PROVIDER PRESENCE INFORMATION

• US 20110087778A1
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Published: 04/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mic Bowman, Paul Brett, Robert Adams, Robert Knauerhase
• Original Assignee: Mic Bowman, Paul Brett, Robert Adams, Robert Knauerhase
• Inventors: Bowman, Mic, Brett, Paul, Knauerhase, Robert, Adams, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,166,821 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• 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

Abstract

In some embodiments, a client computer includes a memory, a client presence program adapted to be located in the memory, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is adapted to execute the client presence program to receive provider presence information from an instant messaging (IM) server and to store the provider presence information in the memory. The provider presence information includes at least a provider status for at least one service provider.

Claims

1. A client device comprising:

a memory;

a presence module adapted to be located in the memory;

a service directory adapted to be located in the memory;

a search module adapted to be located in the memory;

a processor coupled to the memory and adapted to

execute the presence module to enable the client device to receive service provider presence information from a presence server and store the service provider presence information in the service directory, with the service provider presence information including at least status information of at least one service provider, at least one service instance offered by the at least one service provider, and one or more characteristics of the at least one service instance, and

execute the search module to locate at least one service provider based at least in part on the service provider presence information stored in the service directory.

2. The client device of claim 1 further comprising:

a network interface coupled to the processor and adapted to send a service request to the at least one service provider in the event that the service provider presence information meets at least one service selection criterion.

3. The client device of claim 1 wherein the one or more characteristics of the at least one service instance include a selected one of a hosting environment element, a service interface, a location and a capability.

4. The client device of claim 1 wherein

receiving the service provider presence information comprises receiving the service provider presence information on a selected one of a solicitation basis or a notification basis.

5. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, at a client device, service provider presence information from a presence server;

storing, by the client device, the service provider presence information in a service directory, with the service provider presence information including at least status information of at least one service provider, at least one service instance offered by the at least one service provider, and one or more characteristics of the at least one service instance; and

locating, by the client device, at least one service provider based at least in part on the service provider presence information stored in the service directory.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 further comprising:

sending, by the client device, a service request to the at least one service provider in the event that the service provider presence information meets at least one service selection criterion.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 wherein the one or more characteristics of the at least one service instance include a selected one of a hosting environment element, a service interface, a location and a capability.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 wherein receiving, at the client device, the service provider presence information comprises receiving, at the client device, the service provider presence information on a selected one of a solicitation basis or a notification basis.

9. An article comprising a machine-readable storage medium that contains instructions of client device, which when executed, cause the client device to perform operations comprising:

receiving service provider presence information from a presence server;

storing the service provider presence information in a service directory, with the service provider presence information including at least status information of at least one service provider, at least one service instance offered by the at least one service provider, and one or more characteristics of the at least one service instance; and

locating at least one service provider based at least in part on the service provider presence information stored in the service directory.

10. The article of claim 9 wherein the operations further comprise:

sending a service request to the at least one service provider in the event that the service provider presence information meets at least one service selection criterion.

11. The article of claim 9 wherein the one or more characteristics of the at least one service instance include a selected one of a hosting environment element, a service interface, a location and a capability.

12. The article of claim 9 wherein receiving the service provider presence information comprises receiving the service provider presence information on a selected one of a solicitation basis or a notification basis.