Back to results
US 2004/0064696 A1Published application
Extending functionality of workflow applications using instant messaging (IM)
AssigneeAT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.
InventorsBrian K. Daigle, W. Todd Daniell, Joel Davis, Larry G. Kent JR.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Plug-ins for instant messaging (IM) systems are described. By using plug-ins in conjunction with IM systems, the functionality of IM systems may be greatly extended. Specifically, in business applications, such as workflow processes, IM provides a more reliable approach to determining actual delivery of messages.
Claims16
A communication method comprising:
- receiving a workflow request from a workflow server, the workflow request being directed to a specified instant messaging (IM) address;
- and
- formatting the received workflow request to generate an IM data stream.
A communication method comprising:
- receiving a workflow request at an instant messaging (IM) client;
- determining if the IM client is registered with a workflow plug-in in response to receiving the workflow request;
- and
- executing the workflow plug-in in response to determining that the IM client is registered with the workflow plug-in.
1 more element
An instant messaging (IM) system comprising:
- a workflow transport-protocol object (TPO) adapted to receive workflow requests from a workflow server, the workflow TPO being further adapted to format the workflow requests to generate an IM request data stream, the workflow TPO being further adapted to convey the IM request data stream;
- and
- an IM server adapted to receive the conveyed IM request data stream from the workflow TPO, the IM server being further adapted to convey the IM request data stream to an IM client.
An instant messaging (IM) system comprising:
- an IM client adapted to receive a workflow request;
- and
- a workflow plug-in adapted to process the workflow request.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.