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 . A communication method comprising: 
 receiving a workflow request at an instant messaging (IM) client;    determining if the IM client is registered with a workflow plug-in in response to receiving the workflow request; and    executing the workflow plug-in in response to determining that the IM client is registered with the workflow plug-in.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 receiving an input at the IM client, the input being indicative of a response to the workflow request;    generating a workflow response from the received input; and    conveying the workflow response.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising downloading a workflow plug-in from a plug-in server in response to determining that the IM client is not registered with the workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising storing the downloaded workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising registering the IM client with the downloaded workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein downloading the workflow plug-in comprises providing authentication information to the plug-in server for authentication by the plug-in server.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising receiving the workflow plug-in from the plug-in server in response to the plug-in server authenticating the authentication information.  
     
     
         8 . A communication system comprising: 
 a first receiving component configured to receive a workflow request at an instant messaging (IM) client;    a determining component configured to determine if the IM client is registered with a workflow plug-in in response to receiving the workflow request; and    an executing component configured to execute the workflow plug-in in response to determining that the IM client is registered with the workflow plug-in.    
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a second receiving component configured to receive an input at the IM client, the input being indicative of a response to the workflow request;    a generating component configured to generate a workflow response from the received input; and    a conveying component configured to convey the workflow response.    
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a downloading component configured to download a workflow plug-in from a plug-in server in response to determining that the IM client is not registered with the workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a storing component configured to store the downloaded workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a registering component configured to register the IM client with the downloaded workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the downloading component is further configured to provide authentication information to the plug-in server for authentication by the plug-in server.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a third receiving component configured to receive the workflow plug-in from the plug-in server in response to the plug-in server authenticating the authentication information.  
     
     
         15 . A computer readable storage medium for facilitating communications, comprising: 
 first receiving logic configured to receive a workflow request at an instant messaging (IM) client;    determining logic configured to determine if the IM client is registered with a workflow plug-in in response to receiving the workflow request; and    executing logic configured to execute the workflow plug-in in response to determining that the IM client is registered with the workflow plug-in.    
     
     
         16 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 second receiving logic configured to receive an input at the IM client, the input being indicative of a response to the workflow request;    generating logic configured to generate a workflow response from the received input; and    conveying logic configured to convey the workflow response.    
     
     
         17 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , further comprising downloading logic configured to download a workflow plug-in from a plug-in server in response to determining that the IM client is not registered with the workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         18 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 17 , further comprising storing logic configured to store the downloaded workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         19 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 17 , further comprising registering logic configured to register the IM client with the downloaded workflow plug-in.  
     
     
         20 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 providing logic configured to provide authentication information to the plug-in server for authentication by the plug-in server; and    a third receiving component configured to receive the workflow plug-in from the plug-in server in response to the plug-in server authenticating the authentication information.