Patent ID: 7500200

Claim:
A computer implemented method comprising: determining that a first user of a computer system has opted to use an automatic method for determining a first user activity level; in response to determining that the first user of the computer system has opted to use the automatic method, automatically tracking an input frequency for the first user of the computer system, wherein the tracking comprises keeping a count of each of a plurality of user inputs, from the first user to the computer system, within a predetermined time period; comparing the input frequency to a plurality of user activity levels, wherein each user activity level corresponds to a different numerical range of user inputs; in response to the comparing, determining a first user activity level based upon the input frequency; sending the first user activity level to one or more current instant messaging partners; receiving, by a first instant messaging partner, the first user activity level; identifying, by the first instant messaging partner, a first busy gauge icon, selected from a plurality of busy gauge icons, wherein the first busy gauge icon includes a first progressive indicator that corresponds to the first user activity level; displaying the first busy gauge icon and a first partner name, the first partner name corresponding to the first user, wherein the first busy gauge icon is displayed proximate to the first partner name; displaying a first indicator icon, proximate to the first partner name and the first busy gauge icon, wherein the first indicator icon indicates that the first user activity level was determined automatically; determining that a second user of the computer system has opted to use a manual method for determining a second user activity level; in response to determining that the second user of the computer system has opted to use the manual method, receiving, by the first instant messaging partner, the second user activity level for the second user; identifying, by the first instant messaging partner, a second busy gauge icon, selected from the plurality of busy gauge icons, wherein the second busy gauge icon includes a second progressive indicator that corresponds to the second user activity level; displaying the second busy gauge icon and a second partner name, the second partner name corresponding to the second user, wherein the second busy gauge icon is displayed proximate to the second partner name; and displaying a second indicator icon, proximate to the second partner name and the second busy gauge icon, wherein the second indicator icon indicates that the second user activity level was determined manually.