System and method for maintaining presence and communicating over a computer network using the HTTP protocol
View Patent ↗A computer-implemented process facilitates communication with an entity over a network. A static HTTP URL is associated with the entity. Communications information reflecting the entity's current online presence including the entity's dynamic session information as determined using the HTTP protocol is linked with the URL. Communication with the entity is facilitated using the URL and the communications information. The forms of communication facilitated include type chat/instant messaging, voice communication over a computer network, video communication over a computer network, voice communication from a computer network to a telephone network and two-way text messaging to Internet enabled wireless devices.
1. A computer-implemented method for messaging over a network, the network including a host, comprising:
receiving an HTTP request at the host from a user via a client device wherein said client device is behind a firewall or proxy server;
establishing an HTTP connection between the client device and the host;
maintaining said HTTP connection without said host providing a complete HTTP response to said HTTP request; and,
upon said host having a message for said user, providing only a partial HTTP response to said HTTP request wherein said providing only a partial HTTP response to said HTTP request further comprises sending said message to said user over said HTTP connection.
2. A method as in claim 1 wherein said HTTP connection is closed following said sending of said message to said user, and receiving another HTTP request at the host from said user via said client device.
3. A method as in claim 1 wherein said message comprises a SIP message, an instant message, a chat message, a text message, a video message, a voice message, a presence message, a refresh update message and/or an update message.
4. A method as in claim 1 wherein said message is sent from a second user.
5. A method as in claim 4 wherein said message comprises a SIP message, an instant message, a chat message, a text message, a video message, and/or a voice message.
6. A method as in claim 1 wherein said message originates with a server.
7. A method as in claim 6 wherein said message comprises a presence message, a refresh update message and/or an update message.
8. A method as in claim 1 wherein said HTTP connection is maintained open following said providing only a partial HTTP response to said HTTP request.
9. A method as in claim 1 further comprising sending a second message to said user during said maintaining said HTTP connection.
10. A method as in claim 1 further comprising receiving a log in request from said user.
11. A method as in claim 1 further comprising opening a socket for said HTTP connection in a non-blocking manner without creating a new thread for said HTTP connection.
12. A method as in claim 1 further comprising maintaining a socket for said HTTP connection in a non-blocking manner without creating a new thread for said HTTP connection.
13. A method as in claim 1 further comprising establishing a second HTTP connection from said client device to said host.
14. A method as in claim 13 further comprising receiving a message at said host wherein said message comprises a SIP message, an instant message, a chat message, a text message, a video message, or a voice message.
15. A method as in claim 14 comprising sending said message to a second user.
16. A method as in claim 1 wherein said maintaining said HTTP connection without said host providing a complete HTTP response to said HTTP request further comprises writing at least one byte of data to a socket for said HTTP connection.
17. A computer-implemented method for messaging over a network, the network including a host, comprising:
receiving a log in request from a user;
accepting said log in request;
receiving an HTTP request at the host from said user via a client device wherein said client device is behind a firewall or proxy server;
establishing an HTTP connection between the client device and the host;
opening a socket for said HTTP connection;
maintaining said HTTP connection without said host providing a complete HTTP response to said HTTP request;
upon said host having a message for said user, providing only a partial HTTP response to said HTTP request wherein said providing only a partial HTTP response to said HTTP request further comprises sending said message to said user over said HTTP connection.
18. A method as in claim 17 wherein said HTTP connection is closed following said sending of said message to said user, and receiving another HTTP request at the host from said user via said client device.
19. A method as in claim 18 further comprising repeating said method until said user logs off from said network.
20. A method as in claim 19 further comprising providing a table comprising a descriptor of said socket.