Remote administration of devices and resources using an instant messenger service
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsPavel Khijniak, Henrik Frystyk Nielsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various implementations are described herein for using instant messenger services to administer devices. Both devices and administrators have corresponding client instant messenger services that enable administrators to configure the devices, update firmware and/or software applications running on the devices, control the devices, facilitate communication between the devices and resources such as technicians, web services and so forth. Further, devices are also able to initiate communication with administrators and/or resources to request configuration, updates to firmware and/or software applications running on the devices, troubleshooting services from technicians, send alerts and so forth.
Claims20
A device comprising:
- a firmware and/or a software application executable by the device;
- a first client instant messenger service including a contact module;
- a device identification tag for use by the first client instant messenger service to identify the device to an instant messenger service;
- and
- a device contact list, received by the contact module from the instant messenger service, the device contact list including at least one identification tag used by the device to communicate with a resource identified by the at least one identification tag.
A method for controlling a device using an instant messenger service comprising:
- receiving a contact list via the instant messenger service including at least one identification tag associated with a device having a device contact list;
- sending a message to the device via the instant messenger service which, when received by the device, causes the device to perform an action specified in the message;
- and
- receiving a message via the instant messenger service communicating the status of the action.
A device comprising:
- means for receiving a message from an instant messenger service, the message to be processed at the device;
- means for performing an action in response to the received message;
- and
- means for sending a message to the instant messenger service, the message including a status of the action.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.