Instant Messaging Device/Server Protocol

• US 20100205267A1
• Filed: 04/20/2010
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Wormald, Christopher R., Klassen, Gerhard Dietrich, Manolescu, Andreea
• Granted Patent: US 8,825,878 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/043 using or handling presence information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails

Abstract

A generic IM device/server protocol permits a single implementation of a IM application on client devices for communicating with different enterprise IM servers types. The protocol defines a server maintained tag to identify the currency of a contact list it is managing for a client device. The client device receives and persists the tag and provides it at login. The server automatically sends a contact list update only if the tag indicates the client devices contact list instance is not current. Presence updates may also be sent automatically at login and the client device need not separately request contact list or presence updates at login. The client device may be pre-provisioned with respective graphics, text and server capabilities for multiple server types. A specific IM configuration may be selected in response to service information.

Claims

1. A method of operating a mobile device comprising:

grouping one or more contacts into a group based on presence information;

presenting a contact list interface comprising the group; and

invoking a command upon detecting a selection of the group presented in the contact list interface.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the presence information comprises information that is interpretable by humans.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the presence information comprises information that is interpretable by a program.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the presence information comprises location information.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the group comprises a group ID.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the group comprises a group name.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the contact list interface is part of a client application.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the contact list interface is part of an instant messaging application.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the command comprises an instant messaging conversation.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the command comprises a multiple participant conversation.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the presence information is received from another mobile device.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the presence information is received from a server.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the grouping comprises removing a member from the group based on the presence of the member.

14. A mobile device configured for:

grouping one or more contacts into a group based on presence information;

presenting a contact list interface comprising the group; and

invoking a command upon detecting a selection of the group presented in the contact list interface.

15. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the presence information comprises information that is interpretable by humans.

16. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the presence information comprises information that is interpretable by a program.

17. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the presence information comprises location information.

18. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the group comprises a group ID.

19. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the group comprises a group name.

20. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the contact list interface is part of a client application.

21. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the contact list interface is part of an instant messaging application.

22. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the command comprises an instant messaging conversation.

23. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the command comprises a multiple participant conversation.

24. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the presence information is received from another mobile device.

25. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the presence information is received from a server.

26. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the grouping comprises removing a member from the group based on the presence of the member.

27. A method of operating a server comprising:

grouping one or more contacts into a group based on presence information;

presenting a contact list interface comprising the group; and

invoking a command upon detecting a selection of the group presented in the contact list interface.

28. A server configured for:

grouping one or more contacts into a group based on presence information;

presenting a contact list interface comprising the group; and

invoking a command upon detecting a selection of the group presented in the contact list interface.

29. A method of operating a mobile device comprising:

grouping one or more client devices into a group based on presence information;

presenting a contact list interface comprising the group; and

invoking a command upon detecting a selection of the group presented in the contact list interface.

30. A mobile device configured for:

grouping one or more client devices into a group based on presence information;

presenting a contact list interface comprising the group; and

invoking a command upon detecting a selection of the group presented in the contact list interface.