US6076100A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Server-side chat monitor
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 1997-11-17
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Granted: 2000-06-13
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Expires: 2017-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for improved monitoring of chat room conversations, including a database which stores penalty information corresponding to the identities of users. When the identity of a user on a channel is received, the database is queried with the identity of the user. In response, penalty information corresponding to that user is received, and if found, a penalty corresponding to the penalty information is automatically applied to the user. The system and method also provide a mechanism for handling user complaints. User complaints are received from a user at the chat channel and forwarded to a complaint channel for review by a monitor client. The system receives a response to the complaint message from the monitor client, which may include one or more assessed penalties. The penalty information is applied to the user and stored in the database.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott C. Cottrille
- 👤 Ashesh P. Bakshi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1813; H04L12/1831; G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/54; H04L43/00; H04L43/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In a computer network configured for chat room conversations by a plurality of client users connected to at least one chat channel of a chat server for interconnecting the users for the exchange of user-provided content, a system for applying penalties against users, comprising, a database for storing penalty information corresponding to the identities of users, and a server-side chat service component connected to the database, the server-side chat service component receiving the identity of a user on a channel, querying the database with a query based on the identity of the user, receiving penalty information corresponding to the identity of the user from the database in response to the query, and applying a penalty to the user on the channel, the penalty corresponding to the penalty information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a computer network configured for chat room conversations by a plurality of client users connected to at least one chat channel of a chat server for interconnecting the users for the exchange of user-provided content, a system for applying penalties against users, comprising, a database for storing penalty information corresponding to the identities of users, and a server-side chat service component connected to the database, the server-side chat service component receiving the identity of a user on a channel, querying the database with a query based on the identity of the user, receiving penalty information corresponding to the identity of the user from the database in response to the query, and applying a penalty to the user on the channel, the penalty corresponding to the penalty information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a complaint channel for connecting chat monitor clients to the server-side chat service component therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means at the user side for transmitting complaints to the chat channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 3 wherein at least some of the complaints include conversation context information therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the server-side chat service component includes means for receiving the complaints from the chat channel and means for storing the complaints in the database.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 5 wherein at least one of the complaints includes the identity of a user to which the complaint is directed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 5 further comprising means for recalling complaint information from the database for review by a monitor, and means for storing penalty information in the database based upon the review.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 7 further comprising a complaint channel for connecting chat monitor clients to the server-side chat service component for review of complaint information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the chat server and client communicate by the transmission of packetized messages.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the database is in an SQL Server.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein one of the penalties corresponds to a ban, and the server-side chat service component for applying the penalty prevents the user from joining the channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for transmitting a warning to a user.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the server-side chat service component for applying a penalty includes means for transmitting a message to the user.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 wherein one of the penalties corresponds to a kick, and the server-side chat service component for applying the penalty includes means for disconnecting the user from the channel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 wherein one of the penalties corresponds to a spectate, and the server-side chat service component for applying the penalty includes means for preventing text messages from the user from being received by other users of the channel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for aggregating penalties into another type of penalty.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for removing a penalty from at least one user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the means for removing a penalty includes means for querying the database with a query based on the identity of a user and for receiving penalty information corresponding to the identity of the user from the database in response to the query, the penalty information including an expiration time, and means for comparing the expiration time against a current time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 17 further comprising means for periodically establishing a penalty review, wherein the means for removing a penalty is connected to the means for establishing a penalty review to periodically remove a penalty.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the means for removing a penalty operates in response to a request from a user to join a channel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a computer network configured for chat room conversations by a plurality of client users connected to at least one chat channel of a chat server for interconnecting the users for the exchange of user-provided content, a mechanism for handling a complaint from a user, comprising, means for receiving a complaint message at the chat channel from a user, a complaint channel for connecting to a monitor client, means for forwarding the complaint message to the complaint channel, and means for receiving a response to the complaint message from the monitor client.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a computer network configured for chat room conversations by a plurality of client users connected to at least one chat channel of a chat server for interconnecting the users for the exchange of user-provided content, a mechanism for handling a complaint from a user, comprising, means for receiving a complaint message at the chat channel from a user, a complaint channel for connecting to a monitor client, means for forwarding the complaint message to the complaint channel, and means for receiving a response to the complaint message from the monitor client.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mechanism of claim 21 further comprising means for forwarding the response to at least one user.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mechanism of claim 22 wherein the means for forwarding the complaint message to the complaint channel includes a server-side chat service component.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mechanism of claim 21 wherein the means for forwarding the complaint message to the complaint channel includes means for storing the complaint message in a database and means for recalling the complaint message from the database.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mechanism of claim 21 wherein the response corresponds to a penalty, and further comprising means for applying the penalty to a client user.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mechanism of claim 21 wherein the response corresponds to a penalty, and further comprising means for storing the penalty in association with an identity of a user in a database.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mechanism of claim 21 wherein the complaint message includes conversation context information associated therewith.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a computer network configured for chat room conversations by client users connected to chat channels of a chat server, a method for applying penalties at the server-side against users, comprising, storing penalty information with respect to each user in a database, receiving the identity a user, querying the database with the identity of the user to retrieve penalty information therefor, determining if the user has penalty information associated therewith that is not expired, and if so, applying a penalty to the user.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a computer network configured for chat room conversations by client users connected to chat channels of a chat server, a method for applying penalties at the server-side against users, comprising, storing penalty information with respect to each user in a database, receiving the identity a user, querying the database with the identity of the user to retrieve penalty information therefor, determining if the user has penalty information associated therewith that is not expired, and if so, applying a penalty to the user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 28 wherein receiving the identity of the user includes receiving a request from the user to join a channel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 28 wherein receiving the identity of the user includes periodically determining the identity of at least one user actively connected to a channel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a computer network configured for chat room conversations by client users connected to a chat channel of a chat server, a method of handling complaints from users, comprising, establishing a complaint channel for connection to a monitor client, receiving a complaint message at the chat channel, forwarding the complaint message to the complaint channel, and receiving a response to the complaint message from the monitor client.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a computer network configured for chat room conversations by client users connected to a chat channel of a chat server, a method of handling complaints from users, comprising, establishing a complaint channel for connection to a monitor client, receiving a complaint message at the chat channel, forwarding the complaint message to the complaint channel, and receiving a response to the complaint message from the monitor client.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 31 wherein forwarding the complaint message to the complaint channel includes storing the complaint message in a database and recalling the complaint message from the database.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 31 wherein forwarding the complaint message to the complaint channel includes augmenting the complaint message with additional information.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the response corresponds to a penalty, and further comprising applying the penalty to a client user.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the response corresponds to a penalty, and further comprising storing the penalty in association with an identity of a user in a database.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the chat server is connected to at least some of the client users via a wide area network.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mechanism of claim 21 wherein the chat server is connected to at least some of the client users via a wide area network.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the chat server is connected to at least some of the client users via a wide area network.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 28 wherein one of the penalties corresponds to a ban, and wherein applying the penalty comprises preventing the user from joining the channel.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 28 wherein applying the penalty comprises transmitting a warning to a user.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 28 wherein applying a penalty comprises transmitting a message to the user.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 28 wherein one of the penalties corresponds to a kick, and wherein applying the penalty comprises disconnecting the user from the channel.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 28 wherein one of the penalties corresponds to a spectate, and wherein applying the penalty comprises preventing text messages from the user from being received by other users of the channel.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising aggregating penalties into another type of penalty.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising removing a penalty from at least one user.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 45 wherein removing a penalty comprises querying the database with a query based on the identity of a user and receiving penalty information corresponding to the identity of the user from the database in response to the query, the penalty information including an expiration time, and comparing the expiration time against a current time.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 45 further comprising periodically establishing a penalty review, wherein removing a penalty is connected to establishing a penalty review to periodically remove a penalty.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 45 wherein removing a penalty operates in response to a request from a user to join a channel.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the chat server is connected to at least some of the client users via a wide area network.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-06-13 | 2003-12-13 | 2004-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-13 | 2007-12-13 | 2008-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-13 | 2011-12-13 | 2012-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |