Patent ID: 7664820

Claim:
A method for controlling instant messaging comprising: providing a data network communication device running an instant messaging session; providing a receiving device connected to said data network communication device; providing a wireless signaling device residing on a user having a unique identification for said user; emitting a signal from said wireless signaling device residing on said user, said signal including said unique identification for said user; and remotely controlling participation of said user within said instant messaging session running on said data network communication device based upon said receiving device receiving said signal from said wireless signaling device residing on said user whereby, when said user is within physical proximity to said data network communication device, said receiving device receiving said signal emitted from said wireless signaling device and transferring said signal to said data network communication device for automatically identifying said user and activating said user's instant messaging session for indicating said user as currently available for participation within said instant messaging session running on said data network communication device, and when said user is not within physical proximity to said data network communication device, deactivating said user's instant messaging session.