Instant messaging control
First Claim
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1. A method of establishing an instant messaging (IM) session between an IM sender terminal/device (sender) and an IM receiver terminal/device (receiver), comprising the steps of:
- providing information for a filter function for said receiver and storing said information in real time;
responsive to a request from said sender to establish a connection to said receiver, testing whether said filter function of said receiver permits instant message sessions from said sender;
if said filter function does not permit an instant message session from said sender to said receiver, blocking said request; and
if said filter function permits an instant message session from said sender to said receiver, establishing such an instant message session between said sender and said receiver.
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Abstract
This invention relates to a method and apparatus to control instant message (IM) traffic. A receiver terminal/device provides a filter function to an instant message server. The server checks the filter function to determine whether the receiver is willing to receive a message from a sender terminal/device, and transmits or blocks the message accordingly. The filter function can be modified dynamically, in real time, in response to the needs of the receiver customer. Advantageously, IM traffic can be adapted to emergency conditions.
25 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of establishing an instant messaging (IM) session between an IM sender terminal/device (sender) and an IM receiver terminal/device (receiver), comprising the steps of:
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providing information for a filter function for said receiver and storing said information in real time;
responsive to a request from said sender to establish a connection to said receiver, testing whether said filter function of said receiver permits instant message sessions from said sender;
if said filter function does not permit an instant message session from said sender to said receiver, blocking said request; and
if said filter function permits an instant message session from said sender to said receiver, establishing such an instant message session between said sender and said receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for establishing an instant messaging (IM) session between an IM sender terminal/device (sender) and an IM receiver terminal/device (receiver), comprising:
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means for providing information for a filter function for said receiver and storing said information in real time;
means, responsive to a request from said sender to establish a connection to said receiver, for testing whether said filter function of said receiver permits instant message sessions from said sender;
if said filter function does not permit an instant message session from said sender to said receiver, means blocking said request; and
if said filter function permits an instant message session from said sender to said receiver, means for establishing such an instant message session between said sender and said receiver. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification