Querying applications using online messenger service
First Claim
1. A method for including a software resource as a participant within an online chat session conducted through a messaging service, comprising the steps of:
- (a) registering the software resource to indicate that it is available to participate in an online chat session, when said software resource is executed;
(b) enabling a user to include the software resource within a list of participants in the online chat session;
(c) enabling a user to enter a plain language message within an online chat session user interface;
(d) transmitting the message to the software resource;
(e) parsing the plain language message received by the software resource;
(f) determining a plain language response to the message; and
(g) transmitting the plain language response from the software resource back to the user.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A software application or resource is enabled to participate in a messaging service session conducted over a network and to respond to plain language queries much like a live participant. The software resource registers with a messaging service server when the software resource is initially executed, making it available if included in a user'"'"'s list of contacts, to be added as a participant. During a messaging service session, a user can direct a message or query to the software resource that is participating. The software resource parses the query, and if the query is understood and data are available, transmits a response that appears within the instant message dialogue window of the users participating in the messaging service session.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for including a software resource as a participant within an online chat session conducted through a messaging service, comprising the steps of:
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(a) registering the software resource to indicate that it is available to participate in an online chat session, when said software resource is executed;
(b) enabling a user to include the software resource within a list of participants in the online chat session;
(c) enabling a user to enter a plain language message within an online chat session user interface;
(d) transmitting the message to the software resource;
(e) parsing the plain language message received by the software resource;
(f) determining a plain language response to the message; and
(g) transmitting the plain language response from the software resource back to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for accessing information available through a software resource during a messaging service session, comprising the steps of:
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(a) indicating each participant in the messaging service session, a software resource being included as a participant;
(b) enabling a user to enter a plain language query in the messaging service session;
(c) transmitting the plain language query to the software resource;
(d) parsing the plain language query at the software resource;
(e) automatically determining information responsive to the software query, using the software resource; and
(f) transmitting the information responsive to the software query back to the user. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for enabling a software resource to respond as a conventional participant in a messaging service session implemented over a network, comprising:
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(a) a messaging service server coupled to the network and programmed for implementing registration of prospective instant message participants available to be added to a messaging service session as participants;
(b) a user computing device coupled to the network and including a processor programmed to;
(i) execute a messaging service session in which a user is a participant;
(ii) add a software resource as a participant in the messaging service session; and
(iii) enable a user to enter a plain language query for information to be obtained from the software resource within the messaging service session; and
(c) a software resource computing device coupled to the network and programmed to;
(i) execute the software resource;
(ii) register the software resource with the messaging service server when the software resource is available to participate in a messaging service session;
(iii) parse a plain language query received from the user during the messaging service session;
(iv) access data with the software resource to find information responsive to the plain language query; and
(iv) transmit said information to the user computing device over the network. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. Apparatus that enables a user to interact with a software resource during a messaging service session, comprising:
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(a) a network interface that connects to a network over which the messaging service session is communicated;
(b) a display;
(c) a user input device;
(d) a memory in which a plurality of machine instructions are stored; and
(e) a processor coupled to the network interface, the display, the user input device, and the memory, said processor executing the machine instructions, causing the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including;
(i) registering a user with a messaging service as being available to participate in a messaging service session;
(ii) enabling a user to add one or more participants to a messaging service session, at least one participant that is added comprising a software resource that is registered as being available to participate in the messaging service session as a participant;
(iii) enabling a user to enter a plain language query with the user input device;
(iv) transmitting the plain language query over the network to each participant in the messaging service session; and
(v) receiving a response over the network from a software resource responding to the plain language query.
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27. Apparatus that enables a software resource to interact as a participant during a messaging service session, comprising:
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(a) a network interface that connects to a network over which the messaging service session is communicated;
(b) a memory in which a plurality of machine instructions are stored; and
(c) a processor coupled to the network interface, and the memory, said processor executing the machine instructions, causing the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including;
(i) registering the software resource with a messaging service as being available to participate in a messaging service session;
(ii) parsing a plain language query received from a user during a messaging service session in which the software resource has been added as a participant;
(iii) finding data responsive to the plain language query; and
(iv) transmitting the data over the network to a user who entered the plain language query.
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Specification