Instant messaging communications channel for transporting data between objects executing within a managed code environment

• US 20050216594A1
• Filed: 03/25/2004
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: O'Brien, Robert R., Wilcox, John T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,483,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/547 Messaging middleware
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/546 Message passing systems or structures, e.g. queues
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams

Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus for providing a communications channel for inter-object communication are provided. According to the method, a request may be received from a first object executing within a managed code environment to transmit data to a second object. In response thereto, an instant message (“IM”) including the data may be transmitted to an IM server computer. The IM may be forwarded to the managed code environment in which the second object is executing. The IM may then be received by the managed code environment, the data contained therein may be extracted, and the data may be presented to the second object. A reverse path may also be utilized for return communication between objects.

Claims

1. A method for providing an instant messaging communications channel for communication between objects executing within a managed code environment, the method comprising:

receiving a request from a first object executing within a managed code environment to transmit data to a second object also executing within a managed code environment;

in response to the request, transmitting an instant message including the data to an instant messaging server computer, the message being transmitting utilizing one of the MSNP protocol, the RVP protocol, or the SIP protocol;

receiving the instant message at the instant messaging server computer, and forwarding the instant message to the second object; and

receiving the instant message, extracting the data from the instant message, and presenting the data to the second object.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating response data at the second object;

receiving a request to transmit the response data from the second object to the first object;

in response to the request, transmitting an instant message including the response data to the instant messaging server computer, the message being transmitting utilizing one of the MSNP protocol, the RVP protocol, or the SIP protocol;

receiving the instant message at the instant messaging server computer, and forwarding the instant message to the first object; and

receiving the instant message, extracting the data from the instant message, and presenting the data to the first object.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first object is operative to execute within a managed code environment executing on a first computer and wherein the second object is operative to execute within a managed code environment executing on a second computer.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first and second computers are remotely located from one another.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first object and the second object are operative to execute within a managed code environment executing on a first computer.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the instant message comprises a payload containing the data and wherein the payload comprises extensible markup language data formatted according to the simple object access protocol.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the instant messaging server computer is operative to authenticate the first object and the second object.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the instant messaging server computer is further operative to generate a log of messages transmitted between the first object and the second object.

9. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer, will cause the computer to perform the method of claim 1.

10. A computer-controlled apparatus capable of performing the method of claim 1.

11. A system for providing an instant messaging communications channel for communication between objects executing within a managed code environment, the system comprising:

an object executing within a managed code environment operative to request the transmission of data to a second object; and

a remoting system executing within the managed code environment operative to receive the request from the object and, in response to the request, to transmit an instant message including the data to an instant messaging server computer, the message being transmitting utilizing one of the MSNP protocol, the RVP protocol, or the SIP protocol.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising an instant messaging server computer operative to receive the instant message from the remoting system and to forward the instant message to a remoting system executing within a managed code environment within which the second object is executing.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the instant messaging server computer is further operative to authenticate the first object and the second object.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the instant messaging server computer is further operative to generate a log of messages transmitted between the first object and the second object.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the instant messaging server computer is further operative to receive an instant message containing response data from the second object, the instant message being transmitting utilizing one of the MSNP protocol, the RVP protocol, or the SIP protocol, and wherein the instant messaging server computer is further operative to forward the instant message to the remoting system executing within the managed code environment in which the first object is executing.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first object is operative to execute within a managed code environment executing on a first computer and wherein the second object is operative to execute within a managed code environment executing on a second computer.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first and second computers are remotely located from one another.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the first object and the second object are operative to execute within a managed code environment executing on a first computer.