1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to electronic communications and, in particular, to controlling throughput of message requests in a messaging system. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to specifying output of a message request according to a priority requirement set by a user receiving the message request.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the Internet and telephony expand, the ease of communications between individuals in different locations continues to expand as well. One type of electronic communication is supported by messaging which includes the use of computer systems and data communication equipment to convey messages from one person to another, as by e-mail, voice mail, unified messaging, instant messaging, or fax.
While e-mail has already expanded into nearly every facet of the business world, other types of messaging continue to forge into use. For example, instant messaging systems are typically utilized in the context of an Internet-supported application that transfers text between multiple Internet users in real time.
In particular, the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) service is one example of instant messaging that enables an Internet user to participate in an on-line conversation in real time with other users. An IRC channel, maintained by an IRC server, transmits the text typed by each user who has joined the channel to the other users who have joined the channel. An IRC client shows the names of the currently active channels, enables the user to join a channel, and then displays the other channel participant's words on individual lines so that the user can respond.
Similar to IRC, chat rooms are often available through on-line services and provide a data communication channel that links computers and permits users to converse by sending text messages to one another in real-time.
Some messaging systems allow users sending messages to assign a priority level, such a high, medium, or low, to a message. However, a limitation of such systems is that the priority level is typically only displayed with the message when received by another user utilizing the same software utilized to create the message. Further, a limitation of such systems is that the message prioritization is set only by the user sending the message. Further, the user is still typically interrupted either by a visual or audible cue whether the message is low priority or high priority.
As instant messaging systems and telephony based messaging systems expand, the number of unwanted and often unnecessary daily intrusions increases. Other users are enabled to see when another user has logged on and send instant messaging requests that take up screen space and are both audibly and visibly intrusive.
Some messaging systems enable a user to select from among several “away messages” that are transmitted automatically in response to a another user's request to talk. With an “away message” set, a user may continue working while logged on, however other users are informed that the user is not available. With telephony devices, a user is provided with an answering service, rather than having to answer a call.
However, messaging systems and telephony devices are limited in that while a particular user may indicate to other requesting users that the particular user is unavailable, in order for that user to utilize a network connection, the user is still intruded upon by the requests to talk. For example, in an instant messaging system, an automatic “not available” is transmitted, but either all requests still come through or no requests come through. Similarly, a ringer may be turned off on a telephony device such that the caller ID is displayed, but then a user is not alerted to any calls.
A further disadvantage of “away messages” is that a single message is displayed to all users requesting to talk. However, it would be advantageous to tailor “away messages” depending on the person receiving the message such that a spouse receives one message while a boss receives another.
In addition, whether a user is designated as away or not, most messaging systems only offer one format for notifying users of a request to talk. Such requests often utilize an unsatisfactory amount of screen space and may include unwanted audible prompts.
In view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide a method, system, and program for controlling the throughput of message requests through a messaging system such that a user may specify which message requests are output and how the message request is output. Further, it would be advantageous to provide a method, system, and program for automatically specifying the response message transmitted to the user requesting to chat.