Patent ID: 8064355
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: H04L,H04M,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for determining the availability status of a user of a handheld communication device, the method comprising, at the handheld communication device: periodically checking whether or not a predetermined time threshold has elapsed, from the last use of a mechanical feature of the device by the user; if the predetermined time threshold has not elapsed, setting the availability status of the user of the handheld communication device to be Available; if the predetermined time threshold has elapsed, determining whether a real-time application is in use; setting the availability status of the user of the handheld communication device to be Available in response to determining that the real-time application is in use; wherein if it is determined that the real-time application is not in use, then checking whether or not there are any unattended-to-notifications that are related to real time applications and not the detection of availability status at the handheld communication device, the unattended-to-notifications comprising at least one of an unattended-to e-mail, an unattended-to phone call, an unattended-to SMS message and an-unattended to instant message; if there are no unattended to notifications, then setting the availability status of the user of the handheld communication device to be Available; and if there are any unattended to notifications, setting the availability status of the user of the handheld communication device to be Unavailable.