Patent ID: 8799380

Claim:
A method for routing instant messages, the method comprising: receiving a first instant message addressed to an instant messaging online identity, the first instant message received while the instant messaging online identity is concurrently logged onto an instant messaging system using a first client device via a first instant messaging session, and a second client device via a second instant messaging session, the instant messaging online identity concurrently logged onto the instant messaging system using the first client device and the second client device using one screen name and one password; responsive to receiving the first instant message, determining a first state of a first status of the instant messaging online identity at the first client device and a first state of a second status of the instant messaging online identity at the second client device; sending the first instant message to the first client device and the second client device; receiving a second instant message addressed to the instant messaging online identity, the second instant message received while the instant messaging online identity is concurrently logged onto the instant messaging system using the first client device and the second client device, and the second instant message received after receiving the first instant message; responsive to receiving the second instant message, determining a second state of the first status of the instant messaging online identity at the first client device and a second state of the second status of the instant messaging online identity at the second client device, wherein the second state of the first status at the first client device is different than the first state of the first status at the first client device and the second state of the second status at the second client device is the same as the first state of the second status at the second client device; and responsive to determining that the second state of the second status at the second client device is different than the first state of the second status at the second client device, routing the second instant message to the second client device but not to the first client device.