US 6,219,710 A
Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer communicationGeneral
US 6,219,710 A
Method and apparatus for peer-to-peer communication
Tech Center:
2100 Computer Architecture and Software
Examiner:
Moustafa M. Meky
Art Unit:
2153 Data Bases & File Management
Inventors:
MATTHEW H. GRAY; JOHN K. HILE; ROBERT D. EVERETT; JEFFERY F. BEAMSLEY; JOHN C. MASTERS
Assignee:
Priority:
05/30/97
Filed:
01/07/00
Granted:
04/17/01
Expiration:
01/07/20
Abstract
Peer-to-peer communication is established between two remote computing units over a network channel, even though a permanent network address is not known. An originating computer sends a message over a monitor channel, such as a circuit-switched telephone line, to a receiving computer creating a triggering event. In response to the triggering event, either the originating computer or the receiving computer determines a network address associated with either the originating computer or the receiving computer. Then, using the network address, peer-to-peer communication between the originating computer and receiving computer is established over the network channel.