Remote access and social networking using presence-based applications

• US 8,682,997 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2010
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bristol, Anthony R, Biggs, Todd S., Gunn, Campbell D., Shockley, Tiffany L
• Primary Examiner(s): KHAJURIA, SHRIPAL K
• Application Number:
  US12/957,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20110078228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,211 Days
• Field of Search: 709/207
• US Class Current: 709/207
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/043 using or handling presence information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• 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

Various embodiments utilize a real-time instant messaging or presence based communications system as a mechanism to remotely control the operation, programming, and/or review of media content on a device or system such as a television, media center, gaming device, digital video recorder and the like. In addition, the use of the instant messaging or presence based communication system opens up various social networking options for users. For example, users can, if allowed, gain access to the viewing habits of individuals in their contact list and exchange information with one another to provide a rich, robust sharing environment.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

establishing a communication session, using a presence based network, with an application executing on a client device, the establishing being performed in part by at least one or more interactive bots that include instructions executable by one or more processors on a presence server;

utilizing the one or more interactive bots to engage in a human-like conversation with a user associated with the client device during the communication session, the human-like conversation interacting with the user via an interface conversation window when the application executing on the client device initiates an online presence;

providing within the communication session, via the interface conversation window and the human-like conversation, a plurality of different consumption retrieval options associated with media consumption information for the user associated with the client device, wherein each consumption retrieval option is associated with a different approach to discovering media content to recommend to the user;

receiving within the communication session, via the interface conversation window and the human-like conversation, a consumption retrieval selection in response to providing the plurality of different consumption retrieval options;

employing the one or more interactive bots to discover a plurality of media consumption recommendations, wherein at least one media consumption recommendation is based on presence information of one or more contacts of the user;

providing within the communication session, via an interface activity window to be displayed next to the interface conversation window, the plurality of media consumption recommendations;

receiving within the communication session, via the interface activity window or the interface conversation window, a media consumption selection;

purchasing the media consumption selection on behalf of the user of the application executing on the client device;

providing a notification of the purchase of the media consumption selection; and

programming a media consuming device to consume content associated with the media consumption selection.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the media consuming device is remote from the client device and programming the media consuming device includes instructing the media consuming device to record the content.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more interactive bots reside as presence based contacts in a buddy list of the user of the application executing on the client device, and wherein the one or more interactive bots are online in the presence based network whenever the user is online.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request within the communication session, via the interface conversation window and the human-like conversation, for media consumption habits of a particular contact;

accessing the media consumption habits of the particular contact responsive to receiving the request; and

providing a response within the communication session, via the interface conversation window and the human-like conversation, indicating the media consumption habits of the particular contact.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the response is based at least in part on a current online presence of the particular contact identified in the request.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the human-like conversation includes textually engaging the one or more interactive bots using the interface conversation window implemented in an instant messaging program.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising employing the one or more interactive bots to implement safety viewing habits that manage the programming of the media consuming device.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising employing the one or more interactive bots to generate notifications to a third person based on the safety viewing habits.

9. A method comprising:

establishing a communication session with a bot using a presence based network, the bot being an automated application that when executed on one or more processors implements an interface conversation window to engage in a human-like conversation with a user of a device;

within the communication session;

providing, via an interface conversation window and the human-like conversation, a plurality of different media content retrieval options based on a profile associated with the user of the device that established the communication session, wherein each media content retrieval option is associated with a different approach to discovering media content to recommend to the user;

receiving, via the interface conversation window and the human-like conversation, a media content retrieval selection in response to providing the plurality of different media content retrieval options;

discovering, using the presence based network, a plurality of media content recommendations based on the media content retrieval selection;

displaying, in an interface activity window presented adjacent to the interface conversation window, the plurality of media content recommendations;

receiving at least one media content selection;

purchasing the at least one media content selection on behalf of the user of the device;

providing a notification of the purchase of the at least one media content selection;

utilizing the bot to program the device to consume media content associated with the at least one media content selection; and

displaying, in the interface activity window, a layout schedule indicating starting times for the at least one media content selection.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein utilizing the bot to program the device to consume the media content includes remotely programming the device to record the media content.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the bot resides as a presence based contact in a buddy list of the user.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the bot is always online in the presence based network.

13. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising receiving a request for media consumption habits of a particular contact via the interface conversation window and the human-like conversation.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a response to the request via the interface conversation window or the interface activity window, the response including the media consumption habits of the particular contact.

15. A system comprising:

one or more processors;

one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed on the one or more processors, configure the system to;

establish a communication session, using a presence based network, with an application executing on a client device;

utilize one or more interactive bots to engage in a human-like conversation with a user associated with the client device during the communication session, the human-like conversation interacting with the user via an interface conversation window when the application executing on the client device initiates an online presence;

provide within the communication session, via the interface conversation window and the human-like conversation, a plurality of media retrieval options for the user associated with the client device;

receive within the communication session, via the interface conversation window and the human-like conversation, a media retrieval selection in response to providing the plurality of media retrieval options;

employ the one or more interactive bots to discover a plurality of media content recommendations, wherein at least one media content recommendation is based on presence information of one or more contacts of the user;

provide within the communication session, via an interface activity window to be displayed next to the interface conversation window, the plurality of media content recommendations;

receive within the communication session, via the interface activity window or the interface conversation window, a media content selection;

purchase the media content selection on behalf of the user of the application executing on the client device;

provide a notification of the purchase of the media content selection; and

program a media consuming device to consume the media content selection.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the media consuming device is remote from the client device and programming the media consuming device includes instructing the media consuming device to record media content.

17. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the one or more interactive bots reside as presence based contacts in a buddy list of the user of the application executing on the client device, and wherein the one or more interactive bots are online in the presence based network whenever the user is online.

18. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the one or more memories store further instructions that, when executed on the one or more processors, configure the system to:

receive a request within the communication session, via the interface conversation window and the human-like conversation, for media consumption habits of a particular contact;

access the media consumption habits of the particular contact responsive to receiving the request; and

provide a response within the communication session, via the interface conversation window and the human-like conversation, indicating the media consumption habits of the particular contact.