Designating automated agents as friends in a social network service
US9929982B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 2011 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 4, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L51/52
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system is described in which a user can add one or more automated agents as “friends” in a social network service. In operation, an automated agent observes an information need expressed by the user via the social network service, e.g., in the form of an original message posted to the social network service; determines whether it is appropriate to reply to the information need; uses automated functionality to generate a reply message to the information need (if it is deemed appropriate to reply to the information need); and sends the reply message to a target destination, such as a social network page associated with the user. For example, without limitation, one type of automated agent performs a question-answering function. Another type of automated agent performs a social referral service.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.