System and method for managing contacts in an instant messaging environment

• US 20080120387A1
• Filed: 09/24/2007
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kevin W. Kurtz, Scott M. Werndorfer
• Original Assignee: Kevin W. Kurtz, Scott M. Werndorfer
• Inventors: Werndorfer, Scott M., Kurtz, Kevin W.
• Application Number:
  US11/903,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20080120387A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]

Abstract

A computer-implemented method is described for instant messaging comprising: categorizing two or more instant messaging contact names into a single meta contact; receiving a request to transmit an instant message directed to the meta contact; selecting one of the two or more instant messaging contact names within the meta contact to which to transmit the instant message based on a specified prioritization scheme.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

executing a supplemental program from within an instant messaging client, said supplemental program having a specified function and maintaining information related to its function;

programming said instant messaging client with a character string representing said information;

identifying said character string within a text entry field of an instant messaging window; and

substituting said character string with said information prior to transmitting said instant message to a destination client.

2. The method as in claim 1 wherein said supplemental program is an audio player and wherein said information comprises titles of audio tracks.

3. The method as in claim 1 wherein said supplemental program is a plugin for retrieving content from a Web server and wherein said information comprises said content.

4. The method as in claim 3 wherein said content comprises news headlines retrieved from the Web server.

5. The method as in claim 3 wherein said content comprises stock quotes retrieved from the Web server.