User definable on-line co-user lists
First Claim
1. A method for permitting a user of an electronic network system to track the logon status of selected co-users of the electronic network system, comprising the steps of:
- (a) authenticating the user using a logon system;
(b) associating an identification list of selected co-users with the user;
(c) accessing the identification list;
(d) comparing the identification list to one or more logon records for each of the selected co-users, wherein the one or more logon records are maintained by the logon system;
(e) based on the comparison of the identification list to the one or more logon records, indicating to the user the logon status of each of the selected co-users on the identification list; and
(f) repeating steps (d) and (e) under any of the following conditions;
(1) periodically;
(2) after any change in the logon status of co-users of the system;
or(3) after any change in the logon status of the selected co-users on the identification list;
thereby tracking the logon status of each of the selected co-users of the electronic network system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A real time notification system that tracks, for each user, the logon status of selected co-users of an on-line or network system and displays that information in real time to the tracking user in a unique graphical interface. The invention provides user definable on-line co-user lists, or “buddy lists”, that track specific co-users in real-time automatically. A user can create many separate buddy lists of co-users, either with intersecting or disjoint lists of users, and label these buddy lists according to the user'"'"'s preference. The user can update a buddy list or create new buddy lists whenever necessary. When a user logs on to a system, the user'"'"'s set of buddy lists is presented to the buddy list system. The buddy list system attempts to match co-users currently logged into the system with the entries on the user'"'"'s buddy list. Any matches are displayed to the user. As co-users logon and logoff, a user'"'"'s buddy list is updated to reflect these changes. An indication can also be added to show that a co-user just logged on or just left the system.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for permitting a user of an electronic network system to track the logon status of selected co-users of the electronic network system, comprising the steps of:
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(a) authenticating the user using a logon system; (b) associating an identification list of selected co-users with the user; (c) accessing the identification list; (d) comparing the identification list to one or more logon records for each of the selected co-users, wherein the one or more logon records are maintained by the logon system; (e) based on the comparison of the identification list to the one or more logon records, indicating to the user the logon status of each of the selected co-users on the identification list; and (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) under any of the following conditions; (1) periodically; (2) after any change in the logon status of co-users of the system;
or(3) after any change in the logon status of the selected co-users on the identification list; thereby tracking the logon status of each of the selected co-users of the electronic network system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for permitting a user to track the logon status of selected co-users, comprising:
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a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to; (a) authenticate the user using a logon system; (b) associate an identification list of selected co-users with the user; (c) access the identification list; (d) compare the identification list to one or more logon records for each of the selected co-users, wherein the one or more logon records are maintained by the logon system; (e) based on the comparison of the identification list to the one or more logon records, indicate to the user the logon status of each of the selected co-users on the identification list; and (f) repeat steps (d) and (e) under any of the following conditions; (1) periodically; (2) after any change in the logon status of co-users of the system;
or(3) after any change in the logon status of the selected co-users on the identification list. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer-readable storage medium including instructions for permitting a user to track the logon status of selected co-users, the instructions being executable by at least one processor to cause the processor to perform steps comprising:
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(a) authenticating the user using a logon system; (b) associating an identification list of selected co-users with the user; (c) accessing the identification list; (d) comparing the identification list to one or more logon records for each of the selected co-users, wherein the one or more logon records are maintained by the logon system; (e) based on the comparison of the identification list to the one or more logon records, providing information indicating to the user the logon status of each of the selected co-users on the identification list; and (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) under any of the following conditions; (1) periodically; (2) after any change in the logon status of co-users of the system;
or(3) after any change in the logon status of the selected co-users on the identification list. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification