HK1095468B - Method and system for messaging across cellular networks and a public data network - Google Patents

Description

Method and system for transmitting messages between a cellular network and a public data network

The application is a divisional application with the application number of 01809113.X, the application date of 2001, 3 and 6, and the name of the invention being 'method and system for sending messages between a cellular network and a public data network'.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the transmission and reception of non-verbal messages between a cellular network and a public or private data network, and more particularly to a method and system for messaging between a cellular network and a public data network.

Background

Worldwide, thousands of users are using software that can inform friends, family, and colleagues when they are online for real-time message exchange. A commonly used term for such real-time exchange is instant messaging. Instant messaging is inexpensive, most vendors dispense the product, others charge a normal registration fee. It is also powerful, allowing a user to communicate in one window while, for example, browsing a file in another window. Staff members in different locations can establish important conversations, publish views and collude with each other. It provides quick and direct collaboration, with little to buy what and much to build.

The best known Instant system is the American Online Instant Messenger (AIM), originally designed as a feature of AOL's paid services. AIM is a software that anyone with an Internet connection can download, regardless of whether they are AOL members or not. After registering a screen name, the user may maintain a list of AOL members and other AIM users, and be notified whenever one of those in the list comes online. When one of the people in the list comes online, the corresponding screen name appears in an AIM interface window on the screen. By clicking on the name appearing in the AIM interface window, the user can then send an instant message and initiate a conversation session. Users may also group their buddies into groups. For example, a lawyer may create separate groups for a peer, a partner, an internal concierge, and an opponent.

Other vendors, such as Yahoo, PeopleLink, mirabils (ICQ), and Activerse, provide similar instant messaging services.

Despite the apparent success of instant messaging systems, it is still limited to users accessing services through computer-based systems that have a hard-wired connection to the Internet. There is a need for the benefits of providing instant messaging, quick confirmation of another online status, and real-time text communication outside of a hardwired Internet system. Especially in a wireless environment, it is advantageous to know whether a user has turned on their cellular phone. It is also advantageous to communicate via text messages, which is significantly less expensive than voice communication, since text message data occupies much less bandwidth or resources than voice data.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a method, system and computer program product for instant messaging in wireless and wired environments. First, a message is sent from a mobile unit device via a wireless communication network. The message includes a destination address, information associated with the user of the mobile unit device, message content and message address. Based on information previously stored in the instant messaging system for the user of the mobile unit device, if the destination address is associated with an instant messaging operation, if requested to be determined by the associated instant messaging operation, the associated instant messaging operation is performed in the instant messaging system using information contained in the message content. If the destination address is associated with an instant message name based on information previously stored in the instant message system for the user of the mobile unit device, an instant message is created based on the message content and sent to the user associated with the instant message name.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, if the instant messaging operation is a registration operation, an instant messaging call is initiated based on pre-stored user profile information and message content. The message content is an instant message name associated with the user of the mobile unit device and a predefined password.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, status information for a user associated with an instant messaging name stored for the user of a mobile unit device in an instant messaging system is determined and transmitted to the user's mobile unit device. The user's mobile unit device then displays the transmitted status information.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, if the instant messaging operation is an exit from the system operation, the instant messaging session associated with the user of the mobile unit device is terminated.

In further accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, if the instant message operation is a delete instant message name operation, the stored instant message is deleted based on the message content. The message content is at least one instant message name.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, if the instant messaging operation is an update instant messaging name operation, status information for the user associated with an instant messaging name stored for the user of a mobile unit device in the instant messaging system is determined and transmitted to the user's mobile unit device. The user's mobile unit device then displays the transmitted status information.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, an instant message name is associated with a destination address in an instant message system. This association is stored in the memory of the instant messaging system based on a registered user of the mobile unit device. An executable address loader is generated based on the stored association and then transmitted over the wireless environment to the registered user's mobile unit device. In the mobile unit device, an executable address loader is executed to enter the associated instant message name and address into memory.

In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, an instant message is processed and thereafter transmitted to a recipient user's mobile unit device via a wireless environment, based on the sender's user information stored in the instant message system, if it is intended for a recipient user logged in via the mobile unit device. The user's mobile unit device displays the instant message sent and the instant message name of the creator of the instant message.

Drawings

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the figure:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the components of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a process for entering an instant message name formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 3-7 are flow diagrams formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are screen shots of an example of a user interface for remotely entering an instant message name;

fig. 10-14 are diagrams of examples of user interfaces implemented on a cellular telephone.

Detailed Description

The present invention is an integrated wireless and traditional instant messaging system and method. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 20 includes an instant message routing system 22 that includes a routing server 24 and a database 26 for storing profiles for each subscriber. Each user profile includes a list of instant message names where each name is assigned an address (telephone number). The routing server 24 communicates with one or more Short Message Service Centers (SMSCs) 32 that communicate with one or more wireless mobile carriers 34. Each wireless mobile carrier 34 supports a subscriber who operates a mobile unit device 36, such as a hand-held cellular telephone, a backpack telephone, or a car phone. The routing server 24 is also connected to a public or private data network 30, such as the Internet. Also connected to the public or private data network 30 is an instant messaging server 40 and one or more conventional systems 42, such as personal computers.

The communication link between the routing server 24 and the short message service center 32 may also be a public or private data network, such as the Internet or a private dedicated line. A protocol exists in the communication link that defines the structure of the information communicated between the routing server 24 and the short message service center 32. Preferably, this link is the Internet on which TCP/IP runs. Running over TCP/IP is another protocol that allows the routing server 24 to confirm the validity of communications to the mobile unit device 36. An example protocol that exists over TCP/IP is the short message peer-to-peer network (SMPP) protocol or the configuration or management program (CDMP) protocol. These protocols provide visibility of the status of messaging to the mobile unit devices 36.

A data bearer protocol defines the structure of data messages communicated between the mobile unit devices 36, the mobile carrier 34 and the short message service center 32. The global system for mobile communications (GSM) environment, which is the predominant digital wireless standard in europe, uses the Short Message Service (SMS) standard data carrying protocol for formatting data for communication between mobile unit devices 36, wireless mobile carriers 34, and short message service centers 32. The SMS protocol describes the format of data sent or received in the system, called SMS packets. In accordance with the present invention, the format of the data message, i.e., SMS packet, sent from the mobile unit device includes the telephone number of the mobile unit device, the destination telephone number, the short message service center address (preferably a number), a validity period value and the message content. The validity period value informs the short message service center 32 how long to attempt delivery. Each data message (SMS packet) is preferably a single block of information. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art of wireless communications, SMS packets may be divided into multiple data packets and transmitted at different intervals.

Fig. 2 illustrates a method for remotely establishing a list of instant message names for a cellular telephone. First, a user subscribing to an instant messaging service uses a conventional system 42 connected to the network 30 to log onto a web site supported or generated by the routing server 24. The user becomes a subscriber by completing a registration process that may be performed during online communication with the server 24 or 40 or by other means, such as e-mail, conventional mail or telephone communication. Once the user has completed registering or logging into the routing server's web site, preferably by password confirmation, the user initiates the creation of a list of instant message names (i.e., buddy list) for the user's mobile unit device 36. In decision block 50, if the cellular telephone user knows an instant message name corresponding to a desired recipient, the user enters the instant message name. The entered instant message name is then stored in a lookup table in a location in the database 26 at block 52. The look-up table is stored according to predefined user profile information. Each instant message name stored in the look-up table has a corresponding destination address, preferably a telephone number. For example, the routing server 24 receives a set of n telephone numbers from the mobile carrier 34 or a telecommunications control agent. In the database 26 for each user profile, the server 24 associates a number from the set of n telephone numbers with the entered instant message name. As a result, routing system 22 multiplexes a limited number of telephone numbers.

If the cellular telephone user does not know the instant message name corresponding to a desired recipient at decision block 50, the user enters information corresponding to the desired recipient, such as an email address, at block 54. The server managing the web address created by the name list then looks for an instant message name corresponding to the entered information in block 60. In decision block 60, if there is a corresponding instant message name, then the corresponding instant message name is entered and saved, see block 52 above. If the search fails to find the corresponding instant message name, no name entry occurs in decision block 60 and the user is given the opportunity to enter more instant message names in decision block 62. The user is also given the opportunity to enter more instant message names in a decision block following block 52.

If the user does not wish to enter more instant message names in decision block 62, the server managing the web site created by the name list generates a program for programming the created instant message name list into the user's mobile unit device 36 in block 68. Next, in block 70, the resulting program is transmitted through the short message service center 32 where it is formatted according to the appropriate protocol before being transmitted to the subscriber mobile unit device 36 via the mobile carrier 34. At block 72, the user mobile unit device 36 receives and executes the program to save the instant message name list to an address book stored in memory. In other words, the mobile unit device is programmed in an over-the-air programming manner to include a list of instant message names in the mobile unit device's instant message list (i.e., address book).

In a further preferred embodiment, if the mobile carrier 34 and corresponding mobile unit device 36 do not contain the hardware and software components for receiving and executing the program for loading the stored list of instant message names, the loading of the instant message names and the corresponding telephone numbers stored in the routing system 22 are manually entered into the address book of the user's mobile unit device 36.

Fig. 3-7 illustrate the process of instant messaging operation delivery, messaging and instant message receipt over wireless and wireline networks using a mobile unit device, first, at block 80 of fig. 3, the user selects an instant messaging operation or an instant message name from the address book of the mobile unit device as a result of a login, status update or last communication with the instant message name routing server 24 (see fig. 5 below) based on the newly stored status information of the instant message name received from the instant message name routing server 24 via a user interface on the mobile unit device 36. Thereafter, the user inputs message content information (which may be operation-related information or a corresponding one of the messages). Additionally, first message content information is entered, and then an instant message operation or an instant message name is selected. Examples of user interactions with the instant message name routing server 24 and the mobile unit device 36 are illustrated below in fig. 8-14 as examples. Next, in block 82, the user's selections and entered information are formatted according to a predetermined protocol and sent to the mobile carrier 34. The mobile carrier 34 receives the formatted data and sends the formatted data to the short message service center 32 based on the included address information of the short message service center, block 84. At decision block 86, the short message service center 32 determines whether the received formatted data includes address data, i.e., an address field or a telephone number, assigned to the instant message routing server 24. If the formatted data does not contain address data assigned to the instant message routing server 24, the formatted data may be an email message and processed in accordance with known cellular short message processing methods at block 88. Also commonly referred to as email for cellular phones. If the formatted data does not contain address data assigned to the instant message routing server 24, the formatted data is reformatted according to the predetermined protocol for communicating information between the short message service center 32 and the instant message routing server 24 before being sent to the instant message routing server 24 at block 90.

As shown in fig. 4, in decision block 102, the instant message routing server 24 compares the destination number contained in the reformatted data to a lookup table in the user profile location in the database 26 corresponding to the telephone number of the mobile unit device contained in the received data. The comparison determines what action corresponds to the destination number. If the operation corresponding to the destination number is an instant message operation, then the instant message routing server 24 performs the instant message operation, see FIG. 5 below. If the operation corresponding to the destination number is an instant message name, then the instant message routing server 24 unpacks the formatted data into an instant message and sends it to the recipient associated with the instant message name in block 104. Before or after the unpacking occurs, the instant message routing server 24 determines whether the recipient corresponding to the instant message name is logged into the instant message system, i.e., the instant message server 40, at decision block 106. If the recipient is not logged in, the instant message routing server 24 sends a failure message to the user's mobile unit device 36 through the short message service center 32 and the mobile carrier 34 in block 108. In a first preferred embodiment, if the recipient is not logged in, the instant message server 40 stores the instant message until the instant message server 40 detects that the recipient has logged in through the instant message routing server 24 or a conventional system 42. In a second alternative preferred embodiment, if the recipient is not logged in, the instant message is forwarded to the previously designated email address.

If the recipient is logged in, the instant message routing server 24 sends the instant message to the recipient via the instant message server 40 over the network 30 in block 110. The process of sending an instant message to the recipient of the mobile unit device is described in more detail below in fig. 6 and 7.

Fig. 5 illustrates a process for processing data received from the mobile unit device 36 corresponding to an instant messaging operation, followed by B of fig. 4. First, at decision block 120, if the operation is a login operation, the instant message routing server 24 establishes a new instant message session with the instant message server 40 for the user associated with the mobile unit device 36 that sent the login operation. In block 122, the establishment of a new instant message session is completed in accordance with the correct password contained in the message content sent from the mobile unit device 36. In block 124, the instant message routing server 24 checks with the instant message server 40 to determine which name is available or registered in the list of instant message names associated with the user and stored in the database 26. At block 126, a determination is made as to who is available for transmission to the mobile unit device 36 via the short message service center 32 and the mobile carrier 34. Once the mobile unit device 36 receives the availability determination, the device 36 processes it and makes the available information available to the user in block 127.

If the instant message operation is not a login operation and if no instant message call is currently active for the user in the instant message routing server 24 at decision block 128, then at block 130, a message notifying the user that a login must first occur will occur. If an instant message call exists and the operation is an end operation in decision block 132, the instant message routing server 24 ends the corresponding instant message call in block 134. If, however, the operation is not an end operation, the operation is processed according to instant messaging criteria in block 136. The following further operations are available: delete, add, and check status. For a delete operation, the instant message routing server 24 deletes each instant message name contained in the message content from the list of instant message names stored with the user profile information in the database 26. For an add operation, the instant message routing server 24 adds each instant message name contained in the message content to a list of instant message names stored with the user profile information in the database 26. Like an instant message call on the conventional system 42, the instant message routing server 24 continuously receives connection status information for each instant message name in the list of instant message names during the instant message call. For check status operations, the instant message routing server 24 sends the most recently received connection status information to the mobile unit device 36 through the short message service center 32 and the mobile carrier 34.

Fig. 6 and 7 illustrate the process of sending an instant message to a recipient logged into the instant messaging service from a mobile unit device 36 via the instant message routing server 24. Following C of fig. 4, the process of fig. 6 occurs when an instant message is sent from another user of the mobile unit device 36 or from a user of a conventional system 42, such as a desktop or laptop computer. First, the instant message server 40 receives an instant message in block 140 and sends it to the instant message confirmed registered recipient in block 142. If the recipient is a normal recipient of the message, i.e., not a recipient of an instant message call active through the instant message routing server 24, at decision block 144, the recipient receives and views the instant message with each step, at block 146. On the other hand, if the recipient is a user of an active instant message call through the instant message routing server 24 at decision block 144, then the instant message routing server 24 receives the instant message at block 148. Thereafter, in block 150, the instant message routing server 24 prepares the received instant message according to the predefined protocol and sends the prepared instant message to the short message service center 32, where the short message service center 32 stores and forwards the instant message to the mobile carrier 36 according to the predefined wireless protocol, block 152.

As shown in fig. 7, the mobile carrier 36 prepares the instant message for transmission received from the short message service center 32 and sends the prepared transmission to the mobile unit device 36 in block 160. If the mobile unit device 36 successfully receives the ready transmission of the instant message at decision block 162, then the mobile unit device 36 acknowledges receipt of the transmission to the short message service center 32 at block 164. Thereafter, at block 166, the short message service center 32 receives a successful reply from the mobile unit device and deletes the stored instant message.

However, if the mobile unit device 36 fails to successfully receive the ready transmission of the instant message at decision block 162, and if the threshold for transmission delivery is not met at decision block 168, a message is sent to the short message service center 32 informing the mobile unit device 36 of the failure to successfully receive the instant message at block 170. Such unsuccessfully received messages are sent by the mobile carrier 34. When the short message service center 32 receives an unsuccessful receipt of the message, the short message service center 32 releases the stored instant message corresponding to the unsuccessfully sent transmission and resends the transmission to the mobile unit device 36 via the mobile carrier 34 in blocks 172 and 160.

Again, if the mobile unit device 36 is not able to successfully receive the ready transmission of the instant message at decision block 162, and if the threshold for transmission delivery is reached at decision block 168, the mobile carrier 34 sends a message to the instant message routing server 24 via the short message service center 32 informing the mobile unit device 36 that it is not connected or is not receiving instant messages at block 174. When the instant message routing server receives a message of this type, the instant message routing server 24 ends or logs off the instant message session associated with the user of the mobile unit device 36 that failed to receive the transmission in block 176. The transmit delivery threshold is preferably a predetermined number of delivery attempts. Once the number of attempts has been reached or exceeded, the mobile carrier 34 assumes that the mobile unit device 36 is off or out of reception range. This is readily understood by those skilled in the art of cellular telephone communications: when the cellular telephone is out of communication range with the mobile carrier, different data transfer methods may be used to ensure that information can be transferred during temporary time periods.

Fig. 8-14 illustrate examples of user interfaces for instant message name list creation (fig. 2) and for mobile unit device interaction (fig. 3-7). As shown in fig. 8, a wireless instant message logged into window 200 includes data fields for entering the user's screen name 202 and password 204. The user's screen name and password are stored in one of the routing server 24 or the instant message server 40 as a result of a previously performed registration process. After the correct information is entered into the data fields 202 and 204, the user is provided access to various user wireless instant message information, such as user account information and an instant message name list interface, as shown in FIG. 9. The wireless instant message of login window 200 is displayed on a conventional system 42 connected to a public or private data network 30. The conventional system 42 includes previously loaded software received from the instant message routing server 24 or the instant message server 40 as a result of the registration process.

As shown in fig. 9, the instant message name list window 220 is an interface that allows a user to interact with the stored instant message name list. Each instant message name in the list corresponds to a telephone number assigned to the instant message routing server 24. Through window 220, the user enters, deletes or reorders the instant message names based on a comparison of the address book stored in the user's mobile unit device with the user's desired entry. The server 24 or 40 hosting the window 220 assigns a telephone number to each new instant message name entered by the user. The assigned telephone number is selected from a pool of telephone numbers assigned specifically for that purpose. After the user enters any new instant message name into window 220, the user requests that the newly entered instant message name be loaded into mobile unit device 36. The server 24 or 40 hosting the window 220 then generates an instant message name entry executable that is sent to the user's mobile unit device 36 via the short message service center 32 and the mobile carrier 34. When the user's mobile unit device 36 receives the executable program, the mobile unit device 36 executes the instant message name entry executable program and loads the newly entered name and corresponding telephone number into the address book of the mobile unit device stored in memory.

Fig. 10 shows a mobile unit device 230 having, as an example, a first address book user interface screen 228. The first address book user interface screen 228 includes instant message names for a first set of 4 locations stored in the address book of the mobile unit device. The mobile unit device 230 includes features of on-screen and off-screen user interface controls (e.g., touch screen, cursor control, soft keys). An example of 2 exemplary on-screen user interface control features are the "select" 232 and "return" 234 operations displayed below the address book user screen 228. To facilitate the user's transmission of an instant message, the user selects a create message display screen using the keypad of a mobile unit device, such as that produced by Tegic communications corporationThe keyboard is activated to enter a text message, and then a recipient (instant message name) is selected from the address book user screen. User activation of the "select" operation allows the user to select one of the user-confirmed (e.g., highlighted) instant message names in the name list as recipients of the entered instant message. User activation of the "back" operation allows the user to view a previously displayed user interface screen.

Fig. 11 shows a second user interface screen 236 of an exemplary address book. The second user interface screen 236 represents the location of the address book occupied by the following instant messaging operations: update recipient (instant message name or buddy) availability; deleting a recipient; finishing; and (6) logging in. When the user operates to the instant message routing server 24 with any necessary predefined message content to select and send an updated recipient availability ("buddy"), the instant message routing server 24 checks the recipient's availability (instant message names in the stored list of instant message names) and sends the result back to the mobile unit device 230. Fig. 12 shows the results of a recipient update performed on the display of the mobile unit device 230. In display area 238, recipients Emma972 and Gomer22 are indicated as being online (i.e., logged into the instant messaging system). Richard53, tom235 and zebra98 are indicated as offline (i.e., exiting from the instant messaging system).

When the user selects and sends a "delete" recipient action to the instant message routing server 24 with the recipient's instant message name in the message content, the instant message routing server 24 deletes the included instant message name from the user's list of instant message names stored in the database 22. Selection of the "offline" operation instructs the instant message routing server 24 to terminate the instant message session associated with the user. Selection of the "online" operation commands the instant message routing server 24 to initiate an instant message session based on the screen name and password information sent to the instant message routing server 24 as the message content, see fig. 13. The message content of the "login" operation may be stored in the mobile unit device and reused for subsequent online requests. Additionally, the instant message routing server 24 stores the user's instant message screen name and password and the telephone number of the user's mobile unit device 36 to facilitate automated login.

Fig. 14 shows how a received message is displayed on the mobile unit device 230. The message content of the received message is displayed as the instant message name of the originator of the received message.

As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the operations performed by the routing system 22 may be incorporated with the instant message server 40 or the short message service center 32. The short message service center 40 may be included in a mobile carrier infrastructure. Also, the operations of the components of the present invention may be distributed to multiple servers in one or more contained networks.

While there has been shown and described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (22)

1. A method for a user of a cellular communication device to communicate with other users using instant messaging, the method comprising:

sending, by a user of the cellular communication device, a login function from the cellular communication device to initiate an instant messaging session based at least on a pre-stored user profile and associated message content, wherein the initiation of the instant messaging session comprises instructing the user of the cellular communication device to communicate using instant messaging and the message content comprises an instant message name associated with the user and a predetermined password;

determining a status of one or more other users in a list maintained for a user, wherein each other user is associated with an instant messaging name and the status of each other user comprises an online status or an offline status of the other users communicating via instant messaging;

receiving the status of each other user on the user's cellular communication device; and

the status of each other user is displayed in a user interface on the user's cellular communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing the user to select one other user from a list of other users on the cellular communication device;

causing the user to compose a text message on the cellular communication device for transmission to the selected one of the other users as an instant message; and

causing the user to transmit the text message to the one other user as an instant message.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of enabling the user to transmit the text message comprises: causing the user to transmit the text message to the one other user as an instant message, wherein the one other user communicates using another cellular communication device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of enabling the user to transmit the text message comprises: causing the user to transmit the text message to the one other user as an instant message, wherein the one other user communicates using the personal computer.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting a check status function from the cellular communication device, wherein receiving the status comprises receiving the status of the one or more other users in response to transmitting the check status function.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: an exit function is transmitted from the cellular communication device to terminate the instant messaging session for the user of the cellular communication device, wherein the termination of the instant messaging session includes indicating that the user of the cellular communication device is unable to communicate by instant messaging.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: an add function is transmitted from the cellular communication device to add the other user to a list maintained for the user, wherein transmitting the add function includes transmitting an instant message name associated with the other user.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a delete function is transmitted from the cellular communication device to delete the other user from the list maintained for the user, wherein transmitting the delete function includes transmitting an instant message name associated with the other user.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a message generated by one of the other users as an instant message on the user's cellular communication device; and

the received instant message is displayed in a user interface on the user's cellular communication device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of receiving a message generated by one of the other users as an instant message comprises: and receiving the instant message names of other users who send the instant messages.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the status of one or more other users in the list maintained for the user comprises: accessing the status of the one or more other users on the instant message host.

12. An apparatus for a user of a cellular communication device to communicate with other users using instant messaging, the apparatus comprising:

a login module configured and arranged to send a login function from the cellular communication device by a user of the cellular communication device to initiate an instant messaging session based at least on a pre-stored user profile and associated message content, wherein the initiation of the instant messaging session comprises instructing the user of the cellular communication device to communicate using instant messaging and the message content comprises an instant message name associated with the user and a predetermined password;

an availability module configured and arranged to determine a status of one or more other users in a list maintained for a user, wherein each other user is associated with an instant messaging name and the status of each other user comprises an online status or an offline status of the other user communicating via instant messaging;

a receiving module configured and arranged to receive the status of each other user on the user's cellular communication device; and

a display module configured and arranged to display the status of each other user in a user interface on the user's cellular communication device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a selection module configured and arranged for a user to select one other user from a list of other users on the cellular communication device;

a compose module configured and arranged to cause a user to compose a text message on the cellular communication device for transmission to a selected one of the other users as an instant message; and

a communication module configured and arranged to enable a user to transmit a text message to the one other user as an instant message.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the communication module is configured and arranged to enable the user to communicate the text message to one other user as an instant message, wherein the one other user communicates using another cellular communication device.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the communication module is configured and arranged to enable the user to transmit the text message to one other user as an instant message, wherein the one other user communicates using the personal computer.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a check status module configured and arranged to transmit a check status function from the cellular communication device, wherein the receiving module is configured and arranged to receive the status of the one or more other users in response to transmitting the check status function.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

an exit module configured and arranged to send an exit function from the cellular communication device to terminate the instant messaging session for the user of the cellular communication device, wherein the termination of the instant messaging session includes indicating that the user of the cellular communication device is unable to communicate by instant messaging.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

an add user module configured and arranged to send an add function from the cellular communication device to add the other user to a list maintained for the user, wherein sending the add function includes sending instant message names associated with the other user.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a delete user module configured and arranged to send a delete function from the cellular communication device to delete other users from the list maintained for the user, wherein sending the delete function comprises sending instant message names associated with the other users.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the receiving module is configured and arranged to receive a message generated by one of the other users as an instant message; and displaying the received instant message in a user interface on the user's cellular communication device.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the receiving module configured and arranged to receive the message generated by the one of the other users as an instant message is further configured and arranged to receive an instant message name of the other user who sent the message.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the availability module configured and arranged to determine the status of one or more other users in a list maintained for a user is at least configured and arranged to access the status of the one or more other users on an instant messaging host.