Patent ID: 7412657
Filing Date: 2008-08-12
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for updating an instant messaging system on a network, the method comprising: receiving a request to configure a status indicator of the instant messaging system to an away status for a user of the instant messaging system, wherein the request to configure the status indicator includes an indication of an ‘away’ message, wherein the user belongs to a particular organization; setting the ‘away’ message, wherein the ‘away’ message comprises a first message for other users who belong to the particular organization and a second, different message for other users who do not belong to the particular organization; transmitting an indication of the ‘away’ message to an instant messaging system manager via a network; waiting until activation of a screen saver before attempting to detect activity of the user to determine whether a change in status has occurred; after activation of the screen saver determining that the change in status has occurred by receiving a user input via a user input device indicating that the user is active while the status indicator is in an ‘away’ status; after determining that the change in status has occurred, querying the user to determine if the user desires to change the status indicator to active; and in response to an affirmative response from the user, automatically transmitting an indication of the change in status to the instant messaging system manager via the network.