Patent ID: 8396922

Claim:
A method comprising: logging an online identity associated with a first instant messaging service into a first instant messaging system, wherein the first instant messaging service is associated with the first instant messaging system and configured with at least one processor; accessing a profile associated with the online identity, wherein the profile includes at least presence information associated with the online identity; updating the profile to indicate that the online identity is currently logged into the first instant messaging service; using the at least one processor to receive, at the first instant messaging service and from another a second instant messaging service, a message indicating that the same online identity associated with the first instant messaging service is currently logged into the second instant messaging service associated with a second instant messaging system, wherein the second instant messaging service is different from the first instant messaging service; and in response to the message, updating the presence information in the profile to indicate that the online identity is currently logged into the second instant messaging service, wherein updating the profile to indicate that the online identity is currently logged into the second instant messaging service includes updating an entry to include an identity of the second instant messaging system.