Informing network users of television programming viewed by other network users

Abstract

Informing a first network user of activity by other network users includes providing an instant messaging user interface. The instant messaging user interface includes a list of two or more network users selected by the first network user. The list shows presence information for at least a first selected network user and a second selected network user. The instant messaging user interface also includes distinct visual identifiers that are respectively associated with the first selected network user and the second selected network user on the instant messaging user interface and that each indicate television programming being viewed by the selected network user with which they are associated.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for informing a first network user of activity by other network users, the method comprising: 
 providing an instant messaging user interface, the instant messaging user interface comprising:    a list of two or more network users selected by the first network user, the list showing presence information for at least a first selected network user and a second selected network user; and    distinct visual identifiers that are respectively associated with the first selected network user and the second selected network user on the instant messaging user interface and that each indicate television programming being viewed by the selected network user with which they are associated.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 receiving information indicating a change in the television programming viewed by at least one of the first and second selected network users; and  
 updating the display of at least one of the first and second visual identifiers to reflect the change in television programming.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the visual identifiers are displayed in positions adjacent various of the selected network users on the list of selected network users.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the visual identifiers further comprise: 
 a first visual identifier for television programming being viewed by the first selected network user is displayed at a location of the instant messaging user interface that is adjacent to a location of the user list corresponding to the first selected network user; and  
 a second visual identifier for television programming being viewed by the second selected network user is displayed at a location of the instant messaging user interface that is adjacent to a location of the user list corresponding to the second selected network user,  
 wherein the first visual identifier differs from the second visual identifier.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first visual identifier comprises an indication of a television program being viewed by the first selected user.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first visual identifier comprises an indication of a network being viewed by the first selected user.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the television programming being viewed by the first selected user differs from the television programming being viewed by the second selected user.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising determining television programming being viewed by at least the first selected network user and the second selected network user.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the distinct visual identifiers comprises a link that, upon selection, automatically tunes the user interface to television programming identified by the link.  
     
     
         10 . A computer program, stored on a computer readable medium, comprising instructions for: 
 providing an instant messaging user interface, the instant messaging user interface comprising:    a list of two or more network users selected by a first network user, the list showing presence information for at least a first selected network user and a second selected network user; and    distinct visual identifiers that are respectively associated with the first selected network user and the second selected network user on the instant messaging user interface and that each indicate television programming being viewed by the selected network user with which they are associated.    
     
     
         11 . The computer program of  claim 10  further comprising instructions for: 
 receiving information indicating a change in the television programming viewed by at least one of the first and second selected network users; and  
 updating the display of at least one of the first and second visual identifiers to reflect the change in television programming.  
 
     
     
         12 . The computer program of  claim 10  wherein the visual identifiers are displayed in positions adjacent various of the selected network users on the list of selected network users.  
     
     
         13 . The computer program of  claim 12  wherein the visual identifiers further comprise: 
 a first visual identifier for television programming being viewed by the first selected network user is displayed at a location of the instant messaging user interface that is adjacent to a location of the user list corresponding to the first selected network user; and  
 a second visual identifier for television programming being viewed by the second selected network user is displayed at a location of the instant messaging user interface that is adjacent to a location of the user list corresponding to the second selected network user,  
 wherein the first visual identifier differs from the second visual identifier.  
 
     
     
         14 . The computer program of  claim 10  wherein the first visual identifier comprises an indication of a television program being viewed by the first selected user.  
     
     
         15 . The computer program of  claim 10  wherein the first visual identifier comprises an indication of a network being viewed by the first selected user.  
     
     
         16 . The computer program of  claim 10  wherein the television programming being viewed by the first selected user differs from the television programming being viewed by the second selected user.  
     
     
         17 . The computer program of  claim 10  further comprising instructions for determining television programming being viewed by at least the first selected network user and the second selected network user.  
     
     
         18 . The computer program of  claim 10  wherein one or more of the distinct visual identifiers comprises a link that, upon selection, automatically tunes the user interface to television programming identified by the link.  
     
     
         19 . A computer program, stored on a computer readable medium, the computer program comprising: 
 means for providing an instant messaging user interface, the instant messaging user interface comprising:    means for displaying a list of two or more network users selected by a first network user, the list showing presence information for at least a first selected network user and a second selected network user; and    means for visual identifying, on the instant messaging user interface, television programming being viewed by the first selected network user and the second selected network user.    
     
     
         20 . The computer program of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 means for receiving information indicating a change in the television programming viewed by at least one of the first and second selected network users; and  
 means for visually identifying the change in television programming.  
 
     
     
         21 . The computer program of  claim 19  wherein the means for visually identifying comprises means for providing visual identifiers that are displayed in positions adjacent various of the selected network users on the list of selected network users.  
     
     
         22 . The computer program of  claim 21  wherein the visual identifiers further comprise: 
 a first visual identifier for television programming being viewed by the first selected network user is displayed at a location of the instant messaging user interface that is adjacent to a location of the user list corresponding to the first selected network user; and  
 a second visual identifier for television programming being viewed by the second selected network user is displayed at a location of the instant messaging user interface that is adjacent to a location of the user list corresponding to the second selected network user,  
 wherein the first visual identifier differs from the second visual identifier.  
 
     
     
         23 . The computer program of  claim 19  wherein the television programming being viewed by the first selected user differs from the television programming being viewed by the second selected user.  
     
     
         24 . The computer program of  claim 19  further comprising means for determining television programming being viewed by at least the first selected network user and the second selected network user.