System and method for providing time zone as instant messaging presence
AssigneeResearch In Motion Limited
InventorsMichael Hung, Tabarak Khan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method are provided to obtain and use time zone information as presence in instant messaging. The time zone information is obtained by a user's mobile device and is sent to other mobile devices corresponding to the user's contacts. The time zone information of a contact may be displayed on the user's IM application, including the contact list and instant messaging conversation window. The location of the mobile device may also be provided. The user uses the time zone and location information to discern the status of a contact. Rule-based decisions that rely on the time zone information are also used to affect the operation of the instant messaging application.
Claims21
A method of providing time zone information and location information on a mobile device, said method comprising:
- obtaining said time zone information and said location information;
- displaying a user profile screen of an instant messaging application on said mobile device, said user profile screen comprising one or more options, said one or more options comprising whether or not to send said time zone information to said one or more other mobile devices and whether or not to send said location information to said one or more other mobile devices;
- and
- sending said time zone information and said location information using said instant messaging application to one or more other mobile devices, said one or more other mobile devices corresponding to one or more contacts associated with said instant messaging application to enable said one or more other mobile devices to display said time zone information and said location information.
A method of displaying time zone information for at least one contact listed in an instant messaging application on a mobile device, said method comprising:
- receiving said time zone information for said at least one contact;
- displaying said time zone information corresponding to said at least one contact in a conversation window, said conversation window comprising a message to be sent to said at least one contact;
- determining if said contact's current local time is between a specified time period, said current local time being determined based on said time zone information;
- and
- if said contact's current local time is between said specified time period, displaying a prompt to confirm whether or not to send said message.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for providing time zone information and location information on a mobile device, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions for:
- obtaining said time zone information and said location information;
- displaying a user profile screen of an instant messaging application on said mobile device, said user profile screen comprising one or more options, said one or more options comprising whether or not to send said time zone information to said one or more other mobile devices and whether or not to send said location information to said one or more other mobile devices;
- and
- sending said time zone information and said location information using said instant messaging application to one or more other mobile devices, said one or more other mobile devices corresponding to one or more contacts associated with said instant messaging application to enable said one or more other mobile devices to display said time zone information and said location information.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for displaying time zone information of at least one contact listed in an instant messaging application on a mobile device, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions for:
- receiving said time zone information for said at least one contact;
- displaying said time zone information corresponding to said at least one contact in a conversation window, said conversation window comprising a message to be sent to said at least one contact;
- determining if said contact's current local time is between a specified time period, said current local time being determined based on said time zone information;
- and
- if said contact's current local time is between said specified time period, displaying a prompt to confirm whether or not to send said message.
A mobile device comprising a display, a processor, and memory for storing applications, the mobile device being configured for providing time zone information and location information by executing instructions for:
- obtaining said time zone information and said location information;
- displaying a user profile screen of an instant messaging application on said mobile device, said user profile screen comprising one or more options, said one or more options comprising whether or not to send said time zone information to said one or more other mobile devices and whether or not to send said location information to said one or more other mobile devices;
- and
- sending said time zone information and said location information using said instant messaging application to one or more other mobile devices, said one or more other mobile devices corresponding to one or more contacts associated with said instant messaging application to enable said one or more other mobile devices to display said time zone information and said location information.
A mobile device comprising a display, a processor, and memory for storing applications, the mobile device being configured for displaying time zone information of at least one contact listed in an instant messaging application on said mobile device by executing instructions for:
- receiving said time zone information for said at least one contact;
- displaying said time zone information corresponding to said at least one contact in a conversation window, said conversation window comprising a message to be sent to said at least one contact;
- determining if said contact's current local time is between a specified time period, said current local time being determined based on said time zone information;
- and
- if said contact's current local time is between said specified time period, displaying a prompt to confirm whether or not to send said message.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.