Tracking user availability for participation in messaging sessions

• US 20030052915A1
• Filed: 09/20/2001
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Paolini, Michael A., Brown, Michael Wayne, Lawrence, Kelvin Roderick
• Granted Patent: US 6,938,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/752
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

A method, system and program for tracking user availability are provided. Time estimates of a user availability are compiled for a separate user from among multiple users for participation in a messaging session. Then, the compiled time estimates of user availability are specified for output to at least one other user from among the multiple users, such that the at least one other user is enabled to track user availability for the separate user. In particular, compiled time estimates may be specified according to graphical, audio, video, or textual output preferences for the at least one other user. In addition, the compiled time estimates may be specified according to a current time zone for the at least one other user.

Claims

1. A method for tracking user availability, said method comprising the steps of:

compiling time estimates of a user availability for a separate user from among a plurality of users for participation in a messaging session; and

specifying said compiled time estimates of said user availability for output to at least one other user from among said plurality of users, such that said at least one other user is enabled to track said user availability for said separate user.

2. The method for tracking user availability according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

compiling said time estimates, and specifying said compiled time estimates, at a messaging server communicatively connected to a plurality of client messaging systems each enabled to receive said specified compiled time estimates.

3. The method for tracking user availability according to claim 1, said step of compiling time estimates of a user availability further comprising the step of:

compiling said time estimates from a selection from among a schedule for said separate user, a set of scheduling preferences for said separate user, and a scheduling history for said separate user.

4. The method for tracking user availability according to claim 1, said step of specifying said compiled time estimates of user availability further comprising the step of:

specifying said compiled time estimates for output to said at least one other user according to output preferences for said at least one other user.

5. The method for tracking user availability according to claim 1, said step of specifying said compiled time estimates of user availability further comprising the step of:

specifying said compiled time estimates for output to said at least one other user according to a current time zone for said at least one other user.

6. The method for tracking user availability according to claim 1, said step of specifying said compiled time estimates of user availability further comprising the step-of:

distinguishing between time scheduled by said separate user and time estimated by said messaging server according to a set of scheduling preferences for said separate user and a scheduling history for said separate user.

7. A computer system for tracking user availability, said system comprising:

means for compiling time estimates of a user availability for a separate user from among a plurality of users for participation in a messaging session; and

means for specifying said compiled time estimates of said user availability for output to at least one other user from among said plurality of users, such that said at least one other user is enabled to track said user availability for said separate user.

8. The system for tracking user availability according to claim 7, said system further comprising:

means for compiling said time estimates, and specifying said compiled time estimates, at a messaging server communicatively connected to a plurality of client messaging systems each enabled to receive said specified compiled time estimates.

9. The system for tracking user availability according to claim 7, said means for compiling time estimates of a user availability further comprising:

means for compiling said time estimates from a selection from among a schedule for said separate user, a set of scheduling preferences for said separate user, and a scheduling history for said separate user.

10. The system for tracking user availability according to claim 7, said means for specifying said compiled time estimates of user availability further comprising:

means for specifying said compiled time estimates for output to said at least one other user according to output preferences for said at least one other user.

11. The system for tracking user availability according to claim 7, said means for specifying said compiled time estimates of user availability further comprising:

means for specifying said compiled time estimates for output to said at least one other user according to a current time zone for said at least one other user.

12. The system for tracking user availability according to claim 7, said means for specifying said compiled time estimates of user availability further comprising:

means for distinguishing between time scheduled by said separate user and time estimated by said messaging server according to a set of scheduling preferences for said separate user and a scheduling history for said separate user.

13. A program for tracking user availability, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for compiling time estimates of a user availability for a separate user from among a plurality of users for participation in a messaging session; and

means for specifying said compiled time estimates of said user availability for output to at least one other user from among said plurality of users.

14. The program for tracking user availability according to claim 13, said program further comprising:

means for compiling said time estimates, and specifying said compiled time estimates, at a messaging server communicatively connected to a plurality of client messaging systems each enabled to receive said specified compiled time estimates.

15. The program for tracking user availability according to claim 13, said means for compiling time estimates of a user availability further comprising:

means for compiling said time estimates from a selection from among a schedule for said separate user, a set of scheduling preferences for said separate user, and a scheduling history for said separate user.

16. The program for tracking user availability according to claim 13, said means for specifying said compiled time estimates of user availability further comprising:

means for specifying said compiled time estimates for output to said at least one other user according to output preferences for said at least one other user.

17. The program for tracking user availability according to claim 13, said means for specifying said compiled time estimates of user availability further comprising:

means for specifying said compiled time estimates for output to said at least one other user according to a current time zone for said at least one other user.

18. The program for tracking user availability according to claim 13, said means for specifying said compiled time estimates of user availability further comprising:

means for distinguishing between time scheduled by said separate user and time estimated by said messaging server according to a set of scheduling preferences for said separate user and a scheduling history for said separate user.