Abstract:
A method and system for status reporting. The method includes providing a plurality of status messages, and reporting to at least two user groups at least two status messages of the plurality of status messages, wherein each of the at least two user groups receives a different status message.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly to a method and system for status reporting.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Instant messaging (IM) systems such as Sametime Connect or Windows Messenger are well known. Conventional IM systems report a user&#39;s status to all of the other users so that they know whether or not the user is available for IM.  
         [0003]     A user database stores the current activity status for each user of the IM system. For example, if a user is connected to the IM system, the activity status would indicate “active” to the rest of the users. If the user is not connected, the activity status would indicate “not connected.” Some IM systems also indicate alternative means for contacting a user by stating whether the user is “available in-person,” “via telephone,” “via wireless device or wireless messaging device.” Such messages are generally broadcasted to everyone. A problem with conventional IM systems is that a user may be “online” (i.e. connected to the IM system) but may not want certain users to know.  
         [0004]     Accordingly, what is needed is an improved system and method for status reporting. The system and method should be simple, cost effective, and capable of being easily adapted to existing technology. The present invention addresses such a need.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     A method and system for status reporting is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of status messages, and reporting to at least two user groups at least two status messages of the plurality of status message, wherein each of the at least two user groups receives a different status message.  
         [0006]     According to the method and system disclosed herein, the present invention provides a user with more flexibility in status reporting. The present invention also enables a user to customize unique status messages for different users. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an instant messaging IM system in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a user, a first user group (labeled “Friends”), and a second user group (labeled “Others”), in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0009]     The  FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing a method for status reporting in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a chart showing how the user can determine unique status messages for each group, in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a screen shot showing how the user can select which specific users belong to each group, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly to a method and system for status reporting. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.  
         [0013]     A method and system in accordance with the present invention for status reporting are disclosed. The method and system enable a user to selectively report the user&#39;s status. The user can report one status message (e.g. “active”) to a select group of users and can report another status message (e.g. “away) to another group of users.  
         [0014]     As a result, the method and system in accordance with the present invention provides the user with more flexibility in status reporting. The method and system in accordance with the present invention also enables the user to customize unique status messages for different users. To more particularly describe the features of the present invention, refer now to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures.  
         [0015]     Although the present invention disclosed herein is described in the context of instant messaging systems, the present invention may apply to other types of messaging systems, and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an instant messaging IM system  100  in accordance with the present invention. The IM system  100  includes an IM server  102  that connects multiple clients  104 ,  106 , and  108 , of respective users  114 ,  116 , and  118 . For ease of illustration, only three users are shown. The actual number of users will vary. In operation, generally, the users  114 - 118  use their respective clients  104 - 108  to send instant messages to each other. In accordance with the present invention, each user can selectively report his/her user status to the other users.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of illustrating a user  200 , a first user group  202  (labeled “Friends”), and a second user group  204  (labeled “Others”), in accordance with the present invention. The user  200  can label the first and second user groups  202  and  204  anything the user  200  wants to (e.g. “work peers”, “managers”). The first user group  202  includes one or more users  212   a ,  212   b , and  212   c , and the second user group  204  includes one or more users  214   a ,  214   b ,  214   c ,  214   d ,  214   e , and  214   f .  FIG. 2  also shows status messages  222  (“Active”) and  222  (“Do not disturb”). The  FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing a method for status reporting in accordance with the present invention. Referring to both  FIGS. 2 and 3  together, the process begins in a step  302  when a first status message of the user  200  is determined. A selection of status messages (e.g. “Active,” “Do not disturb,” “Not connected”) is available for the user  200  to select. In this example, the first status message is the status message  222  “Active.” Next, in a step  304 , a second status message of the user  200  is determined. Here, the second status message is the status message  224  “Do not disturb.” Next, in a step  306 , the first status message  222  is associated with the first user group  202 . Next, in a step  308 , the second status message  224  is associated with the second user group  204 . Software at the IM server  102  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or at the client  104  enables the associations. Next, in a step  310 , the first status message is reported to the first user group and the second status message is reported to the second user group substantially simultaneously. Software at the IM server  102  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or at the client  104  performs the reporting of the first and second status messages.  
         [0018]     As can be seen, each of the user groups  202  and  204  receives a unique status message. As such, when a user  200  does not want to be disturbed, the user  200  may choose to appear busy to one group and appear to be active/available to another group.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a chart showing how the user  200  can determine unique status messages for each group, in accordance with the present invention. Referring to both  FIGS. 2 and 4  together, the user  200  may create a list of different status messages such as “Active,” “Away,” “Busy,” “Not Connected,” etc. These status messages can be the default messages that the user  200  can independently associated with each of the user groups  202  and  204 .  
         [0020]     In accordance with the present invention, the user  200  can also customize status messages. For example, instead of indicating “Away,” the user  200  can indicate the (“Friends”) group  202 , “I&#39;ve gone fishing. Please call (xxx) xxx-xxxx if you want to reach me by cell phone.” The user  200  can indicate to the (“Others”) group  204 , “I am temporarily away.” 
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a screen shot showing how the user  200  can select which specific users belong to each group, in accordance with the present invention. For example, the user  200  may want to receive instant messages from the users “Cathy” and “Tom”. The user  200 , however, may not want to receive instant messages from the user “Edward.” Accordingly, the user  200  selects/associates the users “Cathy” and “Tom” who are friends to the “Friends” group, which receives a status message indicating “I am active.” The user  200  selects/associates the user “Edward” with the “Work” group, which receives a status message indicating “I am busy.” 
         [0022]     There is preferably an option available for the user to associate with a particular group all users whom have not yet been associated with a group (e.g. “everyone else”). The IM system keeps track of which users are associated with each group and what status message is associated with each group.  
         [0023]     According to the system and method disclosed herein, the present invention provides numerous benefits. For example, it provides a user with more flexibility in status reporting. Embodiments of the present invention also enable a user to customize unique status messages for different users.  
         [0024]     A method and system in accordance with the present invention for status reporting has been disclosed. The method and system enable a user to selectively report the user&#39;s status. The user can report one status message (e.g. “active”) to a select group of users and can report another status message (e.g. “away) to another group of users. As a result, the method and system in accordance with the present invention provides the user with more flexibility in status reporting. The method and system in accordance with the present invention also enables the user to customize unique status messages for different users.  
         [0025]     The present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments, and that any variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention can be implemented using hardware, software, a computer readable medium containing program instructions, or a combination thereof. Software written according to the present invention is to be either stored in some form of computer-readable medium such as memory or CD-ROM, or is to be transmitted over a network, and is to be executed by a processor. Consequently, a computer-readable medium is intended to include a computer readable signal, which may be, for example, transmitted over a network. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.