Patent ID: 7861175
Filing Date: 2010-12-28
Classification: A63F,G06F,G06Q,G07F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of facilitating control of Instant Messaging (IM) activities comprising: providing a IM contact list interface presenting contact list entries and receiving user input with which to conduct IM conversations; associating an IM contact list entry for an opposing player with an IM game application to designate an IM game in progress between a user of the IM contact list and the opposing player, the IM game in progress being associated with an IM game application providing turn-based game play for the user and one or more contacts; presenting the IM contact list entry designating the IM game in progress in the IM contact list interface; enabling the user to switch between a first graphical user interface (GUI) for an IM conversation and a second GUI for the IM game in progress through selection of respective contact list entries upon navigating back to a third GUI for the IM contact list interface; upon switching away from the second GUI for the IM game in progress, maintaining game in progress data for the IM game in progress to enable the IM game to be resumed upon a re-invocation of the second GUI; and upon the game in progress ending, removing the IM game in progress designation from the contact list interface.