and
`the listening port is a TCP port.
`
`6. The method of claim 1 wherein the page-mode messaging service is SMS.
`7. The method of claim 1 wherein the page-more messaging service is a PlN-to—PlN messaging
`service.
`
`8. The method of claim 1 wherein the unique identification number is a telephone number.
`9. The method of claim 1 wherein the u