System and method for providing time zone as instant messaging presence
AssigneeBlackBerry Limited
InventorsMichael Hin Kai 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.
Claims27
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 said mobile device:
- receiving said time zone information for said at least one contact;
- determining that said time zone information for said at least one contact has changed;
- and
- displaying new time zone information for said at least one contact in one or more interfaces associated with said instant messaging application.
A mobile device comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:
- receive said time zone information for said at least one contact;
- determine that said time zone information for said at least one contact has changed;
- and
- display new time zone information for said at least one contact in one or more interfaces associated with said instant messaging application.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for displaying time zone information for at least one contact listed in an instant messaging application on a mobile device, said computer executable instructions comprising instructions for:
- receiving said time zone information for said at least one contact;
- determining that said time zone information for said at least one contact has changed;
- and
- displaying new time zone information for said at least one contact in one or more interfaces associated with said instant messaging application.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.