SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSTANT MESSAGING USING A CONTROL DEVICE

• US 20080176562A1
• Filed: 01/24/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap One LLC (Snap One Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Control4 Corporation (Snap One Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Howard, Michael L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,738,870 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32

Abstract

A method for instant messaging using a control device is described. A user is authenticated with an instant messenger server. A message is received. The received message includes message data from the instant messenger server. It is determined whether the message should be forwarded to the control device. If it was determined that the message should be forwarded to the control device, the received message is forwarded to the control device.

Claims

1. A method for instant messaging using a control device, comprising:

authenticating a user with an instant messenger server;

receiving a message comprising message data from the instant messenger server;

determining whether the message should be forwarded to the control device; and

forwarding the message to the control device, if it was determined that the message should be forwarded to the control device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the message should be forwarded to the control device comprises comparing the message with a list of messages that are to be forwarded.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the message should be forwarded to the control device comprises comparing the message with a list of messages that are not to be forwarded.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the message should be forwarded to the control device comprises querying a device database based on a specific type of device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the message should be forwarded to the control device comprises querying a device database based on a specific device class.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the message should be forwarded to the control device comprises querying a device database based on a specific service class.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising specifying a service class for an instant messenger service.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the message should be forwarded to the control device is performed without user input.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the message should be forwarded to the control device is performed without user input, and wherein the message comprises a protocol message indicating presence.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the received message before forwarding the message to the device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the message data includes message formatting and wherein processing the received message comprises removing the message formatting from the message data.

12. A computer system that is configured for instant messaging using a control device, the computer system comprising:

a control device, wherein the control device is in electronic communication with the site controller; and

a site controller comprising;

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor;

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to;

authenticate a user with an instant messenger server;

receive a message from the instant messenger server;

determine whether the message should be forwarded to the control device; and

forward the message to the control device, if it was determined that the message should be forwarded to the control device.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a list of messages that are to be forwarded stored in the memory, and wherein the determining instructions compare the message with the list of messages that are to be forwarded.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a list of messages that are not to be forwarded stored in the memory, and wherein the determining instructions compare the message with the list of messages that are not to be forwarded.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising a device database stored in the memory, and wherein the determining instructions query the device database.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the determining instructions query a device database.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the control device comprises a television remote control.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the control device comprises an LCD keypad.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the message comprises a protocol message indicating presence, and wherein a presence indicator is displayed on the LCD keypad.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the site controller does not require a keyboard or a mouse for standard operation.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the site controller comprises an embedded system that includes built-in audio ports, built-in video ports, and built-in infrared in and out ports, and wherein the site controller does not require an external exclusive computer monitor for standard operation.

22. A computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions to enable instant messaging using a control device, the instructions being executable to:

authenticate a user with an instant messenger server;

receive a message from the instant messenger server;

determine whether the message should be forwarded to the control device; and

forward the message to the control device, if it was determined that the message should be forwarded to the control device.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein determining whether the message should be forwarded to the control device is performed without user input.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein determining whether the message should be forwarded to the control device is performed without user input, and wherein the message comprises a protocol message indicating presence.