Methods, and computer program products for constraining a communication exchange

• US 10,838,588 B1
• Filed: 05/20/2018
• Issued: 11/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gummarus, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Gummarus, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Morris, Robert Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Jungwon
• Application Number:
  US15/984,401
• Time in Patent Office: 912 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/106 Display of layout of documents; Previewing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/143 Markup, e.g. Standard Generalized Markup Language [SGML] or Document Type Definition [DTD]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/02 using automatic reactions or user delegation, e.g. automatic replies or chatbot-generated messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services

Abstract

In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method is provided, comprising: creating at least a portion of an instant messaging application that is configured to cooperate with an apparatus, the instant messaging application, when executed, configured to cause a device to: display an instant messaging interface including a communicant message user interface element for receiving a text portion of a message and a send user interface element for sending the text portion of the message in response to a user selection thereof, and receive, from the apparatus and utilizing a communications agent on the device configured to receive incoming messages addressed to a communicant identifier associated with a user of the instant messaging application, a notification including a constraint that identifies a plurality of user interface elements includable in a form presentable via the instant messaging interface for constraining a generation of one or more data object requests in response to a selection on one or more of the plurality of user interface elements.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

providing access to at least a portion of an instant messaging application that is configured to cooperate with an apparatus, the instant messaging application, when executed, configured to cause a device to;

display an instant messaging interface including a communicant message user interface element for receiving a text portion of a message and a send user interface element for sending the text portion of the message in response to a user selection thereof,

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing a communications agent on the device configured to receive incoming messages addressed to a communicant identifier associated with a user of the instant messaging application, a notification including a constraint that identifies a plurality of user interface elements includable in a form presentable via the instant messaging interface for constraining a generation of one or more data object requests in response to a selection on one or more of the plurality of user interface elements,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the notification including the constraint that identifies the plurality of user interface elements;

display, via the instant messaging interface, the form including the user interface elements which include a first button and a second button,

receive, via the form of the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the first button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the form of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the first button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface;

generate a first data object request corresponding to the first button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface, where the generation of the first data object request is constrained by the constraint,

in response to the generation of the first data object request corresponding to the first button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface;

send, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a first request message that includes the first data object request,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the first request message that includes the first data object request;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a first response message,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the first request message that includes the first data object request;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a first data object response including at least one first image, the first data object response being attached to the first response message,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the first response message and the first data object response including the at least one first image;

display, via the instant messaging interface, the at least one first image as part of a same user interface element in which the form is displayed,

receive, via the form of the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the second button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the form of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the second button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface;

generate a second data object request corresponding to the second button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface, where the generation of the second data object request is constrained by the constraint,

in response to the generation of the second data object request corresponding to the second button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface;

send, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a second request message that includes the second data object request,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the second request message that includes the second data object request;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a second response message,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the second request message that includes the second data object request;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a second data object response including at least one second image, the second data object response being attached to the second response message, and

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the second response message and the second data object response including the at least one second image;

display, via the instant messaging interface, the at least one second image; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the instant messaging application.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the constraint is valid according to a specified schema of hypertext markup language (HTML).

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the constraint is based on a communication protocol that is utilized for communication between the apparatus and the instant messaging application.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the constraint is represented at least in part by an instruction that is valid according to a programming language, wherein the instruction is included for enforcing the constraint and is at least partially identified by the form.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the constraint identifies the at least one first image and the at least one second image.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the constraint is:

separate from an authentication of the user, separate from an access control that is based on a role, separate from a user identity, and separate from a group membership of the user.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the constraint is included or identified in a received instant message.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the notification is an instant message.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the notification includes presentation data for presenting the plurality of user interface elements, and the presentation data is included in received image information, where at least one of the first data object request or the second data object request is generated based on the image information.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the first request message and the second request message are generated based on the constraint.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first data object response and the first data object response are constrained based on the constraint.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the constraint prevents the first data object request from requesting content other than the at least one first image, and further prevents the second data object request from requesting content other than the at least one second image.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the generation of the first data object request is constrained by the constraint utilizing a JAVA-related schema that defines a vocabulary and a rule that constrains the generation of the first data object request, and at least one of the at least one first image or the at least one second image is displayed via the form.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application is configured such that, when executed, the text portion of the message is capable of being as vague as language per the user, with any data object response is automatically generated based on the language and received for displaying a corresponding image.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the instant messaging application, when executed, is configured to cause the device to:

display a third button with the at least one first image,

receive, via the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the third button displayed via the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the third button displayed via the instant messaging interface;

generate a third data object request corresponding to the third button displayed via the instant messaging interface,

in response to the generation of the third data object request corresponding to the third button displayed via the instant messaging interface;

send, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a third request message that includes the third data object request,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the third request message that includes the third data object request;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a third response message,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the third request message that includes the third data object request;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a third data object response including at least one third image, the third data object response being attached to the third response message, and

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the third response message and the third data object response including the at least one third image;

display, via the instant messaging interface, the at least one third image.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:

the instant messaging application is configured to utilize the communications agent on the device to communicate the incoming messages when the user is a contactee and the outgoing messages when the user is a contactor, utilizing a communications protocol, such that the incoming messages and the outgoing messages are addressed using the communicant identifier which takes the form of a communication address associated with a communicant alias corresponding to the user;

the instant messaging interface is configured to simultaneously display at least a portion of at least one of the incoming messages and at least a portion of at least one of the outgoing messages in a form of a conversation which is simultaneously displayed with at least a portion of at least one of;

the at least one first image or the at least one second image, where at least one of the at least one first image or the at least one second image is displayed to be part of the conversation.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, wherein the communications protocol includes a real-time, store and forward, instant messaging, request/reply protocol on top of a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one of:

the at least portion of the instant messaging application includes an entirety of the instant messaging application;

the device includes at least one of a personal computer or a mobile device;

the at least portion of the instant messaging application is created by a development thereof;

the instant messaging application is configured to cooperate with the apparatus by communicating with the apparatus;

the instant messaging application is configured such that interaction therewith is capable of invoking a network browser application;

the apparatus includes at least one of one or more servers, or one or more relays;

the apparatus is equipped with another communications agent;

the communicant identifier includes at least one of a contactor identifier or a contactee identifier;

in each instance of an operation including at least one of the generation, the displaying, or the sending, in response to the receiving, the operation occurs in immediate response to the receiving;

in each instance of an operation including at least one of the generation, the displaying, or the sending, in response to the receiving, the operation occurs after at least one intermediate operation that occurs in immediate response to the receiving;

each instance of receiving includes receiving, from the apparatus, that which was received by the apparatus from a web service;

each instance of sending includes sending, to the apparatus, that which is sent by the apparatus to a web service;

at least one of the first button or the second button includes a button control that initiates a command in response to a user selection thereon;

at least one of the first button or the second button includes a hyperlink;

selection on at least one of the first button or the second button results in a call;

at least one of the first button or the second button is constructed using a mark-up language;

at least one of the first button or the second button is received as a message attachment;

at least one of the first button or the second button is associated with a uniform resource locator;

the indication of the selection on at least one of the first button or the second button does not invoke a network browser application;

the indication of the selection on at least one of the first button or the second button is received via the communicant message user interface element of the instant messaging interface in response to a detection of a user touch on a touchscreen of the device;

the indication of the selection on at least one of the first button or the second button includes a signal;

the indication of the selection includes selection information;

the indication of the selection on at least one of the first button or the second button is received from code associated with the communicant message user interface element;

the communications agent is separate from the instant messaging application;

the communications agent is integrated with the instant messaging application;

the communications agent receives the incoming messages and sends the outgoing messages;

the incoming messages include automatically generated messages and the outgoing messages include messages edited by the user;

the incoming messages include automatically generated messages and the outgoing messages include messages prompted by the user;

the outgoing messages include the first request message and the second request message;

the incoming messages include the first response message and the second response message;

the addressing is automatic;

the addressing is manual;

the send user interface element includes a forward user interface element;

the send user interface element serves to send by forwarding;

the send user interface element includes the word “

send”

;

the first request message includes an initial request message;

the first data object request is in the first request message;

the first data object request is attached to the first request message;

the first button is capable of being selected and the second button is capable of not being selected in a first use scenario, the first button is capable of not being selected and the second button is capable of being selected in a second use scenario, and the first button is capable of being selected and the second button is capable of being selected in a third use scenario;

the first data object request corresponds to the first button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface by being prompted by the selection thereon;

the form includes a mark up language form;

the form includes one or more criterion elements;

the form includes at least one of a name or a type;

the form includes an image;

the form is included with the notification;

the form is received;

the plurality of user interface elements are included in the form after the receipt of the notification including the constraint;

the constraint includes the plurality of user interface elements;

the notification conforms to a schema to create a valid notification;

the notification is based on a schema that defines or otherwise identifies a valid notification for a particular type of communication or for a particular communications protocol supported by the communications agent;

the notification is constructed or otherwise created, based on constraint information;

the notification is constructed or otherwise created, based on constraint information received from a human;

the notification is in a communication based on a reserved keyword identifier;

the notification is detected based on content included in a message or based on metadata;

each instance of the generation includes construction;

the constraint includes a construction constraint;

the notification includes a constraint notification;

the constraint restricts data objects that are identifiable to a particular user in response to at least one of the first data object request or the second data object request;

the constraint restricts a construction of at least one of the first response message or the second response message;

the generation of one or more data object requests is constrained based on the form;

the generation of the one or more data object requests is constrained by presenting only the one or more of the plurality of user interface elements as options for generating the data object request;

the generation of the one or more data object requests is constrained based on the form by only presenting the one or more of the plurality of user interface elements as options for generating the data object request;

the generation of the first data object request is constrained by the constrained by only presenting the first button as an option for generating the first data object request;

the generation of the first data object request is constrained by the constrained by presenting only the first button as an option for generating the first data object request;

the generation of the first data object request is constrained by the constrained by only allowing the at least one first image to be received as a result of the first data object request;

the generation of the first data object request is constrained by the constrained by constraining a format of the first data object request;

the generation of the first data object request is constrained by the constrained by only allowing the at least one first image and accompanying content to be received as a result of the first data object request;

each instance of the generation includes receiving or identifying data for performing at least part of the generation;

the first data object response is displayed to be attached to the first response message;

or

the at least portion of the instant messaging application is part of a system, where the system further comprises the apparatus and the device.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer instructions of an instant messaging application, that when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the one or more processors to:

display an instant messaging interface including a communicant message user interface element for receiving a text portion of a message and a send user interface element for sending the text portion of the message in response to a user selection thereof,

receive, from an apparatus and utilizing a communications agent on the device configured to receive incoming messages addressed to a communicant identifier associated with a user of the instant messaging application, a notification including a constraint that identifies a plurality of user interface elements includable in a form presentable via the instant messaging interface for constraining a generation of one or more data object requests based on the form in response to a selection on one or more of the plurality of user interface elements,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the notification including the constraint that identifies the plurality of user interface elements;

display, via the instant messaging interface, the form including the user interface elements which include a first button and a second button,

receive, via the form of the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the first button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the form of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the first button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface;

generate a first data object request corresponding to the first button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface, where the generation of the first data object request is constrained by the constraint,

in response to the generation of the first data object request corresponding to the first button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface;

send, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a first request message that includes the first data object request,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the first request message that includes the first data object request;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a first response message,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the first request message that includes the first data object request;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a first data object response including at least one first image, the first data object response being attached to the first response message,

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the first response message and the first data object response including the at least one first image;

display, via the instant messaging interface, the at least one first image as part of a same user interface element in which the form is displayed,

receive, via the form of the instant messaging interface, an indication of a selection on the second button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface,

in response to the receipt, via the form of the instant messaging interface, of the indication of the selection on the second button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface;

generate a second data object request corresponding to the second button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface, where the generation of the second data object request is constrained by the constraint,

in response to the generation of the second data object request corresponding to the second button of the form displayed via the instant messaging interface;

send, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a second request message that includes the second data object request,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the second request message that includes the second data object request;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a second response message,

after sending, to the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to send the outgoing messages addressed from the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, the second request message that includes the second data object request;

receive, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, a second data object response including at least one second image, the second data object response being attached to the second response message, and

in response to the receipt, from the apparatus and utilizing the communications agent on the device configured to receive the incoming messages addressed to the communicant identifier associated with the user of the instant messaging application, of the second response message and the second data object response including the at least one second image;

display, via the instant messaging interface, the at least one second image.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 19, wherein:

the instant messaging application is configured to utilize the communications agent on the device to communicate the incoming messages when the user is a contactee and the outgoing messages when the user is a contactor, utilizing a communications protocol, such that the incoming messages and the outgoing messages are addressed using the communicant identifier which takes the form of a communication address associated with a communicant alias corresponding to the user;

the instant messaging interface is configured to simultaneously display at least a portion of at least one of the incoming messages and at least a portion of at least one of the outgoing messages in a form of a conversation which is simultaneously displayed with at least a portion of at least one of;

the at least one first image or the at least one second image, where at least one of the at least one first image or the at least one second image is displayed to be part of the conversation.