Persisting a group in an instant messaging application

US8341233B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Microsoft Corporation · US

Inventors

• Brian Scott Moudy · Redmond, US
• Aarthi Natarajan · Kirkland, US
• Asta Roseway · Seattle, US
• Geeven Singh · Bellevue, US
• George Joy · Arlington Heights, US
• Ranjib Singh Badh · Redmond, US
• Richard Michael Eames · Sammamish, US
• Marcella C. S. Rader · Bellevue, US
• Alexander K. Heron · Kirkland, US
• Vasudha Chandrasekaran · Kirkland, US
• Nicole Steinbok · Redmond, US
• Steven Abrahams · Seattle, US
• Troy A. Schauls · Redmond, US
• Amy Wai-Yee Ip · Kirkland, US
• Melora Zaner-Godsey · Redmond, US
• Seshagiri Panchapagesan · Redmond, US
• Jeroen Van Turennout · Snohomish, US
• Vlad Cretu · Redmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 28, 2011
• Grant date: Dec 25, 2012
• Expiry date: Nov 28, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q20/386
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Various technologies pertaining to instant messaging are described herein. A persistent instant messaging group is created, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises a plurality of members and persists over a plurality of instant messaging sessions. Instances of an instant messaging application are installed on mobile telephones, and the instant messaging application is used to transmit instant messages between members of the persistent instant messaging group. Messages directed towards offline members of the persistent instant messaging group are transmitted to such members when they come online.