Method and system for instant messaging bots specification using state transition methodology and XML
First Claim
1. A method for defining an instant messaging Bot process, the method comprising:
- accepting an XML schema that defines elements for instant messaging Bots, the elements for use in XML documents that define instant messaging Bots that accept at least one runtime input and provide at least one response in response to the at least one runtime input, wherein the elements defined in the XML schema comprise definitions for elements that correspond to at least one state definition, at least one state transition definition, and at least one condition definition for each of the at least one state transition;
creating a state transition definition diagram for an instant messaging Bot, the state transition definition diagram comprising at least one state, at least one state transition, and at least one condition for each of the at least one state transition; and
generating an XML document that corresponds to the state transition definition diagram and that abides to the XML schema.
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Abstract
A framework for creating instant messaging Bots that autonomously operate within an instant messaging sessions to respond to requests from other user(s) or Bot(s). Bot operation is defined by a state machine with one or more states that are described in XML documents. These XML documents abide by the grammar of a Bot Transition Definition Language (BTDL) that is defined in an XML schema. A Bot developer creates a state transition diagram via a Graphical User Interface. The state transition diagram defines states, transitions between states, and conditions for each of those state transitions and methods to be performed upon each state transition. An XML document that conforms to BTDL format is created from the state transition definition diagram. Both stateful and stateless Bots are defined using XML documents abiding to a BTDL format. A runtime environment implements the Bots, accepts runtime inputs and generates responses.
75 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for defining an instant messaging Bot process, the method comprising:
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accepting an XML schema that defines elements for instant messaging Bots, the elements for use in XML documents that define instant messaging Bots that accept at least one runtime input and provide at least one response in response to the at least one runtime input, wherein the elements defined in the XML schema comprise definitions for elements that correspond to at least one state definition, at least one state transition definition, and at least one condition definition for each of the at least one state transition;
creating a state transition definition diagram for an instant messaging Bot, the state transition definition diagram comprising at least one state, at least one state transition, and at least one condition for each of the at least one state transition; and
generating an XML document that corresponds to the state transition definition diagram and that abides to the XML schema. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An instant messaging Bot development system, comprising:
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an XML schema repository for storing at least one XML schema, each of the at least one XML schema defining elements for instant messaging Bots that accept at least one runtime input and provide at least one response in response to the at least one runtime input, wherein the elements defined in the XML schema comprise definitions for elements that correspond to at least one state definition, at least one state transition definition, and at least one condition definition for each of the at least one state transition definition;
a state transition definition diagram definition tool for creating a state transition definition diagram for an instant messaging Bot, the state transition definition diagram comprising at least one state, at least one state transition, and at least one condition for each of the at least one state transition; and
an XML document generator for generating an XML document that corresponds to the state transition definition diagram and that conforms to one of the at least one XML schema. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An XML schema for defining a Bot Transition Definition Language for use in developing instant messaging Bots, the XML schema comprising:
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at least one state element definition; and
at least one state transition element definition, wherein at least one of the at least one state transition element definition comprises a definition of at least one condition for a state transition.
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18. An XML document that conforms to an XML schema, wherein the XML schema comprises:
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a state machine element that defines data for a state machine for an instant messaging Bot, the state machine element comprising;
at least one state element; and
at least one state transition element, wherein at least one of the at least one state transition element comprises at least one condition for the at least one of the at least one state transition.
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19. An instant messaging Bot runtime system, comprising:
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a runtime environment for processing an XML document in order to implement an instant messaging Bot in conjunction with at least one object class, wherein the XML document comprises;
a definition of a state machine element;
at least one state element; and
at least one state transition element, wherein at least one of the at least one state transition element comprises at least one condition for the at least one of the at least one state transition.
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20. A computer program product for defining an instant messaging Bot process, the computer program product comprising:
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a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method comprising;
accepting an XML schema that defines elements for instant messaging Bots, the elements for use in XML documents that define instant messaging Bots that accept at least one runtime input and provide at least one response in response to the at least one runtime input, wherein the elements defined in the XML schema comprise definitions for elements that correspond to at least one state definition, at least one state transition definition, and at least one condition definition for each of the at least one state transition;
creating a state transition definition diagram for an instant messaging Bot, the state transition definition diagram comprising at least one state, at least one state transition, and at least one condition for each of the at least one state transition; and
generating an XML document that corresponds to the state transition definition diagram and that abides to the XML schema. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification