IP Verse

Two-Way Real Time Communication System That Allows Asymmetric Participation In Conversations Across Multiple Electronic Platforms

Patent No. US11240183 (titled "Two-Way Real Time Communication System That Allows Asymmetric Participation In Conversations Across Multiple Electronic Platforms") was filed by Disintermediation Services Inc on Sep 29, 2020.

What is this patent about?

’183 is related to the field of real-time communication (RTC) systems, specifically addressing the challenge of enabling communication between users on different platforms and protocols. Traditional RTC systems often require both parties to use the same application or protocol, limiting interoperability. The patent aims to bridge this gap, allowing users on web browsers to communicate with responders using various RTC methods like SMS, instant messaging, or email, without needing a common platform.

The underlying idea behind ’183 is to create a centralized server that acts as an intermediary, translating and routing messages between different communication protocols. This server receives a communication from a web browser user, identifies potential responders based on predefined criteria (e.g., topic of conversation), and then forwards the communication to those responders using their preferred RTC protocol. The server then receives the responses, maps them back to the original conversation, and presents them to the web browser user.

The claims of ’183 focus on a system that receives a request from a web browser, sends a question to the user from a first responder, receives a communication from the user answering the question, and sends that communication to the first responder. The system then determines a conversation identifier , ends the conversation with the first responder, identifies a second responder, determines their communication protocol and address, sends the communication to the second responder, receives a reply, determines the conversation identifier based on the reply, maps the reply to the web browser, and sends the reply to the web browser, all while concealing the responder's communication address.

In practice, the system allows a website visitor to initiate a conversation without needing to install any special software or reveal their contact information. The server uses a database of responders, each with their preferred communication methods and criteria for participation. When a request comes in, the server matches it to suitable responders and forwards the message. The responders can then reply using their preferred method, and the server ensures that the website visitor sees the response in a unified chat window.

This approach differs from prior solutions by providing anonymity and protocol translation . The website visitor doesn't need to know the responder's contact details, and the responder doesn't need to know the visitor's. The server handles the complexities of converting messages between different protocols, allowing for seamless communication between users on disparate systems. This enables a more flexible and accessible real-time communication experience.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2010s when ’183 was filed, at a time when real-time communication (RTC) systems commonly relied on both parties sharing a common communications protocol, the initiating party knowing the recipient's address, and both parties being identified to each other during the communication. Hardware and software constraints made it non-trivial to interconnect various modes of RTC, such as email, SMS, and instant messaging, requiring users to use the same communication protocols and software to chat.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner approved the application because the prior art of record, whether considered individually or in combination, did not teach or suggest the claimed limitations. These limitations include receiving a request from an unauthenticated user of a web browser for a web page, sending a question from a first responder to the unauthenticated user via the web browser, identifying a second responder based on the first communication, and receiving a first reply from the second responder based on the first communication.

Claims

There are 20 claims in total, with claim 1 being the only independent claim. Independent claim 1 is directed to a system for web-based communication involving routing a user's communication from a web browser to a first responder, then to a second responder without revealing the second responder's communication address to the user. The dependent claims generally elaborate on how the system identifies responders, manages conversations, handles communication protocols, and uses conversation identifiers.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Communication address
(Claim 1)		“In some implementations, the initiator does not need to provide a destination address for the communication, and the initiator may remain anonymous to both the system and the responders. In other implementations, the initiator may identify himself to responders.”The address used to send communications to a responder.
Communication protocol
(Claim 1)		“Various implementations add features which allows RTC to occur without the initiator of a communication being required to share a common RTC application or RTC protocol with the recipient(s) or responder(s) to that communication. Various implementations also provide for management of the communication between the initiator from a website or dedicated application, to various responders using a variety of RTC communication methods.”A specific protocol used for communication with a responder.
Conversation identifier
(Claim 1)		“Various implementations add features which allows RTC to occur without the initiator of a communication being required to share a common RTC application or RTC protocol with the recipient(s) or responder(s) to that communication. Various implementations also provide for management of the communication between the initiator from a website or dedicated application, to various responders using a variety of RTC communication methods. In one implementation, these various responses are managed in such a way that the initiator sees them as unified responses within the internet website which the initiator is viewing and communicating with the responders.”A value used to associate communications between the unauthenticated user and responders.
First responder
(Claim 1)		“Various implementations add features which allows RTC to occur without the initiator of a communication being required to share a common RTC application or RTC protocol with the recipient(s) or responder(s) to that communication. Various implementations also provide for management of the communication between the initiator from a website or dedicated application, to various responders using a variety of RTC communication methods.”An initial responder to the unauthenticated user's request.
Unauthenticated user
(Claim 1)		“In some implementations, the initiator does not need to provide a destination address for the communication, and the initiator may remain anonymous to both the system and the responders. In other implementations, the initiator may identify himself to responders.”A user of a web browser who has not been authenticated by the system.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
2:25-cv-00772Aug 8, 2025Disintermediation Services, Inc. V. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
2:25-cv-00771Aug 8, 2025Disintermediation Services, Inc. V. Carvana, Llc
2:25-cv-00773Aug 8, 2025DISINTERMEDIATION SERVICES, INC. v. HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC. et al
2:22-cv-02655Jul 7, 2022DISINTERMEDIATION SERVICES, INC. v. 4 WALLS INC.
6:22-cv-00649Jun 22, 2022Disintermediation Services, Inc. v. Continually Ltd.
6:22-cv-00651Jun 22, 2022Disintermediation Services, Inc. v. Hello UMI S.L.

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US11240183

DISINTERMEDIATION SERVICES INC
Application Number
US17036709
Filing Date
Sep 29, 2020
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Oct 16, 2032
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents