System and method for obtaining remote instant messages

Abstract

A system and method for retrieving instant messages includes establishing a first instant message (IM) session an then, establishing a second instant message session using a same account as the first instant message session. The first IM session is rendered dormant such that active instant messages are received by the second instant message session.

1 . A method for retrieving instant messages, comprising: 
 establishing a first instant message (IM) session;    establishing a second IM session using a same account as the first IM session; and    rendering the first IM session dormant such that active instant messages directed to the first IM session are received by the second IM instant message session.    
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein establishing the second IM session includes establishing the second IM session at a different location from the first IM session.  
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein establishing the second IM session includes establishing the second IM session at a different client device from the first IM session.  
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising authenticating a user of the second IM session prior to the step of establishing the second IM session.  
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising warning a user of the first IM session prior to establishing the second IM session.  
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising responding to instant messages using the second IM session.  
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising establishing a third IM session using the same account.  
   
   
       8 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising rendering the second IM session dormant.  
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising restoring an active status of the first IM session upon termination of the second IM session.  
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising closing the first IM session from the second IM session.  
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising deleting active instant messages from the first IM session from the second IM session.  
   
   
       12 . A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium including a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform: 
 establishing a first instant message (IM) session;    establishing a second IM session using a same account as the first IM session; and    rendering the first IM session dormant such that active instant messages are received by the second IM session.    
   
   
       13 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , wherein establishing the second IM session includes establishing the second IM session at a different location from the first IM session.  
   
   
       14 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , wherein establishing the second IM session includes establishing the second IM session at a different client device from the first IM session.  
   
   
       15 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising authenticating a user of the second IM session prior to the step of establishing the second IM session.  
   
   
       16 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising warning a user of the first IM session prior to establishing the second IM session.  
   
   
       17 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising responding to instant messages using the second IM session.  
   
   
       18 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising establishing a third IM session using the same account.  
   
   
       19 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising rendering the second IM session dormant.  
   
   
       20 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising restoring an active status of the first IM session upon termination of the second IM session.  
   
   
       21 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising closing the first IM session from the second IM session.  
   
   
       22 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising deleting active instant messages from the first IM session from the second IM session.  
   
   
       23 . An instant message system, comprising: 
 a server configured to address instant messages;    a first session associated with a first client location, which receives instant messages for an account from the server; and    a second session associated with a second client location, such that when the second session is established the first session is rendered dormant and the second session can retrieve the instant messages of the first session from the server.    
   
   
       24 . The system as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the first and second locations include different client devices.  
   
   
       25 . The system as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the server authenticates a user of the second session prior to establishing the second session.  
   
   
       26 . The system as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the server permits establishing a plurality of session from the same account.