GUI interface for subscribers to subscribe to topics of messages published by a Pub/Sub service

• US 20050273499A1
• Filed: 08/05/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snapchat Inc (Snap, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Lagarde, Konrad C., Jania, Frank, Goodman, Brian D., Shu, Chen, Meulen, Michael Van Der
• Granted Patent: US 7,831,670 B2
• 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 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/2876 Pairs of inter-processing entities at each side of the network, e.g. split proxies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54

Abstract

Presenting a Pub/Sub service GUI interface to a subscribers computer system, the GUI interface comprising one or more topics to which the subscriber can subscribe, the Pub/sub service having a list of subscribers subscribing to a topic. The GUI interface preferably comprising widgets, enabling a subscriber to manage subscriptions to topics. The Pub/Sub service publishes messages of a topic according to the subscription list.

Claims

1. A method for presenting message topics to subscribers of a pub/sub service, the method comprising the steps of:

creating a GUI representation comprising one or more widgets and one or more topic identities, wherein the a topic identity identifies a topic of messages to be published from a content provider by way of the pub/sub service to pub/sub subscribers;

associating a first list of first subscriber identities with the first topic identity, the first list of first subscriber identities identifying first subscribers subscribing to the first topic;

providing the first topic identity and associated first list of first subscribers to the pub/sub service;

providing the GUI representation comprising the one or more widgets and the one or more topic identities to subscriber computer systems; and

publishing topic messages of the first topic identity from the content provider by way of the pub/sub service to first subscribers according to the first list of first subscribers.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the GUI representation further comprises a second topic identity comprising the further steps of:

associating a second list of second subscriber identities with the second topic identity, the second list of second subscriber identities identifying second subscribers subscribing to the second topic;

providing the second topic identity and associated second list of second subscribers to the pub/sub service;

publishing topic messages of the second topic identity from a content provider by way of the pub/sub service to second subscribers according to the second list of second subscribers.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein a widget of the one or more widgets consists of any one of a topic activate function, a topic deactivate function, a topic active indicator, a function to cause details of a topic to be displayed, a function to request subscription to a topic, a function to add a topic, a function to remove a topic, a function to authorize subscription to a topic or a function to authorize the addition of a topic.

4. The method according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of:

receiving a widget message from a first subscriber computer system, the widget message initiated by a first subscriber GUI action associated with a first widget of the one or more widgets of the created GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

performing a function in response to the received widget message.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the function comprises a step consisting of any one of:

activating a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

deactivating a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

indicating at the first subscriber computer system that a topic is active;

indicating at the first subscriber computer system that a topic is inactive;

displaying details of a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

granting subscription to a topic for the first subscriber;

adding a topic to the GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

removing a topic from the GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

or authorizing a subscription to a topic or authorizing addition of a topic to the GUI representation.

6. The method according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of:

receiving a request for a third subscriber to subscribe to the first topic represented by the first topic identity; and

adding a third subscriber identity identifying the third subscriber to the first list of clients subscribing to the first topic.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the adding a third subscriber identity step further comprises a step consisting of any one of:

authorizing the addition of the third subscriber;

or

authenticating the identity of the third subscriber.

8. The method according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of:

receiving a request to add a third topic to the GUI representation;

associating the third topic with a third list of subscriber identities; and

adding the third topic to the GUI representation.

9. The method according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of:

receiving a first message, the first message to be published to the first subscribers of the first topic;

authorizing the publication of the first message to the first subscribers of the first topic; and

publishing the first message to the first subscribers according to the first list of first identities.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the GUI representation is presented to a subscriber by way of a subscriber computer application program.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the subscriber computer application program provides a step consisting of any one of:

filtering of messages from the pub/sub service;

providing subscriber credentials to the pub/sub service;

or

providing an API interface for attaching agent applications.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the topic messages consist of any one of an XML file, an HTML, an instant message, an email message, a FAX message, a data file or an application program.

13. The method according to claim 1 wherein a GUI display consisting of any one of the first topic, the first list of first identities or one or more subscriber identities in the first list of first identities persists until an event occurs consisting of any one of an elapsed time or a subscriber action.

14. A computer program product for presenting message topics to subscribers of a pub/sub service, the computer program product comprising:

a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method comprising;

creating a GUI representation comprising one or more widgets and one or more topic identities, wherein the a topic identity identifies a topic of messages to be published from a content provider by way of the pub/sub service to pub/sub subscribers;

associating a first list of first subscriber identities with the first topic identity, the first list of first subscriber identities identifying first subscribers subscribing to the first topic;

providing the first topic identity and associated first list of first subscribers to the pub/sub service;

providing the GUI representation comprising the one or more widgets and the one or more topic identities to subscriber computer systems; and

publishing topic messages of the first topic identity from the content provider by way of the pub/sub service to first subscribers according to the first list of first subscribers.

15. The computer program product according to claim 14 wherein the GUI representation further comprises a second topic identity comprising the further steps of:

associating a second list of second subscriber identities with the second topic identity, the second list of second subscriber identities identifying second subscribers subscribing to the second topic;

providing the second topic identity and associated second list of second subscribers to the pub/sub service;

publishing topic messages of the second topic identity from a content provider by way of the pub/sub service to second subscribers according to the second list of second subscribers.

16. The computer program product according to claim 15 wherein a widget of the one or more widgets consists of any one of a topic activate function, a topic deactivate function, a topic active indicator, a function to cause details of a topic to be displayed, a function to request subscription to a topic, a function to add a topic, a function to remove a topic, a function to authorize subscription to a topic or a function to authorize the addition of a topic.

17. The computer program product according to claim 15 comprising the further steps of:

receiving a widget message from a first subscriber computer system, the widget message initiated by a first subscriber GUI action associated with a first widget of the one or more widgets of the created GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

performing a function in response to the received widget message.

18. The computer program product according to claim 17 wherein the function comprises a step consisting of any one of:

activating a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

deactivating a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

indicating at the first subscriber computer system that a topic is active;

indicating at the first subscriber computer system that a topic is inactive;

displaying details of a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

granting subscription to a topic for the first subscriber;

adding a topic to the GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

removing a topic from the GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

or authorizing a subscription to a topic or authorizing addition of a topic to the GUI representation.

19. The computer program product according to claim 14 comprising the further steps of:

receiving a request for a third subscriber to subscribe to the first topic represented by the first topic identity; and

adding a third subscriber identity identifying the third subscriber to the first list of clients subscribing to the first topic.

20. The computer program product according to claim 19 wherein the adding a third subscriber identity step further comprises a step consisting of any one of:

authorizing the addition of the third subscriber;

or

authenticating the identity of the third subscriber.

21. The computer program product according to claim 14 comprising the further steps of:

receiving a request to add a third topic to the GUI representation;

associating the third topic with a third list of subscriber identities; and

adding the third topic to the GUI representation.

22. The computer program product according to claim 14 comprising the further steps of:

receiving a first message, the first message to be published to the first subscribers of the first topic;

authorizing the publication of the first message to the first subscribers of the first topic; and

publishing the first message to the first subscribers according to the first list of first identities.

23. The computer program product according to claim 14 wherein the GUI representation is presented to a subscriber by way of a subscriber computer application program.

24. The computer program product according to claim 23 wherein the subscriber computer application program provides a step consisting of any one of:

filtering of messages from the pub/sub service;

providing subscriber credentials to the pub/sub service;

or

providing an API interface for attaching agent applications.

25. The computer program product according to claim 14 wherein a GUI display consisting of any one of the first topic, the first list of first identities or one or more subscriber identities in the first list of first identities persists until an event occurs consisting of any one of an elapsed time or a subscriber action.

26. A system for presenting message topics to subscribers of a pub/sub service, the system comprising:

a network;

a client system in communication with the network;

a pub/sub service in communication with the network, wherein the system includes instructions to execute a method comprising the steps of;

creating a GUI representation comprising one or more widgets and one or more topic identities, wherein the a topic identity identifies a topic of messages to be published from a content provider by way of the pub/sub service to pub/sub subscribers;

associating a first list of first subscriber identities with the first topic identity, the first list of first subscriber identities identifying first subscribers subscribing to the first topic;

providing the first topic identity and associated first list of first subscribers to the pub/sub service;

providing the GUI representation comprising the one or more widgets and the one or more topic identities to subscriber computer systems; and

publishing topic messages of the first topic identity from the content provider by way of the pub/sub service to first subscribers according to the first list of first subscribers.

27. The system according to claim 26 comprising the further steps of:

receiving a widget message from a first subscriber computer system, the widget message initiated by a first subscriber GUI action associated with a first widget of the one or more widgets of the created GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

performing a function in response to the received widget message, the function comprises a step consisting of any one of;

activating a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

deactivating a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

indicating at the first subscriber computer system that a topic is active;

indicating at the first subscriber computer system that a topic is inactive;

displaying details of a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

granting subscription to a topic for the first subscriber;

adding a topic to the GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

removing a topic from the GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

or authorizing a subscription to a topic or authorizing addition of a topic to the GUI representation.

28. The system according to claim 26 comprising the further steps of:

receiving a request for a third subscriber to subscribe to the first topic represented by the first topic identity;

authorizing the addition of the third subscriber;

authenticating the identity of the third subscriber; and

adding the authorized and authenticated third subscribers identity identifying the third subscriber to the first list of clients subscribing to the first.

29. The system according to claim 26 comprising the further steps of:

receiving a request to add a third topic to the GUI representation;

associating the third topic with a third list of subscriber identities; and

adding the third topic to the GUI representation.

30. The system according to claim 26 wherein the GUI representation is presented to a subscriber by way of a subscriber computer application program wherein the subscriber computer application program provides a step consisting of any one of:

filtering of messages from the pub/sub service;

providing subscriber credentials to the pub/sub service;

or

providing an API interface for attaching agent applications.

31. A computer program product for presenting message topics to subscribers of a pub/sub service, the computer program product comprising:

a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method comprising;

receiving at a client a GUI representation comprising one or more widgets and one or more topic identities comprising a first topic identity and a second topic identity, wherein the first topic identity identifies a category of messages from a content provider to be published by way of the pub/sub service to pub/sub subscribers;

subscribing to the first topic identity by way of the GUI representation;

receiving at the client published messages of the subscribed to first topic identity from the content provider by way of the pub/sub service; and

receiving no published messages of the second topic identity at the client when the client is not subscribed to the second topic identity.

32. The computer program product according to claim 31 comprising the further steps of:

sending a widget message from the client, the widget message responsive to a first subscriber action related to a first widget at the client computer system;

performing a function in response to the widget message, wherein the function comprises a step consisting of any one of;

activating a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

deactivating a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

indicating at the first subscriber computer system that a topic is active;

indicating at the first subscriber computer system that a topic is inactive;

displaying details of a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

granting subscription to a topic for the first subscriber;

adding a topic to the GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

removing a topic from the GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

or

authorizing a subscription to a topic or authorizing addition of a topic to the GUI representation.

33. A method for presenting message topics to subscribers of a pub/sub service, the method comprising:

receiving at a client a GUI representation comprising one or more widgets and one or more topic identities comprising a first topic identity and a second topic identity, wherein the first topic identity identifies a category of messages from a content provider to be published by way of the pub/sub service to pub/sub subscribers;

subscribing to the first topic identity by way of the GUI representation;

receiving at the client published messages of the subscribed to first topic identity from the content provider by way of the pub/sub service; and

receiving no published messages of the second topic identity at the client when the client is not subscribed to the second topic identity.

34. The method according to claim 33 comprising the further steps of:

sending a widget message from the client, the widget message responsive to a first subscriber action related to a first widget at the client computer system;

performing a function in response to the widget message, wherein the function comprises a step consisting of any one of;

activating a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

deactivating a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

indicating at the first subscriber computer system that a topic is active;

indicating at the first subscriber computer system that a topic is inactive;

displaying details of a topic at the first subscriber computer system;

granting subscription to a topic for the first subscriber;

adding a topic to the GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

removing a topic from the GUI representation at the first subscriber computer system;

or

authorizing a subscription to a topic or authorizing addition of a topic to the GUI representation.