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;
logging in a chat queue open chat threads that the entity has initiated;
removing from the chat queue any open chat threads initiated by the entity that receive a reply;
determining if the entity is permitted to start the new chat conversation based at least in part on how many open chat threads a user has initiated;
analyzing feedback associated with the entity;
tracking positive feedback associated with the entity;
awarding the entity with additional new chat threads based upon achieving a threshold amount of positive feedback; and
based at least in part on the feedback, transmitting a challenge to the entity.
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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
12 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; logging in a chat queue open chat threads that the entity has initiated; removing from the chat queue any open chat threads initiated by the entity that receive a reply; determining if the entity is permitted to start the new chat conversation based at least in part on how many open chat threads a user has initiated; analyzing feedback associated with the entity; tracking positive feedback associated with the entity; awarding the entity with additional new chat threads based upon achieving a threshold amount of positive feedback; and based at least in part on the feedback, transmitting a challenge to the entity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. One or more memory storage devices encoded with computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform operations 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; 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; analyzing text that the entity has generated as part of a chat conversation; based at least in part on the analyzing, transmitting a challenge to the entity; receiving feedback associated with the entity; and based at least in part on the feedback, tracking positive feedback associated with the entity and awarding the entity additional new chat threads based upon achieving a threshold amount of positive feedback. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A system comprising:
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a processor; a memory; a request module stored in the memory and configured to be operated by the processor 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, wherein the chat queue is configured to remove any chat threads that receive a reply; a timer to time each open chat thread in the chat queue and to remove any open chat threads that time out; and a feedback module to receive feedback associated with a chat behavior of the entity, wherein the feedback module tracks positive feedback associated with the entity, wherein the system awards the entity additional new chat threads based upon achieving a threshold amount of positive feedback. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification