High Level Network Layer System and Method

Abstract

A technique for providing high level network layer functionality to an IM environment involves providing a high level platform through which IM clients can connect to IM networks. A platform according to the technique may include a low level network connect engine, an aggregated low level information database, and/or a high level function engine. A method according to the technique may include facilitating a high level login; checking user configurations; accomplishing one or more IM network logins in accordance with the user configurations; and providing high level services in association with at least one of the IM networks. Another method according to the technique may include logging into a high level platform; logging into a first IM network; logging into a second IM network; and accessing at the high level platform aggregated low level information associated with the first IM network and the second IM network.

1 . A system comprising:
 a low level network connect engine for coupling a low level client to a low level server;   an aggregated low level information database that includes data associated with the low level client;   a high level function engine for providing functionality to the low level client not normally available to low level clients of the low level server, and for making information from the aggregated low level information database at least available online.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the low level network connect engine includes a protocol conversion module for converting from a low level protocol to a high level protocol. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the low level network connect engine includes a protocol conversion module for converting from a high level protocol to a low level protocol. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aggregated low level information database includes stored images, and wherein the high level function engine provides the images in association with messages from the low level client to the low level server. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the low level network connect engine monitors traffic from the low level client to the low level server and stores a log in the aggregated low level information database. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the high level function engine provides event notifications to the low level client in response to high level or low level events. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aggregated low level information database includes, at least while the low level client is coupled to the low level network through the low level connect engine, an aggregated contact list that includes contacts associated with the low level client and the low level network. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aggregated low level information database includes location-based fields associated with contacts of a contacts list. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the contacts list is remotely maintained. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the high level function engine includes a location-based sorting module, wherein, in operation, the high level function engine uses the location-based sorting module to facilitate sorting of the contacts list based upon location associated with the contacts. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 logging into a high level platform;   logging into a first instant message (IM) network;   logging into a second IM network;   accessing at the high level platform aggregated low level information associated with the first IM network and the second IM network.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving augmented IM functionality options from the high level platform. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing user configuration details to the high level platform to enable automatic login to the first IM network. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising accessing the high level platform using a browser. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising accessing the first IM network and the second IM network through the high level platform.