System and method of user-to-machine and machine-to-machine communication through instant messaging

A system includes at least one first service device. Each first service device has one or more processors, a service instant messaging (IM) application, and at least one first service. The service IM application, when executed at the one or more processors of the at least one first service device, is configured to receive at least one command instant message, where the at least one command instant message comprises at least one first command associated with the at least one first service, extract the at least one first command from the at least one command instant message, and send the extracted first command to the at least one first service such that the at least one first service performs a corresponding first function based on the extracted first command.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to user-to-machine and machine-to-machine interaction, and particularly to a system and method of user-to-machine and machine-to-machine communication through instant messaging (IM).

BACKGROUND

A user can control a device through an interface of the device onsite. When the user is offsite, the offsite user can also remotely control the device by logging-in to the interface of the device and performing certain services. However, the remotely control of the device may not be convenient for the user.

Therefore, an unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system. The system includes at least one first service device. Each first service device has one or more processors, a service instant messaging (IM) application, and at least one first service. The service IM application, when executed at the one or more processors of the at least one first service device, is configured to:

receive at least one command instant message, wherein the at least one command instant message comprises at least one first command associated with the at least one first service;

extract the at least one first command from the at least one command instant message; and

send the extracted first command to the at least one first service such that the at least one first service performs a corresponding first function based on the extracted first command.

In one embodiment, the service IM application receives the command instant message from at least one IM server via a network.

In one embodiment, the service IM application, when executed, is further configured to:

verify the command instant message based on the IM identifier of the command instant message;

receive a result from the at least one service performing the first function;

generate a result instant message comprising the result, wherein the result instant message is subject to be sent to a target device; and

send the result instant message to the at least one IM server such that the at least one IM server sends the result instant message to the target device.

In one embodiment, the result includes at least one second command, and the target device is a second service device having a second service, such that the second service performs a corresponding second function based on the second command.

In one embodiment, the service IM application includes:

an IM user verification module, configured to verify the command instant message based on the IM identifier of the command instant message;

a command processing module, configured to extract the at least one first command from the command instant message and send the extracted first command to the at least one first service such that the at least one first service performs the corresponding first function based on the extracted first command; and

a service IM processing module, configured to receive the at least one command instant message, receive the result, generate the result instant message, and send the result instant message.

In one embodiment, the system further includes at least one client device. Each client device has one or more processors and an IM application. The IM application, when executed at the one or more processors of the client device, is configured to:

provide a user interface configured to receive the at least one command;

prepare the command instant message;

send the command instant message;

receive the result instant message;

retrieve the result from the result instant message.

In one embodiment, the IM application includes:

a user interface module, configured to provide the user interface; and

an IM processing module, configured to prepare the command instant message, send the command instant message, receive the result instant message, and retrieve the result from the result instant message.

In one embodiment, the at least one first service includes management of IPMI, or management of combined SNMP and shell functions.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of performing instant messaging (IM) based communication in a system. The method includes:

receiving, at a service IM application being executed at a service device, a command instant message, wherein the command instant message comprises at least one first command associated with at least one first service of the service device;

extracting, at the service IM application, the at least one first command from the command instant message; and

sending, by the service IM application, the extracted first command to the at least one first service such that the at least one first service performs a corresponding first function based on the extracted first command.

In one embodiment, the method further includes:

verifying, at the service IM application, the command instant message based on the IM identifier of the command instant message;

receiving a result from the at least one service performing the first function;

generating a result instant message comprising the result, wherein the result instant message is subject to be sent to a target device; and

sending the result instant message to at least one IM server such that the IM server sends the result instant message to the target device.

In one embodiment, the result includes at least one second command, and the target device is a second service device having a second service, such that the second service performs a corresponding second function based on the second command.

In one embodiment, the service IM application includes:

an IM user verification module, configured to verify the command instant message based on the IM identifier of the command instant message;

a command processing module, configured to extract the at least one first command from the command instant message and send the extracted first command to the at least one first service such that the at least one first service performs the corresponding first function based on the extracted first command; and

a service IM processing module, configured to receive the at least one command instant message, receive the result, generate the result instant message, and send the result instant message.

In one embodiment, the system further includes at least one client device. Each client device has one or more processors and an IM application. The IM application, when executed at the one or more processors of the client device, is configured to:

provide a user interface configured to receive the at least one command;

prepare the command instant message;

send the command instant message;

receive the result instant message; and

retrieve the result from the result instant message.

In one embodiment, the IM application includes:

a user interface module, configured to provide the user interface; and

an IM processing module, configured to prepare the command instant message, send the command instant message, receive the result instant message, and retrieve the result from the result instant message.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure relates to a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable code. The code, when executed at one or more processors of a first service device, is configured to:

receive a command instant message, wherein the command instant message comprises at least one first command associated with at least one first service of the first service device;

extract the at least one command from the command instant message; and

send the extracted first command to the at least one first service such that the at least one first service performs a corresponding first function based on the extracted first command.

In one embodiment, the code, when executed at the one or more processors of the first service device, is further configured to:

verify the command instant message based on the IM identifier of the command instant message;

receive a result from the at least one service performing the first function;

generate an result instant message comprising the first result, wherein the result instant message is subject to be sent to a target device; and

send the result instant message to at least one IM server such that the IM server sends the result instant message to the target device.

In one embodiment, the result includes at least one second command, and the target device is a second service device having a second service, such that the second service performs a corresponding second function based on the second command.

In one embodiment, the code includes:

an IM user verification module, configured to verify the command instant message based on the IM identifier of the command instant message;

a command processing module, configured to extract the at least one first command from the command instant message and send the extracted first command to the at least one first service such that the at least one first service performs the corresponding first function based on the extracted command; and

a service IM processing module, configured to receive the command instant message, receive the result, generate the result instant message and send the result instant message.

In one embodiment, the first service device is remotely connected to at least one client device through a network. Each client device has one or more processors and an IM application. The IM application, when executed at the one or more processors of the client device, is configured to:

provide a user interface configured to receive the at least one command;

prepare the command instant message;

send the command instant message;

receive the result instant message; and

receive the result from the result instant message.

In one embodiment, the IM application includes:

a user interface module, configure to provide the user interface; and

an IM processing module, configured to prepare the command instant message, send the command instant message, receive the result instant message, and retrieve the result from the result instant message.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, “plurality” means two or more.

As used herein, the term “headless system” or “headless machine” generally refers to the computer system or machine that has been configured to operate without a monitor (the missing “head”), keyboard, and mouse.

The term “interface”, as used herein, generally refers to a communication tool or means at a point of interaction between components for performing data communication between the components. Generally, an interface may be applicable at the level of both hardware and software, and may be uni-directional or bi-directional interface. Examples of physical hardware interface may include electrical connectors, buses, ports, cables, terminals, and other I/O devices or components. The components in communication with the interface may be, for example, multiple components or peripheral devices of a computer system.

The terms “chip” or “computer chip”, as used herein, generally refer to a hardware electronic component, and may refer to or include a small electronic circuit unit, also known as an integrated circuit (IC), or a combination of electronic circuits or ICs.

The term “instant messaging” or its abbreviation “IM” generally refers to a type of online chat which offers real-time text transmission between multiple parties or over the Internet. The term “IM user” generally refers to a party who is participating in the IM. In a typical IM, short messages are typically transmitted bi-directionally between two parties, when each user chooses to complete a thought and select “send.” Some IM applications can use push technology to provide real-time text, which transmits messages character by character, as they are composed. More advanced instant messaging can add file transfer, clickable hyperlinks, Voice over IP, or video chat. Depending on the IM protocol, the technical architecture can be peer-to-peer (direct point-to-point transmission, also abbreviated as “P2P”) or client-server (a central server retransmits messages from the sender to the receiver). An IM service includes any service that enables exchanges of message between authenticated users and prevents unauthorized users from transmitting messages, regardless of particular message formats, form factors, or communication pathways that may be used.

The present disclosure relates to computer systems. As depicted in the drawings, computer components may include physical hardware components, which are shown as solid line blocks, and virtual software components, which are shown as dashed line blocks. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that, unless otherwise indicated, these computer components may be implemented in, but not limited to, the forms of software, firmware or hardware components, or a combination thereof.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is related to a system of instant messaging (IM) based communication channel for interacting with devices.

FIG. 1Aschematically depicts a system for interacting with devices based on IM according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 1A, the system100includes an IM server110, a client device130and a service device150. The client device130and the service device150are in communication with the IM server110, for example, through a network170. The network170may be a wired or wireless network, and may be of various forms such as a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) including, but not limited, to an intranet, an extranet, an internetwork, an Internet, a darknet, or any other network that allows for information communication, especially for instant messaging data transmission.

In certain embodiments, the system100may include two or more IM servers110, two or more client devices130, and/or two or more service devices150.FIG. 1Bschematically depicts a system for interacting with devices based on IM according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, where the system100may include a plurality of IM servers110-1to110-L, a plurality of client devices130-1to130-M, and a plurality of service devices150-1to150-N, where L, M and N are positive integers. In other words, L IM servers110, M client devices130and N service devices150are provided in the system100as shown inFIG. 1B. Each of the client devices130and each of the service devices150may communicate with each other through the IM servers110by sending and receiving instant messages. In certain embodiments, depending on the IM protocol, the technical architecture can be peer-to-peer (direct point-to-point transmission, also abbreviated as “P2P”) or client-server (a central server retransmits messages from the sender to the receiver). For example, in a client-server architecture, the IM server110functions as a server, and the client device130and the service device150function as clients. In a peer-to-peer architecture, the IM server110, the client device130and the service device150function as interconnected nodes (or “peers”) such that any of the two interconnected nodes may communicate with each other through the P2P connection for IM. In this case, one of the service devices150may also send instant messages to another service device150by the P2P connection.

The IM server110may be one server (or, as shown inFIG. 1B, a plurality of servers) for providing IM services to both the client device130and the service device150. For example, the client device130and the service device150may use the same IM server110for incoming and outgoing instant messages. In certain embodiments, the system100may include one IM server110as shown inFIG. 1A, and the client device130and the service device150may be in communication with the IM server110. In certain embodiments, the system100may include a plurality of IM servers110as shown inFIG. 1B, and the client device130and the service device150may be in communication with different IM servers110. In this case, the different IM servers110may communicate with each other directly, or through other IM servers, for example, via the network170.

The client device130may be a computing device, such as a general purpose computer or a headless computer. In certain embodiments, the client device130may be a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, or any other devices that may be used for IM services. In certain embodiments, the client device130may be a system on chip (SoC). As shown inFIG. 1A, the client device130has a processor131, a memory133, a storage device135, and any other necessary hardware components enabling the client device130to operate. In certain embodiments, the system100may include a plurality of client devices130, as shown inFIG. 1B.

The processor131is configured to control operation of the client device130. The processor131may execute an operation system or other applications of the storage135. In certain embodiments, the storage135may run on more than one processor, such as two processors, four processors, eight processors, or any suitable number of processors.

The memory133may be a volatile memory, such as the random-access memory (RAM), for storing the data and information during the operation of the client device130.

The storage135is a non-volatile data storage media for storing an operating system (OS) (not shown), an IM application137, and other applications of the client device130. The storage135may store the OS, the IM application137, and any other necessary software or firmware components executable at the processor131. In certain embodiments, the OS, the IM application137, and any other necessary software or firmware components may be implemented as computer executable codes.

The IM application137may be an IM client application for one or more users to process with instant messages, such as receiving and/or sending instant messages. As shown inFIG. 1A, the IM application137is stored in the storage135. Examples of the IM application137may include but not limited to MSN Messenger from Microsoft Corp., Messenger from Facebook, WhatsApp Messenger from WhatsApp Inc., WeChat and Tencent QQ from Tencent Holdings Limited, Google+ from Google, Skype from Microsoft, API of Twitter, AOL Instant Messenger from AOL INC. etc. In certain embodiments, the IM application137may be a part of the operating system (OS) of the client device130or a part of the firmware of the client device130. In certain embodiments, the IM application137may be a web application, such as a web browser connected to a web-based IM website. Examples of the web-based IM website may include but not limited to imo.im, KoolIM, and eBuddy, etc., which may provide web-based one to one instant messaging or chatrooms. In certain embodiments, the IM application137may be a customized IM application specialized for the system100. In certain embodiments, the client device130may include two or more different IM applications137, where each of the two or more IM applications137may be used to process with instant messages.

As described above, the IM application137may be reached by one or more users, such as user 1 to user O as shown inFIG. 1A. Each of the users may have a specific IM identifier. In certain embodiments, the specific IM identifier may be a specific IM account of the user180, such as a specific user name of the user180. For example, each of the users180-1,180-2, . . .180-0may have a specific user name of user1, user2, . . . userO. In certain embodiments, the user name of each user180may be in any random format, such as alphabet, numbers, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 2schematically depicts a structure of a client device130according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, in which details of the IM application137is illustrated. As shown inFIG. 2, the IM application137includes a user interface module1371, and an IM processing module1373.

The user interface module1371provides a user interface available to a user such that the user may input an instant message or a command in the user interface, and perform operations such as viewing and sending outgoing instant messages and viewing incoming instant messages, through the user interface provided by the user interface module1371. In certain embodiments, the user may operate the user interface to send an instant message request in order to establish an instant message channel between the client device130on which the user is operating and one or more target devices/users. For example, the user may select at least one service IM account or specific user name, which represents at least one service at the service device150, and send an instant message request to the selected at least one service IM account or specific user name. The user interface module1371will then send the instant message request to the IM processing module1373, which in turn sends the instant message request to the service IM application157of the service device150at which the at least one service is located. Upon receiving the request, an instant message communication channel may be established between the user and the at least one service IM account or specific user name. Once the instant message communication channel is established, the user interface module1371may display a message window within the user interface to the user. The user then may input and view outgoing message, and view the incoming message in the message window. In certain embodiments, the instant message may be a command instant message. In other words, the user may input at least one command through the user interface, such that the IM processing module1373of the IM application137may prepare the command instant message based on the at least one command received through the user interface. In certain embodiments, the user interface module1371may include a graphical user interface. When the IM application137is executed, the user interface module1371displays the graphical user interface on a display device (not shown) of the client device130such that the user may perform operation to the instant messages through the graphical user interface. In certain embodiments, the user interface module1371may include other types of user interface, such as a text-based interface, a voice operated interface, etc.

The IM processing module1373is configured to prepare one or more instant messages based on the user input received by the user interface, send the prepared one or more instant messages to the one or more IM servers110, receive one or more instant messages from the one or more IM servers110, and/or retrieve contents of the one or more instant messages for the user interface to show the contents to the user. For example, when the user inputs the command instant messages content through the user interface, and inputs a command to send the command instant message (clicking a “send” button of the message window of the user interface or pressing the “enter” key on the keyboard), the user interface module1371sends the content to the IM processing module1373. In certain embodiments, the content is processed by the IM processing module1373to add corresponding information that is recognizable by the IM server110to prepare or form the command instant messages. Once the command instant messages is prepared, the IM processing module1373sends the command instant messages to the IM server110. In certain embodiments, the IM processing module1373may receive instant messages from the IM server110following one or more predetermined rules. For example, the IM server110may “push” (i.e., initiate a request for the transaction of) the instant messages to the IM processing module1373when the IM server110receives a result instant messages from the service device150. When the IM processing module1373receives the result instant message from the IM server110, the IM processing module1373processes the result instant message to retrieve the result such that the result is viewable for the user through the user interface.

The service device150may be a computing device, such as a server computer, general purpose computer or a headless computer. In certain embodiments, the service device150may be a computer cluster, a cloud storage server, a web server, or any other devices that may be configured to have IM services. In certain embodiments, the service device150may be an SoC. As shown inFIG. 1A, the service device150has a processor151, a memory153, a storage155, and any other necessary hardware components enabling the service device150to operate. In certain embodiments, the system100may include a plurality of service devices150, as shown inFIG. 1B.

The processor151is configured to control operation of the service device150. The processor151may execute an operation system or other applications of the storage155. In certain embodiments, the storage155may run on more than one processor, such as two processors, four processors, eight processors, or any suitable number of processors.

The memory153may be a volatile memory, such as the RAM, for storing the data and information during the operation of the service device150.

The storage155is a non-volatile data storage media for storing an OS (not shown), a service IM application157, and other applications of the service device150. The storage155may store the OS, the service IM application157, and any other necessary software or firmware components executable at the processor151. In certain embodiments, the OS, the service IM application157, and any other necessary software or firmware components may be implemented as computer executable codes.

The service IM application157may be an IM client application for one or more services to process with instant messages, such as receiving and/or sending instant messages. As shown inFIG. 1A, the service IM application157is stored in the storage155. Examples of the service IM application157may include but not limited to MSN Messenger from Microsoft Corp., Messenger from Facebook, WhatsApp Messenger from WhatsApp Inc., WeChat and Tencent QQ from Tencent Holdings Limited, Google+ from Google, Skype from Microsoft, API of Twitter, AOL Instant Messenger from AOL INC. etc. that may be customized for the services. In certain embodiments, the service IM application157may be a part of the OS of the service device150or a part of the firmware of the service device150. In certain embodiments, the service IM application157may be a web application, such as a web browser connected to a web-based IM website that is customized for the services. Examples of the web-based IM website may include but not limited to imo.im, KoolIM, and eBuddy, etc., which may provide web-based one to one instant messaging or chatrooms. In certain embodiments, the service IM application157may be a completely customized IM application specialized for the system100. In certain embodiments, the service device150may include two or more different service IM applications157, where each of the two or more service IM applications157may be used to process with instant messages.

As described above, the service IM application157may be reached by one or more services, such as service 1 to service P as shown inFIG. 1A. Each of the services may have a specific IM identifier. In certain embodiments, the specific IM identifier may be a specific service IM account of the service190, such as a specific user name of the service190. For example, each of the services190-1,190-2, . . .190-P may have a specific user name of service IM account 1, service IM account 2, . . . service IM account P.

FIG. 3schematically depicts a structure of a service device150according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, in which details of the service IM application157is illustrated. As shown inFIG. 3, the service IM application157includes an IM user verification module1571, a command processing module1573, and a service IM processing module1575.

The IM verification module1571provides a security check for the user. When the service device150receives an instant message from a user, the IM user verification module1571may verify the features of the instant message, such as the IM identifier. If the IM identifier is verified as valid, the IM user verification module1571sends the positive verification result to the service IM processing module1575. If the IM identifier is determined as invalid, the IM verification module1571sends the negative verification result to the service IM processing module1575. In certain embodiments, the service device150may have a database, a file or a list that the IM verification module1571may use to compare with the IM identifier of the request.

The command processing module1573is configured to extract at least one command from the instant message, and send the at least one command to at least one corresponding service190, such that the at least one service190performs a corresponding function based on the extracted at least one command. For example, when the service IM application157is executed, the service IM processing module1575sends the command instant message to the command processing module1573, the command processing module1573extracts the at least one command from the command instant message, and then sends the extracted at least one command to the at least one of the services190. Once the at least one service190receives the at least one command, the at least one service190performs a corresponding function based on the extracted command. The at least one command may be one command or a set of commands associated with the corresponding service190.

Each of the services190is configured to perform associated functions. In certain embodiments, one service190may performs management of intelligent platform management interface (IPMI), the other service190may perform management of combined simple network management protocol (SNMP) and shell functions. When the at least one command is a set of commands, the service190may perform the set of commands in parallel or in serial corresponding to, for example the parameters related to the set of commands. The parameters may be inputted by the user during preparation of the instant message.

After the service190performs the function corresponding to the at least one command, the service190may generates a result, and send the result to the service IM processing module1575. The result may include the information of whether the function is performed successfully. In certain embodiments, the result may include another one or a set of commands associated to another service of another service device.

The service IM processing module1575is configured to receive one or more incoming instant messages from the one or more IM servers110, receive the result from the service190, generate one or more outgoing instant messages based on the result, and send the one or more generated outgoing instant messages to the one or more IM servers110. In certain embodiments, the generated outgoing instant message may be the result instant message, and the received instant message may be the command instant message. For example, when the service IM application157is executed, the service IM processing module1575may receive instant messages from the IM server110following one or more predetermined rules. Once the instant message is received, the service IM processing module1575may send the instant message to the IM user verification module1571for verification. When the verification is successful, the IM user verification module sends the verified instant message to the service IM processing module1575, and the service IM processing module1575sends the verified instant message to the command processing module1573. When the service190sends a result to the service IM processing module1575, the service IM processing module1575may add corresponding information that is recognizable by the IM server110to generate the result instant message. Once the result instant message is generated, the service IM processing module1575sends the result instant message to the IM server110. In certain embodiments, when the result is whether the function is accomplished successfully or not, the service IM processing module1575may send the result instant message to the sender/user of the command instant message, such that the result of the service is viewable by the user through the user interface of the user interface module1371. When the result is another one or a set of commands, the service IM processing module1575may send the result instant message containing those commands to another service device having another service IM application, such that the service of the another service device may perform certain functions according to the command/commands stored in the result instant message. The IM server110used for receiving the command instant message and for sending the result instant message may or may not be the same IM server.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is related to a method of IM based communication channel for interacting with devices.

FIG. 4Aschematically depicts a method of interacting with devices based on IM according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the method400A as described inFIG. 4Amay be implemented by the system100as shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B.

Referring toFIG. 4A, when the user intends to perform a function to the service device150, at operation401, the user inputs, through the user interface provided by the user interface module1371, a command instant message. The command instant message includes at least one command corresponding to a service190of the service device150. In certain embodiments, the command instant message may be a text message, a voice message, a video message, or an attached file.

Optionally, in certain embodiments, before inputting the command instant message, the user need to establish an IM communication channel with the service IM application157of the service device150. For example, the user may operate the user interface to send an instant message request to the corresponding service IM account or specific user name. The IM user verification module may then verify if the user IM account is a valid IM account. When the user IM account is verified, the corresponding service IM account accepts the request, such that a message window pops up in the user interface, indicating connection established between the user and the service IM account. In certain embodiments, the valid user IM accounts may be stored in a friend list of the service IM application157. For example, an administrator may edit the features of the service IM application to add all the valid IM accounts into the friend list of the at least one service IM account of the service IM application. After the IM communication channel is established, as described above at operation401, the user may input the command instant message from the message window of the user interface.

The user interface module1371receives the command instant message, and sends the command instant message to the IM processing module1373at operation403. For example, when the user finishes inputting the at least one command instant message, and clicks a “send” button of the message window of the user interface or presses the “enter” key on the keyboard, the user interface module1371sends the input by the user to the IM processing module1373. In certain embodiments, the user interface module1371sends the input of the user at real time, and does not require any specific operation such as clicking the “send” button or pressing the “enter” key.

Upon receiving the input from the user interface module1371, at operation405, the IM processing module1373prepares the command instant message according to the input by the user, such as adding service IM account or specific user name information to the command instant message.

Once the command instant message is prepared, at operation407, the IM processing module1373sends the command instant message to the IM server110.

The IM server110processes the command instant message at operation409, and sends the command instant message to the service IM processing module1575at operation411. In certain embodiments, when the service IM account for receiving the command instant message is offline, the IM server110may store the command instant message, and sends the command instant message when the service IM account logs-in the IM server110.

Optionally, when the user and the service IM account communicate by P2P, the IM processing module1373may also send the command instant message directly to the service IM processing module1575, and skip the operations407-411.

At operation413, the service IM processing module1575of the service IM application157of the service device150receives the command instant message from the IM server110. In certain embodiments, both the IM processing module1373and the service IM processing module1575may use the same IM server110. In certain embodiments, the IM processing module1373may use one IM server, the service IM processing module1575may use another IM server, and the two IM servers may be in communication directly or through one or more other IM servers in the network170.

Upon receiving the command instant message, at operation415, the service IM processing module1575sends the command instant message to the IM user verification module1571for verification.

At operation417, the IM user verification module1571performs verification on the command instant message. In certain embodiment, the IM user verification module1571may verify the command instant message based on the instant message identifier. For example, the IM user verification module1571may verify if the instant message identifier is valid for further processing. In certain embodiments, the verification may include, but not limited to, comparing the instant message identifier of the command instant message with an instant message identifier list, a file having the list, or a database having the instant message identifier list. The valid instant message identifier may include IM account or specific user name of certain users. In other embodiments, the valid instant message identifier may include the IP address of the client device130that is used by the IM account.

When the IM user verification module1571determines that the command instant message is a valid instant message, at operation419, the IM user verification module1571sends the verified command instant message to the service IM processing module1575for further processing. When the IM user verification module1571determines that the command instant message is not a valid instant message, the IM user verification module1571may perform corresponding caution operation to the invalid command instant message, such as discarding the invalid instant message.

Optionally, the administrator may perform the verification manually, for example, by editing the friend list of the service IM account or the specific user name in advance, and only the user account listed in the friend list are allowed to have IM communication with the service IM account of the service IM application157. In certain embodiments, the service IM application may not need the IM user verification module1571. When verification is not required or the administrator perform the verification manually, operations415-419may be skipped, and the service IM processing module1575sends the command instant message directly to the command processing module1573.

Upon receiving the verified command instant message, at operation421, the service IM processing module1575sends the command instant message to the command processing module1573.

When the command processing module1573receives the command instant message, at operation423, the command processing module1573extracts the at least one command from the command instant message. The at least one command may be associated with at least one service190.

At operation425, the command processing module1573sends the extracted at least one command to the service190.

At operation427, the corresponding service190then performs a function based on the extracted at least one command.

In certain embodiments, the service190performing the function generates a result based on the performance of the function. In certain embodiments, the result may include information of whether the function is performed successfully or not. In certain embodiments, the result may include one or more commands associated with another service of another service device.

FIG. 4Bschematically depicts a method of interacting with devices based on IM according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, where the result is, for example, whether the function is performed successfully or not. In certain embodiments, the method400B as described inFIG. 4Cmay be implemented by the system100as shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B.

Referring toFIG. 4B, when the service190performs a function and generates a result, at operation429, the service190sends the result to the service IM processing module1575.

Upon receiving the result from the service190, at operation431, the service IM processing module1575generates a result instant message including the received result. When the result is the information whether the function is performed successfully or not, the generated result instant message may have the IM identifier of the user that sent the command instant message. In other embodiments, when the result is one or more commands, the generated result instant message may have the IM identifier of another service located at another service device associated with the one or more commands.

Once the result instant message is prepared and ready to be sent to the client device130, at operation433, the service IM processing module1575sends the result instant message to the IM server110. At the IM server110, the IM server110processes the result instant message at operation435. At operation437, the IM server110sends the result instant message to the IM processing module1373.

Optionally, when the client device130and the service device150communicates by P2P, the service IM processing module1575may send the result instant message directly to the IM processing module1373, and skip the operations433-437.

At operation439, the IM processing module1373processes the result instant message.

At operation441, the IM processing module1373sends the result instant message to the user interface module1371, such that the result is viewable by the user through the user interface provided by the user interface module1371.

In certain embodiments, if the result instant message includes at least one second command associated with a second service, the result instant message may also be sent to a second service device that has the second service. The second service device may have a similar service IM application, and configured to perform a corresponding second function based on the at least one second command extracted from the result instant message. The operations of the above function in the second service device may be similar to the operations411to427as described above and shown inFIG. 4A.

FIG. 5schematically depicts a method of interacting with devices based on IM according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, where the result is, for example, at least one second command.

In certain embodiments, the method500as described inFIG. 5may be implemented by the system100as shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, with at least a first service device150-1and a second service device150-2. The first service device150-1has a first service IM processing application157-1and a first service190-1. The second service device150-2has a second service IM processing application157-2and a second service190-2. The first service IM processing application157-1has a first IM user verification module1571-1, a first command processing module1573-1, and a first service IM processing module1575-1. The second service IM processing application157-2has a second IM user verification module1571-2, a second command processing module1573-2, and a second service IM processing module1575-2.

As shown inFIG. 4B, at operation427, the first service190-1performs the first function based on the at least one first command. When the first service190-1performs the first function and generates the first result, at operation429, the first service190-1sends the first result to the first service IM processing module1575-1.

Upon receiving the result from the first service190-1, at operation505, the IM processing module1373prepares the result instant message according to the result, such as adding service IM account information of the second service190-2to the command instant message.

Once the first result instant message is prepared, at operation507, the first IM processing module1575-1sends the result instant message to the IM server110.

Optionally, in certain embodiments, before sending the result instant message to the IM server110, the first service IM application157-1may need to establish an IM communication channel with the second service IM application157-2of the service device150. For example, the first service account or the corresponding specific user name of the first service IM application157-1may send an instant message request to the second service account of the second service IM account application157-2. The second IM user verification module1571-2may then verify if the first service IM account is a valid IM account. When the first service IM account is verified, the corresponding second service IM account accepts the request, to establish an IM channel between the first service IM account operating on the first service device150-1and the second service IM account operating on the second service device150-2. In certain embodiments, the valid service IM accounts may be stored in a friend list of the second service IM application157-2. For example, an administrator may edit the features of the second service IM application157-2to add all the valid IM accounts into the friend list of the at least one service IM account of the second service IM application157-2. After the IM communication channel is established, the first service IM processing module1575-1may send the result instant message to the IM server110.

The IM server110processes the result instant message at operation509, and sends the first result instant message to the second service IM processing module1575-2at operation511. In certain embodiments, both the first service IM processing module1575-1and the second service IM processing module1575-2may use the same IM server110. In certain embodiments, the first service IM processing module1575-1may use one IM server, the second service IM processing module1575-2may use another IM server, and the two IM servers may be in communication directly or indirectly through one or more other IM servers in the network170.

Optionally, when the first service IM account and the second service IM account communicate by P2P, the first service IM processing module1575-1may also send the result instant message directly to the second service IM processing module1575-2, and skip the operations507-511.

Upon receiving the result instant message, at operation513, the second service IM processing module1575-2processes the result instant message, and at operation515, sends the processed result instant message to the second IM user verification module1571-2for verification.

At operation517, the second IM user verification module1571-2performs verification on the result instant message. In certain embodiment, the second IM user verification module1571-2may verify the result instant message based on the instant message identifier. For example, the second IM user verification module1571-2may verify if the instant message identifier is valid for further processing. In certain embodiments, the verification may include, but not limited to, comparing the instant message identifier of the result instant message with an instant message identifier list, a file having the list, or a database having the instant message identifier list. The valid instant message identifier may include IM account of certain users/services. In other embodiments, the valid instant message identifier may include the IP address of the client device130or service device150that is used by the IM account.

When the second IM user verification module1571-2determines that the result instant message is a valid instant message, at operation519, the second IM user verification module1571-2sends the verified result instant message to the second service IM processing module1575-2for further processing. When the second IM user verification module1571-2determines that the result instant message is not a valid instant message, the second IM user verification module1571-2may perform corresponding caution operation to the invalid result instant message, such as discarding the invalid instant message.

Optionally, the administrator may perform the verification manually, for example, by editing the friend list of the second service IM account in advance. In certain embodiments, the second service IM application157-2may not need the second IM user verification module1571-2. When verification is not required or the administrator perform the verification manually, operations515-519may be skipped, and the second service IM processing module1575-2sends the result instant message directly to the second command processing module1573-2.

At operation521, the second service IM processing module1575-2sends the verified result instant message to the second command processing module1573-2.

When the second command processing module1575-2receives the result instant message, at operation523, the second command processing module1575-2extracts the at least one second command from the result instant message. The at least one second command may be associated with the at least one second service190-2.

At operation525, the second command processing module1575-2sends the extracted at least one second command to the at least one second service190-2.

At operation527, the corresponding at least one second service190-2then performs a second function based on the extracted at least one second command.

In certain embodiments, the second service190-2performing the second function generates a second result based on the performance of the second function. In certain embodiments, the second result may include information of whether the second function is performed successfully or not. In certain embodiments, the second result may include one or more third commands associated with a third service of a third service device.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure is related to a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable code. The code, when executed at one or more processor of a service device150or/and a client device130, may perform the method as described above. In certain embodiments, the non-transitory computer readable medium may include, but not limited to, the storage device155as described above, or any other storage media of the service device150.