Patent ID: 7818379
Filing Date: 2010-10-19
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for notifying a user that an instant messaging online identity assigned to the user is logged on to an instant messaging system from different devices concurrently, the method comprising: receiving, from a first instant messaging controller on a first device, a first request for an instant messaging online identity assigned to a user to be logged on to an instant messaging system at a first instant messaging controller on a first device; logging the instant messaging online identity on to the instant messaging system at the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to the first request; while the instant messaging online identity remains logged on to the instant messaging system from the first instant messaging controller on the first device: determining that the same instant messaging online identity is logged on to the instant messaging system from the first instant messaging controller on the first device while concurrently being logged on to the instant messaging system from the second instant messaging controller on the second device; and communicating a notification to at least one of the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device indicating that the instant messaging online identity is logged on to the instant messaging system from the second instant messaging controller on the second device while concurrently being logged on to the instant messaging system from the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to determining that the instant messaging online identity is logged on to the instant messaging system from the first instant messaging controller on the first device while concurrently being logged on to the instant messaging system from the second instant messaging controller on the second device.