RFID wireless control of instant messaging

• US 7,664,820 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2005
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: X Corp. (f/k/a Twitter, Inc.) (X Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kelley, Edward E., Motika, Franco, Wilbrink, Tijs Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Najjar; Saleh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huq; Farzana
• Application Number:
  US10/906,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20060212519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,799 Days
• Field of Search: 709204-207, 709/227, 709/228, 709/246, 709/248, 709/249, 455/90.2, 455/95, 455/151.2, 455/403, 455/421, 455/439, 455/446, 455/518, 455/20
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users

Abstract

A remote control instant messaging method and system for automatically activating an instant messaging session based upon remote detection of a user approaching a processor capable of executing an instant message system. The method and system also automatically deactivate the instant messaging session based upon remote detection of the user'"'"'s absence from such processor and automatically re-activate the instant messaging session based upon remote detection of the user'"'"'s return to the processor. A second instant messaging session can also be remotely activated on a second processor operated by another user_id by detecting the first user'"'"'s approach to such second processor. The first user is automatically disengaged from this second instant messaging session when the user leaves the location of the second processor.

Claims

1. A method for controlling instant messaging comprising:

providing a data network communication device running an instant messaging session;

providing a receiving device connected to said data network communication device;

providing a wireless signaling device residing on a user having a unique identification for said user;

emitting a signal from said wireless signaling device residing on said user, said signal including said unique identification for said user; and

remotely controlling participation of said user within said instant messaging session running on said data network communication device based upon said receiving device receiving said signal from said wireless signaling device residing on said user whereby,

when said user is within physical proximity to said data network communication device, said receiving device receiving said signal emitted from said wireless signaling device and transferring said signal to said data network communication device for automatically identifying said user and activating said user'"'"'s instant messaging session for indicating said user as currently available for participation within said instant messaging session running on said data network communication device, and

when said user is not within physical proximity to said data network communication device, deactivating said user'"'"'s instant messaging session.

2. The method of claim 1 further including continuing said user'"'"'s instant messaging session as long as said user'"'"'s presence is detected at said data network communication device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein as said user moves away from said receiving device, said step of controlling said instant messaging session further comprising the steps of:

a lack of said signal being detected by said receiving device, whereby said lack of said signal transmission to said data network communication device indicates said user'"'"'s absence at said data network communication device; and

indicating said user as currently unavailable for participation within said instant messaging session by deactivating said user'"'"'s instant messaging session on said data network communication device based upon detection of said user'"'"'s absence at said data network communication device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said user comprises a first user, said method further including the step of determining whether said data network communication device is said first user'"'"'s personal data network communication device or a second data network communication device belonging to a second user.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said data network communication device comprises said second data network communication device belonging to said second user, the method further comprising the steps of:

said second data network communication device receiving said emitted signal from said wireless signaling device residing on said first user, said signal including said unique identification of said first user and a unique identification of said first user'"'"'s data network communication device;

transmitting a request from said second data network communication device for profile information contained within said wireless signaling device, said profile information at least including said unique identification of said first user'"'"'s data network communication device and any password needed to gain access to said first user'"'"'s instant messaging session;

receiving said requested profile information at said second data network communication device;

activating said first user'"'"'s instant messaging session on said second data network communication device using said profile information; and

directing all of said first user'"'"'s instant messages to said second data network communication device.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said first user and said second user simultaneously participate in instant messaging sessions on said second data network communication device under separate user identifications.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein as said first user moves away from said second data network communication device, said method further comprising the steps of:

said receiving device connected to said second data network communication device receiving a lack of said signal from said wireless signaling device on said first user;

deactivating said first user'"'"'s instant messaging session on said second data network communication device based upon detection of said first user'"'"'s absence from said second data network communication device; and

ending said first users s instant messaging session at said second data network communication device.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein said data network communication device comprises said first user'"'"'s personal data network communication device, the method further comprising the steps of:

said receiving device connected to said first user'"'"'s personal data network communication device receiving a lack of said signal from said wireless signaling device on said first user;

deactivating said first user'"'"'s instant messaging session on said first user'"'"'s personal data network communication device based upon detection of said first user'"'"'s absence from said first user'"'"'s personal data network communication device; and

sending a message to said instant messaging session to indicate said first user'"'"'s unavailability status in said instant messaging session.

9. The method of claim 8 further including the step of ending said first user'"'"'s instant messaging session at said first user'"'"'s personal data network communication device.

10. The method of claim 8 further including the steps of:

said first user approaching a third data network communication device;

said receiving device of said third data network communication device detecting said signal emitted from said wireless signaling device on said first user;

transmitting said signal from said receiving device to said third data network communication device to indicate said user'"'"'s presence at said third data network communication device;

re-activating said first user'"'"'s instant messaging session on said third data network communication device based upon detection of said user'"'"'s presence at said third data network communication device; and

indicating said first user'"'"'s availability status in said instant messaging session.

11. The method of claim 10 further including continuing said first user'"'"'s instant messaging session at said third data network communication device as long as said user'"'"'s presence is detected at said third data network communication device.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said third data network communication device is selected from the group consisting of said user'"'"'s personal data network communication device, said second data network communication device and a new data network communication device.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said data network communication device is selected from the group consisting of a computer-based system connected to a network, a non-wireless instant message communication environment and a wireless instant message communication environment.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said wireless signaling device is selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency identification device, a magnetic badge, token, radio connection and infrared.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said receiving device comprises a receiver selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency identification device, infrared and a radio receiver.

16. A remotely controlled instant messaging system comprising:

a data network communication device running an instant messaging session;

a receiving device connected to said data network communication device;

a wireless signaling device residing on a user having a unique identification for said user, said wireless signaling device emitting a signal that includes said unique identification for said user; and

a program of instructions on said data network communication device for remotely controlling participation of said user within said instant messaging session running on said data network communication device based upon said receiving device detecting said signal from said wireless signaling device residing on said user whereby,

when said user is within physical proximity to said data network communication device, said receiving device receiving said signal emitted from said wireless signaling device and transferring said signal to said data network communication device for automatically identifying said user and activating said user'"'"'s instant messaging session for indicating said user as currently available for participation within said instant messaging session running on said data network communication device, and

when said user is not within physical proximity to said data network communication device, deactivating said user'"'"'s instant messaging session.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said program of instructions includes a first set of instructions for activating said instant messaging session on said data network communication device based upon said receiving device receiving said signal, which indicates said user'"'"'s presence at said data network communication device.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said program of instructions includes a second set of instructions for deactivating said instant messaging session on said data network communication device based upon a lack of detection of said signal by said receiving device, which indicates said user'"'"'s absence at said data network communication device.

19. A program storage device readable by a processor capable of executing instructions, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the processor to perform method steps for remotely controlling instant messaging, said method steps comprising:

providing a data network communication device running an instant messaging session;

providing a receiving device connected to said data network communication device;

providing a wireless signaling device residing on a user having a unique identification for said user;

emitting a signal from said wireless signaling device residing on said user, said signal including said unique identification for said user; and

remotely controlling participation of said user within said instant messaging session running on said data network communication device based upon said receiving device receiving said signal from said wireless signaling device residing on said user whereby,

when said user is within physical proximity to said data network communication device, said receiving device receiving said signal emitted from said wireless signaling device and transferring said signal to said data network communication device for automatically identifying said user and activating said user'"'"'s instant messaging session for indicating said user as currently available for participation within said instant messaging session running on said data network communication device, and

when said user is not within physical proximity to said data network communication device, deactivating said user'"'"'s instant messaging session.