Messaging system and method using alternative message delivery paths
First Claim
1. A method for enabling an instant messaging system to use an alternative message delivery path to deliver an instant message to a recipient, comprising:
- determining if the recipient is logged on;
if the recipient is logged on, delivering the instant message to the recipient;
determining if the instant message has been acknowledged by the recipient; and
if the instant message has not been acknowledged, forwarding the instant message to the recipient using the alternative message delivery path.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method, and computer program product enable instant messaging systems to use alternative message delivery mechanisms. Recipients may register one or more alternative message delivery mechanisms, such as cell phones, pagers, etc., through which they are available as an alternative to an instant messaging system. Constraints may be added to these registered alternatives, such as specifying a limitation on days of the week and/or hours of the day when a particular alternative may be used. Providing that an alternative messaging mechanism is registered, and any constraints for this alternative are satisfied, the present extended instant messaging system selects the most suitable alternative forwarding mechanisms, and delivers the messages to the intended recipients.
176 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method for enabling an instant messaging system to use an alternative message delivery path to deliver an instant message to a recipient, comprising:
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determining if the recipient is logged on;
if the recipient is logged on, delivering the instant message to the recipient;
determining if the instant message has been acknowledged by the recipient; and
if the instant message has not been acknowledged, forwarding the instant message to the recipient using the alternative message delivery path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for enabling an instant messaging system to use an alternative message delivery path, comprising:
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sending an instant message to a recipient;
determining if the recipient is logged on;
if the recipient is logged on, delivering the instant message to the recipient;
then determining if the instant message has been acknowledged by the recipient; and
if the instant message has not been acknowledged, forwarding an alternative message to the recipient using the alternative message delivery path. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer program product having instruction codes for enabling an instant messaging system to use an alternative message delivery path to deliver an instant message to a recipient, comprising:
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a first set of instruction codes that determine if the recipient is logged on;
if the recipient is logged on, a second set of instruction codes deliver the instant message to the recipient;
a third set of instruction codes that determine if the instant message has been acknowledged by the recipient; and
if the instant message has not been acknowledged, a fourth set of instruction codes forward the instant message to the recipient using the alternative message delivery path. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A system that enables an instant messaging system to use an alternative message delivery path to deliver an instant message to a recipient, comprising:
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means for determining if the recipient is logged on;
means for delivering the instant message to the recipient if the recipient is logged on;
means for determining if the instant message has been acknowledged by the recipient; and
means for forwarding the instant message to the recipient using the alternative message delivery path, if the instant message has not been acknowledged. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification