System and method for updating presence information in instant messaging applications on a mobile device

摘要

A system and method for controlling the presence status in an instant messaging application on a mobile device is provided. An active notification profile for the mobile device which has been selected from a plurality of existing notification profiles defined for the mobile device is determined, e.g. on a periodic or dynamic basis. A set of one or more rules is then used to compare the active notification profile to the rules and determine which one of a selected presence status for the corresponding profile is appropriate. A notification is then prepared which pertains to the corresponding presence status for the active notification profile. Using the notification, the corresponding presence status can be compared to the current presence status in the instant messaging application so that the presence can be updated automatically according to changes in notification profiles to avoid the need to change both the profiles and the presence status when the environment changes.