Instant messaging with audio

• US 20060059236A1
• Filed: 09/15/2004
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Sheppard, Adam, Velasco, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,624,149 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]

Abstract

Instant messaging with audio is described. In an implementation, a method includes receiving an input during an instant messaging session indicating a selection of at least one of a plurality of audio items from an audio menu. The plurality of audio items is taken from a content item. An output is caused of the selected audio item by one or more of a plurality of computing devices that participates in the instant messaging session.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving an input during an instant messaging session indicating a selection of at least one of a plurality of audio items from an audio menu, wherein the plurality of audio items are taken from a content item; and

causing an output of the selected audio item by one or more of a plurality of computing devices that participates in the instant messaging session.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the input is provided through interaction with at least one a plurality of audio representations displayed in the audio menu, wherein each said audio representation corresponds to a respective said audio item.

3. A method as described in claim 2, wherein the audio menu arranges the plurality of audio representations for display in a first window that is separate from a second window that is utilized to display text messages during the instant messaging session.

4. A method as described in claim 2, wherein:

the content item includes audio and video data;

the plurality of audio items are taken from the audio data; and

the plurality of audio representations are taken, at least in part, from the video data.

5. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the content item is selected from the group consisting of:

a movie;

a television program;

a video-on-demand (VOD);

a video game; and

pay-per-view (PPV) content.

6. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the content item is a single content item.

7. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the input specifies the plurality of computing devices such that the output of the selected audio item is:

caused for the plurality of computing devices; and

not caused for at least one other computing device that participates in the instant messaging session.

8. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising purchasing the audio menu at a web site.

9. One or more computer readable-media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed on a computer, direct the computer to perform the method as recited in claim 1.

10. A method comprising:

examining content to locate a plurality of audio items; and

generating a plurality of audio representations, wherein each said audio representation is selectable to cause an output of a corresponding said audio item by a plurality of computing devices that participates in an instant messaging session.

11. A method as described in claim 10, wherein the content is selected from the group consisting of:

a movie;

a television program;

a video-on-demand (VOD);

a video game; and

pay-per-view (PPV) content.

12. A method as described in claim 10, wherein the content is a single content item.

13. A method as described in claim 10, wherein:

the content includes audio and video data;

the plurality of audio items are selected from the audio data; and

the plurality of audio representations are taken, at least in part, from the video data.

14. A method as described in claim 10, further comprising arranging the plurality of audio representations for display in a first window that is separate from a second window that is utilized to display text messages during the instant messaging session.

15. A method as described in claim 10, further comprising purchasing the plurality of audio representations and the plurality of audio items at a web site.

16. A method as described in claim 10, further comprising:

arranging the plurality of audio representations for display in a user interface that is utilized for interaction during the instant messaging session;

creating a background for the user interface that corresponds to the content; and

providing the plurality of audio representations and the background on a network for purchase by a user over the network.

17. One or more computer readable-media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed on a computer, direct the computer to perform the method as recited in claim 10.

18. A method comprising:

accessing a web site over a network; and

purchasing a plurality of audio representations and a plurality of audio items through interaction with the web site, wherein;

each of the audio representations corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of audio items;

the plurality of audio items are taken from a content item; and

the plurality of audio representations are;

displayable during an instant messaging session; and

selectable to cause the respective said audio item to be output on at least one computing device that participates in the instant messaging session.

19. A method as described in claim 18, wherein the network is an Internet.

20. A method as described in claim 18, wherein the purchasing is performed during the instant messaging session.

21. A method as described in claim 18, wherein the content item is selected from the group consisting of:

a movie;

a television program;

a video-on-demand (VOD);

a video game; and

pay-per-view (PPV) content.

22. A method as described in claim 18, wherein the content item is a single content item.

23. A method as described in claim 18, wherein:

the content item includes audio and video data;

the plurality of audio items are selected from the audio data; and

the plurality of audio representations are taken, at least in part, from the video data.

24. A method as described in claim 18, wherein the plurality of representations are displayable in a first window that is separate from a second window that is utilized to display text messages during the instant messaging session.

25. A method as described in claim 18, wherein the purchasing further includes purchasing a background for the plurality of audio representations that corresponds to the content item.

26. One or more computer readable-media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed on a computer, direct the computer to perform the method as recited in claim 18.

27. One or more computer readable media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed on a computer, direct the computer to:

display a first window for display of text messages communicated during an instant messaging session;

display a second window having a plurality of audio representations that are selectable during the instant messaging session; and

when one or more said audio representations are selected, cause an output of a respective one or more of a plurality of audio items.

28. One or more computer readable media as described in claim 27, wherein the output of the respective one or more of the plurality of audio items is caused for each participant in the instant messaging session.

29. One or more computer readable media as described in claim 27, wherein the audio items are taken from a single content item.

30. One or more computer readable media as described in claim 29, wherein the single content item is selected from the group consisting of:

a movie;

a television program;

a video-on-demand (VOD);

a video game; and

pay-per-view (PPV) content.

31. One or more computer readable media as described in claim 29, wherein the computer executable instructions further direct the computer to provide an interface for purchasing the plurality of audio representations and the plurality of audio items at a web site.

32. A computing device comprising:

a processor; and

memory configured to maintain a messaging module that is executable on the processor to;

establish an instant messaging session over a network; and

output a plurality of audio representations for display on a display device during the instant messaging session, wherein;

the plurality of audio representations correspond to a plurality of audio items taken from a content item; and

each said audio representation is selectable to cause an output of a corresponding said audio item.

33. A computing device as described in claim 32, wherein the network is an Internet.

34. A computing device as described in claim 32, wherein the content item is selected from the group consisting of:

a movie;

a television program;

a video-on-demand (VOD);

a video game; and

pay-per-view (PPV) content.

35. A computing device as described in claim 32, wherein the plurality of content representations are arranged for display in a first window that is separate from a second window that is utilized to display text messages during the instant messaging session.

36. A computing device as described in claim 32, further comprising a module that is executable to purchase the plurality of audio representations and the plurality of audio items over the network from a web site.

37. A system comprising:

a network;

a plurality of computing devices communicatively coupled to the network; and

at least one server communicatively coupled to the network and including a manager module, wherein;

the manager module is executable to communicate a messaging module to each of the plurality of computing devices in response to a request for initiation of an instant messaging session between the plurality of computing devices;

each said messaging module is executable on a respective said computing device to output a plurality of audio representations of audio items during the instant messaging session; and

each said audio representation is selectable to cause an output of a respective said audio item on the plurality of computing devices.

38. A system as described in claim 37, wherein the network is an Internet.

39. A system as described in claim 37, wherein the audio items are taken from a content item.

40. A system as described in claim 39, wherein the content item is selected from the group consisting of:

a movie;

a television program;

a video-on-demand (VOD);

a video game; and

pay-per-view (PPV) content.

41. A system as described in claim 37, wherein the plurality of content representations are arranged for display in a first window that is separate from a second window that is utilized to display text messages during the instant messaging session.

42. A system as described in claim 37, wherein at least one said computing device includes a module that is executable thereon to purchase the plurality of audio representations and the plurality of audio items over the network from the at least one server.

43. A system comprising at least one server having a processor and memory, wherein:

the at least one server is configured to be communicatively coupled to a network;

the at least one server includes a manager module that is executable on the processor to arrange space in the memory for storing one or more audio menus;

each said audio menu is executable to output a plurality of audio representations of audio items during an instant messaging session;

each said audio menu, when stored in the memory, is available to a plurality of computing devices over the network; and

the space in the memory is available to a content provider to store at least one said audio menu in the memory for a fee.