Calendar-enhanced awareness for instant messaging systems and electronic status boards

• US 20030046296A1
• Filed: 08/28/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Sundstrom, Robert J., Kovales, Renee M., Haverstock, Paul W., Doss, J. Smith, Pozefsky, Diane P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,035,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/102
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A method, system, and product are disclosed for providing calendar-enhanced awareness/presence information for instant messaging systems and electronic status boards. This invention automates status transitions, enhances and automates status messages, and automates and extends the IM “who can see me” function. Additionally, this invention extends awareness to dimensions other than IM status, to include availability in-person, via telephone, via wireless device or wireless messaging device (e.g., pager).

Claims

1. A method in a computer system for providing dynamic contact information, said method comprising the steps of:

retrieving dynamic contact records for a plurality of entities from one or more systems representing a dynamic contact information service; and

providing dynamic contact records to one or more status servers.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of establishing the dynamic contact information service that provides dynamic-contact records for said plurality of entities, each one of said dynamic-contact records being dynamically updated to indicate current contact information for one of said plurality of entities.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps for each of said plurality of entities of:

analyzing a calendar;

determining a plurality of periods of time;

associating a start time and a stop time with each of said plurality of periods of time; and

associating dynamic contact information with each of said plurality of periods of time, said dynamic contact information being dynamic contact information derived from said calendar, preferences, and directory information for one of said plurality of entities.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of including within each said dynamic contact information a current telephone type, current telephone status, current telephone number, current telephone status time period, office telephone number, voice-mail status, and voice-mail checking frequency information for one of said plurality of entities associated with each said dynamic contact information.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of including within said current telephone status an indication of whether the current telephone is busy.

6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of including within said current telephone status an indication of whether said current telephone is currently in service.

7. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of including within said dynamic contact information an in-person status and in-person-status time period, and physical location for one of said plurality of entities, said physical location being a location where said one of said plurality of entities can be currently located.

8. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of including within said dynamic contact information a wireless-messaging status, wireless-messaging address, and wireless-messaging time period for one of said plurality of entities, said wireless-messaging address being a wireless messaging address at which said one of said plurality of entities can be reached by wireless messaging.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of including within said wireless-messaging status an indication of whether the wireless-messaging device with said wireless-messaging address is currently in service.

10. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of including within said dynamic contact information an instant-message user name, instant-message status, and instant-message time period for one of said plurality of entities, said instant-message user name being an instant-message user name at which said one of said plurality of entities can be reached via an instant-message service.

11. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of including within said dynamic contact information an e-mail address and e-mail checking frequency information for said one of said plurality of entities.

12. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of including within said dynamic contact information an indication of a best current means for contacting said one of said plurality of entities.

13. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of including within said dynamic contact information an indication of an alternate contact person for said one of said plurality of entities.

14. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps, for each of said plurality of entities, of:

determining a current time;

determining one of said plurality of periods of time having a start time at or before said current time and a stop time after said current time; and

creating a current dynamic contact record using the current contact information associated with said one of said plurality of periods of time

updating said status server with said current dynamic contact record.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

establishing a status system, including at least one status server to serve as said status server and at least one client;

specifying for each client a second plurality of entities for which the client subscribes to automatic updates of dynamic contact information; and

sending, using said status server, each said current dynamic contact record to each said client that has subscribed to updates for the entity whose dynamic contact information is contained in said current dynamic contact record.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of filtering fields of each current dynamic information record in accordance with “

who can see me”

information in said current dynamic contact record and only sending allowed fields to said clients.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of displaying at a client, information for a plurality of entities from said current dynamic contact records.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying said information including within said display a current telephone type, current telephone status, current telephone number, current telephone status time period, office telephone number, voice-mail status, and voice-mail checking frequency information for each of said second plurality of entities.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of displaying said current telephone status at said client using icons.

20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of displaying said information including within said display an indication of whether said current telephone is busy.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of displaying said current telephone status at said client using icons.

22. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of displaying said information including within said display an indication of whether said current telephone is currently in service.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of displaying said current telephone status at said client using icons.

24. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying said information including within said display an in-person status, in-person status time period, and physical location for each of said second plurality of entities, said physical location being a location where said each of said second plurality of entities can be found.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of displaying said current in-person status at said client using icons.

26. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying said information including within said display a wireless-messaging status, wireless-messaging address, and wireless-messaging time period for each of said second plurality of entities, said wireless-messaging address being a wireless-messaging address at which said each of said second plurality of entities can be reached by wireless messaging.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of displaying said current wireless messaging status at said client using icons.

28. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of displaying said information including within said wireless-messaging status an indication of whether the wireless-messaging device with said wireless-messaging address is currently in service.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising the step of displaying said current wireless messaging status at said client using icons.

30. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying said information including within said display an instant-message user name, instant-message status, and instant-message time period for each of said second plurality of entities, said instant-message user name being an instant-message user name at which said each of said second plurality of entities can be reached via an instant-messaging service.

31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of displaying said current instant messaging status at said client using icons.

32. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying said information including within said display an e-mail address and e-mail checking frequency information for each of said second plurality of entities.

33. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying said information including within said display an indication of a best current means for contacting each of said second plurality of entities.

34. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying said information including within said display an indication of an alternate contact person for each of said second plurality of entities.

35. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying said information in response to selecting said one of said second plurality of entities.

36. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

hovering a cursor over a name of said one of said second plurality of entities; and

displaying a full status message.

37. The method according to claim 36, further comprising the step of including in said full status message an in-person status, in-person status time period, a physical location, an e-mail address, and e-mail checking frequency information, an office telephone number, voice mail checking frequency information, an indication of a best current means for contacting, and an indication of an alternate contact person associated with said one of said second plurality of entities.

38. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

hovering a cursor over a phone icon associated with said one of said second plurality of entities; and

displaying a current telephone number, a current telephone type, current telephone status, current telephone status time period, office phone number, and voice mail checking information for said one of said second plurality of entities.

39. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

hovering a cursor over an in-person icon associated with said one of said second plurality of entities; and

displaying an in-person status, physical location, and in-person-status time period associated with said one of said second plurality of entities.

40. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

hovering a cursor over an instant-messaging icon associated with said one of said second plurality of entities; and

displaying an instant-messaging user name, instant-messaging status, and instant-messaging time period associated with said one of said second plurality of entities.

41. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

hovering a cursor over a wireless-messaging icon associated with said one of said second plurality of entities; and

displaying a wireless-messaging status, a wireless-messaging address, and a wireless-messaging time period associated with said one of said second plurality of entities.

42. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of specifying display preferences for displaying said dynamic contact information including specifying portions of said dynamic contact information to be displayed and entities in said second plurality of entities to be displayed.

43. The method according to claim 42, further comprising the step of formatting and displaying said dynamic contact information.

44. The method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of displaying only portions of said dynamic contact information specified in the display preferences.

45. The method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of displaying information only for entities whose in-person status, telephone status, wireless-messaging status and instant-messaging status meet criteria specified in the display preferences.

46. A computer system for providing dynamic contact information comprising:

dynamic contact records being retrieved for a plurality of entities from one or more systems representing a dynamic contact information service; and

dynamic contact records being provided to one or more status servers.

47. The system according to claim 46, further comprising a dynamic contact information service that provides dynamic-contact records for said plurality of entities, each one of said dynamic-contact records being dynamically updated to indicate current contact information for one of said plurality of entities.

48. The system according to claim 47, further comprising for each of said plurality of entities of:

means for analyzing a calendar;

means for determining a plurality of periods of time;

means for associating a start time and a stop time with each of said plurality of periods of time and

means for associating dynamic contact information with each of said plurality of periods of time, said dynamic contact information being dynamic contact information derived from said calendar, preferences, and directory information for one of said plurality of entities.

49. The system according to claim 48, further comprising within each said dynamic contact information a current telephone type being included, current telephone status, current telephone number, current telephone status time period, office telephone number, voice-mail status, and voice-mail checking frequency information for one of said plurality of entities associated with each said dynamic contact information.

50. The system according to claim 49, further comprising within said current telephone status an indication of whether the current telephone is busy being included.

51. The system according to claim 49, further comprising within said current telephone status an indication of whether said current telephone is currently in service being included.

52. The system according to claim 48, further comprising within said dynamic contact information an in-person status and in-person-status time period being included, and physical location for one of said plurality of entities being included, said physical location being a location where said one of said plurality of entities can be currently located.

53. The system according to claim 48, further comprising within said dynamic contact information a wireless-messaging status, wireless-messaging address, and wireless-messaging time period for one of said plurality of entities being included, said wireless-messaging address being a wireless messaging address at which said one of said plurality of entities can be reached by wireless messaging.

54. The system according to claim 53, further comprising within said wireless-messaging status an indication of whether the wireless-messaging device with said wireless-messaging address is currently in service being included.

55. The system according to claim 48, further comprising within said dynamic contact information an instant-message user name, instant-message status, and instant-message time period for one of said plurality of entities being included, said instant-message user name being an instant-message user name at which said one of said plurality of entities can be reached via an instant-message service.

56. The system according to claim 48, further comprising within said dynamic contact information an e-mail address and e-mail checking frequency information for said one of said plurality of entities being included.

57. The system according to claim 48, further comprising within said dynamic contact information an indication of a best current means for contacting said one of said plurality of entities being included.

58. The system according to claim 48, further comprising within said dynamic contact information an indication of an alternate contact person for said one of said plurality of entities being included.

59. The system according to claim 48, further comprising for each of said plurality of entities:

a current time being determined;

one of said plurality of periods of time having a start time at or before said current time and a stop time after said current time being determined; and

a current dynamic contact record being created using the current contact information associated with said one of said plurality of periods of time

said status server being updated with said current dynamic contact record.

60. The system according to claim 59, further comprising:

a status system, including at least one status server to serve as said status server and at least one client;

for each client a second plurality of entities being specified for which the client subscribes to automatic updates of dynamic contact information; and

said status server for sending each said current dynamic contact record to each said client that has subscribed to updates for the entity whose dynamic contact information is contained in said current dynamic contact record.

61. The system according to claim 60, further comprising means for filtering fields of each current dynamic information record in accordance with “

who can see me”

information in said current dynamic contact record and only sending allowed fields to said clients.

62. The system according to claim 60, further comprising information for a plurality of entities from said current dynamic contact records being displayed at a client.

63. The system according to claim 62, further comprising said information being displayed including within said display a current telephone type, current telephone status, current telephone number, current telephone status time period, office telephone number, voice-mail status, and voice-mail checking frequency information for each of said second plurality of entities.

64. The system according to claim 63, further comprising said current telephone status being displayed at said client using icons.

65. The system according to claim 63, further comprising said information being displayed including within said display an indication of whether said current telephone is busy.

66. The system according to claim 65, further comprising said current telephone status being displayed at said client using icons.

67. The system according to claim 63, further comprising said information being displayed including within said display an indication of whether said current telephone is currently in service.

68. The system according to claim 67, further comprising said current telephone status being displayed at said client using icons.

69. The system according to claim 62, further comprising said information being displayed including within said display an in-person status, in-person status time period, and physical location for each of said second plurality of entities, said physical location being a location where said each of said second plurality of entities can be found.

70. The system according to claim 69, further comprising said current in-person status being displayed at said client using icons.

71. The system according to claim 62, further comprising said information being displayed including within said display a wireless-messaging status, wireless-messaging address, and wireless-messaging time period for each of said second plurality of entities, said wireless-messaging address being a wireless-messaging address at which said each of said second plurality of entities can be reached by wireless messaging.

72. The system according to claim 71, further comprising said current wireless messaging status being displayed at said client using icons.

73. The system according to claim 71, further comprising said information being displayed including within said wireless-messaging status an indication of whether the wireless-messaging device with said wireless-messaging address is currently in service.

74. The system according to claim 73, further comprising said current wireless messaging status being displayed at said client using icons.

75. The system according to claim 62, further comprising said information being displayed including within said display an instant-message user name, instant-message status, and instant-message time period for each of said second plurality of entities, said instant-message user name being an instant-message user name at which said each of said second plurality of entities can be reached via an instant-messaging service.

76. The system according to claim 75, further comprising said current instant messaging status being displayed at said client using icons.

77. The system according to claim 62, further comprising said information being displayed including within said display an e-mail address and e-mail checking frequency information for each of said second plurality of entities.

78. The system according to claim 62, further comprising said information being displayed including within said display an indication of a best current means for contacting each of said second plurality of entities.

79. The system according to claim 62, further comprising said information being displayed including within said display an indication of an alternate contact person for each of said second plurality of entities.

80. The system according to claim 62, further comprising said information being displayed in response to selecting said one of said second plurality of entities.

81. The system according to claim 62, further comprising:

a cursor being hovered over a name of said one of said second plurality of entities; and

a full status message being displayed.

82. The system according to claim 81, further comprising an in-person status, in-person status time period, a physical location, an e-mail address, and e-mail checking frequency information, an office telephone number, voice mail checking frequency information, an indication of a best current means for contacting, and an indication of an alternate contact person associated with said one of said second plurality of entities being included in said full status message.

83. The system according to claim 62, further comprising:

a cursor being hovered over a phone icon associated with said one of said second plurality of entities; and

a current telephone number, a current telephone type, current telephone status, current telephone status time period, office phone number, and voice mail checking information for said one of said second plurality of entities being displayed.

84. The system according to claim 62, further comprising:

a cursor being hovered over an in-person icon associated with said one of said second plurality of entities; and

an in-person status, physical location, and in-person-status time period associated with said one of said second plurality of entities being displayed.

85. The system according to claim 62, further comprising:

a cursor being hovered over an instant-messaging icon associated with said one of said second plurality of entities; and

an instant-messaging user name, instant-messaging status, and instant-messaging time period associated with said one of said second plurality of entities being displayed.

86. The system according to claim 62, further comprising:

a cursor being hovered over a wireless-messaging icon associated with said one of said second plurality of entities; and

a wireless-messaging status, a wireless-messaging address, and a wireless-messaging time period associated with said one of said second plurality of entities being displayed.

87. The system according to claim 62, further comprising display preferences being specified for displaying said dynamic contact information including specifying portions of said dynamic contact information to be displayed and entities in said second plurality of entities to be displayed.

88. The system according to claim 87, further comprising said dynamic contact information being formatted and displayed.

89. The system according to claim 88, further comprising only portions of said dynamic contact information specified in the display preferences being displayed.

90. The system according to claim 88, further comprising information only for entities whose in-person status, telephone status, wireless-messaging status and instant-messaging status meet criteria specified in the display preferences being displayed.

91. A computer program product in a computer system for providing dynamic contact information comprising:

instruction means for retrieving dynamic contact records for a plurality of entities from one or more systems representing a dynamic contact information service; and

instruction means for providing dynamic contact records to one or more status servers.

92. The product according to claim 91, further comprising instruction means for establishing a dynamic contact information service that provides dynamic-contact records for said plurality of entities, each one of said dynamic-contact records being dynamically updated to indicate current contact information for one of said plurality of entities.

93. The product according to claim 92, further comprising for each of said plurality of entities:

instruction means for analyzing a calendar;

instruction means for determining a plurality of periods of time;

instruction means for determining a start time and a stop time with each of said plurality of periods of time; and

instruction means for associating dynamic contact information with each of said plurality of periods of time, said dynamic contact information being dynamic contact information derived from said calendar, preferences, and directory information for one of said plurality of entities.

94. The product according to claim 93, further comprising instruction means for including within each said dynamic contact information a current telephone type, current telephone status, current telephone number, current telephone status time period, office telephone number, voice-mail status, and voice-mail checking frequency information for one of said plurality of entities associated with each said dynamic contact information.

95. The product according to claim 94, further comprising instruction means for including within said current telephone status an indication of whether the current telephone is busy.

96. The product according to claim 94, further comprising instruction means for including within said current telephone status an indication of whether said current telephone is currently in service.

97. The product according to claim 93, further comprising instruction means for including within said dynamic contact information an in-person status and in-person-status time period, and physical location for one of said plurality of entities, said physical location being a location where said one of said plurality of entities can be currently located.

98. The product according to claim 93, further comprising instruction means for including within said dynamic contact information a wireless-messaging status, wireless-messaging address, and wireless-messaging time period for one of said plurality of entities, said wireless-messaging address being a wireless messaging address at which said one of said plurality of entities can be reached by wireless messaging.

99. The product according to claim 98, further comprising instruction means for including within said wireless-messaging status an indication of whether the wireless-messaging device with said wireless-messaging address is currently in service.

100. The product according to claim 93, further comprising instruction means for including within said dynamic contact information an instant-message user name, instant-message status, and instant-message time period for one of said plurality of entities, said instant-message user name being an instant-message user name at which said one of said plurality of entities can be reached via an instant-message service.

101. The product according to claim 93, further comprising instruction means for including within said dynamic contact information an e-mail address and e-mail checking frequency information for said one of said plurality of entities.

102. The product according to claim 93, further comprising instruction means for including within said dynamic contact information an indication of a best current means for contacting said one of said plurality of entities.

103. The product according to claim 93, further comprising instruction means for including within said dynamic contact information an indication of an alternate contact person for said one of said plurality of entities.

104. The product according to claim 93, further comprising for each of said plurality of entities:

instruction means for determining a current time;

instruct ion means for determining one of said plurality of periods of time having a start time at or before said current time and a stop time after said current time; and

instruction means for creating a current dynamic contact record using the current contact information associated with said one of said plurality of periods of time

instruction means for updating said status server with said current dynamic contact record.

105. The product according to claim 104, further comprising:

instruction means for establishing a status system, including at least one status server to serve as said status server and at least one client;

instruction means for specifying for each client a second plurality of entities for which the client subscribes to automatic updates of dynamic contact information; and

instruction means for sending, using said status server, each said current dynamic contact record to each said client that has subscribed to updates for the entity whose dynamic contact information is contained in said current dynamic contact record.

106. The product according to claim 105, further comprising instruction means for filtering fields of each current dynamic information record in accordance with “

who can see me”

information in said current dynamic contact record and only sending allowed fields to said clients.

107. The product according to claim 105, further comprising instruction means for displaying at a client, information for a plurality of entities from said current dynamic contact records.

108. The product according to claim 107, further comprising instruction means for displaying said information including within said display a current telephone type, current telephone status, current telephone number, current telephone status time period, office telephone number, voice-mail status, and voicemail checking frequency information for each of said second plurality of entities.

109. The product according to claim 108, further comprising instruction means for displaying said current telephone status at said client using icons.

110. The product according to claim 108, further comprising instruction means for displaying said information including within said display an indication of whether said current telephone is busy.

111. The product according to claim 110, further comprising instruction means for displaying said current telephone status at said client using icons.

112. The product according to claim 108, further comprising instruction means for displaying said information including within said display an indication of whether said current telephone is currently in service.

113. The product according to claim 112, further comprising instruction means for displaying said current telephone status at said client using icons.

114. The product according to claim 107, further comprising instruction means for displaying said information including within said display an in-person status, in-person status time period, and physical location for each of said second plurality of entities, said physical location being a location where said each of said second plurality of entities can be found.

115. The product according to claim 114, further comprising instruction means for displaying said current in-person status at said client using icons.

116. The product according to claim 107, further comprising instruction means for displaying said information including within said display a wireless-messaging status, wireless-messaging address, and wireless-messaging time period for each of said second plurality of entities, said wireless-messaging address being a wireless-messaging address at which said each of said second plurality of entities can be reached by wireless messaging.

117. The product according to claim 116, further comprising instruction means for displaying said current wireless messaging status at said client using icons.

118. The product according to claim 116, further comprising instruction means for displaying said information including within said wireless-messaging status an indication of whether the wireless-messaging device with said wireless-messaging address is currently in service.

119. The product according to claim 118, further comprising instruction means for displaying said current wireless messaging status at said client using icons.

120. The product according to claim 107, further comprising instruction means for displaying said information including within said display an instant-message user name, instant-message status, and instant-message time period for each of said second plurality of entities, said instant-message user name being an instant-message user name at which said each of said second plurality of entities can be reached via an instant-messaging service.

121. The product according to claim 120, further comprising instruction means for displaying said current instant messaging status at said client using icons.

122. The product according to claim 107, further comprising instruction means for displaying said information including within said display an e-mail address and e-mail checking frequency information for each of said second plurality of entities.

123. The product according to claim 107, further comprising instruction means for displaying said information including within said display an indication of a best current means for contacting each of said second plurality of entities.

124. The product according to claim 107, further comprising instruction means for displaying said information including within said display an indication of an alternate contact person for each of said second plurality of entities.

125. The product according to claim 107, further comprising instruction means for displaying said information in response to selecting said one of said second plurality of entities.

126. The product according to claim 107, further comprising:

instruction means for hovering a cursor over a name of said one of said second plurality of entities; and

instruction means for displaying a full status message.

127. The product according to claim 126, further comprising instruction means for including in said full status message an in-person status, in-person status time period, a physical location, an e-mail address, and email checking frequency information, an office telephone number, voice mail checking frequency information, an indication of a best current means for contacting, and an indication of an alternate contact person associated with said one of said second plurality of entities.

128. The product according to claim 107, further comprising:

instruction means for hovering a cursor over a phone icon associated with said one of said second plurality of entities; and

instruction means for displaying a current telephone number, a current telephone type, current telephone status, current telephone status time period, office phone number, and voice mail checking information for said one of said second plurality of entities.

129. The product according to claim 107, further comprising:

instruction means for hovering a cursor over an in-person icon associated with said one of said second plurality of entities; and

instruction means for displaying an in-person status, physical location, and in-person-status time period associated with said one of said second plurality of entities.

130. The product according to claim 107, further comprising:

instruction means for hovering a cursor over an instant-messaging icon associated with said one of said second plurality of entities; and

instruction means for displaying an instant-messaging user name, instant-messaging status, and instant-messaging time period associated with said one of said second plurality of entities.

131. The product according to claim 107, further comprising:

instruction means for hovering a cursor over a wireless-messaging icon associated with said one of said second plurality of entities; and

instruction means for displaying a wireless-messaging status, a wireless-messaging address, and a wireless-messaging time period associated with said one of said second plurality of entities.

132. The product according to claim 107, further comprising instruction means for specifying display preferences for displaying said dynamic contact information including specifying portions of said dynamic contact information to be displayed and entities in said second plurality of entities to be displayed.

133. The product according to claim 132, further comprising instruction means for formatting and displaying said dynamic contact information.

134. The product according to claim 133, further comprising instruction means for displaying only portions of said dynamic contact information specified in the display preferences.

135. The product according to claim 133, further comprising instruction means for displaying information only for entities whose in-person status, telephone status, wireless-messaging status and instant-messaging status meet criteria specified in the display preferences.

136. A method in a data processing system for managing dynamic contact information, the method comprising:

maintaining a user status for the user, wherein the user status is provided to a group of users;

receiving dynamic contact information from a client for a user, wherein the dynamic contact information is automatically sent to the data processing system by the client in response to a change in a calendar on the client; and

responsive to receiving the dynamic contact information, selectively changing the user status for the user based on receiving the dynamic contact information.

137. The method of claim 136, wherein the selectively changing step, changes the status of the user if the dynamic contact information includes a status of the user that is different from a current status of the user.

138. The method of claim 136, wherein the changes include an identification of at least one of when the user is in an office, at an alternate work location, free, in a meeting, available via cell phone, and available via pager.

140. The method of claim 136, wherein the client is at least one of a personal digital assistant, a phone, a laptop computer, and a personal computer.

141. The method of claim 136, wherein the dynamic contact information includes at least one of status information for the user derived from the calendar and contact information derived from the calendar.

139. The method of clam 136, wherein the changes include dynamic contact information.

142. A method in a data processing system for providing dynamic contact information, the method comprising:

responsive to a selected event, identifying changes in a calendar program for a user; and

automatically sending the changes to at least one of an instant messaging system and an electronic status board, wherein the changes are used by the instant messaging system and the electronic status board to change a status of the user.

143. The method of claim 142, wherein changes are used to change contact information for the user.

144. The method of claim 143, wherein the selected event is one of a change in the calendar program or a periodic event.

145. A data processing system comprising:

a bus system;

a communications unit connected to the bus system;

a memory connected to the bus system, wherein the memory includes a set of instructions; and

a processing unit connected to the bus system, wherein the processing unit executes the set of instructions to maintain a user status for the user in which the user status is provided to a group of users, receive dynamic contact information from a client for a user in which the dynamic contact information is automatically sent to the data processing system by the client in response a change in a calendar on the client, and

selectively change the user status for the user based on receiving the dynamic contact information in response to receiving the dynamic contact information.

146. A data processing system comprising:

a bus system;

a communications unit connected to the bus system;

a memory connected to the bus system, wherein the memory includes a set of instructions; and

a processing unit connected to the bus system, wherein the processing unit executes the set of instructions to identify changes in a calendar program for a user in response to a selected event and automatically sends the changes to at least one of an instant messaging system and an electronic status board in which the changes are used by the instant messaging system and the electronic status board to change a status of the user.

147. A data processing system for managing dynamic contact information, the data processing system comprising:

maintaining means for maintaining a user status for the user, wherein the user status is provided to a group of users;

receiving means for receiving dynamic contact information from a client for a user, wherein the dynamic contact information is automatically sent to the data processing system by the client in response to a change in a calendar on the client; and

changing means, responsive to receiving the dynamic contact information, for selectively changing the user status for the user based on receiving the dynamic contact information.

148. The data processing system of claim 147, wherein the changing means, changes the status of the user if the dynamic contact information includes a status of the user that is different from a current status of the user.

149. The data processing system of claim 147, wherein the changes include an identification of at least one of when the user is in an office, at an alternate work location, free, in a meeting, available via cell phone, and available via pager.

151. The data processing system of claim 147, wherein the client is at least one of a personal digital assistant, a phone, a laptop computer, and a personal computer.

152. The data processing system of claim 147, wherein the dynamic contact information includes at least one of status information for the user derived from the calendar and contact information derived from the calendar.

150. The data processing system of clam 147, wherein the changes include dynamic contact information.

153. A data processing system for providing dynamic contact information, the data processing system comprising:

identifying means, responsive to a selected event, for identifying changes in a calendar program for a user; and

sending means for automatically sending the changes to at least one of an instant messaging system and an electronic status board, wherein the changes are used by the instant messaging system and the electronic status board to change a status of the user.

154. The data processing system of claim 153, wherein changes are used to change contact information for the user.

155. The data processing system of claim 154, wherein the selected event is one of a change in the calendar program or a periodic event.

156. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for managing dynamic contact information, the computer program product comprising:

first instructions for maintaining a user status for the a user, wherein the user status is provided to a group of users;

second instructions for receiving dynamic contact information from a client for a user, wherein the dynamic contact information is automatically sent to the data processing system by the client in response to a change in a calendar on the client; and

third instructions, responsive to receiving the dynamic contact information, for selectively changing the user status for the user based on receiving the dynamic contact information.

157. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for providing dynamic contact information, the computer program product comprising:

first instructions, responsive to a selected event, for identifying changes in a calendar program for a user; and

second instructions for automatically sending the changes to at least one of an instant messaging system and an electronic status board, wherein the changes are used to by the instant messaging system and the electronic status board to change a status of the user.