Abstract: A computing device executing a chatbot application stores primary classification data in a memory; the primary classification data includes records each containing a primary class attribute and corresponding primary response data. The device obtains and stores, from a central repository, a copy of secondary classification data including records each containing a secondary class attribute and corresponding secondary response data. The device receives a message from a client device, and determines whether the message matches any of the primary class attributes. When the message does not match any of the primary class attributes, the device determines whether the message matches any of the secondary class attributes. Based on a match between the message and one of the secondary class attributes, the device selects secondary response data corresponding to the one of the secondary class attributes; and transmits a response to the client device, including the selected secondary response data.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a server that stores a set of media files. The server is configured to send an authentication code to a first communication device in response to a request from the first communication device to access the set of media files such that the first communication device can present the authentication code to a user. The server is configured to associate an identifier of a second communication device with the first communication device such that a user of the second communication device can authorize access to the set of media files from the first communication device by sending the authentication code to the server using the second communication device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a server that stores a set of media files. The server is configured to send an authentication code to a first communication device in response to a request from the first communication device to access the set of media files such that the first communication device can present the authentication code to a user. The server is configured to associate an identifier of a second communication device with the first communication device such that a user of the second communication device can authorize access to the set of media files from the first communication device by sending the authentication code to the server using the second communication device.

Abstract: A system for integrating messaging network and external service providers includes: a messaging server connected to a network; and an integration server connected to the messaging server via the network. The messaging server routes messages between client devices, and autonomously generate responses to messages received from the client devices, by selecting content based on the messages and sending the content to the client devices. The content identifies a web page hosted at the integration server. The integration server receives a request for the web page from a client device, and sends the web page, including at least one selectable element, to the client device. Responsive to receiving a selection of the selectable element from the client device, the integration server transmits a message command to the client device, for causing the client device to transmit a message to the messaging server containing a web page identifier.

Abstract: A method is provided in an application server, comprising: storing a plurality of primary class definitions in a memory, each primary class definition including a primary class identifier and a plurality of primary class attributes; storing a plurality of secondary class definitions in a memory, each secondary class definition including a secondary class identifier and a plurality of secondary class attributes; receiving a message from a client computing device via a network; based on the content of the message, selecting one of the primary class identifiers, and one of the secondary class identifiers; selecting primary response data corresponding to the selected primary class identifier; selecting secondary response data corresponding to the selected secondary class identifier; generating a response message by combining the primary response data and the secondary response data; and transmitting the response message to the client computing device.

Abstract: According to embodiments described in the specification, a method and system for replicating an application on an auxiliary computing device are provided. The system includes the auxiliary computing device, a mobile computing device executing the application, and at least one server. The server provides the auxiliary computing device with a web application, and the auxiliary computing device presents a code generated using the web application on its display. The mobile computing device captures the code, and uses the code to establish a connection with the auxiliary computing device via the server. The server then routes data between the auxiliary computing device, the mobile computing device and other devices. The data includes application control data, which is routed between the mobile computing device and the auxiliary computing device; and message data, which is routed between the mobile computing device and other devices.

Abstract: According to embodiments described in the specification, a method and system for replicating an application on an auxiliary computing device are provided. The system includes the auxiliary computing device, a mobile computing device executing the application, and at least one server. The server provides the auxiliary computing device with a web application, and the auxiliary computing device presents a code generated using the web application on its display. The mobile computing device captures the code, and uses the code to establish a connection with the auxiliary computing device via the server. The server then routes data between the auxiliary computing device, the mobile computing device and other devices. The data includes application control data, which is routed between the mobile computing device and the auxiliary computing device; and message data, which is routed between the mobile computing device and other devices.

Abstract: A system including a metrics server and a messaging server is provided. The metrics server receives traffic data describing instant messages sent via the messaging server, and from the traffic data generates and updates suspicion indices corresponding to the computing devices that sent the messages. The suspicion indices are passed to the messaging server, which can modify its handling of subsequent messages based on the suspicion indices of the senders.

Abstract: A method is provided of initiating communications, comprising: storing, in a memory at a messaging server, a plurality of subscriber records, each subscriber record containing a subscriber identifier and a subscriber type indicator; a first subset of the subscriber records having a first subscriber type indicator, and a second subset of the subscriber records having a second subscriber type indicator; determining, at the messaging server, whether to generate initiation data; when the determination is affirmative: selecting at least one of the second subset of the subscriber records; generating the initiation data, the initiation data including at least the subscriber identifier of the selected subscriber record; and transmitting the initiation data to a computing device corresponding to at least one of the first subset of subscriber records.

Abstract: A system and method for providing interactive graphical and multi-media connectivity between a plurality of users, especially in the context of shared content. In aspects, the users are placed into common virtual rooms or virtual interactive environments to permit sharing of content and chat between the individuals in a same virtual interactive environment. Participating users can thereby exchange social layer content as an enhanced content layer beyond a common broadcast content they are experiencing together. Other features and associated functions are also described.

Abstract: According to embodiments described in the specification, a method and system for replicating an application on an auxiliary computing device are provided. The system includes the auxiliary computing device, a mobile computing device executing the application, and at least one server. The server provides the auxiliary computing device with a web application, and the auxiliary computing device presents a code generated using the web application on its display. The mobile computing device captures the code, and uses the code to establish a connection with the auxiliary computing device via the server. The server then routes data between the auxiliary computing device, the mobile computing device and other devices. The data includes application control data, which is routed between the mobile computing device and the auxiliary computing device; and message data, which is routed between the mobile computing device and other devices.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a processor configured to send an identifier to an output device such that the output device presents the identifier. The apparatus also includes a cellular communication module and a Wi-Fi communication module operatively coupled to the processor. The cellular communication module can be configured to establish a connection with a cellular network. The cellular communication module can be configured to receive, from a server via the cellular network, Wi-Fi configuration instructions in response to the server receiving the identifier and the Wi-Fi configuration instructions from a communication device. The Wi-Fi communication module can be configured to establish a connection with a Wi-Fi network based on the Wi-Fi configuration instructions. The Wi-Fi communication module can be configured to receive, from the communication device, a command configured to control content presented by the output device after the connection with the Wi-Fi network has been established.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a processor configured to send an identifier to an output device such that the output device presents the identifier. The apparatus also includes a cellular communication module and a Wi-Fi communication module operatively coupled to the processor. The cellular communication module can be configured to establish a connection with a cellular network. The cellular communication module can be configured to receive, from a server via the cellular network, Wi-Fi configuration instructions in response to the server receiving the identifier and the Wi-Fi configuration instructions from a communication device. The Wi-Fi communication module can be configured to establish a connection with a Wi-Fi network based on the Wi-Fi configuration instructions. The Wi-Fi communication module can be configured to receive, from the communication device, a command configured to control content presented by the output device after the connection with the Wi-Fi network has been established.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a server that stores a set of media files. The server is configured to send an authentication code to a first communication device in response to a request from the first communication device to access the set of media files such that the first communication device can present the authentication code to a user. The server is configured to associate an identifier of a second communication device with the first communication device such that a user of the second communication device can authorize access to the set of media files from the first communication device by sending the authentication code to the server using the second communication device.