Patent ID: 7444135
Filing Date: 2008-10-28
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for updating availability information of a contact that is stored in a device, the method comprising: storing in said device an identifier that identifies said device in an instant messaging system; determining at said device that said contact is unavailable if a predetermined period of time has elapsed since said device sent an instant message to said contact during which said device has not received an expected notification for said message, wherein said expected notification was a delivered notification for said message; determining that said contact is unreachable; enabling a user of said device to request to be notified if and when said contact becomes reachable; upon receipt of said delivered notification after said predetermined period of time has elapsed, determining that said contact is reachable and notifying said user that said contact is reachable; and asking said user whether said user wants to send another instant message to said contact.