Reducing Unsolicited Instant Messages by Tracking Communication Threads
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving a request from an entity to start a new chat conversation; and
determining if the entity is permitted to start the new chat conversation based at least in part on how many open chat threads the user has initiated.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Processes and techniques for reducing spam over instant messaging (SPIM) are described. In one implementation, the number of open instant messaging threads (“chat threads”) that a specific user can have at a given time is limited to prevent a potential spimmer from flooding instant messaging users with SPIM. Another implementation combines the technique of limiting the number of open instant messaging threads with a user feedback technique that enables users to inform an instant messaging service or other entity about users that are sending SPIM or other undesirable content. Another implementation combines the technique of limiting the number of open instant messaging threads with a text analysis technique that enables an instant messaging service or other entity to analyze text generated by a user to determine if the user is sending SPIM or other undesirable content to other instant messaging users.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving a request from an entity to start a new chat conversation; and determining if the entity is permitted to start the new chat conversation based at least in part on how many open chat threads the user has initiated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. One or more computer-readable media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, perform acts comprising:
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logging in a chat queue open chat threads that an entity has initiated; removing from the chat queue any open chat threads initiated by the entity that receive a reply; and determining if the entity is permitted to begin a new chat conversation based at least in part on a number of open chat threads initiated by the entity that remain in the chat queue. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system comprising:
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a request module configured to determine if an entity is permitted to open a new chat thread based at least in part on a number of open chat threads that the entity has initiated; a chat queue to track a number of open chat threads that the entity has initiated; and a timer to time each open chat thread in the chat queue and to remove any open chat threads that time out. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification