BACKGROUND

[0001] The Internet has greatly changed ways individuals communicate with one another. For example, online message boards, or bulletin board, are now popular forms of communication. Individuals who wish to communicate with others can leave messages or start discussions on a message board and the intended recipiait(s) can visit the message board to view posted messages and discussions. Unfortunately, there is usually no privacy, everyone with a proper authorization (e.g., a usemame and a password) can view any of the messages. The message board also does not openly display an individual's status at a given moment. That is, the message board does not notify an individual other than himself or herself whether someone is in a "signed-in" or "signed-ofP' status. Furthermore, because the message board is asynchronous, no instantaneous communication is established between individuals unless the sender and the recipient happen to be visiting the message board and leaving messages for each other at the same time. In addition, the message boards are static in the sense that, in order to enjoy the availability of the message boards, users need to visit web portals or web sites to use the service, leave messages, and review messages.

[0002] Another Internet-related communication tool is an instant messaging tool. Instant messaging provides an unmediate chat or conversation session between parties. The instant messaging tool can be public, such as a public chat room in which parties can sign in to chat with others, or private, such as where each individual first downloads an instant messaging cUent application onto one's computing device and selects which party to be included in its instant messaging list of parties. Another variant of instant messaging tools includes a web-based instant messaging client application that provides similar functions as the downloadable instant messaging client application. However, these instant messaging tools have a common shortfall: conversations between the parties are not persisted or permanently stored like the online message boards. In addition, the users need to visit the web site that has the web-based instant messaging application or download the instant messaging application in order to have a chat session. If the users are in web site or using other applications, such chat or conversation session is not available. [0003] Furthermore, these two features serve two distinct purposes and goals: the message board implementation aims to be a pubUc forum for open discussions while the instant messaging are directed to private conversation or chats that are causal. As such, an instant messaging service or tool is not designed for and incs^able of recording the entire content of the conversation. Similarly, a message board service is incapable of providing instant messaging because it would require resources on a server to provide the instant conversation channels between one or more users at the same time.

SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the invention enhance message boards and instant messaging
tools by dynamically providing availability of instant messaging and message boards to any media object over the web or Internet such that the user can instantly enjoy the convenience of instant messaging and message boards in any given web media object. Advantageously, aspects of the invention provide instant message boards over the web or the Internet such that the users do not need to download a specific client-based application. Furthermore, aspects of the invention dynamically enable the instant message boards or live comments to a media object on the web or the Internet such that the users can create an instant chat and message session dynamically and immediately associated with the media object. There is no need to visit a particular site where the message board is hosted; users can begin the message discussion or conversations right at the page or site where the media object is rendered or provided to the user. Moreover, according to embodiments of the present invention, conversations are persisted and essentially permanoit Aspects of the invention enhance user experiences in establishing an instant conversation and messaging community conveniently and dynamically.

[0005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified
form that are fiirther described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not
intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007 ] FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a system for enabling dynamic
live comment according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0008] FIGS. 2A to 2H are exemplary screen displays illustrating dynamic live comment
capabilities according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating operation of dynamic live
comments according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer-readable medium
implementing storage of aspects of the invention.

[0011] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the
drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Embodiments of the invention enable dynamic live comments with features of dynamic association with media objects, instant messaging or instant conversation, and persistency of instant chat or conversation sessions as in existing message boards. Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrates a system 100 for enabling dynamic live comment according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 100 includes a web server 102 for hosting, managing, and providing services to web users or client applications. For example, the web server 102 may be a general purpose server or computing device having connected via a communication network 104 with other computing devices or servers for providing content to users (e.g., user 108) or client applications. In another embodiment, the web server 102 may also include one or more other servers that are part of a network or a cluster of servers that provide services to users or client applications (hereinafter collectively "users").

[0013] The web server 102 includes a web interface 110 for interacting Avith the user 108. For example, the web interface 110 may be in the form of a web page or a portion of a web page hosted by the web server 102 via the communication network 104. The web page may be part of a web site or a section of a web portal. In an alternative embodiment, the web interface 110 may be part of a web site that is afSliated with the web server 102 through an established business agreement. In a further alternative embodiment, the web interface 110 may be a web page or a part of a web page of a web site that are linked with the web server 102 via the communication network 104, such as a web site hosted by a third party. In one embodiment, the web interface 110 includes one or more web media objects 114. For example, the web media objects 114 may be a gn^hical media object, a text media object, a message board post, a blog post, a member profile, and a video media object.

[0014] The system 100 also includes a memory area 112 for storing information associated with web server 102. In one embodiment, the monory area 112 stores data, computer-executable instructions, and/or code representing an instant commenting tool 116. In one embodiment, the manory area 112 may be connected with the web server 102. In another embodiment, the memory area 112 is accessible by the web server 102 via the communication network 104.

[0015] In one embodiment, the system 100 provides dynamic live comments or conversations regarding the web media object 114 between users 108. Initially, the web server 102 provides the web interface 110 to the user via the communication network 104. The user 108 visits the web interface 110, for example, when a user 108-1 visits the web interface 110 via a web browser (not shown). The user 108-1 exhibits a desire to interact with the web media object 114 by leaving a conmient for the web media object 114. The web interface 110 receives such instruction and, in response to the instruction, the web server 102 activates the instant conmienting tool 116. The activated instant commenting tool 116 dynamically provides an instant or live comment session for the user 108-1 to leave live comments for the web media object 114. In one embodiment, the web server 102 may request the user 108-1 to enter authentication credentials (e.g., usemame and password) before activating the instant commenting tool 116.

[0016] Upon finishing leaving the comments, the instant comments are recorded as recorded comments 120 and the memory area 112 stores the recorded comments 120. The persisted or recorded comments 120 are rendered to the user 108-1 as a portion or part of the web interface 110 and associated with the web media object 114. [0017] In a further embodiment, when a second user 108-2 also Adsits the same web interface 110 and/or the same web media object 114 while the user 108-1 is leaving the comments, the user 108-2 may also provide instructions to activate the instant comment tooling 116 and leaving comments for the same web media object 114. At the same time, the user 108-1 and the user 108-2 may dynamically and instantly engage in a live conversation or chat during the same live commenting session between each other. In the same token, when additional users, such as user 108-3, visit the same web interface 110 and the same web media object 114, other users may also jointly leaving messages and be engaged in the same convorsation.

[0018] In an embodiment in which authentication credentials are needed, upon supplying the authentication credentials, the status of any user who joins or visits the same web interface 110 is displayed. For example, after the credentisds of the user 108-1 are verified, a status of the user 108-1 may be displayed as "ON-LINE". This status enables other users, such as the user 108-2, to identify those who are currently available in an online environment created in response to the activation of the instant commenting tool 116. If desired, user 108-2 can join the user 108-1 in the instant or live conunent session in the online environment. As such, embodiments of the invention create a web-based instant comment session to have an instant conversation that is attached specifically to a particular object, whether a photo, message board post, or anything else. Users can interact with one another about an object with no prior planning or preparation. In other words, two or more users are viewing an object at the same moment. Later, other users are able to view the conversations that have taken place regarding an object, and perhaps start a conversation of their own when they also join the online environment. Furthermore, with the online environment and the instant comment session, the user experience of the web interface 110 and/or the web media object 114 is enhanced as users have an immediate coimection with other users who are simultaneously visiting the exact same piece of content, as well as a means for asynchronous communication for future viewers.

[0019] FIGS. 2A to 2H illustrate exemplary screen displays showing dynamic live conmients according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 2A, a web page 200 (e.g., web interface 110) displays a user's web log "USER_A's BLOG" (conmionly referred to as a "blog") with content. Among other objects, data, and content on the web page 200, a media object 204 includes information, such as a photo of a restaurant in Redmond, WA. The web page 200 also includes a conmient section 206, which includes comments or reviews left by users or web visitors regarding the food or services of the restaurant identified by the media object 204. The web page 200 also includes a reference or a link to a livecomment tool 210 (e.g., instant commenting tool 116 in FIG. 1) for activating or creating an online environment with instant commoit s^sion. The web page 200 also includes other content, such as the user's calendar or recent postings to the blog entries. It is to be understood that the web page 200 may include other graphical representations, rendered objects, or text representations for the media object 204, the livecomment tool 210, and the comment section 206 without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. [0020] Referring now to FIG. 2B, a user_B visits the web page 200 and wishes to leave comments or feedbacks to the same media object 204. In doing so, the userB activates the livecomment tool 210 by drag-and-drop the graphical represoitation of the livecomment tool 210 to the location of the graphical representation of the media object 204. In another * embodiment, other user interaction means apart from the drag-and-drop may be used in activating the liveconunent tool 210. In another embodimoit, the livecomment tool 210 may be rendered or presented to the user_B as an online or grt^hical user interface (GUI) widget or control that enables to the user to interact with web contents and activate applications or programs hosted by a server.

[ 0021 ] Referring now to FIG. 2C, the userB may be alerted or requested to confirm the activation of the livecomment tool 210. In one embodiment, the user_B may be asked to enter the proper credentials before activating the livecomment tool 210. FIG. 2D, the livecomment tool 210 is activated and the web page 200 now includes an online environment with an instant comment session 212. A status of the user_B is now displayed as "ONLINE" and the user_B instantly provides instant comments for the media object 204 as "THIS PESTO CHICKEN IS GREAT."

[0022] In an instant, another user, user_C also visits the same web page 200 and activates the livecomment tool 210. At the same time, the user_C notices that the status of user_B is ONLINE and joins the instant comment session 212 by engaging a conversation with user_B in the instant comment session. For example and as illustrated in FIG. 2E, userC begins a conversation by posing a question to user_B: "Hello, user_B, could you please let me know the direction to the place? I am at the comer of main and 2nd street." [0023] In FIG. 2F, the user_B can then instantly respond to the question in the instant comment session in this online environment and indicated, "You are right there; it's behind the 7-11." Consequently, user_C responds to user_B in FIG. 2G: "I see it. Thanks a lot!" [0024] In FIG. 2G, when both userB and user_C have signed off or "left" the instant comment session 212, their conversations are persisted and ranain permanently with the media object 204. In addition, the comment section 206 also persists and, thus, includes their comments. As such, other users or visitors who visit the same web page 200 at a later time can not only begin a separate instant comment session 212 using the livecomment tool 210 but also review the conversations or comments left by previous visitors. Embodiments of the invention advantageously provide the instantaneous availability of an instant chat or conversation session as an existing instant messaging tool and a persistent or permanent feature of an existing message board. Embodiments of the invention also oihance these two existing tools by providing the features dynamically to any media object or web media object so that the features are not bound by or restricted to a particular web site or web portal. These two stand-alone features serve two distinct purposes and goals: the message board implementation aims to be a public forum for open discussions while the instant messagingaredirectedto'privateconversationor chats that may be causal and lengthy. In other words, existing implements instant messaging aim to keq> conversations in private domain and do not permanently make conversations public, and implementations of the message boards persist comments or discussions permanoitly without reserving resources for keeping track of the status of the user when leaving the comments. As such, any given user in the message board is left guessing whether another user is also available at the message board at the same time. Embodiments of the invention fill this gap and provide additional feature to dynamically make these features to any web media object. [0025] Referring next to FIG. 3, a flow chart illustrates operation of dynamic live comments according to an embodiment of the invention. For example, where the web server 102 and the web intoface 110 are anploytd, a first instruction is r«5eived from a first user for activating an instant comment tool (e.g., instant commenting tool 116) for enabling instant comment on a web media object (e.g., web media object 114) in an online environment at 302. At 304, the web media object is identified by the activated instant commenting tool in response to the received first instruction. An instant commoit session is provided to the first user to leave comments to the wd) media object at 306. The conmients are recorded fi:om the first user from the provided instant comment session at 308. For example, the comments are recorded to the memory area 112 in the system 100. At 310, the recorded commoits are roidered as a persistent portion of the web media object on the online environment.
[0026] In another embodiment, it is determined at 312 wh^er an additional user is in the same online environment (e.g., whether the additional Ms&t has visited the same web interface 110). If the detmnination is positive, instructions fix>m the additional user to activate the instant conunenting tool are received at 314 and the instant commoiting tool performs the operation(s) to identify the web media object and {nnvide the instant conoment session to the users as in 304 and 306. If the determination is negative the wd> media object is rendered, like in 310, with the recorded comments as the persisted or p&inan&at portion of the web media object on the online environment. At 316, another determination is made whether the users in the same online environment wish to engage in a conversation or chat session. If the determination is positive, the convofsations are recorded as in 308 and the recorded comments/conversations ^e rendered as a persistent portion of the web media object. If the determination is negative, the comments provided by the user 108-2 are recorded, just as the conmiaits fix>m the user 108-1 are recorded at 308. In one example, the recorded commoits of the user 108-2 and the user 108-1 may appear in either chronological order or reverse chronological order. Both r^xnded comments are next rendered showing the recorded commoits as a persisted or pomanent portion of the web media object in the same online environment.

[0027] In one embodimoit, FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer-readable m^ium 400 having computer-executable componoits stored thereon embodying aspects of the invention. In FIG. 4, the computor-executable compon«its on the computer-readable medium 400 execute the operations illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, an instant commenting component 402 receives a first instruction (e.g., drag-and-drop action) firom a first user (e.g., user 108-1) for enabling instant commenting on a web media object on an online environment. An interface component 404 accessible to the instant commenting component via the communications network receives a first instruction from a first user for activating instant commenting component 402. The interface component 404 receives the first instruction from the first user and the instant commenting component 402 identifies the web media object via an identification associated with the web media object and in response to the received first instruction. In one embodiment, the instant commenting component 402 provides an instant comment session to the first user to leave comments to the web media object. A memory component 406 accessible via the communication network records or stores the comments from the first user from the provided instant comment session. The comments are associated with the identification (e.g., an object ID 408) of the web media object.
The instant commenting component 402 renders the recorded comments as a persistent portion of the web media object on the online environment.

[0028] The order of execution or performance of the opCTations in embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another (^)aBtion is within the scope of aspects of the invention.

[0029] Embodiments of the invention may be implemented with computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be organized into one or more computer-executable components or modules. Aspects of the invention may be implemented with any number and organization of such components or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific computer-executable instructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in the figures and desoibed herein. Other embodiments of the invention may include different computer-executable instructions or components having more or less fimctionality than illustrated and described herein.

[0030] When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the embodiments thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elemoits. [0031] Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing fix)m the scope of aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

/We Claim;

1. A method for dynamically providing instant comments, said method comprising:
receiving a first instruction from a first user for activating an instant commenting tool;
identifying a web media object associated with the activated instant commenting tool in response to the received first instruction, said first instruction enabling instant commenting in an online environment on the identified web media object associated therewith;
providing an instant comment session to the first user to leave one or more comments to the web media object;
recording the comments from the first user from the provided instant comment session; and
rendering the recorded comments as a persistent portion of the web media object in the online environment.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving one or more instructions from one or more users for activating the instant commenting tool for leaving one or more comments to the web media object, wherein the instant commenting tool identifies the web media object in response to the one or more instructions.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising enabling the one or more users to engage conversations in the same instant comment session with the first user and to leave comments to the web media object.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein recording comprises recording the engaged conversations between the first user and the one or more users in the instant comment session and the comments to the web media object.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein rendering comprises rendering the recorded conversations and the comments as the persistent portion of the web media object on the online environment.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising requesting authentication from the user before providing the instant comment session; said requested authentication comprising a log-in session.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the web media object comprises one or more of the following: a graphical media object, a text media object, a message board post, a blog post, a member profile, and a video media object.

8. A system (100) for dynamically providing instant comments, said system (100) comprising:

a web server (102) accessible via a communication network (104) for providing an instant commenting tool (116), said instant commenting tool (116) enabling instant commenting on a web media object (114) associated therewith in an online environment hosted by the web server (102), said web media object (114) being accessible by the web server (102) via the communication network (104);
a web interface (110) accessible to the web server (102) via the communication network (104) for receiving a first instruction from a first user (118-1) for activating said instant commenting tool (116);
wherein the web server (102) is configured to receive the first instruction fix)m the first user (118-1) via the web interface (110) and identify the web media object (114) associated with the instant commenting tool (116) in response to the received first instruction, said instant commenting tool (116) providing an instant comment session (212) to the first user (118-1) to leave comments to the web media object (114);
a memory (112) accessible by the web servo- (102) via the communication network (104) for recording the comments from the first user (118-1) fix)m the provided instant comment session (212); and
wherein the web server (102) is further configured to raider the recorded comments as a persistent portion of the web media object (114) on the online .environment.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the web interface receives one or more instructions from one or more users for activating the instant commenting tool for leaving comments to the web media object, wherein the instant commenting tool identifies the web media object in response to the one or more instructions.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the web interface further enables the one or more users to engage conversations in the same instant commenting session with the first user and to leave comments to the web media object.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the memory records the engaged conversations between the first user and the one or more users in the instant comment session and the comments to the web media object.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the web server renders the recorded conversations and the comments as the persistent portion of the web media object on the online environment.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the web server requests authentication from the user before providing the instant comment session; said requested authentication comprising a log-in session.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the web media object comprises one or more of the following: a graphical media object, a text media object, a message board post, a blog post, a member profile, and a video media object.

15. A computer-readable medium (400) having computer-executable components stored thereon for dynamically providing instant comments, said computer-readable medium (400) comprising:
an instant commenting component (402) for enabling instant commenting on a web media object (114) in an online environment hosted by a wd) server (102), said web media object (114) being accessible by the web server (102) via a communication network (104);
an interface component (404) accessible to the instant commenting component (402) via the communications network (104) for receiving a first instruction from a first user (118-1) to activate the instant commenting component (402);
wherein the interface component (404) receives the first instruction from the first user(118-l), wherein the instant commenting component (402) identifies the ' web media object (114) via an identification (408) associated with the web media ' object (114) and in response to the received first instruction;
wherein the instant commenting component (402)provides an instant comment session (212) to the first user (118-1) to leave comments to the web media object (114);
a memory component (406) accessible via the communication network (104) for recording the comments from the first user (118-1) from the provided instant comment session (212), said comments being associated with the identification (408) of the web media object (114); and
wherein the instant commenting component (402)renders the recorded comments as a persistent portion of the web media object (114) on the online environment.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the interface component receives one or more instructions from one or more users for activating the instant commenting component for leaving comments to the web media object, wherein the instant commenting component identifies the web media object via the identification and in response to the one or more instructions.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the interface component further enables the one or more users to engage conversations in the same instant comment session with the first user and to leave comments to the web media object.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the memory component records the engaged conversations between the first user and the one or more users in the instant comment session and the comments to the web media object.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the instant commenting component renders the recorded conversations and the comments as the persistent portion of the web media object on the online environment.

20. The computer-readable media of claim 16, wherein the web media object comprises one or more of the following: a graphical media object, a text media object, a message board post, a blog post, a member profile, and a video media object.