MESSAGING SERVICE USING DIFFERENT TEXT MESSAGING CHANNELS

• US 20130036179A1
• Filed: 11/28/2011
• Published: 02/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Hochmuth, Gregor, Ferrell, William
• Granted Patent: US 8,645,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A system and method for providing a messaging service in a community is disclosed. The system includes a communication interface and a message routing module. The communication interface receives a message from a first member of the community using a first text messaging channel. The message includes a community number identifying the community. The message routing module is communicatively coupled to the communication interface. The message routing module determines one or more second members of the community based at least in part on the community number. The message routing module determines one or more second text messaging channels for the one or more second members. The communication interface sends the message to the one or more second members of the community using the one or more second text messaging channels.

Claims

1. A method for providing a messaging service in a community, the method comprising:

receiving a message from a first member of the community using a first text messaging channel, the message including a community number identifying the community;

determining one or more second members of the community based at least in part on the community number;

determining one or more second text messaging channels for the one or more second members; and

sending the message to the one or more second members using the one or more second text messaging channels.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first text messaging channel and the one or more second text messaging channels are one or more of a channel via short messaging service, a channel via an application in a smart phone and a channel via a website.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the message further includes an identification of the first text messaging channel, an identification of the first member and a timestamp.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a community configuration request from the first member of the community; and

configuring the community in response to the community configuration request.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein configuring the community includes one or more of adding a new member to the community, removing a member from the community, changing member status, stopping to receive updates in the community, proceeding to receive updates in the community, voting to remove a member from the community, temporarily blocking a conversation room in the community, changing a notification preference for a member, changing a nickname for a member and providing a web view for messages.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising publishing the message in a web view.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a community creation request from a user; and

creating a new community in response to the community creation request.

8. A system for providing a messaging service in a community, the system comprising:

a communication interface for receiving a message from a first member of the community using a first text messaging channel and sending the message to one or more second members of the community using one or more second text messaging channels, the message including a community number identifying the community; and

a message routing module communicatively coupled to the communication interface, the message routing module configured to;

determine the one or more second members of the community based at least in part on the community number; and

determine the one or more second text messaging channels for the one or more second members.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first text messaging channel and the one or more second text messaging channels are one or more of a channel via short messaging service, a channel via an application in a smart phone and a channel via a website.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the message further includes an identification of the first text messaging channel, an identification of the first member and a timestamp.

11. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a community configuration module communicatively coupled to the communication interface, the community configuration module receiving a community configuration request from the communication interface and configuring the community in response to the community configuration request; and

wherein the communication interface receives the community configuration request from the first member of the community.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the community configuration module configuring the community includes one or more of adding a new member to the community, removing a member from the community, changing member status, stopping to receive updates in the community, proceeding to receive updates in the community, voting to remove a member from the community, temporarily blocking a conversation room in the community, changing a notification preference for a member, changing a nickname for a member and providing a web view for messages.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the community configuration module is further configured to publish the message in a web view.

14. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a community creation module communicatively coupled to the communication interface, the community creation module receiving a community creation request from the communication interface and creating a new community in response to the community creation request; and

wherein the communication interface receives the community creation request from a user.

15. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium including a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:

receive a message from a first member of the community using a first text messaging channel, the message including a community number identifying the community;

determine one or more second members of the community based at least in part on the community number;

determine one or more second text messaging channels for the one or more second members; and

send the message to the one or more second members using the one or more second text messaging channels.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the first text messaging channel and the one or more second text messaging channels are one or more of a channel via short messaging service, a channel via an application in a smart phone and a channel via a website.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the message further includes an identification of the first text messaging channel, an identification of the first member and a timestamp.

18. The computer program product of claim 15 further comprising:

receiving a community configuration request from the first member of the community; and

configuring the community in response to the community configuration request.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein configuring the community includes one or more of adding a new member to the community, removing a member from the community, changing member status, stopping to receive updates in the community, proceeding to receive updates in the community, voting to remove a member from the community, temporarily blocking a conversation room in the community, changing a notification preference for a member, changing a nickname for a member and providing a web view for messages.

20. The computer program product of claim 15 further comprising:

receiving a community creation request from a user; and

creating a new community in response to the community creation request.