Patent ID: 7200638
Filing Date: 2007-04-03
Classification: H04L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method of managing an instant messenger list, said method comprising: selecting, by a user, one or more calendar entries from an electronic calendar that corresponds to the user, wherein the selected one or more calendar entries appear highlighted; retrieving, from the selected one or more calendar entries, calendar data that includes contact data for a plurality of contacts corresponding to the selected one or more calendar entries; adding the retrieved contact data to the instant messenger list associated with an instant messaging computer application used by the user; selecting one of the contacts added to the user's instant messenger list; establishing an instant messaging session with the selected contact; creating one or more buddy groups within the user's instant messenger list by automatically adding the contacts to the one or more buddy groups, wherein the created one or more buddy groups corresponds to the selected one or more calendar entries; storing the retrieved contact data in the one or more buddy groups, wherein the contact data retrieved includes the contacts' information; identifying that at least one of the contacts added to the user's instant messenger list is a temporary contact; storing an expiration date corresponding to each of the temporary contacts; periodically comparing a current date to the expiration dates stored for the temporary contacts; and in response to the comparison, removing the contact data corresponding to the temporary contacts when the expiration date has occurred.