Session initiation using successive inputs

• US 8,645,835 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2008
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Fry, Christopher E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TILLERY, RASHAWN N
• Application Number:
  US12/141,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20090313548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,058 Days
• Field of Search: 715/733, 715/741, 715/743, 715/751
• US Class Current: 715/733
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1818 Conference organisation arrangements, e.g. handling schedules, setting up parameters needed by nodes to attend a conference, booking network resources, notifying involved parties

Abstract

Session initiation using successive inputs is described. In an implementation, a determination is made as to when a sufficient number of successive inputs have been collected to uniquely identify two or more clients from a plurality of clients. Each of the successive inputs is input via a respective user interface output by a respective client. Responsive to the determination, an interactive session is initiated involving the two or more clients that were uniquely identified.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining when a sufficient number of matching successive inputs for participation in an interactive session have been collected from two or more clients at a particular point in time to uniquely identify, at the particular point in time, the two or more clients for participation in the interactive session with one another from a plurality of said clients in which each said matching successive input is input via a respective user interface output by a respective said client, and input of each said matching successive input to the user interface causing a next screen of the user interface to be displayed for input of another said matching successive input unless the sufficient number of matching successive inputs is determined, the matching successive inputs are input via a series of said screens of the user interface, each said screen having one or more portions that are selectable, at least one said portion is an icon; and

responsive to the determining, initiating the interactive session involving the two or more said clients.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the matching successive inputs are input without using a keyboard.

3. A method as described in claim 1, wherein at least one said portion includes one or more alphanumeric identifiers that represent respective said inputs.

4. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the determining includes comparing successive inputs received by the plurality of clients, one with another, to find a unique sequence that, when matching, uniquely identifies the two or more said clients from other said clients that also provided successive inputs.

5. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the determining includes identifying a subset of said clients that have received said matching successive inputs, one to another.

6. A method as described in claim 5, wherein the subset specifies a range of said clients.

7. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the determining is performed in real time as the matching successive inputs are received, one after another.

8. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the interactive session is a chat session.

9. A method as described in claim 8, wherein the chat session is output concurrently with television content.

10. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the interactive session provides social networking.

11. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the initiating includes outputting a query by each of the two or more said clients to confirm whether initiation of the interactive session with the other said client is desired.

12. One or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that are executable by one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

outputting a user interface having a plurality of screens that are displayable in succession, one after another, and that each include a plurality of icons that are selectable at a particular point in time to form a unique identifier at the particular point in time, selection of one of the plurality of icons from said screens causing a next said screen to be displayed until an interactive session is initiated between two or more clients, from a plurality of said clients, that receive a matching selection of said icons that form the unique identifier at the particular point in time.

13. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 12, wherein at least two said screens include respective said icons that are different, one to another.

14. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 12, wherein the user interface is navigable using a television remote control device.

15. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 12, wherein the user interface is navigable using a game controller.

16. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 12, wherein the user interface is output by a portable music player.

17. A server comprising:

a processor; and

memory to maintain one or more modules that are executable on the processor to provide an option to initiate an interactive session when a sufficient number of matching successive inputs have been received from a subset of a plurality of clients at a same point in time to uniquely identify, at the same point in time, the subset of the plurality of clients for participation in an interactive session with one another in which each said matching successive input involves interaction with a user interface output by each of the plurality of clients, each user interface configured to display a succession of screens, receive one said matching successive input through each said screen, and display a next said screen unless the sufficient number of matching successive inputs have been received, the matching successive inputs are received through display of a plurality of icons on each said screen of the succession of screens in each said user interface.