Patent ID: 7568007
Filing Date: 2009-07-28
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for enabling messaging between disconnected parties in an instant messaging (IM) system, said method comprising the steps of: receiving at a computing device at least one message sent by a first party, said at least one message destined for a second party, said computing device maintaining, for a second party, preference criteria specifying an amount of messages sent by said first party that are to be buffered for said second party; determining connection status of said second party with said IM system and, if determination is that said second party is disconnected from said IM system, a step of determining, at said computer device, whether said at least one message sent by a first party exceeds said specified amount of messages received from said first party that may be buffered for said second party according to said preference criteria; and if said message does not exceed said specified amount of messages, storing said at least one message received by said first party; determining, at said computing device, when said second party becomes connected to said IM system; and, notifying said second party of availability of said stored at least one message; and saving a prior IM message chat conversation thread between said first and said second parties; and, appending the received message from the first party to said saved prior message chat conversation thread for presentation to said second party via a chat interface, wherein some context of a prior IM message chat between said first and second parties is preserved; and, providing a chat interface on second party's computing device, said chat interface being specific to said first party and said chat interface including said saved prior message chat conversation thread and said appended message received from said first party.