Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments relate to methods and computer program products for the presentation and selection of preset instant messaging responses in an IPTV environment. The method comprises respectively associating each of a plurality of predetermined keywords with at least one content-specific reply message, respectively associating each of the plurality of keywords with at least one content-specific graphic icon, and respectively associating each of a plurality of graphic icons with at least one content-specific reply message. The method also comprises receiving an instant message, determining if a predetermined keyword is comprised within the received instant message, and displaying the received instant message. Yet further, the method comprises creating an instant message reply to the received instant message, and transmitting the instant message reply to the remote communication device.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the implementation of interactive communication services within an IPTV environment, and more particularly, to the creation and delivery of responses to instant messages within an IPTV environment. 
     2. Description of Background 
     Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is a digital television delivery system wherein television content is delivered using Internet protocols via a networked configuration. As such, IPTV content can be delivered in live television multicasting formats in addition to stored video formats. Due to its networked implemented configuration, IPTV provides viewers with the capability to engage in truly interactive viewing experiences. These interactive aspects include the capability to access interactive content programming guides or picture-in-picture content viewing functionalities. The networked configured aspects of an IPTV system can also provide a viewer with the capability to have access to email messaging systems via a web browser. 
     Currently, instant messaging (IM) systems have become a popular alternative to conventional email messaging systems. IM systems are computing systems wherein two or more computing system users exchange text messages in real-time via. IM system users can transmit an instant message to an individual as long as the individual is on-line. To be effective, IM messaging systems require that all parties to an IM encounter be on-line or have activated communication devices operating at the same time. Within a communication encounter IM messages are exchanged via an instant messaging window that is displayed at the system that each IM user enters their messages. As such, the users can view each other&#39;s transmitted messages as they are entered into the system, thus forming a visual textual conversation. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Exemplary embodiments include a method for the presentation and selection of preset instant messaging responses in an IPTV environment. The method comprises respectively associating each of a plurality of predetermined keywords with at least one content-specific reply message, respectively associating each of the plurality of keywords with at least one content-specific graphic icon, and respectively associating each of a plurality of graphic icons with at least one content-specific reply message. The method also comprises receiving an instant message, determining if a predetermined keyword is comprised within the received instant message, and displaying the received instant message. Yet further, the method comprises creating an instant message reply to the received instant message, and transmitting the instant message reply to the remote communication device. 
     Additional exemplary embodiments include a computer program product. The computer program product includes a computer readable medium useable by a processor, the medium having stored thereon a sequence of instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to create a response to an instant message from a presentation of a selection of preset instant messaging responses in an IPTV environment by respectively associating each of a plurality of predetermined keywords with at least one content-specific reply message. Each of the plurality of keywords is respectively associated with at least one content-specific graphic icon, each of a plurality of graphic icons respectively associated with at least one content-specific reply message. Further, the computer program product receives an instant message, determines if a predetermined keyword is comprised within the received instant message, and displays a text of the received instant message. Yet further, an instant message reply is created in response to the received instant message, and the instant message reply is transmitted. 
     Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the all upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the exemplary embodiments, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGS: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary IPTV system environment that can be implemented in accordance with exemplary embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method for responding to an IM message that is received within an IPTV environment in accordance with exemplary embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method for responding to an IM message that is received within an IPTV environment by the selection of a display icon in accordance with exemplary embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method for responding to an IM message that is received within an IPTV environment by the selection of a pre-formatted text response in accordance with exemplary embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method for responding to an IM message that is received within an IPTV environment by the selection of a highlighted keyword in accordance with exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains the exemplary embodiments, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below in detail. The disclosed embodiments are intended to be illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. In reference to the drawings, like numbers will indicate like parts continuously throughout the views. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise methodologies and computer program products for responding to an IM that is received at a user/customer&#39;s display device within an IPTV environment. An exemplary IPTV system  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 . IMs  130  received from remote computing systems or remote communication devices (e.g., a cell phone, networked PDA or portable computer, etc.) are delivered to an IM server  135  wherein thereafter the IMs are delivered to an IPTV gateway  105 . According to exemplary embodiments, the IPTV gateway  105  is responsible for the management, provisioning, storage, and delivery of IPTV content within the IPTV environment  100 . Additionally an IPTV processing infrastructure  110  may be responsible for maintaining IPTV system user accounts and information in regard to set top boxes  120  (STBs) that are associated with IPTV user accounts. Using conventional means, an IPTV user can configure any STB  120  that is associated with their IPTV user account to display IMs at a display device  125  that is in communication with their account sanctioned STB  120 . 
     According to exemplary embodiments, the IPTV gateway  105  interfaces with a preferences server  115 , wherein the preference server  115  is responsible for handling the interactive and viewing preferences for the IPTV system  100  as dictated by the desires of all IPTV subscriber. Further, the IPTV gateway  105  is responsible for retrieving an IPTV subscribers preferences for each IPTV STB  120  that is associated with the IPTV subscriber&#39;s user account from the preferences server  115 . Additionally, for each STB  120  comprising an IM client application  140  that is configured to receive and transmit IM information, the IPTV gateway  105  may interact with the IPTV infrastructure  110  to accomplish the actual transmittal or reception of an IM to the transmitting or receiving STB  120 . 
     Within exemplary embodiments of the present invention IMs are delivered to a specific IPTV user account that is maintained at the IPTV infrastructure  110 . Within further exemplary embodiments, IMs can be transmitted to a specific respective STB  120  of a user in the event that a user has more than one STB  120  that is associated with their user account. IMs that have been transmitted to a user may be displayed to the user via the display device  125  that is in communication with the respective STBs  120  that may be associated with a user&#39;s account. As such, the interactive IMs are displayed to a user via a pop-up GUI window that overlays any image that is currently displayed on the display device  125 , according to exemplary embodiments. 
     Within yet further exemplary embodiments of the present invention responses to received IMs are preset and saved within the IPTV system  100  at a user&#39;s account or within the STB(s)  120  that are associated with a user&#39;s account. An IPTV user can edit preset IM response messages by accessing the preset messages that are saved and associated with a user&#39;s account within the IPTV processing infrastructure  110 . The preset IM responses can be edited by accessing and editing the response messages associated with an IPTV account via a computing system, or by accessing and editing the response messages by way of a GUI displayed at the display device  125  via a remote control device that is associated with the respective STB  120  that is associated with the display device  125 . Within the exemplary embodiments, the remote control device can comprise a set of physical input entry buttons—or hotkeys—wherein each button/hotkey is associated with at least one content-specific reply message, wherein upon the activation of a hotkey, the hotkey is further configured to select a content-specific reply message for transmittal. A user selecting a preset response message can create an IM response within embodiments of the present invention; thereinafter the preset message is delivered as an IM response to the received IM. 
       FIG. 2  shows a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method for responding to an IM message that is received within an IPTV environment. At step  205 , an IM is received at the IPTV processing infrastructure  110 . The IM message can be further processed at a dedicated IM processing application, such as the IM client application  140 , that resides either at the IPTV processing infrastructure  110  or a STB, such as the STB  120 , that is associated with the IPTV account of the IM receiving party. At step  210 , the IM is analyzed by the dedicated IM processing application  140  in order to determine if the IM contains any predetermined keywords. Within aspects of the present invention, predetermined words—keywords—can be associated with a single preset IM textual response message or a plurality of IM textual response messages. When discovered within an IM, a keyword can be highlighted within a display of the IM (e.g., by underling the keyword, changing the color of the displayed keyword, etc.). 
     At step  215 , the IM message is displayed within an IM GUI window at a display device, such as the display device  125  that is in communication with the STB  120 , wherein the keywords of the IM are emphasized or highlighted within the display. In the event that an IM does not contain any predetermined keywords, then at step  225 , the text of the IM is displayed with no further visual detail. At steps  220  and  230 , responses are prepared to the received IM message. At step  235 , a determination is made as to how the response to the received IM will be created. In this instance, the user is presented with the option of creating a IM response by selecting from a displayed GUI window a graphical icon that is associated with a preset text message(s) (step  305 ), selecting a preset text message (step  405 ), or selecting a keyword that that has been associated with a predetermined text message(s) (step  505 ). Similarly, at step  240 , a determination is made as to how a response to the received IM will be created. In this event, a user is presented with the option of selecting from a displayed GUI window a graphical icon that is associated with a preset text message(s) (step  305 ), or selecting a preset text message (step  405 ). 
       FIG. 3  shows a flow diagram detailing the aspects of using a displayed graphical icon to create an IM response. At step  305 , a GUI window dedicated to displaying graphical icons that are associated with preset IM response messages is displayed to a user. The GUI window can be opened in response to an input that is received directly from the STB  120  or a remote control device that is in communication with the STB. At  310  a user selects an icon that is appropriate for responding to a received IM. For example, an IM is received requesting a meeting at a specific time. In this instance, a graphical icon of a clock can be associated with a predetermined message that features a time-specific acknowledgement response; wherein the reply message can specify that the receiver accepts the specified time appointment. 
     At step  315 , the preset response text message or messages that have been associated with the graphical icon are displayed to the user. At step  320 , the user selects the response message by entering a command at the STB  120  or a remote control device that is in communication with the STB, wherein upon selection, the text of the response message is displayed in the IM GUI window—thereafter being delivered to the sender of the original IM (steps  325  and  330 ) upon the user&#39;s execution of a message transmittal command operation. 
       FIG. 4  shows a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method for responding to an IM message that has been received within an IPTV environment by the selection of a pre-formatted text response. At step  405 , a GUI window dedicated to displaying a listing of textual IM responses is displayed to a user. The textual response GUI window can be opened in response to an input that is received directly from the STB  120  or a remote control device that is in communication with the STB. At step  410 , the user selects an appropriate IM response message from the displayed listing of IM response messages. Thereafter, the selected IM response is displayed within the IM GUI window delivered to the original IM sender and (steps  415  and  420 ). 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method for responding to an IM message that is received within an IPTV environment by the selection of a highlighted keyword that is displayed within an IM at an IM GUI window. At step  505 , a user selects a predetermined keyword (or keywords) that is highlighted within the displayed IM. The keyword can be selected by entering a command at the STB  120  or a remote control device that is in communication with the STB. Upon a selection of a keyword, a GUI window is opened wherein graphical icons that are associated with the keyword and a list of preset messages that are associated with the keyword are displayed (step  510 ). At step  515 , a determination is made as to the procedure that will be utilized to create a response to the received IM. In the instance that a user selects a graphical icon to create an IM response (step  305 ) then the response steps as detailed within the flow diagram of  FIG. 3  are followed. In the instance that a user selects a preset text message from a displayed listing of messages (step  405 ) to create all IM response, then the response steps as detailed within the flow diagram of  FIG. 4  are followed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , within the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as described above, IM responses can be created by selecting a preset textual response message  620  from a GUI window  605 , selecting a graphical icon  625  that is associated with a preset message or messages from a GUI window  610 , or selecting a keyword  635 —that is associated with a preset message or messages ( 620 )—that is highlighted within a received IM  630  displayed within a GUI  615 . 
     As described above, the exemplary embodiments can be in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The exemplary embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the exemplary embodiments. 
     The exemplary embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into an executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the exemplary embodiments. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc., are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc., do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.