Managing instant messaging sessions on multiple devices

• US 7,877,450 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2008
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AOL Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Renner, W. Karl, Appelman, Barry, Odell, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THANH T
• Application Number:
  US12/022,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20080189374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709/227, 709/239
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1096 Supplementary features, e.g. call forwarding or call holding systems providing special services or facilities to telephony subscribers H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/148 Migration or transfer of sessions

Abstract

Transferring instant messaging sessions includes receiving a selection, from a user within a user interface, of at least one instant messaging session from among multiple instant messaging sessions to transfer from a first instant messaging controller on a first device to at least a second instant messaging controller on a second device, where the user is signed on concurrently to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device. At least a portion of the selected instant messaging session is transferred from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device and the transferred portion of the instant messaging session is made perceivable on the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

Claims

1. A method for transferring instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a user is signed on to a first instant messaging controller on a first device;

receiving an indication that the user is signed on to a second instant messaging controller on a second device;

in response to receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device, enabling the user to engage in one or more instant messaging sessions using the first instant messaging controller on the first device;

based on receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the indication that the user is signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

in response to determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device, enabling the user to select an instant messaging session from among the one or more instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

while the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device and while the user is engaged in the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device, receiving a selection from the user to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

responsive to the received user selection, transferring at least a portion of the one or more selected instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device; and

enabling perception, on the second instant messaging controller on the second device, of the transferred portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions.

2. The method as in claim 1 wherein receiving the selection to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions includes receiving the selection from the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

3. The method as in claim 1 wherein receiving the selection to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions includes receiving the selection from the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

4. The method as in claim 1 wherein receiving the selection to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions includes receiving the selection from within an instant messaging conversation interface.

5. The method as in claim 1 further comprising enabling presentation, to the user, of a listing of multiple instant messaging sessions from which to select an instant messaging session to transfer.

6. The method as in claim 1 wherein the user is signed on to at least one additional instant messaging controller on at least one additional device, the method further comprising:

enabling presentation of a listing of the instant messaging controllers on the devices on which the user is signed on; and

enabling selection, by the user and from among the listing of the instant messaging controllers on the devices on which the user is signed on, of the second instant messaging controller on the second device as the instant messaging controller on the device to which to transfer the selected one or more instant messaging sessions.

7. The method as in claim 1 wherein enabling perception of the transferred portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the second instant messaging controller on the second device includes enabling perception of the one or more transferred instant messaging sessions on both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

8. The method as in claim 1 wherein enabling perception of the one or more transferred instant messaging sessions on the second instant messaging controller on the second device includes enabling perception of the one or more transferred instant messaging sessions on the second instant messaging controller on the second device to the exclusion of enabling perception of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

9. The method as in claim 1 wherein:

the user is signed on to multiple instant messaging controllers on multiple different devices including at least the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device; and

enabling perception of the portion of the one or more transferred instant messaging sessions on the second instant messaging controller on the second device includes enabling perception of the one or more transferred instant messaging sessions on less than all of the instant messaging controllers on the corresponding devices.

10. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:

after transferring the portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, detecting an idle state or an away state on the first instant messaging controller; and

disabling perception of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to the detected idle state or away state.

11. The method as in claim 10 further comprising:

after disabling perception of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to the detected idle state or away state, detecting an active state on the first instant messaging controller on the first device; and

in response to detecting the active state on the first instant messaging controller on the first device;

refreshing the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device, and

enabling perception of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

12. The method as in claim 11 wherein:

refreshing the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device includes refreshing the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device automatically in response to detecting the active state; and

enabling perception of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device includes automatically enabling perception of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to automatically refreshing the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

13. The method as in claim 11 wherein:

refreshing the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device includes refreshing the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to input from the user requesting a manual refresh of the one or more instant messaging sessions in addition to detecting the active state on the first instant

messaging controller on the first device; and

enabling perception of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device includes enabling perception of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to refreshing the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

14. The method as in claim 1 further comprising enabling the user to select multiple instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

15. The method as in claim 1 further comprising conditioning whether to present a listing of the multiple instant messaging sessions based on detection of the user being signed on to three or more instant messaging controllers concurrently.

16. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:

in response to receiving the indication that the user has signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, causing menu options to be displayed that enable selection of the one or more instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

17. The method as in claim 1 further comprising conditioning presentation, at a new instant messaging controller on a new device, of menu options that enable selection of whether to transition one or more instant messaging sessions or to mirror one or more instant messaging sessions on the new instant messaging controller and the new device on a sign on to the new instant messaging controller on the new device.

18. The method as in claim 1 further comprising enabling the user to select a portion of the one or more selected instant messaging sessions to transfer to the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

19. The method as in claim 1 further comprising enabling the user to select on a per device basis instant messaging transfer preferences.

20. The method as in claim 1 further comprising making user-inspired instant messages perceivable on both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

21. The method as in claim 1 wherein receiving a selection of an instant messaging to transfer includes receiving a selection of the instant messaging from among multiple instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

22. The method as in claim 1 wherein receiving the selection to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions includes receiving the selection of the one or more instant messaging sessions to transfer within a user interface.

23. A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a user is signed on to a first instant messaging controller on a first device;

receiving an indication that the user is signed on to a second instant messaging controller on a second device;

in response to receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device, enabling the user to engage in one or more instant messaging sessions using the first instant messaging controller on the first device;

based on receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the indication that the user is signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

in response to determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device, enabling the user to select an instant messaging session from among the one or more instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

while the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device and while the user is engaged in the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device, receiving a selection from the user to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

while the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device, receiving an indication of a selection by the user to replicate the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first device and the second device;

responsive to the received user selection, transferring at least a portion of the one or more selected instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

enabling perception, on the second instant messaging controller on the second device, of the transferred portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions; and

responsive to the received user indication, replicating at least a portion of the one or more selected instant messaging sessions on the second device.

24. A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:

conditioning whether to present, to a user, a listing of multiple instant messaging sessions based on detection of the user being signed on to an instant messaging system on three or more devices concurrently;

receiving an indication that a user is signed on to a first instant messaging controller on a first device;

receiving an indication that the user is signed on to a second instant messaging controller on a second device;

receiving an indication that the user is signed on to a third instant messaging controller on a third device;

in response to receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller, enabling the user to engage in one or more instant messaging sessions using the first instant messaging controller on the first device;

based on receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device, the indication that the user is signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, and the indication that the user is signed on to the third instant messaging controller on the third device, determining that the user is signed on concurrently to the first instant messaging controller on the first device, the second instant messaging controller on the second device, and the third instant messaging controller on the third device;

in response to determining that the user is signed on concurrently to the first instant messaging controller on the first device, the second instant messaging controller on the second device, and the third instant messaging controller on the third device enabling the user to select an instant messaging session from among the one or more instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second or third instant messaging controller on the second or third device;

while the user is signed on concurrently to the first instant messaging controller, the second instant messaging controller, and the third instant messaging controller and while the user is engaged in the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device, receiving a selection from the user to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second or third instant messaging controller on the second or third device;

receiving an indication of a selection by the user to replicate the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first device and the second or third device;

responsive to the received user selection, transferring at least a portion of the one or more selected instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller to the second or third instant messaging controller;

enabling perception, on the second or third instant messaging controller, of the transferred portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions; and

responsive to the received user indication, replicating at least a portion of the one or more selected instant messaging sessions on the first device and the second or third device.

25. A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a user is signed on to a first instant messaging controller on a first device;

receiving an indication that the user is signed on to a second instant messaging controller on a second device;

in response to receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device, enabling the user to engage in one or more instant messaging sessions using the first instant messaging controller on the first device;

based on receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the indication that the user is signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

in response to determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device, enabling the user to select an instant messaging session from among the one or more instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

while the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device and while the user is engaged in the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device, receiving a selection from the user to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

receiving an indication of a selection by the user to replicate the one or more instant messaging sessions on the second device;

responsive to the received user selection, transferring at least a portion of the one or more selected instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

enabling perception, on the second instant messaging controller on the second device, of the transferred portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions;

responsive to the received user indication, replicating at least a portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the second device; and

making the replicated portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions perceivable on the second device to the exclusion of being perceivable on the first device.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein making the replicated portion perceivable on the second device to the exclusion of being perceivable on the first device includes enabling display of the replicated portion on the second device and disabling display of the replicated portion on the first device.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising receiving an indication of a request by the user to prevent perception of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first device, wherein making the replicated portion perceivable on the second device to the exclusion of being perceivable on the first device includes making the replicated portion perceivable on the second device to the exclusion of being perceivable on the first device in response to receiving the indication of the request by the user to prevent perception of the replicated portion on the first device.

28. A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a user is signed on to a first instant messaging controller on a first device;

receiving an indication that the user is signed on to a second instant messaging controller on a second device;

in response to receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device, enabling the user to engage in one or more instant messaging sessions using the first instant messaging controller on the first device;

based on receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the indication that the user is signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

in response to determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device, enabling the user to select an instant messaging session from among the one or more instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

while the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device and while the user is engaged in the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device, receiving a selection from the user to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

receiving an indication of a selection by the user to replicate the one or more instant messaging sessions on the second device;

responsive to the received user selection, transferring at least a portion of the one or more selected instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

enabling perception, on the second instant messaging controller on the second device, of the transferred portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions;

responsive to the received user indication, replicating at least a portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the second device;

making the replicated portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions perceivable on the second device; and

conditioning whether to present, on a third device, menu options that enable selection of at least one other device on which to replicate the one or more instant messaging sessions based on a sign on to an instant messaging service at the third device.

29. A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a user is signed on to a first instant messaging controller on a first device;

receiving an indication that the user is signed on to a second instant messaging controller on a second device;

in response to receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device, enabling the user to engage in one or more instant messaging sessions using the first instant messaging controller on the first device;

based on receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the indication that the user is signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

in response to determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device, enabling the user to select an instant messaging session from among the one or more instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

while the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device and while the user is engaged in the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device, receiving a selection from the user to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

responsive to the received user selection, transferring at least a portion of the one or more selected instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

enabling perception, on the second instant messaging controller on the second device, of the transferred portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions;

presenting, to the user, an interface that includes identifiers for at least two of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first device that indicate that the at least two instant messaging sessions on the first device are available to be replicated to a second device;

receiving an indication of a selection, by the user, of one of the at least two instant messaging sessions to replicate on the second device; and

replicating at least a portion of the selected instant messaging session on the second device.

30. A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a user is signed on to a first instant messaging controller on a first device;

receiving an indication that the user is signed on to a second instant messaging controller on a second device;

in response to receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device, enabling the user to engage in one or more instant messaging sessions using the first instant messaging controller on the first device;

based on receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the indication that the user is signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

in response to determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device, enabling the user to select an instant messaging session from among the one or more instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

while the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device and while the user is engaged in the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device, receiving a selection from the user to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

responsive to the received user selection, transferring at least a portion of the one or more selected instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

enabling perception, on the second instant messaging controller on the second device, of the transferred portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions; and

responsive to receiving the indication that the user has signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, presenting, to the user, an interface that includes an identifier for at least one of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first device that indicates that one or more instant messaging sessions on the first device are available to be replicated to a second device.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising:

receiving an indication of a selection, by the user, of the at least one instant messaging session to replicate on the second device; and

replicating at least a portion of the at least one selected instant messaging session on the second device.

32. A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a user is signed on to a first instant messaging controller on a first device;

receiving an indication that the user is signed on to a second instant messaging controller on a second device;

in response to receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device, enabling the user to engage in one or more instant messaging sessions using the first instant messaging controller on the first device;

based on receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the indication that the user is signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

in response to determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device, enabling the user to select an instant messaging session from among the one or more instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

while the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device and while the user is engaged in the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device, receiving a selection from the user to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

responsive to the received user selection, transferring at least a portion of the one or more selected instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

enabling perception, on the second instant messaging controller on the second device, of the transferred portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions; and

responsive to determining that the user also is signed on to a third device, prompting the user to determine if the user desires to replicate at least one of the one or more instant messaging sessions from the first device on one or more of the second device and the third device.

33. A method for transferring instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a user is signed on to a first instant messaging controller on a first device;

receiving an indication that the user is signed on to a second instant messaging controller on a second device;

based on receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the indication that the user is signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

in response to receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device, transmitting instructions to enable the user to engage in one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device while the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and a second instant messaging controller on a second device;

transmitting instructions to display text on the first device during the one or more instant messaging sessions;

in response to determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device, transmitting instructions to enable the user to select an instant messaging from among the one or more instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

receiving a selection from the user to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;

transmitting instructions to display a selection window requesting the user to select whether to continue the one or more instant messaging sessions on both the first and second devices after the transfer or on only the second device;

receiving a selection from the user based on the display of the selection window;

transferring a portion of the selected one or more instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, wherein the transferred portion includes a portion of the text previously displayed on the first device;

enabling perception of the transferred portion of the instant messaging session by presenting the portion of the text on the second instant messaging controller on the second device; and

transmitting instructions to continue the one or more instant messaging sessions on at least one of the first device and the second device based on the selection received from the user in response to display of the selection window.

34. The method as in claim 33 wherein receiving the selection to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions includes receiving the selection from the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

35. The method as in claim 33 wherein receiving the selection to transfer the one or more instant messaging sessions includes receiving the selection from the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

36. The method as in claim 33 further comprising enabling presentation, to the user, of a listing of multiple instant messaging sessions from which to select an instant messaging session to transfer.

37. The method as in claim 33 wherein the user is signed on to at least one additional instant messaging controller on at least one additional device, the method further comprising:

enabling presentation of a listing of the instant messaging controllers on the devices on which the user is signed on; and

enabling selection, by the user and from among the listing of the instant messaging controllers on the devices on which the user is signed on, of the second instant messaging controller on the second device as the instant messaging controller on the device to which to transfer the selected instant messaging session.

38. The method as in claim 33 further comprising:

after transferring the portion of the one or more instant messaging sessions to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, detecting an idle state or an away state on the first instant messaging controller; and

disabling perception of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to the detected idle state or away state.

39. The method as in claim 38 further comprising:

after disabling perception of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to the detected idle state or away state, detecting an active state on the first instant messaging controller on the first device; and

in response to detecting the active state on the first instant messaging controller on the first device;

refreshing the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device; and

enabling perception of the one or more instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

40. The method as in claim 33 further comprising enabling the user to select multiple instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

41. The method as in claim 33 further comprising:

in response to receiving the indication that the user has signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, causing menu options to be presented that enable selection of the one or more instant messaging session to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device.