Computer-implemented method, tool, and program product for automatically replying to an instant message

摘要

The present invention provides a computer-implemented method, system, tool, and program product for sending a customized reply to an instant message. Specifically, under the present invention, a customized message may be provided for a specific instant messaging contact/availability status combination. When the availability status is selected and a message is received from the instant messaging contact, the customized message is automatically sent to the messaging contact. The invention may also be integrated into a calendaring application to determine, for example, whether the message recipient is in a meeting and, if so, to automatically send a reply that gives an estimated ending time for the meeting.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for replying to an instant message from an instant message contact, comprising:
providing a preferences interface for managing messages to an instant message contact, the preferences interface including:
a user selectable designation of one of a set of instant message contacts;user selectable message response types including at least one of active, away, do not disturb, and not online, for use in responding to the designated one of the instant message contacts; anduser fillable response messages corresponding with each of the user selectable message response types for use in responding to the designated one of the instant message contacts; receiving a calendar availability status of an instant message receiver from a calendaring application; determining whether previously receiver-defined settings enable display of a message corresponding to the calendaring application; automatically providing a first one of the user fillable response messages corresponding to the instant messaging contact and the calendar availability status of the receiver in response to the previously receiver-defined settings enabling display of the message corresponding to the calendaring application, wherein the first one of the user fillable response messages is selected based on both an identity of the instant messaging contact and the calendar availability status of the receiver; determining a current status of the receiver and providing a second one of the user fillable response messages based upon both the identity of the instant messaging contact and the current status of the receiver in response to the previously receiver-defined settings not enabling display of the message corresponding to the calendaring application; and automatically sending one of the first one of the user fillable response messages or the second one of the user fillable response messages to the instant messaging contact in response to the instant message having been received from the instant messaging contact.