Tracking user availability for participation in messaging sessions

• US 6,938,213 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2001
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Paolini, Michael A., Brown, Michael Wayne, Lawrence, Kelvin Roderick
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, THANH T
• Application Number:
  US09/957,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20030052915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,440 Days
• Field of Search: 715/751, 715/752, 715/753, 715/758, 715/760
• US Class Current: 715/758
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

A method, system and program for tracking user availability are provided. Time estimates of a user availability are compiled for a separate user from among multiple users for participation in a messaging session. Then, the compiled time estimates of user availability are specified for output to at least one other user from among the multiple users, such that the at least one other user is enabled to track user availability for the separate user. In particular, compiled time estimates may be specified according to graphical, audio, video, or textual output preferences for the at least one other user. In addition, the compiled time estimates may be specified according to a current time zone for the at least one other user.

Claims

1. A method for tracking user availability, said method comprising the steps of:

compiling time estimates of a remaining user availability for participation in a messaging session for a separate user from among a plurality of users currently available for participation in said messaging session;

specifying said compiled time estimates of said remaining user availability for output to at least one other user from among said plurality of users prior to said at least one other user initiating said messaging session with said separate user; and

adjusting said output of said remaining user availability as time passes to indicate a current remaining user availability, such that said at least one other user is enabled to track said remaining user availability for said separate user.

2. The method for tracking user availability according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

compiling said time estimates, and specifying said compiled time estimates, at a messaging server communicatively connected to a plurality of client messaging systems each enabled to receive said specified compiled time estimates.

3. The method for tracking user availability according to claim 1, said step of compiling time estimates of a remaining user availability further comprising the step of:

compiling said time estimates from a selection from among a schedule for said separate user, a set of scheduling preferences for said separate user, and a scheduling history for said separate user.

4. The method for tracking user availability according to claim 1, said step of specifying said compiled time estimates of said remaining user availability further comprising the step of:

specifying said compiled time estimates of for output to said at least one other user according to output preferences of said at least one other user.

5. The method for tracking user availability according to claim 1, said step of specifying said compiled time estimates of said remaining user availability further comprising the step of:

specifying said compiled time estimates for output to said at least one other user according to a current time zone for said at least one other user.

6. The method for tracking user availability according to claim 1, said step of specifying said compiled time estimates of said remaining user availability further comprising the step of:

distinguishing in said output between time scheduled by said separate user and time estimated by said messaging server according to a set of scheduling preferences for said separate user and a scheduling history for said separate user.

7. The method for tracking user availability according to claim 1, said step of adjusting said output of said remaining user availability as time passes to indicate a current remaining user availability further comprising the step of:

responsive to said current remaining user availability reaching a particular time threshold remaining, graphically adjusting said output to specifically indicate said current remaining user availability reaching said particular time threshold.

8. The system for tracking user availability according to claim 1, said means for adjusting said output of said remaining user availability as time passes to indicate a current remaining user availability further comprising:

means, responsive to said current remaining user availability reaching a particular time threshold remaining, for graphically adjusting said output to specifically indicate said current remaining user availability reaching said particular time threshold.

9. A computer system for tracking user availability, said system comprising:

means for compiling time estimates of a remaining user availability for participation in a messaging session for a separate user from among a plurality of users currently available for participation in said messaging session;

means for specifying said compiled time estimates of said remaining user availability for output to at least one other user from among said plurality of users prior to said at least one other user initiating said messaging session with said separate user; and

means for adjusting said output of said remaining user availability as time passes to indicate a current remaining user availability, such that said at least one other user is enabled to track said remaining user availability for said separate user.

10. The system for tracking user availability according to claim 9, said system further comprising:

means for compiling said time estimates, and specifying said compiled time estimates, at a messaging server communicatively connected to a plurality of client messaging systems each enabled to receive said specified compiled time estimates.

11. The system for tracking user availability according to claim 9, said means for compiling time estimates of a remaining user availability further comprising:

means for compiling said time estimates from a selection from among a schedule for said separate user, a set of scheduling preferences for said separate user, and a scheduling history for said separate user.

12. The system for tracking user availability according to claim 9, said means for specifying said compiled time estimates of said remaining user availability further comprising:

means for specifying said compiled time estimates for output to said at least one other user according to output preferences of said at least one other user.

13. The system for tracking user availability according to 9, said means for specifying said compiled time estimates of said remaining user availability further comprising:

means for specifying said compiled time estimates for output to said at least one other user according to a current time zone for said at least one other user.

14. The system for tracking user availability according to claim 9, said means for specifying said compiled time estimates of said remaining user availability further comprising:

means for graphically distinguishing in said output of said compiled time estimates between time scheduled by said separate user and time estimated by said messaging server according to a set of scheduling preferences for said separate user and a scheduling history for said separate user.

15. A program for tracking user availability, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for compiling time estimates of a remaining user availability for participation in a messaging session for a separate user from among a plurality of users currently available for participation in said messaging session;

means for specifying said compiled time estimates of said remaining user availability for output to at least one other user from among said plurality of users prior to said at least one other user initiating said messaging session with said separate user; and

means for adjusting said output of said remaining user availability as time passes to indicate a current remaining user availability.

16. The program for tracking user availability according to claim 15, said program further comprising:

means for compiling said time estimates, and specifying said compiled time estimates, at a messaging server communicatively connected to a plurality of client messaging systems each enabled to receive said specified compiled time estimates.

17. The program for tracking user availability according to claim 15, said means for compiling time estimates of a remaining user availability further comprising:

means for compiling said time estimates from a selection from among a schedule for said separate user, a set of scheduling preferences for said separate user, and a scheduling history for said separate user.

18. The program for tracking user availability according to claim 15, said means for specifying said compiled time estimates of said remaining user availability further comprising:

means for specifying said compiled time estimates for output to said at least one other user according to output preferences for said at least one other user.

19. The program for tracking user availability according to claim 15, said means for specifying said compiled time estimates of said remaining user availability further comprising:

means for specifying said compiled time estimates for output to said at least one other user according to a current time zone for said at least one other user.

20. The program for tracking user availability according to claim 15, said means for specifying said compiled time estimates of said remaining user availability further comprising:

means for graphically distinguishing in said output of said compiled time estimates between time scheduled by said separate user and time estimated by said messaging server according to a set of scheduling preferences for said separate user and a scheduling history for said separate user.