Internet-based messaging system

Abstract

A messaging system is disclosed that provides dynamic polling of a message server for use in a stateless communication system. The polling interval may be determined by a user, or it may be determined based on current message activity or on statistics derived from historical message activity. Application-to-application, as well as human-to-human, messaging capability is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A messaging system comprising: 
 means for polling a message server at a first time to determine if any messages are present;    means for polling said server at a second time to determine if any messages are present; and    means for determining the interval between said first time and said second time in response to information received from said server at said first time.    
     
     
         2 . The messaging system of  claim 1 , wherein said information received from said server comprises an indication of the presence of one or more messages.  
     
     
         3 . The messaging system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for determining said interval increases said interval when no messages are present at said server.  
     
     
         4 . The messaging system of  claim 1 , where in said means for determining said interval decreases said interval when one or more messages are present at said server.  
     
     
         5 . A messaging system comprising: 
 means for receiving messages via a message server from at least one sender;    means for polling said server at a first time to determine if any messages are present from at least one sender;    means for polling said server at a second time to determine if any messages are present from at least one sender; and    means for determining the interval between said first time and said second time based on an indication from said polling that one or more messages from at least one sender is present at said server.    
     
     
         6 . A messaging system comprising: 
 a message server;    user means remote from said server;    polling means associated with said user means for making connection with said message server at a first time to determine if any messages are present;    polling means associated with said user means for making connection with said server at a second time to determine if any messages are present; and    wherein said polling means is substantially disconnected from said server during the interval between said first and second times.    
     
     
         7 . A method for managing messages at a message server comprising the steps of: 
 polling said server at a first time to determine if any messages are present at said server;    polling said server at a second time to determine if any messages are present at said server; and    determining the interval between said first time and said second time in response to information received from said server at said first time.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said interval is increased when on messages are present at said server.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said interval is decreased when one or more message are present at said server.