Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods include receiving a message by a communication client, where the message includes a trigger event that is to occur for a condition to be checked, and the condition includes a parameter value for evaluating whether the condition has been satisfied. The systems and methods further include monitoring a user terminal subsequent to receiving the message to determine whether the trigger event occurs at the user terminal in addition, the disclosed systems and methods determine whether the condition has been satisfied at the user terminal in response to a determination that the trigger event occurred, and display a selectable option for reconfiguring an attribute of the communication client in response to a determination that the condition has been satisfied.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of delivering messages to a user of a user terminal executing a communication client and connected to a packet-based communication network, includes receiving a message at the communication client from the communication network, the message comprising a content portion and a control portion, wherein the content portion comprises information intended for display to the user of the user terminal, and storing the message in a data store at the user terminal. The communication client reads the control portion and extracts data defining a trigger event and a condition. The communication client is monitored to determine whether the communication client state corresponds to the trigger event. Responsive to the communication client state corresponding to the trigger event, the communication client determines whether the condition is met. In the case that the condition is met, the content portion of the message is displayed in the communication client.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of delivering messages to a user of a user terminal executing a communication client and connected to a packet-based communication network, includes receiving a message at the communication client from the communication network, the message comprising a content portion and a control portion, wherein the content portion comprises information intended for display to the user of the user terminal, and storing the message in a data store at the user terminal. The communication client reads the control portion and extracts data defining a trigger event and a condition. The communication client is monitored to determine whether the communication client state corresponds to the trigger event. Responsive to the communication client state corresponding to the trigger event, the communication client determines whether the condition is met. In the case that the condition is met, the content portion of the message is displayed in the communication client.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of delivering messages to a user of a user terminal executing a communication client and connected to a packet-based communication network, includes receiving a message at the communication client from the communication network, the message comprising a content portion and a control portion, wherein the content portion comprises information intended for display to the user of the user terminal, and storing the message in a data store at the user terminal. The communication client reads the control portion of the message and extracts data defining a trigger event and a condition. The communication client is monitored to determine whether the communication client state corresponds to the trigger event. Responsive to the communication client state corresponding to the trigger event, the communication client determines whether the condition is met. In the case that the condition is met, the content portion of the message is displayed in the communication client.

Abstract: There is provided a peer-to-peer telephone system comprising a plurality of end-users and a communication structure through which one or more end-users are couplable for communication purposes. The system is distinguished in that the communication structure is substantially de-centralized with regard to communication route switching therein for connecting the one or more end-users. One or more end-users are operable to establish their own communication routes through the structure based on exchange of one or more authorization certificates, namely User Identity Certificates (UIC), to acquire access to the structure. The structure comprises an administration arrangement for issuing said one or more certificates to said one or more end-users.

Abstract: There is provided a peer-to-peer telephone system comprising a plurality of end-users and a communication structure through which one or more end-users are couplable for communication purposes. The system is distinguished in that the communication structure is substantially de-centralized with regard to communication route switching therein for connecting the one or more end-users. One or more end-users are operable to establish their own communication routes through the structure based on exchange of one or more authorization certificates, namely User Identity Certificates (UIC), to acquire access to the structure. The structure comprises an administration arrangement for issuing said one or more certificates to said one or more end-users.

Abstract: There is provided a peer-to-peer telephone system comprising a plurality of end-users and a communication structure through which one or more end-users are couplable for communication purposes. The system is distinguished in that the communication structure is substantially de-centralized with regard to communication route switching therein for connecting the one or more end-users. One or more end-users are operable to establish their own communication routes through the structure based on exchange of one or more authorisation certificates, namely User Identity Certificates (UIC), to acquire access to the structure. The structure comprises an administration arrangement for issuing said one or more certificates to said one or more end-users.

Abstract: A method of transferring a communication event from a calling user to at least one destination user is provided. The method comprises a communication client of the calling user establishing a connection with a communication client of an intermediate user over a packet-based communication network, the intermediate user selecting to transfer the connection to the at least one destination user by actuating a control displayed in the communication client of the intermediate user, the communication client of the intermediate user transmitting a message to the communication client of the calling user comprising at least one network identity of the at least one destination user, and the communication client of the calling user receiving the message and establishing a connection with a communication client of the at least one destination user using the network identity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of delivering messages to a user of a user terminal executing a communication client and connected to a packet-based communication network, includes receiving a message at the communication client from the communication network, the message comprising a content portion and a control portion, wherein the content portion comprises information intended for display to the user of the user terminal, and storing the message in a data store at the user terminal. The communication client reads the control portion of the message and extracts data defining a trigger event and a condition. The communication client is monitored to determine whether the communication client state corresponds to the trigger event. Responsive to the communication client state corresponding to the trigger event, the communication client determines whether the condition is met. In the case that the condition is met, the content portion of the message is displayed in the communication client.

Abstract: There is provided a distributed database system comprising a plurality of participating nodes mutually interconnected via a communication network. The participating nods include a first subset of storage nodes and a second subset of interfacing nodes. The storage nodes are grouped into a plurality of slots, each storage node having stored therein addresses of substantially al other storage nodes in its particular slot. The storage nodes of each slot further have stored therein one or more addresses of storage nodes in all other of the slots of the system. The interfacing nodes each have stored therein addresses of one or more of the storage nodes. The storage nodes are operable to store one or more data records therein and/or retrieve one or more data records therefrom in response to instructions received from the interfacing nodes. The system is coordinated in operation in a decentralised manner.

Abstract: There is provided a peer-to-peer telephone system comprising a plurality of end-users and a communication structure through which one or more end-users are couplable for communication purposes. The system is distinguished in that the communication structure is substantially de-centralized with regard to communication route switching therein for connecting the one or more end-users. One or more end-users are operable to establish their own communication routes through the structure based on exchange of one or more authorisation certificates, namely User Identity Certificates (UIC), to acquire access to the structure. The structure comprises an administration arrangement for issuing said one or more certificates to said one or more end-users.

Abstract: There is provided a distributed database system comprising a plurality of participating nodes mutually interconnected via a communication network. The participating nodes include a first subset of storage nodes and a second subset of interfacing nodes. The storage nodes are grouped into a plurality of slots, each storage node having stored therein addresses of substantially all other storage nodes in its particular slot. The storage nodes of each slot further have stored therein one or more addresses of storage nodes in all other of the slots of the system. The interfacing nodes each have stored therein addresses of one or more of the storage nodes. The storage nodes are operable to store one or more data records therein and/or retrieve one or more data records therefrom in response to instructions received from the interfacing nodes. The system is coordinated in operation in a decentralised manner.