Carol Lolley Harris

US Patent:

8370432, Feb 5, 2013

Filed:

Dec 2, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/293035

Inventors:

Charles J. Digate - Winchester MA, US
Christopher F. Herot - Newton Highlands MA, US
Tonytip Ketudat - Lexington MA, US
Alexis M. Kopikis - Brighton MA, US
Carol A. Harris - Concord MA, US
Mark J. Waks - Burlington MA, US
Rajeev Tipnis - Needham MA, US

Assignee:

Devereux Research AB LLC - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709204, 709218, 709206, 709227, 455466, 370401

Abstract:

A real-time messaging system and method for a plurality of users that obviates the need to install specialized, dedicated software on user computers, and renders the need to become a subscriber of the system unnecessary. The real-time messaging system is a rules-based system that applies a set of rules and user attributes to the availability status of the users to facilitate effective real-time communications between the users. The system allows each user to indicate his or her on-line presence via a hyperlink embedded in and displayable on a web page, an e-mail message, or other hyperlink-supporting document. Each hyperlink is associated with a URL that points to a document such as a web page configured to initiate an on-line meeting or teleconference. A user who wishes to participate in an on-line meeting or teleconference selects a hyperlink corresponding to a particular user or user group, thereby initiating the desired on-line meeting or teleconference.