Antti S Hietala

US Patent:

20080040437, Feb 14, 2008

Filed:

Aug 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/833364

Inventors:

Mayank Agarwal - Ashland MA, US
Patrick J. Cody - Wilmington MA, US
Antti Hietala - Charlestown MA, US

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709206

Abstract:

A mobile social networking platform integrates SMS (text messaging) services with Instant Messaging services so that cross-platform messages can be sent, e.g., text-to-IM and IM-to-text. In response to a text message sent by a user, an integration server prompts a corresponding IM message to be sent to the recipient. In one embodiment the integration server prompts transmission of the IM by logging into the user's IM account or accounts. An instant message corresponding to the text message is then sent to the recipient designated by the user via the user's IM account. After prompting transmission of the instant messages by the associated service, the integration server logs-off from the user's IM account or accounts. In an alternative embodiment the integration server itself generates the IM. In order to send an IM to text message a user logs onto an IM client, selects the integration server from a buddy list, composes the message for a particular group, then sends the message to the integration server. The integration server receives message and, based on the message content and the sender, the integration server identifies at least one of the user's ‘groups’ to which the message is to be sent. The group may comprise all subscribers of a group via IM, text and/or email. If a designated recipient is logged-in to the integration server via mobile phone, a corresponding text message is delivered to that mobile phone.