Remote control-based instant messaging

• US 20080147803A1
• Filed: 12/19/2006
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ID8 Group R2 Studios Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Flores, Justin, Krzyzanowski, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,706,818 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/043 using or handling presence information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104

Abstract

Systems and methods for instant messaging remote control are disclosed. An instant messaging remote control includes an audio/visual remote control, an instant messaging user interface, an instant messaging navigator, a keypad and an integrated messaging/remote control application module. The instant messaging user interface enables a user to view instant messaging status and control instant messaging functions. The instant messaging navigator enables a user to switch between instant messaging sessions. The integrated messaging/remote control application module enables a set of application that integrate the operation of instant messaging and remote control of audio/visual devices, such as televisions, computers, radios and other devices. Additionally, the integrated messaging/remote control application module includes features that enable seamless transitions between an instant messaging remote control and a personal computer for carrying on one or more instant messaging sessions.

Claims

1. An instant messaging remote control, comprising:

(a) an audio/visual remote control; and

(b) an instant messaging user interface coupled to the audio/visual remote control that enables a user to view instant messaging status and control instant messaging functions.

2. The instant messaging remote control of claim 1, further comprising an instant messaging navigator that enables a user to switch between instant messaging sessions.

3. The instant messaging remote control of claim 1, further comprising a keypad.

4. The instant messaging remote control of claim 1, wherein the audio/visual remote control controls an audio/visual device, wherein the audio/visual device includes a television, audio/video receiver, audio receiver, video receiver, or video recorder.

5. The instant messaging remote control of claim 1, further comprising a message notifier.

6. The instant messaging remote control of claim 5, wherein the message notifier includes one or more of a light emitting diode, a tone generator, pulsing elements or a notification icon.

7. The instant messaging remote control of claim 1, wherein upon receipt of a new instant message, the instant messaging remote control transmits a control message to a receiver causing a video display to display either text that a message has been received or a notification icon.

8. The instant messaging remote control of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging remote control includes a capability to be wirelessly coupled to a video display that displays an instant messaging session.

9. The instant messaging remote control of claim 8, wherein the video display is a television or computer terminal.

10. The instant messaging remote control of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging user interface displays status summary information that includes one or more of a listing of active sessions, whether new instant messages have been received or a count of active sessions or messages.

11. The instant messaging remote control of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging user interface displays an audio/visual content link received from a remote instant message user.

12. The instant messaging remote control of claim 11, wherein upon a user clicking on the audio/visual content link the instant messaging remote control transmits a message to an audio/visual device to select the desired audio/visual content.

13. The instant messaging remote control of claim 12, wherein the audio/visual content includes a television program, an Internet website, an intranet website, a radio station, a podcast, a RSS news item, or a portable music player selection.

14. The instant messaging remote control of claim 1, further comprising a messaging client that enables the instant messaging remote control to maintain a connection with a computer that establishes a connection with a remote instant messaging server, wherein the computer serves as a proxy to the instant messaging remote control.

15. An instant messaging/remote control application module, comprising an instant messaging/remote control controller that integrates the functionality of an instant messaging device and a remote control.

16. The instant messaging/remote control application module of claim 15, further comprising a multimedia content selection module that enables an instant messaging remote control to access content on an audio/visual device that is referenced in an instant message.

17. The instant messaging/remote control application module of claim 15, further comprising a collaboration module that enables an instant messaging remote control to determine group ratings based on instant messages exchanged among users.

18. The instant messaging/remote control application module of claim 15, further comprising a computer integration module that enables an instant messaging remote control to seamless transfer an instant messaging session between the instant messaging remote control and a computer.

19. A method for exchanging multimedia content within an instant messaging session, comprising:

(a) receiving an instant message that includes a reference to multimedia content;

(b) displaying the reference to multimedia content;

(c) receiving an indication to access the multimedia content; and

(d) transmitting a remote control message to a multimedia device to provide the requested multimedia content.

20. A method for providing group ratings within an instant messaging session, comprising:

(a) transmitting a tag within an instant message that triggers a receiving device to display a rating mechanism;

(b) receiving a reply instant message that includes a tag that identifies a user'"'"'s rating;

(c) parsing received reply instant message to evaluate the user'"'"'s rating within the tag; and

(d) computing statistics for ratings received from multiple users.