Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to communication bridging in a telecommunication system. According to a specific example, a data-communications service provider uses a data-communication server and a uniform resource locator (URL) generation circuit to form a communication bridge between a different disparate chat rooms. The URL generation circuit generates a URL associated with the communication bridge. Using the generated URL an assimilation and processing circuitry, chat messages may be received and conveys by using the server and respective communication protocols associated with the chat rooms, between participants of the chat rooms.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to communication bridging among disparate platforms in a remote communications environment involving first and second chat rooms. According to a specific example, a communications system is configured to provide remote communications services including a communication bridging service and another type of data communications services, in the remote communications environment. In certain embodiments the system may provide or generate connectivity data, such as a uniform resource locator (URL), to facilitate formation of the communication bridge, and may identify chat room protocols associated with the first and second chat rooms. The system is further configured to translate chat messages using the specifications for the first and second chat room protocols, and transmit chat messages between the first chat room and the second chat room.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to communication bridging among disparate platforms in a remote communications environment involving first and second chat rooms. According to a specific example, a communications system is configured to provide remote communications services including a communication bridging service and another type of data communications services, in the remote communications environment. In certain embodiments the system may provide or generate connectivity data, such as a uniform resource locator (URL), to facilitate formation of the communication bridge, and may identify chat room protocols associated with the first and second chat rooms. The system is further configured to translate chat messages using the specifications for the first and second chat room protocols, and transmit chat messages between the first chat room and the second chat room.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to communication bridging in a telecommunication system. According to a specific example, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication server is provided comprising a uniform resource locator (URL) generation module configured and arranged to form a communication bridge between a first protocol-disparate chat room and a second protocol-disparate chat room in response to receipt of a request from a participant of one of the chat rooms. The URL generation module can identify the participant as being associated with a customer, and redirect the participant to a customer-specific account provided by the communication bridging service. Using the customer-specific account, the URL generation module can generate a URL associated with the communication bridge. Using the generated URL an assimilation and processing module can translate chat messages received, and transmit the translated chat messages between the first chat room and the second chat room.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to communication bridging among protocol-disparate chat rooms in a telecommunication system. According to a specific example, a data communications server data communications server transmits chat messages between a plurality of protocol-disparate chat rooms accessible by users of a communication bridging service, a user interface (UI) circuit receives from a user of a first protocol-disparate chat room, a command requesting formation of a communication bridge associated with the first chat room, and a circuit facilitates formation of the communication bridge by generating a URL (uniform resource locator) associated with the communication bridge, by sharing or distributing the URL to a user of a second protocol-disparate chat room, and forming the communication bridge between the first chat room and the second chat room using the URL.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to communication bridging among disparate platforms in a remote communications environment. According to a specific example, a remote communications service module configured to provide remote communications services including a communication bridging service and another type of data communications services, in the remote communications environment. The communication server further comprises a uniform resource locator (URL) generation module configured to facilitate formation of the communication bridge by generating a URL associated with the communication bridge, and identifying chat room protocols associated with the first and second chat rooms. The server further comprises an assimilation and processing module configured to translate chat messages using the specifications for the first and second chat room protocols, and transmit chat messages between the first chat room and the second chat room.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to communication bridging in a telecommunication system. According to a specific example, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication server is provided comprising a uniform resource locator (URL) generation module configured and arranged to form a communication bridge between a first protocol-disparate chat room and a second protocol-disparate chat room in response to receipt of a request from a participant of one of the chat rooms. The URL generation module can identify the participant as being associated with a customer, and redirect the participant to a customer-specific account provided by the communication bridging service. Using the customer-specific account, the URL generation module can generate a URL associated with the communication bridge. Using the generated URL an assimilation and processing module can translate chat messages received, and transmit the translated chat messages between the first chat room and the second chat room.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to communication bridging among disparate platforms in a virtual office environment. According to a specific example, a virtual service module configured and arranged to provide virtual office services including a communication bridging service and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) conference services, in the virtual office environment. The VoIP communication server further comprises a uniform resource locator (URL) generation module configured and arranged to facilitate formation of the communication bridge by generating a URL associated with the communication bridge, and identifying chat room protocols associated with the first and second chat rooms. The VoIP communication server further comprises an assimilation and processing module configured and arranged to translate chat messages using the specifications for the first and second chat room protocols, and transmit chat messages between the first chat room and the second chat room.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to communication bridging among protocol-disparate chat rooms in a telecommunication system. According to a specific example, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication server is provided comprising a first user interface (UI) module configured and arranged to receive a request to form a communication bridge between a first chat room and a second chat room. The VoIP communication server further comprises a uniform resource locator (URL) generation module configured and arranged to facilitate formation of the communication bridge by generating a URL associated with the communication bridge, and identifying chat room protocols associated with the first and second chat rooms.

Abstract: A visual mapping system and method facilitate communication and collaboration among users sharing visual maps or topics in visual maps. The visual mapping system tracks user presence in individual topics in the visual mapping system. User presence is tracked for users that are online. If an online user is present in a topic, the system displays an indication of such presence in the topic to other online users currently sharing the same topic. The visual mapping system also provides an interface in the visual map through which an online user can initiate communications with other online users that are present in a shared topic. Types of communications that can be initiated through the visual map include chat sessions, instant meetings, telephone calls, and email messages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mind mapping system that supports at least two types of topics: (1) topics that primarily provide a blank space in which text and graphic elements can be inserted by the user and (2) topics that operate as components with predefined behavior for the display of a certain kind of content. The first type of topic is well-known in the art, but the second type is novel. The second type of topic enables users to easily display, view and/or manipulate certain kinds of content within a topic. Examples of the second type of topic include topics that operate as video players for the display of video data, topics that operate as spreadsheet applications for the display of spreadsheet data, topics that operate as calculators for performing mathematical functions, and topics that act as interfaces to external systems, such as email systems, CAD systems, inventory/purchase order systems, and contact-management systems.

Abstract: A visual mapping system and method facilitate communication and collaboration among users sharing visual maps or topics in visual maps. The visual mapping system tracks user presence in individual topics in the visual mapping system. User presence is tracked for users that are online. If an online user is present in a topic, the system displays an indication of such presence in the topic to other online users currently sharing the same topic. The visual mapping system also provides an interface in the visual map through which an online user can initiate communications with other online users that are present in a shared topic. Types of communications that can be initiated through the visual map include chat sessions, instant meetings, telephone calls, and email messages.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system and method for integrating external system data into a visual map. The visual mapping system of the present invention is based on a client-server architecture. A server in the visual mapping system communicates with one or more external systems to import data from such external systems. The server organizes the data into topics for a visual map and stores the topics individually in a database. The server provides the topics to a client visual mapping application to enable users to view external system data through a visual map. The client visual mapping application need not be running for the server to obtain the external system data, and, thus, the present invention provides “backend” integration of external system data. The server can also export data in topics to external systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for storing, searching, and retrieving topics in a visual map. The visual mapping system of the present invention is based on a client-server architecture. Client visual mapping applications on users' computers enable users to create, edit, and view visual maps. The storage and retrieval of data associated with such visual maps is managed by a server in the visual mapping system. The server stores the topics in the visual map in a database. The topics are stored individually and not as part of a visual map file. The topics are indexed to enable the system to quickly perform searches for the topic. The client visual mapping application includes an interface through which a user can enter search criteria for a topic search. Because topics are stored individually in the database and indexed, user can search for topics individually and separately from the visual map file associated with the topics. Topics can be shared across users and across maps.