Systems and methods for multiparty session invite

• US 20050091301A1
• Filed: 10/23/2003
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Blagsvedt, Sean Olin, Kumar, Arvind, Oreizy, Peyman, Moore, Kevin R., Schofield, Mark Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,593,988 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/200
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A messaging system is provided whereby a message indicative of an invitation to collaboratively execute an application can be sent from one of the computing object to an intermediary system whereby the message is multicast to the other ones of the plurality of computing objects. The invitation message can be accepted by the other computing objects to cause the first object to launch the corresponding application. The other computing objects also launch versions of the application and exchange addressing information with the first application so that a multiparty application execution can be established.

Claims

1. A method for collaboratively executing an application, comprising:

establishing a communication from a first computing object to an intermediary system wherein the intermediary multicasts messages among the first computer and a plurality of other computing objects in communication with the intermediary;

transmitting a message indicative of an invitation to collaboratively execute an application from the first computing object to the intermediary system whereby the message is multicast to the other ones of the plurality of computing objects;

receiving a message indicative of acceptance at the first computing object from at least one of the other ones of the plurality of computing objects;

launching a first application.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the message indicative of an invitation comprises the term “

invite”

.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first computing object is executing on a first computer and wherein the other ones of the computing objects is executing on at least one other computer.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising registering the first copy of the application with the first computing object.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first copy of the application and the first object are executable on a first computer.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising transmitting a message from the first computer indicative of connection-specific information to the at least on other ones of the plurality of computing objects.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein the connection-specific information comprises an internet protocol address.

8. The method as recited in claim 6 further comprising launching a second application on a second computer.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the second application and the first application comprise compatible functions.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein the second application is the same application as the first application.

11. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising transmitting a second message to another computing object that joined the communication with the intermediary, the second message indicative of an invitation to collaboratively execute the application.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the another computing object joined the communication with the intermediary after the first message was transmitted.

13. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the transmission of the second message is by one of the plurality of computing objects.

14. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the act of launching the first application comprises transmitting a parameter indicative of an identifier of a process of the first application.

15. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein the act of launching the first application further comprises receiving a pointer to a session of which the first application is associated.

16. A computer-readable medium bearing computer readable instructions for carrying out the acts recited in claim 1.

17. A computer-readable medium bearing computer readable instructions for carrying out the acts recited in claim 11.

18. A protocol for collaborative application execution, comprising:

a message indicative of an invitation to join a multiparty application, said message comprising a first portion indicative of the invitation and a second portion indicative of a communications session number in a messaging system wherein the message is processed as a request to join a multiparty application session.

19. The protocol as recited in claim 18 wherein the first portion comprises the term “

invite”

.

20. The protocol as recited in claim 18 wherein the text portion comprises the term “

nway”

.

21. A system for collaborative application execution, comprising:

a first computer comprising a intermediary computer readable instructions for multicasting communication among a plurality of computing objects;

at least one of the plurality of computing object in communication with the intermediary computer-readable instructions and comprising a plurality of computer-readable instructions for real-time communication with other computing objects by way of the intermediary computer-readable instructions; and

at least one of the plurality of computing objects comprising computer readable instructions for inviting computing objects to collaboratively execute a computer application by way of the intermediary computer-readable instructions.

22. The system as recited in claim 21 wherein the first computer comprises a roster of users that have communicated their presence through a computing object to the intermediary instructions.

23. The system as recited in claim 21 wherein the first computer maintains a session indicative of users that have joined in a real-time communication.

24. The system as recited in claim 22 further comprising an application session that maintains a roster of users that are collaboratively executing an application.

25. The system as recited in claim 24 where each user causes a copy of the application to be executed on a separate computer from each other user.

26. An instant messaging service comprising the intermediary computer-readable instructions as recited in claim 21.