Methods and systems for presenting modules in an inbox interface

• US 10,356,029 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2016
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Inventors: Perlow, Jonathan, Song, Andrew Yaoshu
• Primary Examiner(s): Ndiaye, Cheikh T
• Application Number:
  US15/272,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20180083907A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/216 Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments relate to improvements in the design of a messaging inbox. The inbox may display different units or “modules” for providing a user with quick access to different inbox functionalities that they might not otherwise be aware of (or inclined to use on a regular basis). After a number of recent or unread messages are shown in the inbox'"'"'s initial interface, the messages end and are replaced with modules. Many different types of functionality may be the subject of the modules (e.g., a module for sharing local content such as photos from a photo album, a People/States module, Top Contacts, New Behavior, Live Videos, Events, Businesses, or Messaging Stickers). Once the available modules have been scrolled through, the interface may revert to more messages, such as less-recent or previously read threads from the original messages. Unread threads may also be collapsed in the top section of the inbox, or included in a module.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving an instruction to present an inbox interface for a messaging service in a user interface view;

presenting a first set of message threads in a first portion of the inbox interface, the first portion providing thread presentation features;

receiving an instruction to navigate past the first portion of the inbox interface, the instruction comprising an instruction to scroll past a final thread in the first set of threads; and

presenting one or more modules in a second portion of the inbox interface, the one or more modules providing access to features of the messaging service different from the thread presentation features, the second portion of the inbox interface replacing at least a portion of the first portion of the inbox interface in the user interface view.

2. The method of claim 1, the first set of messages comprising at least one of a set of unread messages or a set of recent messages received within a predetermined amount of time.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying that a selected module from among the one or more modules is currently highly relevant; and

elevating the selected module above the first portion of the inbox interface.

4. The method of claim 1, the one or more modules comprising a photo album module for sharing a picture retrieved from a local device.

5. The method of claim 1, the one or more modules comprising at least one of:

a people and states module, a top contacts module, a module for suggesting a new behavior, a live videos module, an events module, a businesses module, a messaging stickers module, a transportation services module, or a wireless network finder module.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a second set of messages, the second set of messages being presented in a third portion of the inbox interface after presenting the modules in the second portion of the inbox interface, or being collapsed into first set of messages in the first portion of the inbox interface.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions configured to cause one or more processors to:

receive an instruction to present an inbox interface for a messaging service in a user interface view;

present a first set of message threads in a first portion of the inbox interface, the first portion providing thread presentation features;

receive an instruction to navigate past the first portion of the inbox interface, the instruction comprising an instruction to scroll past a final thread in the first set of threads; and

present one or more modules in a second portion of the inbox interface, the one or more modules providing access to features of the messaging service different from the thread presentation features, the second portion of the inbox interface replacing at least a portion of the first portion of the inbox interface in the user interface view.

8. The medium of claim 7, the first set of messages comprising at least one of a set of unread messages or a set of recent messages received within a predetermined amount of time.

9. The medium of claim 7, further storing instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to:

identify that a selected module from among the one or more modules is currently highly relevant; and

elevate the selected module above the first portion of the inbox interface.

10. The medium of claim 7, the one or more modules comprising a photo album module for sharing a picture retrieved from a local device.

11. The medium of claim 7, the one or more modules comprising at least one of:

a people and states module, a top contacts module, a module for suggesting a new behavior, a live videos module, an events module, a businesses module, a messaging stickers module, a transportation services module, or a wireless network finder module.

12. The medium of claim 7, further storing instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to present a second set of messages, the second set of messages being presented in a third portion of the inbox interface after presenting the modules in the second portion of the inbox interface, or being collapsed into first set of messages in the first portion of the inbox interface.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store instructions for displaying an inbox interface for a messaging service in a user interface view; and

a processor configured to execute the instructions, the instructions configured to cause the processor to;

receive an instruction to present an inbox interface for a messaging service in a user interface view;

present a first set of message threads in a first portion of the inbox interface, the first portion providing thread presentation features;

receive an instruction to navigate past the first portion of the inbox interface, the instruction comprising an instruction to scroll past a final thread in the first set of threads; and

present one or more modules in a second portion of the inbox interface, the one or more modules providing access to features of the messaging service different from the thread presentation features, the second portion of the inbox interface replacing at least a portion of the first portion of the inbox interface in the user interface view.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, the first set of messages comprising at least one of a set of unread messages or a set of recent messages received within a predetermined amount of time.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, the instructions further configured to cause the processor to:

identify that a selected module from among the one or more modules is currently highly relevant; and

elevate the selected module above the first portion of the inbox interface.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, the one or more modules comprising a photo album module for sharing a picture retrieved from a local device.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, the one or more modules comprising at least one of:

a people and states module, a top contacts module, a module for suggesting a new behavior, a live videos module, an events module, a businesses module, a messaging stickers module, a transportation services module, or a wireless network finder module.