Communications system for monitoring user interactivity
OwnerStephen J. Kammererinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An instant messaging system includes a communication network, an instant messaging server on the network connected to client terminals on the network, proxy servers, and redirect servers. The client terminals have a client-side instant messaging application. The instant messaging server includes an instant messaging presence server application which monitors interactivity between clients on the network. The presence server application broadcasts status messages to all subscribed clients on the network to indicate the availability and interactivity of the clients. A graphical user interface associated with the client-side instant messaging application is provided for displaying the status messages to clients, among other functions.
Claims16
A communications system for a communications network, the system displaying the interactivity of subscribed users on the communications network, the system comprising:
- a presence server connected to the communications network;
- and
- a presence server application operating on the presence server, the presence server application comprising means for subscribing users to the system, IM means for establishing communications between subscribed users, monitor means for monitoring established communications between subscribed users;
- and broadcast means for broadcasting notices containing information about established communications between subscribed users to any subscribed user.
A messaging client for displaying interactivity of users subscribed to a messaging system connected via a communications network, the messaging client comprising:
- a client terminal connected to the communications network;
- and
- a client IM application operating on the client terminal, the client IM application having means for subscribing a user of the client IM application to the messaging system, IM means for communicating across the communications network;
- and information means for providing presence information and session information for at least one other subscribed user.
A method for displaying communication status information about users of a communications network, comprising:
- providing a presence server application operatively connected to the communications network;
- subscribing a plurality of users to a communications system with the presence server application to make them subscribed users;
- supporting communications across the communications network between subscribed users with the presence server application;
- monitoring communications between subscribed users to identify communications sessions between the subscribed users;
- and
- broadcasting session notices to all subscribed users, the session notices identifying a status of communications sessions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.