System and method for exposing instant messenger presence information on a mobile device

• US 7,317,928 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2004
• Issued: 01/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Stewart, David Edward, Cover, Steven Andrew, Stauber, William Scott, Vargas, Garrett
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild; Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, SHEILA B
• Application Number:
  US10/811,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20050216563A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/404.2, 455/412
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/043 using or handling presence information

Abstract

A cross-process layer is generally directed to exposing instant messenger (IM) presence information on a mobile device. An application program interface (API) is provided that allows clients to retrieve IM presence information for display regardless of the IM service provider providing the IM presence information. The IM service providers therefore interoperate with any application on the mobile device and enables any application to show presence for any IM contact.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing Instant Message (IM) presence information through a client application rather than through a client IM application on a mobile device, comprising:

receiving a request from the client application through an Application Programming Interface (API) call made by the client application for the IM presence information;

wherein the client application is not configured as a client IM application;

initiating communication with the client application in response to the request from the client application;

searching an IM application for the IM presence information requested; and

forwarding the IM presence information to the client application when the IM presence information is located, such that the IM presence information is integrated with the client application and, otherwise when the IM presence information is not located, forwarding an indication that the IM presence information is not located to the client application.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving a request from the client application further comprises receiving a request for a previously identified contact that is associated with the client application.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein searching the IM application further comprises searching a buddy list associated with the IM application for the previously identified contact.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein searching the IM application further comprises searching a contacts application for an entry corresponding to the previously identified contact, wherein the entry of the contacts application has a first parameter that marches a second parameter within an entry of a buddy list associated with the IM application.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein initiating communication further comprises providing the client application with a unique identifier that uniquely identifies the client application.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein initiating communication further comprises generating a message queue and providing the client application a copy of the queue, such that communication with the client application is synchronized.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein integrating the IM presence information with the client application further comprises publishing the IM presence information in a user interface associated with the client application.

8. A system for providing Instant Message (IM) presence information through a client application on a mobile device, comprising:

an IM application, wherein the IM application includes a buddy list;

an IM server that is arranged to;

receive a request from the client application for the IM presence information through an application program interface (API) call made by the client application each time IM presence information is forwarded to the client application,

initiate communication with the client application in response to the request from the client application,

search the IM application for the IM presence information requested, and

forward the IM presence information to the client application when the IM presence information is located, such that the IM presence information is integrated with the client application; and

, otherwise when the IM presence information is not located, forwarding an indication that the IM presence information is not located to the client application; and

an application program interface that provides the IM server with access to the client application rather than having to directly communicate with a client IM application.

9. A system of claim 8, wherein the IM server is further arranged to receive a request for a previously identified contact that is associated with the client application.

10. A system of claim 9, wherein the IM server is further arranged to search the buddy list associated with the IM application for the previously identified contact.

11. A system of claim 9, wherein the IM server is further arranged to search a contacts application for an entry corresponding to the previously identified contact, wherein the entry of the contacts application has a first parameter that matches a second parameter within an entry of a buddy list associated with the IM application.

12. A system of claim 8, wherein the IM server is further arranged to provide the client application with a unique identifier that uniquely identifies the client application.

13. A system of claim 8, wherein the IM server is further arranged to generate a message queue and providing the client application a copy of the queue, such that communication with the client application is synchronized.

14. A system of claim 8, wherein the IM server is further arranged to provide the IM presence information to the client application such that the client application publishes the IM presence information in a user interface associated with the client application.

15. A system for providing Instant Message (IM) presence information through a client application on a mobile device, comprising:

receive a request from the client application for the IM presence information each time IM presence information or an indication that the IM presence information is not located is forwarded to the client application;

wherein the client application is not configured as a client IM application;

initiate communication with the client application in response to the request from the client application;

search an IM application for the IM presence information requested;

forward the IM presence information to the client application when the IM presence information is located, such that the IM presence information is integrated with the client application; and

forwarding an indication that the IM presence information is not located to the client application when the IM presence information is not located.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the application is further configured to receive a request for a previously identified contact that is associated with the client application.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the application is further configured to search a buddy list associated with the IM application for the previously identified contact.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the application is further configured to search a contacts application for an entry corresponding to the previously identified contact, wherein the entry of the contacts application has a first parameter that matches a second parameter within an entry of a buddy list associated with the IM application.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the application is further configured to provide the client application with a unique identifier that uniquely identities the client application.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the application is further configured to generate a message queue and providing the client application a copy of the queue, such that communication with the client application is synchronized.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the application is further configured to provide the IM presence information to the client application such that the client application publishes the IM presence information in a user interface associated with the client application.