Apparatus and method for establishing communication in a computer network

US7039708B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Karl-Heinz Knobl · Katzenelnbogen, DE
• Christof Menzenbach · Wetzlar, DE
• Wolfgang Eibach · Holzgerlingen, DE
• Mark P. Nuttall · Melbourne, AU
• Robert W. Phippen · Romsey, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 31, 1999
• Grant date: May 2, 2006
• Expiry date: Aug 31, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L63/0823
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Provided are apparatus and a method for establishing communications between a Web client computer in a vehicle and a Web server computer connected to the Internet or an intranet, initiated from a remote Web Browser. The Web Browser sends a request to the server, which invokes a process at the server causing a SMS message to be sent to a telephone connected to the client computer. This SMS message includes an identification of the server process (such as a URL) and causes the client computer to establish communications with the server. This allows the Browser to interact with the client computer via a standard Browser request without the overheads of security exposure of requiring the client to be a Web server. The invention is useful for allowing a remote Browser to interact with a computer controlling a vehicle's electronic control systems.