Method and system for tracking the online status of active users of an internet-based instant messaging system
First Claim
1. A system for establishing or specifying the online status of a user forming part of an instant messaging system comprising a plurality of clients having IM client applications of the same or different types and an IM server selectively connected to each of said clients via a computer network, the system comprising:
- a user database for storing an activity status for each user of the IM system with respect to the IM server, said activity status including;
(i) a time variable signifying the time of or time since the last prescribed involvement of the user with said IM server; and
(ii) a probability variable signifying the likelihood of the user still being online;
monitoring means to continuously monitor user activity with said IM server and to continuously update the activity status of users stored on said database involved with said activity; and
checking means to check the activity status of each user stored on said database and adjust said probability variable in a prescribed manner having regard to said time variable.
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Abstract
A system and a method for establishing or specifying the online status of a user forming part of an instant messaging system. The IM system includes clients having IM client applications, an IM server, and a user information database that is selectively connected to the clients via the internet. The user database stores an activity status for each user'"'"'s activity with the IM server system. The activity status includes: (i) a time variable signifying the time of or time since the last prescribed involvement with the IM server; and (ii) a probability variable signifying the likelihood of the user still being online. Monitoring means is provided to continuously monitor user activity with said IM server and to continuously update the activity status of users stored on the database. Checking means is also provided to check the activity status of each user stored on the database and adjust said probability variable.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system for establishing or specifying the online status of a user forming part of an instant messaging system comprising a plurality of clients having IM client applications of the same or different types and an IM server selectively connected to each of said clients via a computer network, the system comprising:
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a user database for storing an activity status for each user of the IM system with respect to the IM server, said activity status including;
(i) a time variable signifying the time of or time since the last prescribed involvement of the user with said IM server; and
(ii) a probability variable signifying the likelihood of the user still being online;
monitoring means to continuously monitor user activity with said IM server and to continuously update the activity status of users stored on said database involved with said activity; and
checking means to check the activity status of each user stored on said database and adjust said probability variable in a prescribed manner having regard to said time variable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for establishing or specifying the online status of a user forming part of an instant messaging system comprising a plurality of clients having IM applications of the same or different types, selectively interconnected to an IM server by way of a computer network, the method comprising the following steps:
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storing an activity status for each user of the IM system with respect to the IM server, said activity status including;
(i) a time variable signifying the time of or time since the last prescribed involvement of the user with said IM server; and
(ii) a probability variable signifying the likelihood of the user still being online;
continuously monitoring user activity with said IM server continuously updating the stored activity status of users involved with said activity;
checking the stored activity status of each user; and
adjusting said probability variable in a prescribed manner having regard to said time variable. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification