IP Verse

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

Patent No. US11336597 (titled "Two-Way Real Time Communication System That Allows Asymmetric Participation In Conversations Across Multiple Electronic Platforms") was filed by Disintermediation Services Inc on Jan 11, 2022.

What is this patent about?

’597 is related to the field of real-time communication (RTC) systems, specifically those that facilitate communication between a web browser user and responders using various communication protocols. The background acknowledges the limitations of existing RTC systems, where parties typically need to share a common communication protocol and know each other's addresses beforehand. This creates barriers to seamless communication, especially when a user on a website needs immediate assistance or information.

The underlying idea behind ’597 is to create a communication bridge that allows a user on a web browser to interact with multiple responders using different RTC protocols (e.g., SMS, instant messaging, email) without requiring the user to have any prior knowledge of the responders or their communication preferences. The system acts as an intermediary, routing messages between the web browser and the responders, and maintaining the context of the conversation.

The claims of ’597 focus on a system and method for web-based communication where a communication request is received from a web browser of an unauthenticated user. The system then identifies a second responder based on the initial communication, determines the responder's communication protocol, sends the communication to the second responder, receives a reply, and maps the reply back to the web browser using a conversation identifier .

In practice, a user visiting a website can initiate a conversation by typing a question into a text box. The system assigns a unique conversation identifier to this session. Based on the question's content or other criteria (e.g., website context, user's location), the system identifies potential responders and their preferred communication methods. The user's question is then forwarded to these responders via their preferred channels. Replies are received, mapped back to the original conversation using the identifier, and displayed to the user in the web browser.

This approach differs from prior solutions by providing anonymity to both the user and the responders, if desired. The user doesn't need to provide any personal information, and the responders don't see the user's contact details. Furthermore, the system handles the complexities of different communication protocols, allowing responders to use their preferred methods without requiring the user to install specific software or share a common platform. The system can also manage multiple responders, presenting their replies in a unified interface within the web browser.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2010s when ’597 was filed, real-time communication (RTC) was typically implemented using separate applications or protocols. At a time when systems commonly relied on users knowing each other's specific addresses or identifiers before initiating communication, the interconnection of different RTC modes was not trivial. The ability for an initiator to remain anonymous to responders, while managing conversations across multiple platforms, was not a standard feature.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner allowed the claims because the prior art of record, whether considered individually or in combination, did not teach certain key limitations. Specifically, the prior art failed to teach receiving a communication request from a web browser of an unauthenticated user of a web page, initiating the request from the web page, sending a request for information to the web browser from a first responder for the unauthenticated user as part of a conversation, where the request is sent based on the communication request, identifying a second responder based on the first communication where the second responder is different from the first responder, and receiving a first reply from the second responder based on the first communication.

Claims

This patent includes 20 claims, with independent claims 1 and 18 directed to a system and method for web-based communication involving routing communications from an unauthenticated user to different responders based on the content of the communication. The dependent claims generally elaborate on and refine the features and functionalities described in the independent claims.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Communication protocol
(Claim 1, Claim 18)		“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 by a responder for communication.
Conversation identifier
(Claim 1, Claim 18)		“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, Claim 18)		“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.”One of multiple responders to the communication request.
Second responder
(Claim 1, Claim 18)		“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.”Another responder, different from the first responder, to the communication request.
Unauthenticated user
(Claim 1, Claim 18)		“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. 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.”A user of a web page 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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US11336597

DISINTERMEDIATION SERVICES INC
Application Number
US17573056
Filing Date
Jan 11, 2022
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Oct 16, 2032
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents