Application hierarchy specification with real-time functional selection

#The present invention relates to cross-application functional interaction. More particularly, the present invention relates to application hierarchy specification with real-time functional selection.

#Users of computing devices may utilize computer-based applications for work or for enjoyment. Computer-based applications to perform work may include text editors, spreadsheet applications, and scheduling applications. Computer-based applications for enjoyment may include video games, card games, and other types of games.

#A method includes configuring, by a processor for at least one user of a plurality of users, a preferred communication application hierarchy that specifies user priorities for application selection for communication sessions and functional communication capabilities of each prioritized application; detecting a real-time communication request, initiated by a user with a configured preferred communication application hierarchy, that specifies a particular type of communication functionality and that comprises an indication of another one of the plurality of users as a requested communication recipient; and selecting, responsive to detecting the real-time communication request that specifies the particular type of communication functionality, from the configured preferred communication application hierarchy of the requesting user a highest-priority application usable to perform the specified particular type of communication functionality with a communication device of the requested communication recipient.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an implementation of a system for application hierarchy specification with real-time functional selection according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of an implementation of a core processing module capable of performing application hierarchy specification with real-time functional selection according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;

#FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of a process for application hierarchy specification with real-time functional selection according to an embodiment of the present subject matter; and

#The examples set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and illustrate the best mode of practicing the invention. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the invention and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.

#The subject matter described herein provides application hierarchy specification with real-time functional selection. The present technology solves an application use and interconnection problem by providing technology that includes a new form of real-time programmatic application selection according to a user-specified hierarchy of application selection preferences and functionality to be utilized to interconnect and communicate with another computing application of another user. Users may utilize the highest-priority application they have in common, or may utilize a preferred application that provides appropriate underlying protocol and communications functionality to perform the desired communication. A suggestion of which application a user should use for a desired function when corresponding with another user may be provided, while taking into account the respective application communication capabilities and the respective user-designated prioritized application preferences. To avoid use of trademarks, names of commercially-available applications are omitted from this description, with reference instead to an application “A,” and application “B,” and others as appropriate for the given examples. Further, respective users are referred to as user_1, user_2, and others as appropriate for the given examples.

#The present technology operates by configuring a preferred communication application hierarchy for each user of a group of users that specifies, for each user, user priorities for application selection for communication sessions and functional communication capabilities of each prioritized application. A real-time communication request, initiated by a user with a configured preferred communication application hierarchy, is detected that specifies a particular type of communication functionality. The real-time communication request also includes an indication that at least one other user is a requested communication recipient. A highest-priority application that is usable to perform the specified particular type of communication functionality with a communication device of the requested communication recipient(s) is selected from the configured preferred communication application hierarchy of the requesting user.