Method and system for configuring a computer for real-time communication

Abstract

A method and system for configuring a client computer for real-time communication is provided, in which configuration settings are sent to the computer in the form of a configuration document, such as mark-up language document, that is readable by the client computer. The client computer may request the configuration document on an as-needed basis, or may request to be notified whenever new configuration settings are needed.

1 - 36 . (canceled)  
   
   
       37 . A method for ensuring that a client computer on a computer network is properly configured for real-time communication, the method comprising: 
 receiving, from the client computer, a request to be notified when network conditions require a change in configuration settings of the client computer, wherein the configuration settings of the client computer allow the client computer to engage in real-time communication over the computer network;    maintaining a database with the current state of the computer network;    monitoring the database to detect network conditions of network devices other than the client computer that require a change in the configuration settings of the client computer; and    in response to detecting a network condition that requires a change in the configuration settings of the client computer, 
 generating new configuration settings for the client computer; and  
 transmitting the new configuration settings to the client computer so that the client computer can update its configuration settings with the new configuration settings to engage in real-time communication over the computer network with the detected network conditions and so that the new configuration settings are automatically transmitted to the client computer without the need for the client computer to initiate the transmission.  
   
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the receiving step comprises: 
 receiving a subscribe message formatted according to a session initiation protocol wherein the subscribe message identifies the user that is operating the client computer and includes a request for that user's profile that indicates how the client computer should be conducting real-time communication over the network.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein monitoring the network includes monitoring a database comprising configuration settings for allowing computers on the computer network to conduct real-time communication, wherein the database is distinct from the client computer.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the configuration settings include the network address of the server computer that the client computer needs to contact in order to set up a real-time communication session.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the transmitting step comprises: 
 inserting the new configuration settings into a message formatted according to a session initiation protocol; and    transmitting the message to the client computer.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the inserting step comprises inserting into the message a block of mark-up language text that includes the new configuration setting.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the client computer is currently configured for real-time communication according to a set of old configuration settings, and wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting to the client computer changes that are to be made to the old configuration settings in order to derive the new configuration settings.  
   
   
       44 . A method in a client computer for singing up for a telephony service through a telephony service provider, the telephony service being provided over a computer network, by a method comprising: 
 receiving an electronic mail message that contains an indication of a telephony service that can be provided through a client computer and contains a link for signing up for the telephone service;    after a user selects the link, 
 displaying a web page that prompts the user for identifying information;  
 sending to a server the identifying information input by the user;  
 receiving from the server a profile of the user that includes configuration settings that allows the user to use the telephone service; and  
   after network conditions of a network device change in a way that require a change in the configuration settings of the client computer, receiving from the server the profile of the user with new configuration settings so that the client computer can update its configuration settings with the new configuration settings to make use of the telephony service over the computer network with the changed network conditions and so that the new configuration settings are automatically received at the client computer.    
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the user signs up with another telephony service provider that provides another profile with configuration settings for the other telephony service, so that the user can chose between telephony services depending on a destination number to be called.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the user uses a single client program to use either of the telephony services.  
   
   
       47 . A system for facilitating real-time communication in a computer network, the system comprising: 
 a client computer executing one or more programs for performing steps comprising engaging in real-time communication on the computer network based on configuration settings that change based on changes in network conditions; and    a server computer executing one or more programs for performing steps comprising: 
 monitoring conditions on the computer network to detect network conditions of network devices that require a change in the configuration settings of the client computer;  
 when a network condition that requires a change in the configuration settings of the client computer is detected, 
 automatically generating new configuration settings for the client computer; and  
 transmitting the new configuration setting to the client computer over the computer network, so that the client computer can update its configuration settings with the new configuration settings to engage in real-time communication over the computer network with the detected network conditions.  
 
   
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the one or more programs executing on the client computer perform further steps comprising transmitting a request for the latest version of the configuration settings to the server computer.  
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the configuration settings include the network address of a server that the one or more programs executing on the client should use to engage in real-time communication on the network.  
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the one or more programs executing on the server computer perform further steps comprising: 
 generating a message formatted according to a session initiation protocol: and including the new configuration setting within the message, and    wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting the message to the client computer.    
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the one or more programs executing on the client computer perform further steps comprising: 
 generating a message formatted according to a session initiation protocol;    inserting a request to obtain the new configuration setting into the message; and    transmitting the message to the server computer.    
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the new configuration settings include a configuration document that contains a list of users and an indication of the extent to which each of the users and groups of users is permitted to monitor the presence of the user of the client computer.  
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the new configuration settings include a configuration document that contains a list of other users and groups of users and an indication of the extent to which each of the users and groups of users is permitted to contact, via real time communication, the user of the client computer.  
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 47  wherein the one or more programs executed by the server computer performing steps comprising: 
 receiving a first message from the client computer, the message including the identity of a user of the client computer;    retrieving information as to the extent to which individuals or groups of individuals are permitted to monitor the presence of the user on the computer network and to contact the user via real-time communication;    transmitting the information to the client computer in the form of mark-up language text as part of a second message formatted according to a session initiation protocol    wherein the one or more program executed by the client computer perform further steps comprising:    transmitting the first message to the server computer in the form of a session initiation protocol message.