Patent ID: 7870216
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling usage of an instant messaging (IM) service by a second person based upon control policies established by a first person, the method comprising: receiving, by an IM server, a profile for the second person from the first person, wherein the profile comprises one or more control policies for usage of the IM service by the second person; receiving a request for usage of the IM service by the second person from an IM enabled client device; accessing at least one control policy for usage of IM service by the second person; and modifying functionality of the IM enabled client device by transmitting data related to the least one control policy associated with the second person to the IM enabled client device, wherein the functionality of the IM enabled client device is modified by installing a plug-in to comply with the at least one control policy in response to the data.