Reducing unsolicited instant messages by tracking communication threads
US7779079B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 10, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L51/212
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Processes and techniques for reducing spam over instant messaging (SPIM) are described. In one implementation, the number of open instant messaging threads (“chat threads”) that a specific user can have at a given time is limited to prevent a potential spimmer from flooding instant messaging users with SPIM. Another implementation combines the technique of limiting the number of open instant messaging threads with a user feedback technique that enables users to inform an instant messaging service or other entity about users that are sending SPIM or other undesirable content. Another implementation combines the technique of limiting the number of open instant messaging threads with a text analysis technique that enables an instant messaging service or other entity to analyze text generated by a user to determine if the user is sending SPIM or other undesirable content to other instant messaging users.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.