Method and system for inviting and creating accounts for prospective users of instant messaging system

Abstract

A system and method for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user of an instant message system. The IM system comprises a plurality of clients (111) having IM applications of the same or different types, selectively interconnected to an IM server (113) by way of the internet (117). The system includes a registration handler (119) for receiving a client specific access address (johnsmith@company.com) of a prospective user (127) on the internet (117) together with a request (115) to register or tentatively register the prospective user (127). A unique identifier assigner is provided to automatically allocate a unique numeric identifier (UIN) to the prospective user (127) and match the UIN to the client specific address (johnsmith@company.com) of the prospective user. An account processor registers or tentatively registers an account for the prospective user (127) in a user database (123) for future use (125) by storing (121) the matched UIN and client specific access address under the UIN in the database. A message despatcher sends a notification (129) of the UIN to the prospective user (127) at the client specific address of the prospective user, either: confirming the registering of the prospective user if the initial sending was associated with a direct request to register from the prospective user; or inviting registration of the prospective user if the initial sending was associated with a request to register from someone other than the prospective user.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a computer network based instant messaging system, and more particularly to a method and system for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user and creating an account for the prospective user to use the system. [0002] This invention has the use of email-based client applications and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network devices such as mobile phones as client applications for accessing and using an instant messaging system for inviting and enrolling prospective users specific application. [0003] Throughout this specification, the word "comprises" should be understood to imply the inclusion of a specified integer or group of integers but not to the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers, unless the circumstances so require. Background technique [0004] With the increasing use of the Internet and electronic mail as a communication medium by all sectors of the community, instant ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0012] A shortcoming of current IM systems is that some are not designed to interface with specific types of client applications or different IM systems, or at least make it difficult to do so

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