Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Ben D Garrison

David A Nichols

Shreedhar Madhavapeddi

Keiji Kanazawa

Jithendra K Veeramachaneni

Per-Ola Anders Orvendal

Kitty L Leung

Chris G Parker

Alexey Kalinichenko

Wendy L Lehman

Erik L DeBonte

Mark A Gere

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.

Reducing unsolicited instant messages by tracking communication threads

Instant messaging with audio connection formation is described. In an implementation, a method includes forming a communication to authenticate a client with a proxy during an instant messaging session and forming an invitation by the client for communication to the proxy that identifies another client, with which, to communicate via an audio connection. An acceptance is received from the other client via the proxy to form the audio connection.

Instant messaging with audio connection formation

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Ben D Garrison