User definable on-line co
Contents
1. Buddy Chat Invitations and other information If set the appropriate user record in the Permissions List table 34 is marked with a code for none in the Block Status field Allow only the members below This option restricts all members from adding the user to their buddy lists and from sending the user Buddy Chat Invitations and other information except for those co users specifically listed where provided in the window If set the appro priate user record in the Permissions List table 34 is marked with a code for none except in the Block Status field and an Inclusion List 38 is linked to the user for storing the names of included co users Block only the members below This option grants permis sion for all other members to add the user to their buddy lists and send the user Buddy Chat Invitations and other information except for those co users specifically listed where provided in the window If set the appro priate user record in the Permissions List table 34 is marked with a code for all except in the Block Status field and an Exclusion List 36 is linked to the user for storing the names of excluded co users Sound Library Allows a user to select sound events for BuddyIn and BuddyOut In the preferred embodiment the Inclusion List 38 and the Exclusion List 36 options are mutually exclusive In this way a user can control who sees the user logging on and off the system Although the u2. indicated logged out or other symbols e g checkmarks to indicate logged in etc In still another embodiment only logged in members ofa buddy list are displayed In one embodiment an asterisk or other symbol appears next to the screen name of the most recent co user to log into the system and parenthe ses are placed around the screen name of the most recent co user to log out of the system In the preferred embodiment a user can minimize a buddy list to suppress display of all the co users in that group This is preferably implemented so that a double click on the buddy list name will cause all the screen names listed beneath to disappear In the preferred embodiment minimized buddy lists are indicated by a symbol next to the buddy list name Double clicking on the buddy list name again displays all of the hidden co users under that name A user can also keep tabs oneach list by checking out the numbers posted in parenthesis next to the buddy list names This number tells the user how many people on that list are logged in out of the total number of screen names on the buddy list In the illustrated example 7 4 means that two of the three people on the Home List are currently online In the preferred embodiment when the user first logs into the system the Buddy List window 40 opens informing the user which of the user s buddy list members are currently online The user can either close this window or leave it o
3. to show that a co user just logged on or just left the system The details of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below Once the details of the invention are known numerous additional innovations and changes will become obvious to one skilled in the art DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG 1 is a block diagram ofa typical network system 10 in which the invention can be implemented FIG 2a is a set of symbolic data records showing the basic types of data used by one embodiment of the invention for a buddy list and the conceptual relationship of data elements FIG 26 is a set of symbolic data records showing the basic types of data used by one embodiment of the invention for a permissions list and the conceptual relationship of data ele ments FIG 3 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a buddy list window FIG 4 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a buddy list setup window FIG 5 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a buddy list create window FIG 6 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a buddy list preferences window FIG 7 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a search member directory window FIG 8 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a member location
4. window 110 by selecting a group name from the Buddy List window 40 and activating the BUDDY CHAT button or double clicking To talk privately with the selected co users the user selects the Private Chat Room radio button and enters a Buddy Chat Room Name in the provided edit box If the edit box is left blank a Buddy Chat Room Name is automatically created for the user Upon selecting Send each selected co user will receive a message inviting them to access and display a Buddy Chat Room chat rooms are an existing feature of the AOL system To share those places a user likes best on the AOL system the user selects the Keyword Favorite Place radio button and enters a Keyword 1 e a shortcut word defining an address to asystem site in the provided edit box either manually or by using a drag and drop action from a list of the user s favorite places in the system Upon selecting Send each selected co user will receive a message inviting them to access and display that online site FIG 11 is a flowchart showing an implementation of the invention A User logs in to a Logan System in conventional fashion Step 200 The Logon System performs normal logon procedures e g requesting a user ID and or a pass word and notifies the Buddy List System about the User i e passes the User s ID address or screen name to the Buddy List System Step 202 The Buddy List System accesses that User s Buddy Lists from a databa
5. 013 Office Action Appl No 13 720 250 Aug 1 2013 Office Action Appl No 13 720 250 Sep 16 2013 Notice of Allowance Appl No 13 720 528 Sep 12 2013 Office Action Appl No 13 720 528 Oct 28 2013 Notice of Allowance Appl No 13 720 295 Oct 4 2013 Office Action Appl No 13 720 295 Dec 23 2013 Notice of Allowance COUCU eee OCO Ge iC Greece ANRNNNANANANANHAUNNY cited by examiner U S Patent Jun 24 2014 Sheet 1 of 7 US 8 762 855 B2 LOGON SYSTEM BUDDY LIST SYSTEM FIG 1 U S Patent Jun 24 2014 Sheet 2 of 7 US 8 762 855 B2 30 32 Buddy List Work Lisi Screen Name Address _ __Log Status casi John Smith ae i FIG 2a 34 Exclusion List Block Status none all except Bob Jones none except 38 gt Inclusion List a FIG 2b aa eae a es U S Patent Jun 24 2014 Sheet 3 of 7 US 8 762 855 B2 40 Buddy Lists LIDO Buddies Online IN John Smith OUT Jane Roe Simone Roe IN amp amp AO Locate IM Setup Buddy Chat Keyword BuddyView FIG 3 My Buddy Lists Buddy List Name Buddies Home List Member Directory Trae Eat Ga ee Preferences Keyword Buddy FIG 4 U S Patent Jun 24 2014 Sheet 4 of 7 US 8 762 855 B2 Create a Buddy List Create a Buddy List STEP 1 Enter a Buddy
6. 7 US 8 762 855 B2 BUDDY LIST SYSTEM BUDDY LIST SYSTEM FETCHES USER S BUDDY LIST I l BUDDY LIST ENTRIES COMPARED TO LOGON 4 SYSTEM RECORDS m m m ee ee ee 210 LOGON SYSTEM NOTIFIES BUDDY LIS SYSTEM ABOUT LOGONS LOGOUTS BUDDY LIST SYSTEM DISPLAYS BUDDY LISTS WITH INDICATOR MARKINGS FIG 11 US 8 762 855 B2 1 USER DEFINABLE ON LINE CO USER LISTS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of Ser No 13 347 277 filed Jan 10 2012 which is a continuation of U S patent application Ser No 12 469 347 filed May 20 2009 now U S Pat No 8 099 667 which is a continuation of U S patent application Ser No 10 866 304 filed Jun 14 2004 now U S Pat No 7 539 942 which is a continuation of U S patent application Ser No 08 803 692 filed Feb 24 1997 now U S Pat No 6 750 881 Each of the aforementioned applications and patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety BACKGROUND 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to on line communication networks and particularly to interpersonal communications on such networks 2 Description of Related Art An important aspect of an online system such as the proprietary system operated by America Online Inc AOL or the public Internet system is knowledge of the people users processes on that system and a methodology for com municating with the
7. List group Buddy List Group Name STEP 2 Enter a screen name and click Add Buddy STEP 3 When finished click Save Enter a Screen Name Buddies on List Add Buddy Remove Buddys FIG 5 Buddy List Preferences Buddy List Preferences Show me my Buddy List s immediately after sign onto AOL Play sound when buddies sign on Play sound when Buddies sign off Allow all members to add me to their list invitations Block all members from adding me to their lists invitations Allow only the members below Sound Library i i Separate screen names with a comma Example name name 2 name 3 O Block only the members below FIG 6 U S Patent Jun 24 2014 Sheet 5 of 7 US 8 762 855 B2 Search Member Directory Member Directory Create or Modify Your Profile Quick Search Advanced Searc Search entire for the Optional Fields Member Name Location city state Help amp Info C Return only members online FIG 7 Locate Member Online Enter the member s screen name to find out what area of the service he or she is currently using U S Patent Jun 24 2014 Sheet 6 of 7 US 8 762 855 B2 Send Instant Message Screen Names to Invite Message To Send Cet You are invited to Location Ci nia chat Private Chat Room Keyword Favorite Place U S Patent USER LOGON SYSTEM LOGON SYSTEM NOTIFIES BUDDY SYSTEM ABOUT USER Jun 24 2014 Sheet 7 of
8. TIFIES BUDDY SYSTEM ABOUT 14 Claims 7 Drawing Sheets BUDDY LIST SYSTEM BUDDY LIST SYSTEM FETCHES USER S BUDDY LIST i i BUDDY LIST ENTRIES i COMPARED TO LOGONI SYSTEM RECORDS f LOGON SYSTEM SYSTEM ABOUT NOTIFIES BUDDY LIS LOGONS LOGOUTS 210 BUDDY LIST SYSTEM DISPLAYS BUDDY LISTS WITH INDICATOR MARKINGS US 8 762 855 B2 Page 2 56 References Cited U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 5 245 656 A 9 1993 Loeb et al 5 276 736 A 1 1994 Chaum 5 327 486 A 7 1994 Wolff et al 5 347 306 A 9 1994 Nitta 5 471 525 A 11 1995 Domoto et al 5 483 586 A 1 1996 Sussman 5 506 891 A 4 1996 Brown 5 533 110 A 7 1996 Pinardet al 5 557 659 A 9 1996 Hyde Thomson 5 568 540 A 10 1996 Greco et al 5 583 920 A 12 1996 Wheeler Jr 5 588 107 A 12 1996 Bowden et al 5 592 534 A 1 1997 Ito 5 608 786 A 3 1997 Gordon 5 610 910 A 3 1997 Focsaneanu et al 5 644 657 A 7 1997 Capps et al 5 652 789 A 7 1997 Miner et al 5 689 662 A 11 1997 Nakajima et al 5 726 984 A 3 1998 Kubler et al 5 742 905 A 4 1998 Pepe et al 5 752 025 A 5 1998 Shakib et al 5 774 668 A 6 1998 Choquier et al 5 790 548 A 8 1998 Sistanizadeh et al 5 793 365 A 8 1998 Tangetal 715 758 5 796 395 A 8 1998 de Hond 5 805 164 A 9 1998 Blum et al 5 812 773 A 9 1998 Norin 5 835 087 A 11 1998 Herz et al 5 862 203 A 1 1999 Wulkan et al 5 864 874 A 1 1999 Shapiro 5 880 731 A 3 1999 Liles et al 5 892 764 A 4 1999 Riema
9. US008762855B2 az United States Patent 10 Patent No US 8 762 855 B2 Appelman 45 Date of Patent Jun 24 2014 54 USER DEFINABLE ON LINE CO USER LISTS 56 References Cited 71 Applicant Facebook Inc Menlo Park CA US U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 72 Inventor Barry Appelman Great Falls VA US PEAN 3 1987 Hayden 73 Assignee Facebook Inc Menlo Park CA US 5 136 501 A 8 1992 Silverman et al Notice Subject to any disclaimer the term of this Continued patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U S C 154 b by 0 days FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS This patent is subject to a terminal dis Wo WO 97 14234 4 1997 claimer WO WO 97 46955 12 1997 21 Appl No 13 719 071 OTHER PUBLICATIONS 22 Filed Dec 18 2012 Hey Baby Call Me at My IP Address Peter Wayner BY TE Maga zine Apr 1996 65 Prior Publication Data F Continued US 2013 0110933 A1 May 2 2013 o Primary Examiner Kevin Nguyen Related U S Application Data 74 Attorney Agent or Firm Keller Jolley Preece 63 Continuation of application No 13 347 277 filed on Jan 10 2012 which is a continuation of application 57 ABSTRACT No 12 469 347 filed on May 20 2009 now Pat No A real time notification system that tracks for each user the 8 099 667 which is a continuation of application No logon status of selected co users of an on line or network 10 866 304 filed on Jun 14 2004 now Pat No system and displays that information in real ti
10. code is equivalent to none then no co user may enter that user into the co user s buddy lists Ifa user s Block Status code is equivalent to all then all co users may enter that user into their buddy lists If a user s Block Status code is equivalent to all except then all co users except those entered in a linked Exclusion List 36 may enter that user into their buddy lists If a user s Block Status code is equivalent to none except then only co users entered in a linked Inclusion List 38 may enter that user into 0 n 5 40 45 50 65 4 the co user s buddy lists In one embodiment a user may only have one of an inclusion List 36 and an Exclusion List 48 Example Implementation FIG 3 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a Buddy List window 40 with a buddy list named Home List in a large scrollable area Buddy list names are like categories Other buddy lists can be shown in the same display Indented underneath each buddy list are the names or addresses of user selected co users comprising that list In the example shown the Home List includes three co users and their status as IN i e currently logged into the system or OUT i e currently logged out of the system Any desired method or technique cart be used to indicate log status such as distinct attributes e g bolding a name to indicate logged in graying a name to
11. ernet 3 D Graphical MUD Game Netscape Navigator Sep 17 1996 Hunt 3DO Reports Profitable Second Quarter Results Revenues Up to 26 8 Million Installing Cornell CU SeeMe version 1 0a http hoople_ny tripod com cornell htm May 29 2003 Internet Archive Only on AOL Interactivity http web archive org web 1996 1220 155908 http www aol com only interactivity html Oct 1996 Invalidity Contention U S District Court Northern District of Cali fornia Oakland Division Civil Case No 4 12 cv 04230 PJH Feb 15 2013 23 pages Invalidity Contention U S District Court Northern District of Cali fornia Oakland Division Civil Case No 4 12 cv 04230 PJH Feb 15 2013 Exhibit A 1 405 pages Invalidity Contention U S District Court Northern District of Cali fornia Oakland Division Civil Case No 4 12 cv 04230 PJH Feb 15 2013 Exhibit A 2 417 pages Invalidity Contention U S District Court Northern District of Cali fornia Oakland Division Civil Case No 4 12 cv 04230 PJH Feb 15 2013 Exhibit A 3 441 pages Invalidity Contention U S District Court Northern District of Cali fornia Oakland Division Civil Case No 4 12 cv 04230 PJH Feb 15 2013 Exhibit A 4 427 pages Invalidity Contention U S District Court Northern District of Cali fornia Oakland Division Civil Case No 4 12 cv 04230 PJH Feb 15 2013 Exhibit A 5 435 pages Invalidity Contention U S District Court Northern District of Cal
12. f presence The Wall Street Journal Mar 23 2001 AOL 1996 Annual Report Arndt PowWow Voice Chat with a Difference SIXTEEN BITS Jan 1997 Beckley et al Eudora Version 3 0 for Windows User Manual Oct 1996 C Anthony DellaFera et al the Zephyr Notification Service pp 1 9 Carla J Fermann Distributed Consulting in a Distributed Environ ment ACM SIGUCCS XVIII 1990 pp 117 120 Cotton Kali95 Help Files 1996 CUSeeMe Activity http web cortland edu flteach methods obj2 cueeme2 html retrieved Mar 18 2013 Dorcey CU SeeMe Desktop VideoConferencing Software 1995 Dourish et al Awareness and Coordination in Shared Workspaces 1992 Earll M Murman et al Perspectives on Project Athena ACM SIGUCCS SVIII 1990 pp 287 296 Edward Baig How to Practice Safe Surfing Business Week Sep 9 1996 p 120 Finding Several Users Jul 14 1994 online retrieved on Jan 27 2003 Retrieved from the Internet URL http consult cern ch writeuphephyr subsectionstar2_2_3_2 html Gajewska et al Argohalls Adding Support for Group Awareness to the Argo Telecollaboration System 1995 Gedney et al Eudora for Macintosh Version 3 0 User Manual 1996 Goldfinger et al ICQ Help Files Nov 1996 Greenberg It should have been my idea 31 3 Computerworld Jan 20 1997 Hunt 3DO Delivers First Entertainment Product for the Internet Meridian 59 Is World s First Int
13. f such system 2 The method of claim 1 wherein the step of comparing is performed by the logon system 3 The method of claim 1 wherein the user s identification list is stored at least in part on the user s station 4 The method of claim 1 wherein steps b c and d are initially performed when the user logs on to the system 5 The method of claim 1 further including the step of permitting the user to selectively block which co users can add the user to identification lists for such co users 6 The method of claim 5 wherein the user s block selec tions are stored in a permissions list and the user s permis sions list is stored at least in part on the user s station 7 The method of claim 1 further including the step of permitting the user to transmit a communication to at least one co user on the user s identification list having a logged on status 8 A computer program residing on a computer readable medium for permitting a user of an electronic network sys tem to track the logon status of selected co users of such system and comprising instructions for causing a computer to a associate an identification list of selected co users with the user b access the user s identification list c compare the selected co users on user s identification list to logon records for such selected co users main tained by a logon system d indicate to the user the logon status of the selected co users
14. i fornia Oakland Division Civil Case No 4 12 cv 04230 PJH Feb 15 2013 Exhibit A 6 417 pages Keizer Gregg Comprehensive Collaboration Comes Cheap CNET Reviews NetMeeting 1 0 Beta 1 Jul 16 1996 http www cnet com pp 1 2 Kirmse History of Meridian 59 1994 2000 http www meridian59 com about early history php May 2000 Kohler Xzewd Help http web mit edu outland share lib xzewd help Kohler Xzewd Manual Pages Nov 21 1992 Loevstrand Being Selectively Aware with the Khronika System 1991 Mardam Bey mIRC v3 92 Help Files 1996 Mark Moridian Internet Online Services Communication Interac tive Content v2 p 7 Oct 1996 O Hara Meridian 59 User s Guide Jan 27 1997 Patterson Notification Servers for Synchronous Groupware 1996 Robert S French et al The Zephyr Programmer s Manual Protocol Version ZEPHO 2 Apr 5 1989 pp 1 82 Root Design of a Multi Media Vehicle for Social Browsing 1988 US 8 762 855 B2 Page 3 56 References Cited OTHER PUBLICATIONS Schmeidler Xzul Manual Pages Sep 1 1996 Sellers ANNOUNCE FREE 3D Graphical MUD Available 1 15 Article lt 4adch9 3b4 kellyteleport com gt 1 1 in Usenet newsgroup rec games rpg Dec 9 1995 Sohlenkamp et al Integrating Communication Cooperation and Awareness The DIVA Virtual Office Enviroment 1994 Xhtalk 2 9 Specification Klaus Hartenstein Nov 92 Zephyr A
15. ing removal of an US 8 762 855 B2 5 existing buddy After entry of all necessary data in such a window the user s Group Name table 30 and the appropriate Buddy List table 32 are updated using conventional data processing techniques Editing a buddy list can be done from the same or a similar window FIG 6 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a Buddy List Preferences window 70 In the preferred embodiment these Preferences include the fol lowing Show me my Buddy List s immediately after I sign onto AOL This option opens the Buddy List window 40 FIG 3 when the user logs on to the system Play sound when buddies sign on This option enables a sound to play when one of the co users on a user s buddy list program logs on BuddyIn Play sound when buddies sign off This option enables a sound to play when one of the co users on a user s buddy list program logs off BuddyOut Allow all members to add me to their lists invitations This option grants permission for all co users to add the user to their buddy lists and send the user Buddy Chat Invi tations and other information If set the appropriate user record in the Permissions List table 34 is marked with a code for all in the Block Status field Block all members from adding me to their lists invita tions This option restricts all co users from adding the user to their buddy lists and from sending the user
16. ing volatile and non volatile memory and or storage elements at least one input device and at least one output device Program code is applied to input data to perform the functions described herein and generate output information The output informa tion is applied to one or more output devices in known fashion Each program is preferably implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming language to com municate with a computer system However the programs can be implemented in assembly or machine language if desired In any case the language may be a compiled or interpreted language Each such computer program is preferably stored on a storage media or device e g ROM or magnetic diskette readable by a general or special purpose programmable com puter for configuring and operating the computer when the storage media or device is read by the computer to perform the procedures described herein The inventive system may also be considered to be implemented as a computer readable storage medium configured with a computer program where the storage medium so configured causes a computer to oper ate in a specific and predefined manner to perform the func tions described herein A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described Nevertheless it will be understood that vari ous modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention For example while the prefer
17. ist System 26 maintains a database 28 for storing user information The database 28 may be of any type such as relational or hierarchical and may be centralized or distrib uted For example the database 28 may be stored at least in part on each user s own station 12 In such a case the database 28 contents would be transmitted to the Buddy List System 26 when the user logged into the system Data Structure FIG 2a is a set of symbolic data records showing the basic types of data used by the Buddy List System 26 and the conceptual relationship of data elements A Group Name table 30 stores user defined group names for buddy lists Each user may define multiple buddy lists by group names two being shown by way of example Each group name in the Group Name table 30 has an associated Buddy List table 32 comprising multiple records Each Buddy List table 32 record corresponds to a co user buddy that the user wishes to track In the preferred embodiment the record includes data elements for the screen name or address such as an Internet address of a particular co user to be tracked and the logon status of that user e g codes for In or Out FIG 2b is a set of symbolic data records showing the basic types of data used by one embodiment of the invention for a Permissions List 34 and the conceptual relationship of data elements Each user in the system has an associated Block Status code If a user s Block Status
18. m through some selected protocol When a person logs on to a network system they are in effect identifying themselves to the system and announcing their presence On most systems this presence is unique to every user who is on the system For example on the AOL network this presence is known as the screen name but on other systems it could be an Internet Protocol IP address or some other unique identifier An Internet Service Provider ISP is in a sense an online system because every user has an associated IP network address and may also have a user id and password There can also be a hierarchy of logon systems where an ISP is used to connect to a first network and then once connected the user can log on to another system with a different identity These secondary systems can be in parallel i e a user connects to an ISP and then logs on to multiple systems or a combina tionofparallel and hierarchical i e auser logs on to multiple systems in parallel once connected to the ISP and then from one of those parallel systems logs on to yet other systems Thousands to millions of users may be accessing such com plex networks at any point in time A problem with networks on any size is tracking personal relationships and maintaining knowledge of the people users processes on that system In the AOL network a user could use a LOCATE function to inquire from the system if another user was currently logged into the system I
19. me to the track 7 539 942 which is a continuation of application No ing user in a unique graphical interface The invention pro 08 803 692 filed on Feb 24 1997 now Pat No vides user definable on line co user lists or buddy lists that 6 750 881 track specific co users in real time automatically A user can create many separate buddy lists of co users either with 51 Int Cl intersecting or disjoint lists of users and label these buddy GO6F 13 00 2006 01 lists according to the user s preference The user can update a GO6F 15 00 2006 01 buddy list or create new buddy lists whenever necessary HOAL 12 58 2006 01 When a user logs on to a system the user s set of buddy lists 52 U S CI is presented to the buddy list system The buddy list system CPC sessesssserseees HOAL 51 10 2013 01 HO4L 51 04 attempts to match co users currently logged into the system 2013 01 with the entries on the user s buddy list Any matches are USPE stre ahi 715 733 715 853 displayed to the user As co users logon and logoff a user s 58 Field of Classification Search buddy list is updated to reflect these changes An indication CPC sc ivan HO4L 51 10 HO4L 51 04 can also be added to show that a co user just logged on or just USPC cosce 715 733 853 758 750 743 736 737 left the system 715 751 753 749 744 765 See application file for complete search history USER LOGON SYSTEM USER LOGS ON USER 206 LOGON SYSTEM NO
20. mplementation of the invention showing an Instant Message window 100 In the preferred embodiment the Instant Message window is automatically displayed by activating e g by clicking or double clicking aco user s name ona buddy list The To line of the window is pre filled with the selected co user s name and the cursor is positioned in the text entry area ready for text to be typed to be sent to the targeted co user The Instant Message function can also be activated by highlighting a co user name in the buddy list and clicking on the IM button in the Buddy List window 40 FIG 3 Buddy Chat FIG 10 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a Buddy Chat window 110 As imple mented on the AOL on line system the Buddy Chat function can be used to send an invitation to one or more co users to a private chat room or a favorite place in the system In the preferred embodiment this function can be initiated by selecting a co user name and activating the BUDDY CHAT button in the Buddy List window 40 FIG 3 The Buddy Chat window 110 is displayed allowing the user to add additional names to the Screen Names to Invite field either manually or by selecting additional names from the Buddy List window 40 and again activating the BUDDY CHAT button A mes sage can be sent to each invitee via the Message to Rend field In the preferred embodiment an entire buddy list group can be added to the Buddy Chat
21. n the CompuServe network a user can use a more limited WHO S HERE function to determine who is present in a forum conference The present invention addresses the problem of tracking personal relationships and maintaining knowledge of the people users processes on that system with a unique way of establishing and maintaining user definable on line co user lists SUMMARY The invention implements a real time notification system that tracks for each user the logon status of selected co users ofan on line or network system and displays that information in real time to the tracking user in a unique graphical inter 20 25 35 40 45 55 60 2 face The invention provides user definable on line co user lists or buddy lists that track specific co users in real time automatically A user can create many separate buddy lists of co users either with intersecting or disjoint lists of users and label these buddy lists according to the user s preference The user can update a buddy list or create new buddy lists whenever necessary When a user logs on to a system the user s set of buddy lists is presented to the buddy list system The buddy list system attempts to match co users currently logged into the system with the entries on the user s buddy list Any matches are displayed to the user As co users logon and logoff a user s buddy list is updated to reflect these changes An indication can also be added
22. nn et al 5 892 856 A 4 1999 Cooper et al 5 956 485 A 9 1999 Perlman 5 960 173 A 9 1999 Tangetal 709 201 5 978 672 A 11 1999 Hartmaier et al 6 052 372 A 4 2000 Gittins et al 6 104 711 A 8 2000 Voit 6 108 704 A 8 2000 Hutton et al 6 144 848 A 11 2000 Walsh et al 6 389 127 Bl 5 2002 Vardi et al 6 448 978 BI 9 2002 Salvador et al 6 449 344 BI 9 2002 Goldfinger et al 6 677 968 BI 1 2004 Appelman 6 750 881 B1 6 2004 Appelman 7 454 709 B1 11 2008 Appelman 7 539 942 B1 5 2009 Appelman 8 099 667 B1 1 2012 Appelman 8 584 017 B2 11 2013 Appelman 8 584 018 B2 2013 0091434 Al 2013 0091438 A1 2013 0110858 A1 2013 0111608 A1 2013 0117690 Al 11 2013 Appelman 4 2013 Appelman 4 2013 Appelman 5 2013 Appelman 5 2013 Appelman 5 2013 Appelman OTHER PUBLICATIONS Sharon Belville et al Zephyr at CERN Jul 15 1993 online retrieved on Jan 27 2003 Retrieved from the Internet URL http consult cern ch writeup zephyr main html Dial 1 800 Internet Nathan Muller BYTE Magazine Feb 1996 Tomorrow s TV Today Netwatch Time Magazine Oct 10 1994 Abbe Cohen et al Inessential Zephyr online retrieved on Jan 28 2003 Retrieved from the Internet URL http www mit edu afs sipb project dochzephyr html izephyr html Ackerman et al Social Activity Indicators Interface Components for CSCW Systems Nov 1995 Angwin Talk is cheap buddy lists spark race to harness the power o
23. nswers online retrieved on Jan 27 2003 Retrieved from the Internet Url http web mit edu answers zephyr Zephyr on Athena AC 34 Draft online retrieved on Jan 27 2003 Retrieved from the Internet URL http web mit edu olh zephyr TOC html Zephyr 1 Manual Page Jul 1 1988 online retrieved on Jan 27 2003 Retrieved from the Internet URL http www tru64unix compaq com demos ossc v5 la man htm zephyr man htm U S Appl No 10 866 304 Mar 30 2007 Office Action U S Appl No 10 866 304 Dec 27 2007 Office Action U S Appl No 10 866 304 Jul 21 2008 Office Action U S Appl No 10 866 304 Jan 14 2009 Notice of Allowance S Appl No 10 703 663 Jun 20 2007 Office Action S Appl No 10 703 663 Dec 27 2007 Office Action S Appl No 10 703 663 Apr 25 2008 Notice of Allowance S Appl No 10 703 663 Oct 16 2008 Supplemental Notice of llowability S Appl No 12 469 347 Apr 11 2011 Office Action Appl No 12 469 347 Sep 13 2011 Notice of Allowance Appl No 13 347 277 Jul 5 2012 Office Action Appl No 13 347 277 Nov 28 2012 Office Action Appl No 13 347 277 Jul 5 2013 Office Action Appl No 13 347 277 Sep 18 2013 Notice of Allowance Appl No 13 615 148 Mar 5 2013 Office Action Appl No 13 615 148 Sep 24 2013 Notice of Allowance Appl No 13 615 148 Oct 16 2013 Notice of Allowance Appl No 13 615 157 Jul 17 2
24. on the user s identification list according to such logon records and e repeat functions c and d under any of the following conditions 1 periodically or 2 after any change in the logon status of co users of the system or 3 after any change in the logon status of the selected co users on the user s identification list thereby tracking the logon status of selected co users of such system 9 The computer program of claim 8 wherein the compare is performed by the logon system 10 The computer program of claim 8 wherein the user s identification list is stored at least in part on the user s station 11 The computer program of claim 8 wherein functions b c and d are initially performed when the user logs on to the system 12 The computer program of claim 8 wherein the instruc tions further cause the computer to permit the user to selec tively block which co users can add the user to identification lists for such co users US 8 762 855 B2 9 13 The computer program of claim 12 wherein the user s block selections are stored in a permissions list and the users permissions list is stored at least in part on the user s station 14 The computer program of claim 8 wherein the instruc tions further cause the computer to permit the user to transmit 5 a communication to at least one co user on the user s identi fication list having a logged on status 10
25. pen while visiting other areas of the system If the Buddy List window 40 is left open the user has a current real time list of all the user s buddies in who are online at any particular moment The illustrated Buddy List window 40 shows a number of buttons for setting up or using buddy lists Included buttons in the preferred embodiment are LOCATE for determining which chat room a buddy is in at a particular moment IM for sending an Instant Message SETUP for creating and editing buddy lists or setting buddy list preferences and BUDDY CHAT for inviting buddies to a private chat or a favorite place in the system Setup FIG 4 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a Buddy List Setup window 50 with a buddy list named Home List in a scrollable area Buttons are provided for creating a new buddy list editing a selected buddy list deleting a buddy list viewing the members of a selected buddy list accessing a Member Directory for the system and accessing a preferences windows In the pre ferred embodiment each buddy list is shown in the scrollable area with a count of the number of co users in each list FIG 5 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a Buddy List Create window 60 A user can enter a buddy list group name and a screen name for each co user to be tracked A list of buddies on a particular list are also displayed along with a button allow
26. red embodiment is event driven meaning that updates to a buddy list are based on to change in the logon status of all co users or of the selected co users on a user s buddy list updates can instead be performed on a periodic basis where the buddy list system polls the logon system for logon status changes or vice versa Accordingly it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrated embodiment but only by the scope of the appended claims What is claimed is 1 A method for permitting a user of an electronic network system to track the logon status of selected co users of such system comprising the steps of a associating an identification list of selected co users with the user b accessing the user s identification list 5 20 25 30 40 45 50 55 60 65 8 c comparing the selected co users on user s identification list to logon records for such selected co users main tained by a logon system d indicating to the user the logon status of the selected co users on the user s identification list according to such logon records and e repeating steps c and d under any of the following conditions 1 periodically or 2 after any change in the logon status of co users of the system or 3 after any change in the logon status of the selected co users on the user s identification list thereby tracking the logon status of selected co users o
27. se which may be for example on the user s station 12 Step 204 The entries in the US 8 762 855 B2 7 User s Buddy Lists are then compared to the records of the Logan System Step 206 This step is shown in dotted outline to indicate that the comparison can be done by passing records from the Logon System to the Buddy List System or vice versa or could be done a separate system The Buddy List System then displays a Buddy List window showing the status i e logged in or not of the co users on the User s Buddy Lists with any of various indicator markings Step 208 Thereafter while the User s Buddy List window is open the Logon System notifies the Buddy List System about new logons logoffs of co users Step 210 causing a new compare of the User s Buddy List entries to the Logon System records Step 206 Again the compare may be performed anywhere For example the Logon System may maintain a copy of a User s Buddy Lists and notify the Buddy List System only upon a logon status change for a co user on the User s Buddy Lists The Buddy List System then updates the indicated status of the displayed co users Step 208 Software Implementation The invention may be implemented in hardware or soft ware or a combination of both However preferably the invention is implemented in computer programs executing on programmable computers each comprising at least one pro cessor at least one data storage system includ
28. ser can be placed on the buddy list of a co user if the user blocks visibility through the use ofthese controls the co user does not see the logon logoff status of that user FIG 7 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a Search Member Directory window 80 Inthe preferred embodiment this feature is accessed from the Buddy List Setup window 50 FIG 4 and allows searching a system directory in known fashion for screen names or addresses of co users for entry into buddy lists Locate FIG 8 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a member location window 90 In the 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 6 preferred embodiment this feature is accessed from the Buddy List window 40 FIG 3 Selecting a co user s name from a buddy list and activating the LOCATE button will cause the system to determine whether the selected co user is ina chat area or not If no co user is selected and the LOCATE button is activated amember location window 90 is displayed with the input field blank for entry of a co user name This feature using the existing locate functions of the system Instant Messages Once a co user is displayed on a user s buddy list indicat ing that the co user is currently logged into the network system the preferred embodiment of the invention enables a simple way of communicating with that co user FIG 9 is a graphical display of one i
29. ser logs on to a system the user s set of buddy lists is presented to the buddy list system The buddy list system attempts to match co users currently logged into the system with the entries on the user s buddy list Any matches are displayed to the user As co users logon and logoff a user s buddy list is updated in real time or near real time taking into account network and processing delays to reflect these changes An indication can also be added to show that a co user just logged on or just left the system Hardware System By way of example only FIG 1 is a block diagram of a typical network system 10 in which the invention can be implemented The network system 10 includes a plurality of user stations 12 that preferably include a processor chassis 14 having a network link The network link is for receiving and transmitting data in analog or digital form over a communi cations link 16 such as a serial link local area network wireless link parallel link etc Also coupled to a typical processor chassis 14 is a display 18 a keyboard 20 and a pointing device 22 e g a mouse The communications link 16 couples each user station 12 as a client to a logon system 24 which is typically a soft ware program executing on a remote server somewhere on a network The logon system 24 communicates with a Buddy List System 26 which is preferably a software program executing on a server somewhere on the network The Buddy L
30. window FIG 9 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing an instant message window FIG 10 is a graphical display of one implementation of the invention showing a buddy chat window FIG 11 is a flowchart showing an implementation of the invention Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements DETAILED DESCRIPTION Throughout this description the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars rather than as limitations on the present invention Overview The invention implements a real time notification system that tracks for each user the logon status of selected co users and displays that information in real time to the tracking user in a unique graphical interface The invention provides user definable on line co user lists or buddy lists that track specific co users in real time automatically Such automatic monitoring is significant because in a system of any size US 8 762 855 B2 3 there would be no way for a user to track the comings and goings of thousands or millions ofusers each moment in time An important component of the buddy list system is that a user can create many separate buddy lists of co users either with intersecting or disjoint lists of co users and label these buddy lists according to the user s preference The user can update a buddy list or create new buddy lists whenever nec essary When a u
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