Patent ID: 6754904
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: G06Q,H04N

Abstract:
A method of informing a first network user of activity by other network users, the method comprising:selecting based on input from the first network user two or more of the other network users; determining television programming being viewed by at least a first selected network user and a second selected network user; displaying a user list corresponding to the selected network users on an instant messaging user interface; displaying a first visual identifier for television programming being viewed by the first selected network user, the first visual identifier being displayed at a location of the instant messaging user interface that is adjacent to a location of the user list corresponding to the first selected network user; displaying a second visual identifier for the television programming being viewed by the second selected network user, the second visual identifier being displayed at a location of the instant messaging user interface that is adjacent to a location of the user list corresponding to the second selected network user; receiving information indicating a change in the television programming viewed by at least one of the first and second selected network users; and updating an appearance of at least one of the first and second visual identifiers to reflect the change in television programming, wherein the first visual identifier differs from the second visual identifier.