Patent ID: 6750881
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: G06F,G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
In an electronic network system including a logon system for monitoring logon status of currently logged-on users, a method of enabling a user of the network system to track the logon status of co-users of the network system, the method comprising:(a) upon initiation of an action by the user at a user device, accessing a user-defined co-user list comprising co-users designated by the user for which the user desires to track logon status; (b) transmitting to the user device the current logon status of the co-users in the user-defined co-user list; (c) enabling the user at the user device to track the logon status of the co-users in the co-user list automatically and substantially in real time; (d) repeating (b) and (c) under any of the following conditions: (1) periodically; or (2) upon detection by the logon system of a change in logon status of any user on the electronic network system; or (3) upon detection by the logon system of a change in logon status of one or more co-users in the co-user list; and based on block selections received from the user, selectively blocking co-users from adding the user to their associated user-definable co-user lists.