A new patent (7056217) filed by Nintendo suggests that the Japanese giants may well be planning an instant messaging service for Wii when it launches later this year. The patent was filed back in November 2000, but was only published yesterday.

Title : Messaging service for video game systems with buddy list that displays game being played

Summary : A messaging system includes a web server computer and at least two video game systems. Each game system is configured to connect to the web server computer via the Internet and to communicate status data indicative of an activity engaged in by a user thereof. The web server computer generates a session file indicative of user status and the status of each of two or persons on a buddy list of the user.

If the patent is indeed for Wii, this messaging service is the latest in a long line of annouced functions for the console that was hailed the best of E3 2006.

Included in Wii's box of tricks so far is an integrated web browser, an online service called WiiConnect24, face mapping features and downloadable retro games.

The full patent can be viewed here