Microsoft hopes to patent 'automatic goodbye messages'

Microsoft is trying to patent automatic goodbye messages, including "Have a great afternoon!" and "Ciao, Harry!"Last week, the Redmond software giant tossed an application at the US Patent Office that demands the exclusive rights to a tool that lets you "automatically send a goodbye message when ending a conversation" over IM and VoIP services.When you close your IM client, for instance, the tool could instantly send mini-missives to all your buddies. And you'd have free reign to customize these messages."As an example, the facility may select a goodbye message based on the identity of the converser," the patent reads, in standard patent-speak. "As another example, the facility may select a goodbye message randomly. As another example, the facility may select a goodbye message based on other aspects of the conversation, such as time of day, length of conversation, mood indicated by the user, and so forth."The patent even describes what the missives might look like. "Examples of such goodbye messages are: 'Have a great afternoon!', 'Sorry, I have got to go!', 'Have a terrific day!' and 'Ciao, Harry!'". Read full story...

 


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