Patent ID: 7664816
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: during a launch of an online activity, wherein the online activity is an online game that communicates with one or more instant messaging modules via an application programming interface to initiate an instant messaging session: managing presence of the plurality of other clients and the client initiating online activity via one or more instant messaging modules, wherein managing a change in presence comprises: in an event the client initiating the online activity ceases participation in the online activity, removing the client initiating the online activity from participating in the online activity, and saving a current state of interaction of the plurality of other clients and the client initiating the online activity in response to the ceasing; in an event one or more clients of the plurality of other clients that has been removed from participating in the online activity rejoins the online activity after an arbitrary period of time, adding the one or more clients of the plurality of other clients to participate in the online activity from a stored state of interaction of the plurality of other clients and the client initiating the online activity; and in an event the client initiating the online activity that has been removed from participating in the online activity rejoins the online activity after an arbitrary period of time, adding the client initiating the online activity to participate in the online activity from a stored state of interaction of the plurality of other clients and the client initiating the online activity.