Message delivery system and method

A computer-readable storage memory comprising computer-readable program code stored thereon that, responsive to execution by one or more processors, implements a communication client, the communication client configured to perform a method comprising:

• receiving a message from a communication network, the message comprising a content portion and a control portion, the content portion comprising information for display by the communication client, the control portion comprising data defining a condition and a trigger event that causes the condition to be checked when the trigger event occurs at the communication client to determine if the condition is satisfied, and the information in the content portion configured to be displayed when the trigger event occurs if the condition is satisfied;
• storing the message in a data store of the communication client;
• reading the control portion of the message and extracting the trigger event and the condition, the trigger event being dependent upon at least one of a chat, a call, a video feed, a contact list change, or an input detected through a user interface of the communication client, the condition being dependent upon a property within the communication client;
• monitoring the communication client to detect occurrence of the trigger event;
• responsive to detecting the occurrence of the trigger event, determining whether the condition is satisfied within the communication client;
• and
• responsive to determining that the condition is satisfied, displaying the information in the content portion of the message in the user interface of the communication client.

A user terminal connected to a packet-based communication network, the user terminal comprising:

• a data store;
• a display;
• and
• a processor configured to execute a software program comprising a communication client, the communication client configured to cause display of a user interface on the display to enable user interaction with the communication client, the communication client further configured to:
• receive a message from the packet-based communication network, the message comprising a content portion and a control portion, the content portion comprising information for display by the communication client, the control portion comprising data defining a condition and a trigger event that causes the condition to be checked when the trigger event occurs to determine if the condition is satisfied, and the information in the content portion configured to be displayed by the communication client when the trigger event occurs if the condition is satisfied;
• store the message in a data store of the communication client;
• read the control portion of the message and extract the trigger event and the condition, the trigger event being dependent upon at least one of a chat, a call, a video feed, a contact list change, or an input detected through the user interface on the display, the condition being dependent upon a property within the communication client;
• monitor to detect occurrence of the trigger event;
• responsive to detecting the occurrence of the trigger event, determine whether the condition is satisfied within the communication client;
• and
• responsive to determining that the condition is satisfied, display the information in the content portion of the message in the user interface on the display.