Abstract: An instant messaging (IM) system and a method for communicating instant messages between an IM server 11 and a remote communication network utilising a sequential message handshaking protocol across a computer network that is prone to latency and instability. The remote communication network is a GSM network 16 having “Short Message Service” (SMS) for subscribers with mobile GSM devices 18 linked to a “Short Message Server Center” (SMSC) for sending and receiving instant messages remotely of the GSM network 16 and as part of the IM system. The SMSC is provided with an SMSC server 15 connected by a highly stable link 19 with low latency to an SMSC buffer server 14 forming part of the computer network. The SMSC buffer server 14 is connected to the IM server 11 via the internet 13 to complete the computer network.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user of an instant messaging system. The IM system comprises a plurality of clients (111) having IM applications of the same or different types, selectively interconnected to an IM server (113) by way of the internet (117). The system includes a registration handler (119) for receiving a client specific access address (johnsmith@company.com) of a prospective user (127) on the internet (117) together with a request (115) to register or tentatively register the prospective user (127). A unique identifier assigner is provided to automatically allocate a unique numeric identifier (UIN) to the prospective user (127) and match the UIN to the client specific address (johnsmith@company.com) of the prospective user.

Abstract: An instant messaging system and a method of instant messaging between a plurality of clients having IM applications of the same or different types. The IM system includes a plurality of clients having IM client applications of the following types: a PC-based instant messaging client application program (101, 301); a GSM device (104, 303) forming part of a GSM network; an internet browser-based client application 201, 305; and an email-based client application (208, 307). An IM system host (141, 211, 316) including an IM server (143, 217, 311) is selectively connected to each of the clients via the direct electronic links or the internet (117, 213, 309) and provides a prescribed range of functionality to the clients. This functionality includes sending an IM, receiving an IM and identifying which members of a group of clients that a client is a member, or prospective member, of are online.

Abstract: A system and a method for establishing or specifying the online status of a user forming part of an instant messaging system. The IM system includes clients having IM client applications, an IM server, and a user information database that is selectively connected to the clients via the internet. The user database stores an activity status for each user's activity with the IM server system. The activity status includes: (i) a time variable signifying the time of or time since the last prescribed involvement with the IM server; and (ii) a probability variable signifying the likelihood of the user still being online. Monitoring means is provided to continuously monitor user activity with said IM server and to continuously update the activity status of users stored on the database. Checking means is also provided to check the activity status of each user stored on the database and adjust said probability variable.

Abstract: A system and a method for establishing or specifying the online status of a user forming part of an instant messaging system. The IM system (11) includes a plurality of clients having IM client applications of the same or different types, including: a PC-based instant messaging client application program (101); a GSM device (102) forming part of a GSM network: an internet browser based client application (103); and an email-based client application (104). An IM system server (13) including an IM server (111) and a user information database (112) is selectively connected to each of the clients via the internet (113). The user database (112) stores an activity status for each user of the IM system (11) in relation to its activity with the IM server system (13). The activity status includes: (i) a time variable signifying the time of or time since the last prescribed involvement of the user with the IM server; and (ii) a probability variable signifying the likelihood of the user still being online.

Abstract: An instant messaging (IM) system and a method for communicating instant messages between an IM server 11 and a remote communication network utilising a sequential message handshaking protocol across a computer network that is prone to latency and instability. The remote communication network is a GSM network 16 having “Short Message Service” (SMS) for subscribers with mobile GSM devices 18 linked to a “Short Message Server Center” (SMSC) for sending and receiving instant messages remotely of the GSM network 16 and as part of the IM system. The SMSC is provided with an SMSC server 15 connected by a highly stable link 19 with low latency to an SMSC buffer server 14 forming part of the computer network. The SMSC buffer server 14 is connected to the IM server 11 via the internet 13 to complete the computer network.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user of an instant messaging system. The IM system comprises a plurality of clients (111) having IM applications of the same or different types, selectively interconnected to an IM server (113) by way of the internet (117). The system includes a registration handler (119) for receiving a client specific access address (johnsmith@company.com) of a prospective user (127) on the internet (117) together with a request (115) to register or tentatively register the prospective user (127). A unique identifier assigner is provided to automatically allocate a unique numeric identifier (UIN) to the prospective user (127) and match the UIN to the client specific address (johnsmith@company.com) of the prospective user.

Abstract: An instant messaging system and a method of instant messaging between a plurality of clients having IM applications of the same or different types. The IM system includes a plurality of clients having IM client applications of the following types: a PC-based instant messaging client application program (101, 301); a GSM device (104, 303) forming part of a GSM network; an internet browser-based client application 201, 305; and an email-based client application (208, 307). An IM system host (141, 211, 316) including an IM server (143, 217, 311) is selectively connected to each of the clients via the direct electronic links or the internet (117, 213, 309) and provides a prescribed range of functionality to the clients. This functionality includes sending an IM, receiving an IM and identifying which members of a group of clients that a client is a member, or prospective member, of are online.