Method and system for sensing and communicating updated status information for remote users accessible through an instant messaging system
US7921368B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 5, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L69/329
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system for providing a local user of an instant messaging system with updated status information regarding one or more remote users that provides indication to a local user of whether an instant messaging status message has been recently updated. The disclosed system provides a “new status message” visual indication when a status message for a remote user has recently changed. A timer may be employed to determine how long a new status message visual indication is provided after the status message has changed. The status message itself may be obtained by various specific techniques, such as hovering the cursor over a graphical object for a remote user associated with the new status indication, hovering over the new status indication itself, or clicking through the new status indication or associated graphical object, or through some other appropriate technique.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.