Routing and displaying messages for multiple concurrent instant messaging sessions involving a single online identity

Abstract

Routing and displaying instant messages includes receiving a first request to establish a first instant messaging session associated with an instant messaging online identity assigned to a user using a first instant messaging controller. The first instant messaging session is established in response to the first request, where the first instant messaging session includes a first state. A second request from the user is received to establish a second instant messaging session associated with the instant messaging online identity assigned to the user using a second instant messaging controller that differs from the first instant messaging controller. The second instant messaging session is established in response to the second request, where the second instant messaging session includes a second state. An instant message designated for the instant messaging online identity assigned to the user is received and a determination is made on where to route the instant message based on routing criteria. The routing criteria includes the first state of the first instant messaging session and the second state of the second instant messaging session. The instant message is routed based on the determination of where to route to the instant message.

1 . A method for routing and displaying instant messages, the method comprising:
 receiving a first request to establish a first instant messaging session associated with an instant messaging online identity assigned to a user using a first instant messaging controller;   establishing the first instant messaging session in response to the first request, wherein the first instant messaging session includes a first state;   receiving a second request from the user to establish a second instant messaging session associated with the instant messaging online identity assigned to the user using a second instant messaging controller that differs from the first instant messaging controller;   establishing the second instant messaging session in response to the second request, wherein the second instant messaging session includes a second state;   receiving an instant message designated for the instant messaging online identity assigned to the user;   determining where to route the instant message based on routing criteria, wherein the routing criteria includes the first state of the first instant messaging session and the second state of the second instant messaging session; and   routing the instant message based on the determination of where to route the instant message.   
     
     
         2 - 34 . (canceled)