System and method for activity monitoring and reporting in a computer network

• US 6,519,639 B1
• Filed: 07/21/1999
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Liffick, Stephen M., Glasser, Daniel S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meky, Moustafa M.
• Application Number:
  US09/359,337
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200, 709/201, 709/203, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/223, 709/224, 709/227, 709/228, 709/229, 709/204
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A system for monitoring user activity in an instant messaging session on a computer network periodically sends an activity message to other participants in the instant messaging session if the user has actively entered data during a first predetermined time interval. The system periodically sends a new activity message at intervals corresponding to the first predetermined time interval so long as the user is actively entering data during each time interval. If the user has not entered data during the first predetermined time interval, the system will not send an activity message. Other participants in the instant messaging session receive the activity message and generate an activity indicator on their respective displays. The computer receiving the activity message displays an activity indicator on the computer display in response to receipt of an activity message and starts a timer to measure a second predetermined time interval. If another activity message is not received within the second predetermined time interval, the activity indicator is deleted from the display.

Claims

1. A system for activity notification on a computer network, the system comprising:

a user input device;

an activity monitor to detect user activation of the user input device, the activity monitor generating a status signal indicative of user activation of the user input device;

a timer to measure a predetermined time interval;

a message processor to generate an activity message if the status signal has been generated within the predetermined time interval, the activity message processor transmitting the activity message to at least one recipient with whom the user is communicating via the computer network.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the user input device is operable by the user to enter message data to be transmitted to the least one recipient, the system further comprising a message transmit input element operable by the user to transmit the message data to the at least one recipient.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the message processor ceases transmission of the activity message at the end of the predetermined time interval if the message transmit input element has been operated by the user to transmit the message data to the at least one recipient regardless of whether the status signal has been generated within the predetermined time interval.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a buffer to store the message to be transmitted to the at least one recipient, the message processor immediately generating and transmitting the activity message when a data is initially stored in the buffer.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the user input device is an audio input element operable by the user to enter audio data as the message data to be transmitted to the least one recipient.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the user input device is a keyboard operable by the user to enter keyboard data as the message data and the activity monitor monitors user operation of the keyboard.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the message transmit input element is a portion of the keyboard.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the message processor ceases transmission of the activity message at the end of the predetermined time interval if the message transmit input element has been operated by the user to transmit the message data to the at least one recipient regardless of whether the status signal has been generated within the predetermined time interval.

9. A system for activity notification on a computer network having a transmitting computing device coupled to the computer network, the system comprising:

a network interface coupled to the computer network and receiving an activity message from the transmitting computing device, the activity message being indicative of user activity on the transmitting computing device;

a timer to measure a predetermined time interval; and

a message processor to generate an activity indicator in response to receipt of the activity message and deleting the activity indicator at the end of the predetermined time interval if a new activity message is not received during the predetermined time interval.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a display for displaying the activity indicator.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the activity indicator is a text message.

12. The system of claim 9 the activity indicator is a graphic symbol.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the computer network comprises a plurality of transmitting computing devices coupled to the computer network and the network interface receives an activity message from each of the plurality of transmitting computing devices, the system further comprising a plurality of timers to measure a plurality of the predetermined time intervals, the message processor generating an activity indicator corresponding to each of the activity messages in response to receipt of each activity message and initiating a corresponding timer to measure the predetermined time interval from the arrival of each of the activity messages, the message processor deleting the activity indicator for each of the plurality of transmitting computing devices at the end of the corresponding measured predetermined time interval if a new activity message from each respective one of the plurality of transmitting computing devices is not received in the corresponding measured predetermined time interval.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein the computer network comprises a plurality of transmitting computing devices coupled to the computer network and the network interface receives an activity message from each of the plurality of transmitting computing devices, the message process generating an activity message in response to receipt of each activity message and deleting the activity indicator for each of the plurality of transmitting computing devices at the end of the predetermined time interval if a new activity message from each respective one of the plurality of transmitting computing devices is not received within the predetermined time period.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein a user of the transmitting computing device participates in a conversation with a user who is associated with the system, and wherein the message processor generates or deletes the activity indicator based on whether the user is actively engaged in the conversation.

16. A computer-readable media containing computer-executable instructions to cause a computer coupled to a computer network to perform program steps of:

detecting user activation of a user input device;

generating a status signal indicative of user activation of the user input device;

measuring a predetermined time interval;

generating an activity message at the end of the predetermined time interval if the status signal has been generated within the predetermined time interval; and

transmitting the activity message to at least one recipient with whom the user is communicating via the computer network.

17. The computer-readable media of claim 16 containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of sensing user operation of the user input device to enter message data to be transmitted to the least one recipient and sensing user operation of a message transmit input element to transmit the message data to the at least one recipient.

18. The computer-readable media of claim 17 containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of ceasing transmission of the activity message at the end of the predetermined time interval if the message transmit input element has been operated by the user to transmit the message data to the at least one recipient regardless of whether the status signal has been generated within the predetermined time interval.

19. The computer-readable media of claim 17 wherein the user input device is a keyboard operable by the user to enter keyboard data as the message data, the computer-readable media containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps sensing operation of the keyboard by the user.

20. The computer-readable media of claim 17 wherein the user input device is an audio input element operable by the user to enter audio data as the message data to be transmitted to the least one recipient, the computer-readable media containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of detecting the audio data and storing the audio data as the message data.

21. The computer-readable media of claim 17 containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of temporarily storing the message data in a buffer to be transmitted to the at least one recipient, and immediately generating and transmitting the activity message when data is initially stored in the buffer.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the steps further comprise:

determining whether a user of the computer is engaged in a conversation with a user of the transmitting computing device based on whether the new activity message is received within the predetermined time interval.

22. A computer-readable media containing computer-executable instructions to cause a computer coupled to a computer network to perform program steps of:

receiving an activity message from a transmitting computing device coupled to a computer network, the activity message being indicative of user activity on the transmitting computing device;

generating an activity indicator in response to receipt of the activity message;

initiating a timer to measure a predetermined time interval; and

deleting the activity indicator at the end of the predetermined time interval if a new activity message is not received within the predetermined time interval.

23. The computer-readable media of claim 22 containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of displaying the activity indicator on a computer display.

24. The computer-readable media of claim 23 containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of deleting the activity indicator from the computer display at the end of the predetermined time interval if a new activity message is not received.

26. A computer-readable media containing computer-executable instructions to cause a computer coupled to a computer network to perform program steps of:

receiving an activity message from each of a plurality of transmitting computing devices coupled to a computer network, each activity message being indicative of user activity on the respective transmitting computing device;

in response to receipt of each activity message, generating an activity indicator corresponding to each respective transmitting computing device;

initiating a timer to measure a predetermined time interval; and

deleting the activity indicator corresponding to a particular transmitting computing device at the end of the predetermined time interval if a new activity message from the particular transmitting computing device is not received during the predetermined time interval.

27. The computer-readable media of claim 26 containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of displaying the activity indicator corresponding to each respective transmitting computing device.

28. The computer-readable media of claim 27 containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of deleting the activity indicator corresponding to a particular transmitting computing device from the computer display at the end of the predetermined time interval if a new activity message from the particular transmitting computing device is not received.

29. A computer-readable media containing computer-executable instructions to cause a computer coupled to a computer network to perform program steps of:

detecting user activation of a user input device;

generating a status signal indicative of user activation of the user input device;

measuring a first predetermined time interval;

generating an outgoing activity message at the end of the first predetermined time interval if the status signal has been generated within the first predetermined time interval;

transmitting the outgoing activity message to at least one participant computing device with whom the user is communicating via the computer network;

receiving an incoming activity message from a participant computing device coupled to a computer network, the activity message being indicative of user activity on the participant computing device;

generating an activity indicator in response to receipt of the incoming activity message;

initiating a timer to measure a second predetermined time interval; and

deleting the activity indicator at the end of the second predetermined time interval if an incoming activity message is not received during the second predetermined time interval.

30. The computer-readable media of claim 29 containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of ceasing transmission of the outgoing activity message at the end of the first predetermined time interval if a message transmit input element has been operated by the user to transmit the message data to the at least one participant regardless of whether the status signal has been generated within the first predetermined time interval.

31. The computer-readable media of claim 29 containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of temporarily storing the message data in a buffer to be transmitted to the at least one participant, and immediately generating and transmitting the outgoing activity message when data is initially stored in the buffer.

32. The computer-readable media of claim 29 containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of displaying the activity indicator on a computer display.

33. The computer-readable media of claim 32 containing further computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of deleting the activity indicator from the computer display at the end of the predetermined time interval if a new incoming activity message is not received.

34. A method for activity notification in a computer coupled to a computer network, the method comprising:

detecting user activation of a user input device;

generating a status signal indicative of user activation of the user input device;

measuring a predetermined time interval;

generating an activity message at the end of the predetermined time interval if the status signal has been generated within the predetermined time interval; and

transmitting the activity message to at least one recipient with whom the user is communicating via the computer network.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising sensing user operation of the user input device to enter message data to be transmitted to the least one recipient and sensing user operation of a message transmit input element to transmit the message data to the at least one recipient.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising ceasing transmission of the activity message at the end of the predetermined time interval if the message transmit input element has been operated by the user to transmit the message data to the at least one recipient regardless of whether the status signal has been generated within the predetermined time interval.

37. The method of claim 34, further comprising temporarily storing the message data in a buffer to be transmitted to the at least one recipient, and immediately generating and transmitting the activity message when data is initially stored in the buffer.

38. A method for activity notification in a computer coupled to a computer network, the method comprising:

receiving an activity message from a transmitting computing device coupled to a computer network, the activity message being indicative of user activity on the transmitting computing device;

generating an activity indicator in response to receipt of the activity message;

initiating a timer to measure a predetermined time interval; and

deleting the activity indicator at the end of the predetermined time interval if an activity message is not received within a predetermined time.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising displaying the activity indicator on a computer display.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising deleting the activity indicator from the computer display at the end of the predetermined time interval if a new activity message is not received within the predetermined time interval.

41. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

determining whether a user of the computer is engaged in a conversation with a user of the transmitting computing device based on whether the new activity message is received within the predetermined time interval.

42. A method for activity notification in a computer coupled to a computer network, the method comprising:

detecting user activation of a user input device;

generating a status signal indicative of user activation of the user input device;

measuring a first predetermined time interval;

generating an outgoing activity message at the end of the first predetermined time interval if the status signal has been generated within the first predetermined time interval;

transmitting the outgoing activity message to at least one participant computing device with whom the user is communicating via the computer network;

receiving an incoming activity message from a participant computing device coupled to a computer network, the incoming activity message being indicative of user activity on the participant computing device;

generating an activity indicator in response to receipt of the incoming activity message;

initiating a timer to measure a second predetermined time interval; and

deleting the activity indicator at the end of the second predetermined time interval if an incoming activity message is not received during the second predetermined time interval.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising ceasing transmission of the outgoing activity message at the end of the first predetermined time interval if a message transmit input element has been operated by the user to transmit the message data to the at least one participant regardless of whether the status signal has been generated within the first predetermined time interval.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising temporarily storing the message data in a buffer to be transmitted to the at least one participant, and immediately generating and transmitting the outgoing activity message when data is initially stored in the buffer.

45. The method of claim 42, further comprising displaying the activity indicator on a computer display.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising deleting the activity indicator from the computer display at the end of the predetermined time interval if a new incoming activity message is not received.

47. A system for notifying one or more participants of user activity, the system being adapted to operate on a device that comprises or is associated with a user-operable input mechanism, the device being communicatively coupleable to the one or more participants, the system comprising:

a timer which measures a time interval having a predetermined duration; and

a notifying module which receives an indication that the user mechanism is being operated, and which sends an activity message to the one or more participants conditioned upon the input mechanism being operated within said time interval.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the timer measures successive time intervals having said predetermined duration, and wherein said notifying module sends an activity message for each of the successive time intervals in which the user mechanism is operated at least once.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein the user mechanism comprises at least one of:

keyboard, or audio-capture device.

50. A system for determining whether a remote user is actively entering input, the system being adapted to operate on a device that is communicatively coupleable to the remote user, the system comprising:

a timer which measures a time interval having a predetermined duration; and

a determination module which receives an activity message from the remote user, which determines whether said activity message has been received within said time interval, and which generates output based on the determination as to whether said activity message has been received within said time interval.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the timer measures successive time intervals having said predetermined duration, and wherein said determining module generates output based on whether said activity message has been received within each of said successive time intervals.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein said output comprises at least one of:

text message, or graphic icon.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the generation of output comprises:

displaying said text message or graphic icon if said activity message has been received within said time interval; and

not displaying, or ceasing to display, said text message or graphic icon if said activity message has not been received within said time interval.

54. The system of claim 50, wherein the remote user participates in a conversation with a local user of the device, and wherein the determination module determines whether the remote user is actively engaged in the conversation with the local user based on whether the activity message is received within said time interval.