Patent ID: 8473545
Filing Date: 2013-06-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of distributing availability information from a first user terminal for receipt by at least one further user terminal connected via a communication network, the method comprising: accessing schedule data stored on a storage means relating to a user of the first user terminal; analysing the schedule data to determine a current status of the user; mapping the current status of the user to a selected one of a group of predefined availability settings, wherein the step of mapping comprises determining if the schedule data indicates that the current status of the user is scheduled to change in the future within a predefined time period, and if so, selecting an availability setting for the predefined time period before the scheduled change which indicates an availability status of the user of the first user terminal during the predefined time period before the scheduled change and which is different than the current status of the user; and transmitting a message comprising the selected availability setting over the communication network for receipt by the at least one further user terminal, the message further including an indication of the availability status of the user of the first user terminal during the predefined time period before the scheduled change and an indication of how the current status of the user will change in the future, the indication being configured to be displayed via the at least one further user terminal during the predefined time period before the scheduled change.