On Thu, Aug 15, 2002 at 03:00:44PM -0600, Ben Schumacher wrote: > Yes, but this patent is specifically directed towards instant messaging > bots. I guess it just a question of how you define instant messaging. > > From the patent: > A method and system for interactively responding to queries from a > remotely located user includes a computer server system configured to > receiving an instant message query or request from the user over the > Internet. The query or request is interpreted and appropriate action is > taken, such as accessing a local or remote data resource and formulating > an answer to the user's query. The answer is formatted as appropriate and > returned to the user as an instant message or via another route specified > by the user. A method and system of providing authenticated access to a > given web page via instant messaging is also disclosed. >
This is a ridiculous definition. Here's a good example of prior art:
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