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Method and system for tracking the online status of active users of an internet-based instant messaging system

  • US 20020143916A1
  • Filed: 05/02/2001
  • Published: 10/03/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2000
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for establishing or specifying the online status of a user forming part of an instant messaging system comprising a plurality of clients having IM client applications of the same or different types and an IM server selectively connected to each of said clients via a computer network, the system comprising:

  • a user database for storing an activity status for each user of the IM system with respect to the IM server, said activity status including;

    (i) a time variable signifying the time of or time since the last prescribed involvement of the user with said IM server; and

    (ii) a probability variable signifying the likelihood of the user still being online;

    monitoring means to continuously monitor user activity with said IM server and to continuously update the activity status of users stored on said database involved with said activity; and

    checking means to check the activity status of each user stored on said database and adjust said probability variable in a prescribed manner having regard to said time variable.

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