Patent ID: 7519730
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving a request for initiation of a first chat session at first client for a user; in response to the receiving the request, determining whether the user at the first client has the first chat session already active at a second client with a third client, wherein the determining whether the user at the first client has the first chat session already active at the second client with the third client further comprises sending a plurality of queries to a plurality of respective clients connected via a network, wherein the respective queries ask the respective clients whether the user already has the first chat session active at their respective clients; if the user at the first client has the first chat session already active at a second client with the third client, copying chat data from the second client to a buffer at the first client, sending a disconnect message to the second client, retrieving a client list from the second client, notifying the third client that the first client replaces the second client in the first chat session, and presenting the chat data at the first client, wherein the client list identifies the plurality of clients, identifies respective addresses of the plurality of clients, and identifies respective indications of whether respective chat sessions are active at the plurality of clients, wherein the chat data comprises messages previously sent between the second client and the third client, wherein the third client sends further messages to the first client instead of to the second client, and wherein the second client suspends the sending and receiving of instant messages in response to the disconnect message; if the user at the first client does not have the first chat session already active at the second client with the third client, starting a new chat session at the first client, wherein the buffer is empty; metering use of at least one of the first client and the second client; and charging the user for the metered use.