Method and system for communicating between clients in a computer network
AssigneeWeb.com, Inc.
InventorJames A. McKeeth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for communicating among clients in a client-server computer network. The method and system allow a client to identify another client using a first identifier, such as a domain name of the other client. It is not necessary for the client to identify the other client with its network address, such as the Internet protocol (IP) address of the other client. The system comprises a server that updates a domain name system (DNS) server with the most recent IP address of the other client. In the event that the other client is off-line, the client may be connected to a Web page of the other client to leave and retrieve messages.
Claims28
A method for updating Domain Name System (DNS) information in response to a change in client status, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a client request to update DNS information on a DNS server, the client being subscribed to a domain name:
- on receipt of the client request, assigning an IP address to the client and updating an entry in an IP address table on the DNS server such that the domain name corresponds with the assigned IP address;
- determining a client status of on-line or off-line;
- and
- responsive to off-line determination, updating the IP address table on the DNS server such that the domain name corresponds with an interactive file.
A method for updating Domain Name System (DNS) information in response to a change in client status, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving identification information from a client, the client being subscribed to a domain name;
- on receipt of the identification information, assigning an IP address to the client and updating an IP address table on the DNS server such that the domain name corresponds to the assigned IP address;
- determining a client status of on-line or off-line;
- and
- responsive to determining the status is off-line, updating the IP address table on the DNS server such that the domain name corresponds to a first web page located on a server.
A computer-readable medium containing a program for updating Domain Name System (DNS) information in response to a change in client on-line/off-line status, the program comprising the steps of:
- receiving a client request to update DNS information on a DNS server, the client being subscribed to a domain name;
- on receipt of the client request, assigning an IP address to the client and updating an entry in an IP address table on the DNS server to match the domain name with the assigned IP address;
- determining a client status of on-line or off-line;
- and
- responsive to off-line determination, updating the IP address table on the DNS server to match the domain name with an interactive file.
A system for updating Domain Name System (DNS) information in response to a change in client status, the system comprising:
- means for receiving a client request to update DNS information on a DNS server, the client being subscribed to a domain name;
- means for assigning, on receipt of the client request, an IP address to the client and updating an entry in an IP address table on the DNS server such that the domain name corresponds with the assigned IP address;
- means for determining a client status of on-line or off-line;
- and
- means for updating, responsive to off-line determination, the IP address table on the DNS server such that the domain name corresponds with a first web page, wherein the first web page is configured to provide information to the first client and configured to allow the first client to leave a message for the second client.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.