Remote Access and Social Networking Using Presence-Based Applications

• US 20070156805A1
• Filed: 01/03/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Biggs, Todd, Bristol, Anthony, Gunn, Campbell, Shockley, Tiffany
• Granted Patent: US 7,853,661 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/202
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/043 using or handling presence information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users

Abstract

Various embodiments utilize a real-time instant messaging or presence based communications system as a mechanism to remotely control the operation, programming, and/or review of media content on a device or system such as a television, media center, gaming device, digital video recorder and the like. In addition, the use of the instant messaging or presence based communication system opens up various social networking options for users. For example, users can, if allowed, gain access to the viewing habits of individuals in their contact list and exchange information with one another to provide a rich, robust sharing environment.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

establishing communication with one or more bots using a presence based network; and

enabling a user to remotely interact, via the one or more bots, with a device on which media is to be consumed by the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said act of enabling a user to remotely interact comprises programming the device to record one or more programs.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising accessing, via the one or more bots, information associated with viewing habits of one or more contacts.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of establishing is performed using an instant messaging application.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the act of enabling a user to remotely interact comprises textually engaging the bot.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the act of enabling a user to remotely interact can comprise engaging the bot other than textually.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more bots reside as contacts in said instant messaging application.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving, via the one or more bots, one or more program recommendations for consumption on the device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of establishing comprises establishing a human-like conversation with the one or more bots.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of establishing comprises presenting a user interface activity window which is configured to allow a user to take one or more actions with regard to said device or media that can be consumed by said device.

11. A computer-implemented method comprising:

establishing communication, via a presence based network, with an application executing on a client device; and

interacting, via said presence based network, with a user of the client device to permit the user to take, via the application, programming-related actions and make programming-related decisions regarding a media consuming device that is remote from the client device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said act of establishing is performed, at least in part, by one or more bots.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said act of establishing is performed by establishing communication with an instant messaging application executing on the client device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said act of establishing is performed, at least in part, by one or more bots that appear as contacts in the instant messaging application.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the act of interacting comprises having a human like conversation with a user of the device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the conversation is textual.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the conversation is not textual.

18. A system comprising:

one or more computer-readable media;

computer-readable instructions on the one or more computer-readable media which, when executed by one or more processors, implement a bot comprising;

a client communication protocol component that is configured to communicate with multiple clients via a presence based network;

one or more natural language processors that are configured to receive and process conversational input from a user that pertains to media consumption on a device that is remote from a client device on which the conversational input was generated, and generate responses to the conversational input; and

a collection of APIs that are configured to access outside services, wherein at least some of the APIs can permit the user to remotely access and program the media consuming device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein at least some of the APIs are configured to access information associated with viewing habits of the user'"'"'s contacts.

20. The system of claim 18 further comprising the presence based network over which communication takes place.