Extending Functionality of Workflow applications using Instant Messaging (IM)

Abstract

Plug-ins for instant messaging (IM) systems are described. By using plug-ins in conjunction with IM systems, the functionality of IM systems may be greatly extended. Specifically, in business applications, such as workflow processes, IM provides a more reliable approach to determining actual delivery of messages.

1 . An instant messaging (IM) system comprising: 
 an IM client adapted to receive a workflow request; and    a workflow plug-in adapted to process the workflow request.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the IM client is further adapted to search a predefined directory for the workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the IM client is further adapted to launch the workflow plug-in in response to finding the workflow plug-in in the predefined directory.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the IM client is further adapted to download the workflow plug-in from a plug-in server in response to not finding the workflow plug-in in the predefined directory.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the IM client is further adapted to register the downloaded workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the IM client is further adapted to convey, to the workflow plug-in, data delineated by an application identifier in a received data stream.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the IM client is further adapted to send a request for the workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         8 . An instant messaging (IM) method comprising: 
 receiving a workflow request; and    processing the workflow request via a workflow plug-in.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising searching a predefined directory for the workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising launching the workflow plug-in in response to finding the workflow plug-in in the predefined directory.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising downloading the workflow plug-in from a plug-in server in response to not finding the workflow plug-in in the predefined directory.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising registering the downloaded workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising conveying, to the workflow plug-in, data delineated by an application identifier in a received data stream.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising sending a request for the workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         15 . An instant messaging (IM) computer readable storage medium comprising: 
 IM client logic adapted to receive a workflow request; and    workflow plug-in logic adapted to process the workflow request.    
     
     
         16 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the IM client logic is further adapted to search a predefined directory for the workflow plug-in logic.  
     
     
         17 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the IM client logic is further adapted to launch the workflow plug-in logic in response to finding the workflow plug-in logic in the predefined directory.  
     
     
         18 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the IM client logic is further adapted to download the workflow plug-in logic from a plug-in server in response to not finding the workflow plug-in logic in the predefined directory.  
     
     
         19 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 18 , wherein the IM client logic is further adapted to register the downloaded workflow plug-in logic.  
     
     
         20 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein the IM client logic is further adapted to convey, to the workflow plug-in logic, data delineated by an application identifier in a received data stream.