Extending Functionality of Workflow applications using Instant Messaging (IM)

• US 20070192426A1
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Daigle, Brian, Davis, Joel (Hassan), Kent, Larry, Daniell, W.
• Application Number:
  US11/737,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20070192426A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0457 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply dynamic encryption, e.g. stream encryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for stream encryption H04L9/065
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion

Abstract

Plug-ins for instant messaging (IM) systems are described. By using plug-ins in conjunction with IM systems, the functionality of IM systems may be greatly extended. Specifically, in business applications, such as workflow processes, IM provides a more reliable approach to determining actual delivery of messages.

Claims

1. A communication method comprising:

receiving a workflow request at an instant messaging (IM) client;

determining if the IM client is registered with a workflow plug-in in response to receiving the workflow request; and

executing the workflow plug-in in response to determining that the IM client is registered with the workflow plug-in.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an input at the IM client, the input being indicative of a response to the workflow request;

generating a workflow response from the received input; and

conveying the workflow response.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising downloading a workflow plug-in from a plug-in server in response to determining that the IM client is not registered with the workflow plug-in.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising storing the downloaded workflow plug-in.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising registering the IM client with the downloaded workflow plug-in.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein downloading the workflow plug-in comprises providing authentication information to the plug-in server for authentication by the plug-in server.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving the workflow plug-in from the plug-in server in response to the plug-in server authenticating the authentication information.

8. A communication system comprising:

a first receiving component configured to receive a workflow request at an instant messaging (IM) client;

a determining component configured to determine if the IM client is registered with a workflow plug-in in response to receiving the workflow request; and

an executing component configured to execute the workflow plug-in in response to determining that the IM client is registered with the workflow plug-in.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a second receiving component configured to receive an input at the IM client, the input being indicative of a response to the workflow request;

a generating component configured to generate a workflow response from the received input; and

a conveying component configured to convey the workflow response.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising a downloading component configured to download a workflow plug-in from a plug-in server in response to determining that the IM client is not registered with the workflow plug-in.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a storing component configured to store the downloaded workflow plug-in.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a registering component configured to register the IM client with the downloaded workflow plug-in.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the downloading component is further configured to provide authentication information to the plug-in server for authentication by the plug-in server.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising a third receiving component configured to receive the workflow plug-in from the plug-in server in response to the plug-in server authenticating the authentication information.

15. A computer readable storage medium for facilitating communications, comprising:

first receiving logic configured to receive a workflow request at an instant messaging (IM) client;

determining logic configured to determine if the IM client is registered with a workflow plug-in in response to receiving the workflow request; and

executing logic configured to execute the workflow plug-in in response to determining that the IM client is registered with the workflow plug-in.

16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further comprising:

second receiving logic configured to receive an input at the IM client, the input being indicative of a response to the workflow request;

generating logic configured to generate a workflow response from the received input; and

conveying logic configured to convey the workflow response.

17. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further comprising downloading logic configured to download a workflow plug-in from a plug-in server in response to determining that the IM client is not registered with the workflow plug-in.

18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, further comprising storing logic configured to store the downloaded workflow plug-in.

19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, further comprising registering logic configured to register the IM client with the downloaded workflow plug-in.

20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further comprising:

providing logic configured to provide authentication information to the plug-in server for authentication by the plug-in server; and

a third receiving component configured to receive the workflow plug-in from the plug-in server in response to the plug-in server authenticating the authentication information.