Instant messaging activity notification

• US 20080201438A1
• Filed: 12/19/2007
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Skype S.Ã R.L. (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Mandre, Indrek
• Granted Patent: US 8,417,784 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• 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 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34

Abstract

A method of communicating user activity in a messaging system. The method comprises: monitoring an input region displayed to a first user of the messaging system in a client executed at a user terminal of the first user; responsive to receiving a user activated input at the input region, analysing the input and using the analysis to match the input to a type of user activity from a predetermined set of user activities; and transmitting a message comprising data representing the type of user activity from the user terminal of the first user to a user terminal of at least one other user of the messaging system over a communications network.

Claims

1. A method of communicating user activity in a messaging system, comprising:

monitoring an input region displayed to a first user of the messaging system in a client executed at a user terminal of the first user;

responsive to receiving a user activated input at said input region, analysing said input and using said analysis to match said input to a type of user activity from a predetermined set of user activities; and

transmitting a message comprising data representing said type of user activity from the user terminal of said first user to a user terminal of at least one other user of the messaging system over a communications network.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving said message at the user terminal of said at least one other user;

extracting the data representing said type of user activity from the message;

comparing the type of user activity from the message with a last known activity state of the first user and determining an action to take responsive to said comparison; and

updating an indicator of user activity displayed in a user interface of a client executed at the user terminal of said at least one other user in accordance with said action.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said action comprises one of:

removing the indicator from the user interface;

replacing the indicator with a different indicator;

or maintaining the indicator in the user interface.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined set of user activities includes at least one of:

a typing activity;

a deletion activity;

an accidental input activity;

an angry user activity;

a message completed activity; and

a message cancelled activity.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

comparing the time period since receiving an input at said input region to a predetermined time interval; and

in the case that the time period since receiving an input at said input region exceeds said predetermined time interval, transmitting a message comprising data representing user inactivity from the user terminal of said first user to a user terminal of at least one other user of the messaging system over a communication network.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of analysing said input comprises detecting the actuation of a specific control on an input device of the user terminal of the first user.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of analysing said input comprises detecting the repeated actuation of a control on an input device of the user terminal of the first user.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of analysing said input comprises detecting the actuation of a plurality of controls that are grouped physically on an input device of the user terminal of the first user.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of analysing said input comprises detecting the simultaneous actuation of a plurality controls on an input device of the user terminal of the first user.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of analysing said input comprises detecting the number of characters present in the input region.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the communication network is a peer-to-peer network.

24. A computer program product comprising program code means which when executed by a computer implement the steps according to the method of claim 1.

12. A messaging system, comprising:

a communication network;

a user terminal of a first user of the messaging system connected to the communication network; and

a user terminal of at least one other user of the messaging system connected to the communication network, wherein said user terminal of the first user executes a client, said client comprising;

means for monitoring an input region displayed to the first user of the messaging system;

means for analysing a user activated input, responsive to receiving said input at said input region, and using said analysis to match said input to a type of user activity from a predetermined set of user activities; and

means for transmitting a message comprising data representing said type of user activity from the user terminal of said first user to the user terminal of the at least one other user of the messaging system over the communication network.

13. A messaging system according to claim 12, wherein the user terminal of the at least one other user executes a client, said client comprising:

means for receiving said message at the user terminal of said at least one other user;

means for extracting the data representing said type of user activity from the message;

means for comparing the type of user activity from the message with a last known activity state of the first user and determining an action to take responsive to said comparison; and

means for updating an indicator of user activity displayed in a user interface of the client executed at the user terminal of said at least one other user in accordance with said action.

14. A messaging system according to claim 13, wherein said action comprises one of:

removing the indicator from the user interface;

replacing the indicator with a different indicator;

or maintaining the indicator in the user interface.

15. A messaging system according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined set of user activities includes at least one of:

a typing activity;

a deletion activity;

an accidental input activity;

an angry user activity;

a message completed activity; and

a message cancelled activity.

16. A messaging system according to claim 12, wherein said client executed on the user terminal of the first user further comprises:

means for comparing the time period since receiving an input at said input region to a predetermined time interval; and

means for transmitting a message comprising data representing user inactivity from the user terminal of said first user to a user terminal of at least one other user of the messaging system over a communication network, in the case that the time period since receiving an input at said input region exceeds said predetermined time interval.

17. A messaging system according to claim 12, wherein said means for analysing said input comprises means for detecting the actuation of a specific control on an input device of the user terminal of the first user.

18. A messaging system according to claim 12, wherein said means for analysing said input comprises means for detecting the repeated actuation of a control on an input device of the user terminal of the first user.

19. A messaging system according to claim 12, wherein said means for analysing said input comprises means for detecting the actuation of a plurality of controls that are grouped physically on an input device of the user terminal of the first user.

20. A messaging system according to claim 12, wherein said means for analysing said input comprises means for detecting the simultaneous actuation of a plurality controls on an input device of the user terminal of the first user.

21. A messaging system according to claim 12, wherein said means for analysing said input comprises means for detecting the number of characters present in the input region.

22. A messaging system according to claim 12, wherein the communication network is a peer-to-peer network.

23. A user terminal connected to a communication network and executing a client for use in a messaging system, said client comprising:

means for monitoring an input region displayed to a user of the user terminal;

means for analysing a user activated input, responsive to receiving said input at said input region, and using said analysis to match said input to a type of user activity from a predetermined set of user activities; and

means for transmitting a message comprising data representing said type of user activity from the user terminal to a user terminal of at least one other user of the messaging system over the communication network.