Methods and apparatus for using instant messaging as a notification tool

• US 20030229670A1
• Filed: 06/11/2002
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens Enterprise Communications, Inc. (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: Beyda, William J.
• Application Number:
  US10/167,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20030229670A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code that facilitate or allow use of instant messages as notifications. In some embodiments, a notification is created by an application to be sent or included in an instant message sent to a user. In other embodiments, middleware or other software may intercept or detect a notification (e.g., dialogue boxes, pop-up windows) generated or initiated by an application and create and send an instant message to a user based on the notification.

Claims

1. A method for providing a notification, comprising:

determining a notification associated with an application; and

providing an instant message indicative of said notification.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

registering with an instant messaging system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining a notification associated with an application includes at least one of the following:

detecting a notification generated by said application; and

intercepting a notification generated by said application.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing an instant message indicative of said notification includes determining an intended recipient of said notification and sending said instant message to said recipient.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a party associated with said application.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

determining if said party consents to receiving said notification via an instant message.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

determining if said party is able to receive an instant message.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

sending a request to said party regarding whether said party wishes to receive a notification via an instant message.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said notification includes at least one of the following:

data indicative of an intended recipient of said notification;

data indicative of a party associated with said notification;

data indicative of at least one allowable response to said notification;

data indicative of a time period in which a response to said notification is due;

data indicative of a party associated with said application; and

data indicative of said application.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said instant message includes at least one of the following:

data indicative of said application;

data indicative of a time said application generated said notification;

data indicative of at least one allowable response to said notification;

data indicative of a time period in which a response to said notification is due;

data indicative of a time said application sent said notification; and

data indicative of an intended recipient of said notification.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting operation of said application.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said notification regards receipt of an electronic communication.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an intended recipient of said notification.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

determining if said intended recipient approves of receiving an instant message regarding said notification.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining if said application allows said sending of said instant message regarding said notification.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

recognizing said application.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining data indicative of an allowable response to said notification.

18. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

providing data in said instant message indicative of said allowable response.

19. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving an instant message indicative of said allowable response.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing data indicative of said allowable response to said application.

21. A method for providing a notification, comprising:

registering with an instant message system;

determining a notification associated with an application;

determining an intended recipient of said notification; and

providing an instant message to said intended recipient, wherein said instant message is indicative of said notification.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said determining an intended recipient of said notification includes at least one of the following:

identifying data in said notification indicative of said intended recipient;

identifying data in said notification indicative of said application, wherein said application is associated with said intended recipient; and

receiving data indicative of said intended recipient.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

determining if said intended recipient is able to receive said instant message.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

associating with said application such that said notification can be determined.

25. A system for providing a notification comprising:

a memory;

a communication port; and

a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to;

determine a notification associated with said application; and

provide an instant message indicative of said notification.

26. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for providing a notification, comprising:

first instructions for identifying a notification associated with an application; and

second instructions for sending an instant message indicative of said notification.