User definable on-line co-user lists
A real time notification system that tracks, for each user, the logon status of selected co-users of an on-line or network system 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. 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 to show that a co-user just logged on or just left the system.
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;
(c) comparing the selected co-users on user's identification list to logon records for such selected co-users maintained 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 of 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 selections are stored in a permissions list, and the user's permissions 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 system 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 maintained by a logon system;
(d) indicate to the user the logon status of the selected co-users 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 instructions further cause the computer to permit the user to selectively block which co-users can add the user to identification lists for such co-users.
13. The computer program of claim 12 , wherein the user's block selections are stored in a permissions list, and the user's permissions list is stored at least in part on the user's station.
14. The computer program of claim 8 , wherein the instructions further cause the computer to permit the user to transmit a communication to at least one co-user on the user's identification list having a logged on status.