System and method for supporting instant messaging in disconnected modes
First Claim
1. A method for enabling messaging between disconnected parties in an instant messaging (IM) system, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) receiving at a computing device at least one message sent by a first party, said at least one message destined for a second party;
b) determining connection status of said second party with said IM system;
c) if determination is that said second party is disconnected from said IM system, the step of buffering said first party'"'"'s at least one message for said second party;
d) notifying said second party of availability of said buffered at least one message after said second party becomes connected to said IM system; and
, e) providing a chat interface on second party'"'"'s computing device, said chat interface being specific to said first party and said chat interface including said buffered at least one message received from said first party.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system, and computer program for a) buffering instant messages to an intended recipient while the recipient is currently not logged on to an instant messaging system, and b) delivering buffered messages to the intended recipient after the recipient connects the instant messaging system. Thus, users are enabled to initiate instant messaging sessions with other users who are not currently online. An instant messaging device buffers messages and delivers them to the recipient when the recipient comes online. To the recipient, the method of delivery appears identical to the case where the recipient was continuously connected to the system. The main difference is the time delay, i.e. the elapsed time between the time the sender sent it and the time the recipient connected. The recipient is further able to configure the instant messaging device to be selective about which senders are allowed to buffer messages to the recipient while the recipient is disconnected. Sender specific pop-up windows, including the sender'"'"'s buffered messages, will appear on the recipient'"'"'s screen after the recipient connects to the system. The recipient can then respond to the instant message and resume the conversation in a real-time (though delayed) manner if the sender is presently online.
79 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for enabling messaging between disconnected parties in an instant messaging (IM) system, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving at a computing device at least one message sent by a first party, said at least one message destined for a second party;
b) determining connection status of said second party with said IM system;
c) if determination is that said second party is disconnected from said IM system, the step of buffering said first party'"'"'s at least one message for said second party;
d) notifying said second party of availability of said buffered at least one message after said second party becomes connected to said IM system; and
,e) providing a chat interface on second party'"'"'s computing device, said chat interface being specific to said first party and said chat interface including said buffered at least one message received from said first party. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for providing instant messaging (IM) functionality in disconnected mode comprising:
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a communications device for receiving and forwarding IM messages between an IM sender application and an IM recipient application;
means associated with said communications device for storing received sender messages destined for said recipient application when a recipient is disconnected from said IM system; and
,a processing means for notifying said recipient of stored messages in said associated storing means after said recipient connects to said IM system, wherein said processing means provides sender specific notification so that said recipient will receive unique notifications per each sender. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable medium in a computing environment for providing instant messaging (IM) capability between disconnected parties in an IM system, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving at a computing device at least one message sent by a first party, said at least one message destined for a second party;
b) determining connection status of said second party with said IM system;
c) if determination is that said second party is disconnected from said IM system, the step of buffering said first party'"'"'s at least one message for said second party;
d) notifying said second party of availability of said buffered at least one message after said second party becomes connected to said IM system; and
,e) providing a chat interface on second party'"'"'s computing device, said chat interface being specific to said first party and said chat interface including said buffered at least one message received from said first party. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for enabling messaging between a first instant messaging (IM) party and a proxy party associated with a second IM party in an instant messaging (IM) system, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving at a computing device at least one message sent by a first IM party, said at least one message destined for a second IM party;
b) determining a connection status of said second IM party with said IM system; and
c) if determination is that said second party has indicated said proxy party to process messages destined for said second IM party, the step of forwarding at least notifications related to said messages from said first party to a device associated with said proxy party.
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Specification