Patent Application
20060264204
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to providing a message waiting indication for a user and more specifically to providing a message waiting indication for a user in the form of an instant message (IM) or a real simple syndication (RSS) message.
2. Background Art
Since the advent of the internet, communications through the use of an electronic medium have become common place. In particular, electronic mail (email) has virtually replaced traditional means of communicating. Even more recently, an electronic communication and collaboration tool referred to as instant messaging, has experienced substantial usage in facilitating communications.
Instant messaging systems enable users to communicate virtually instantaneously with other users. With the conventional instant messaging systems, each user has a window that is displayed on their respective screens in which messages are entered and received. Composed messages are viewed and received virtually instantaneously. In addition to the significant use of instant messaging systems, most users maintain substantial use of an email system for storage, receipt, and retrieval of email and videomail. Additionally, users continue significant use of other communication systems and retrieval of messages. In particular, real simple syndication (RSS) systems have also experienced substantial adoption by users.
RSS is a file format commonly used by websites and web logs (also known as blogs) to share condensed versions of internet website information. The conventional RSS system includes a RSS server that provides RSS formatted information and an RSS reader. The RSS reader searches internet websites for RSS formatted information. Once the RSS formatted information is found, the RSS reader retrieves and provides the information to the user. RSS readers can be standalone software packages or integrated into other computer applications, such as email clients and web browsers.
Although the foregoing communication systems have experience increased use, they possess several disadvantages. Conventional instant messaging systems and RSS systems are incapable of providing a message waiting indication for a user when messages are available on adjacent messaging systems (i.e., email, voicemail, and videomail systems). For example, when an instant messaging user or RSS system user receives a voicemail on his/her voicemail system, the user is unable to determine, through the use of the instant messaging system or the RSS system that the voicemail has arrived. Additionally, with the conventional instant messaging systems and RSS system, there exists no way of determining, through the use of the instant messaging or RSS system, whether there are any incoming email or videomail messages for the user.
Message waiting indicators sent to or from conventional email (as well as voicemail) systems are limited to brief electronic messages or displays that are sent through the email system, excluding the instant messaging system and RSS system. As commonly known, conventional voicemail and videomail message waiting indicators include flashing lights and modified dial tones that are uncommunicative with the conventional instant messaging system and RSS system. Accordingly, none of the conventional instant messaging systems and RSS systems are adapted to send users a message waiting indication, in the form of an instant message or a RSS formatted message when an email, voicemail, or videomail message is available.
Thus, there exists a need for a communication system capable of sending a user a message waiting indication, in the form of an instant message and/or a RSS formatted message when messages in adjacent messaging systems (i.e., email, voicemail, and videomail systems) are available.
The present invention is directed to a communication system and method of providing a message waiting indication for an instant messaging and/or RSS messaging user. The method includes the steps of providing a message storage and retrieval system, an instant messaging system having an instant messaging client, and a presence system. The presence system communicates with the instant messaging system and the message storage and retrieval system. The method also includes the step of determining a mail message status of the message storage and retrieval system through the use of the presence system. The method further includes the step of sending a message waiting indication in the form of an instant message to the instant messaging client, or in the format of a RSS document/message to a RSS reader, wherein the message waiting indication corresponds to the mail message status of the message storage and retrieval system.
The IM notification system includes a message storage and retrieval system and an instant messaging system having at least one instant messaging client. A presence system is also included. The presence system communicates with the instant messaging system and the message storage and retrieval system. The presence system is also adapted to determine a mail message status of the message storage and retrieval system, the presence status of the instant messaging user, and generate the message waiting indication in the form of an instant message for the instant messaging client.
The RSS notification system includes a message storage and retrieval system and a RSS server having at least one RSS client. A web server is capable of creating Extensible Markup Language (XML) documents, and providing user-level security and authentication. The RSS client communicates with the RSS server and the message storage and retrieval system. The RSS server is also adapted to determine a mail message status of the message storage and retrieval system, authenticate the RSS client user, and generate the message waiting indication in the form of a RSS document or message that can be read by the RSS client.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
By way of example, a preferred system and methodology for implementing the present invention is described below. The provided system and methodology may be adapted, modified or rearranged to best-fit a particular implementation of the present invention.
Referring to
When a user initiates a call or generates a message on caller device 12 for user device 20, message storage and retrieval system 14 is adapted to store any messages or data to be received by user device 20. Message storage and retrieval system 14 is capable of storing email, voicemail, and/or videomail messages. Accordingly, in one embodiment, message storage and retrieval system 14 may be a unified messaging system having data storage and data processing functionality. Alternatively, message storage and retrieval system 14 may be comprised of separate and distinct systems that store email, voicemail, and/or videomail messages separately. In either embodiment, an instant messaging system 16 communicates with message storage and retrieval system 14 and RSS system 15. (
A presence system 18 is integrated with instant messaging system 16 through the use of a “presence” software that is compatible with instant messaging system 16. Presence system 18 is capable of querying message storage and retrieval system 14 for a mail message status. The mail message status of message storage and retrieval system 14 indicates the presence or absence of a message stored by message storage and retrieval system 14. As recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, presence system 18 is also capable of determining the “presence status” of an instant messaging user (not shown). The presence status of a user includes, among other attributes, whether the instant messaging user is online or offline. Additionally, in one embodiment, instant messaging system 16, having presence system 18 integrated therein, is capable of generating a message waiting indication in the form of an instant message for the instant messaging client. The generated instant message (i.e., the message waiting indication) is preferably sent upon determination of the mail message status of message storage and retrieval system 14 and presence status of the instant messaging user.
User device 20 is utilized by the instant messaging user to communicate with other instant messaging users through the use of instant messaging system 16. As such, user device 20 may be a PDA, a cellular telephone, or a computer. It is recognized however, that user device 20 is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but may be any device capable of sending and receiving instant messages through the use of an instant messaging system.
Referring specifically to
Now referring to
At a step 32, the mail message status of the message storage and retrieval system is determined through the use of the presence system or alternatively, the RSS system. As discussed above, the mail message status indicates the presence or absence of a new message within message storage and retrieval system 14. Thus, as shown in a step 34, the method determines whether or not any new messages have arrived. If no new messages have arrived, the method returns to step 32. If new messages have arrived, a step 36 occurs. At a step 36, the instant messaging system, having the presence system integrated therein, generates a message waiting indication for the instant messaging client. The message waiting indication is in the form of an instant message and compatible with the instant messaging system and the instant messaging user device. In the case of the embodiment having the RSS system, the RSS system having the RSS client generates the message waiting indication in the form of a RSS formatted message. Accordingly, the user device displays the instant message or RSS formatted message (i.e., the message waiting indication) for viewing by the instant messaging user.
An embodiment of the message waiting indication is shown in
Referring back to
The foregoing system and methodology enables a user to receive a message waiting indication in the form of an instant message or a RSS formatted message when messages are available for retrieval. The present invention allows users to monitor, receive, and respond to messages from adjacent messaging systems (i.e., email, voicemail, and videomail systems) through the use of the instant messaging system and/or the RSS system. Consequently, while embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
