REMOTE CONTROL USING INSTANT MESSAGING

• US 20130254315A1
• Filed: 05/17/2013
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Solyanik, Sergey, Linden, Lee, Kindel, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 9,491,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• 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 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

An instant messaging client may operate on a host device and enable various forms of control of the host device via instant messaging commands. The instant messaging client may connect to an instant messaging service using a user name and having a list of authorized users. The client may be able to sense that a user is on line and initiate a message session with the user. The user may also be able to initiate a session with the host device through the instant messaging client and perform a variety of functions through the instant messaging session.

Claims

1. An automated instant messaging client comprising:

an interface to an instant messaging service adapted to;

connect with said instant messaging service with a user identity;

respond to an incoming request for a conversation from said instant messaging service;

establish a conversation with a user through said instant messaging service, wherein different permissions are established for different users in order to give the users access to specific functions or to a limited number of devices, and wherein the users are identified on a contact list;

a dispatcher comprising a basic command set and adapted to;

receive a first instant message;

analyze said first instant message to determine a command;

route said command to a device;

receive a response from a device;

generate a second instant message comprising said response.

2. The automated instant messaging client of claim 1, said basic command set comprising a request for a menu of available commands.

3. The automated instant messaging client of claim 1, said basic command set comprising at least one file operation on a host for said automated instant messaging client.

4. The automated instant messaging client of claim 3, said file operation comprising at least one of a group composed of searching for a file and fetching a file.

5. The automated instant messaging client of claim 1, said basic command set comprising at least one device operation command.

6. The automated instant messaging client of claim 5, said device operation command comprising rebooting.

7. The automated instant messaging client of claim 5, said device operation command comprising at least one of a group composed of requesting a status of a device and sending data to a device.

8. The automated instant messaging client of claim 7, said device being attached to a host for said automated instant messaging client.

9. The automated instant messaging client of claim 8, said device being attached to said host by a network connection.

10. The automated instant messaging client of claim 7, said device comprising a software component installed on a host for said messaging client.

11. The automated instant messaging client of claim 1 further comprising an extended command set supplied through a method of installing a software component.

12. An automated instant messaging client comprising:

a connection to an instant messaging service;

a user identity for said instant messaging service;

a user on a contact list, wherein the users are identified on the contact list, and wherein for different users different permissions are established in order to give the users access to specific functions or to a limited number of devices;

a dispatcher adapted to;

receive a notification message from an installed component;

establish a conversation with said user through said instant messaging service; and

transmit at least a portion of said notification message to said user.

13. The automated instant messaging client of claim 12, said notification message comprising status information about a device connected to a host machine for said automated instant messaging client.

14. The automated instant messaging client of claim 12, said installed component comprising a command set.

15. The automated instant messaging client of claim 12 adapted to:

receive a message from said user;

parse a command from said message, said command being comprised in said command set; and

return a result from said command via a message.

16. A method comprising:

connecting with an instant messaging service, the instant messaging service having a user identity;

responding to an incoming request for a conversation from said instant messaging service;

establishing a conversation with a user, wherein different permissions are established for different users in order to give the users access to specific functions or to a limited number of devices;

receiving a first instant message;

analyzing said first instant message to determine a command;

routing said command to a device;

receiving a response from a device; and

generating a second instant message comprising said response.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

receiving a device message from said device;

establishing a conversation with a user through said instant messaging service; and

transmitting a third instant message to said user based on said device message.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said incoming request is sent from one of a list of authorized users.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein said device comprises an installed software component.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein analyzing said first instant message to determine a command comprises analyzing said first instant message to determine a command, the command selected from among:

rebooting the device, downloading a file from the device, searching for a file on the device, changing parameters of the device, and requesting status information from the device.