Method and apparatus for enhancing instant messaging systems

• US 20050050143A1
• Filed: 04/30/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Seaman, James Wesley, Gusler, Carl Phillip, Schatz, Harry, Hamilton, Rick Allen II
• Granted Patent: US 7,412,491 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for organizing threads in an instant messaging session. Instant messages are received from a list of contacts. Each of these messages are stored in a set of folders, wherein each folders in the set of folders stores messages for a contact in the number of contacts. Each file is linked for access though a graphical user interface. Message threads are handled by displaying a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responsive to a user input identifying a new thread, a secondary dialog window is displayed, wherein the secondary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane are displayed in the primary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the primary dialog window. Responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane in the secondary dialog window are displayed in the ongoing conversation pane in the secondary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window and the secondary dialog window.

Claims

1. A method in a data processing system for managing messages, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of instant messages from a list of contacts; and

storing each of the plurality of instant messages in a set of folders, wherein each folder in the set of folders stores messages for a contact in the number of contacts, wherein each folder is linked for access though a graphical user interface.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying the list of contacts; and

responsive to a user input selecting a contact from the list of contacts, displaying messages saved in a folder associated with the contact.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the contact is selected by moving a pointer over the contact and selecting the contact with a right click.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the contact is selected using an alt key on a keyboard.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the contact is selected using a shift key on a keyboard.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the messages are displaying in reverse chronological order.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

adding a new folder to the set of folders when a new contact is added to the list of contacts.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein messages in a folder, within the set of folders, are stored in files.

9. A method in a data processing system for handling message threads, the method comprising:

displaying a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane;

responsive to a user input identifying a new thread, displaying a secondary dialog window, wherein the secondary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane;

displaying responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane in the primary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the primary dialog window; and

displaying responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane in the secondary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the secondary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window and the secondary dialog window.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

responsive to a selection of a contact from a list of contacts, displaying messages for the contact.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

storing messages associated with a contact from a list of contacts in a folder, wherein the folder is linked to the contact such that a selection of the contact by a user provides the user access to the messages.

12. A data processing system for managing messages, the data processing system comprising:

receiving means for receiving a plurality of instant messages from a list of contacts; and

storing means for storing each of the plurality of instant messages in a set of folders, wherein each folder in the set of folders stores messages for a contact in the number of contacts, wherein each folder is linked for access though a graphical user interface.

13. The data processing system of claim 12 further comprising:

displaying means displaying the list of contacts; and

displaying means, responsive to a user input selecting a contact from the list of contacts, for displaying messages saved in a folder associated with the contact.

14. The data processing system of claim 13, wherein the contact is selected by moving a pointer over the contact and selecting the contact with a right click.

15. The data processing system of claim 13, wherein the contact is selected using an alt key on a keyboard.

16. The data processing system of claim 13, wherein the contact is selected using a shift key on a keyboard.

17. The data processing system of claim 13, wherein the messages are displaying in reverse chronological order.

18. The data processing system of claim 13 further comprising:

adding means for adding a new folder to the set of folder when a new contact is added to the list of contacts.

19. The data processing system of claim 12, wherein messages in a folder, within the set of folders, are stored in files.

20. A data processing system for handling message threads, the data processing system comprising:

displaying means for displaying a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane;

first displaying means, responsive to a user input identifying a new thread, for displaying a secondary dialog window, wherein the secondary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane;

second displaying means for displaying responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane in the primary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the primary dialog window; and

third displaying means for displaying responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane in the secondary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the secondary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window and the secondary dialog window.

21. The data processing system of claim 20 further comprising:

fourth displaying means, responsive to a selection of a contact from a list of contacts, for displaying messages for the contact.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

storing means for storing messages associated with a contact from a list of contacts in a folder, wherein the folder is linked to the contact such that a selection of the contact by a user provides the user access to the messages.

23. A data processing system for managing messages, the data processing system comprising:

a bus system;

a memory connected to the bus system, wherein the memory includes a set of instructions; and

a processing unit connected to the bus system, wherein the processing unit executes the set of instructions to receive a plurality of instant messages from a list of contacts; and

store each of the plurality of instant messages in a set of folders, wherein each folder in the set of folders stores messages for a contact in the number of contacts, wherein each folder is linked for access though a graphical user interface.

24. A data processing system for handling message threads, the data processing system comprising:

a bus system;

a memory connected to the bus system, wherein the memory includes a set of instructions; and

a processing unit connected to the bus system, wherein the processing unit executes the set of instructions to display a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane;

display a secondary dialog window in response to a user input identifying a new thread, wherein the secondary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane;

display responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane in the primary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the primary dialog window; and

display responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane in the secondary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the secondary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window and the secondary dialog window.

25. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for managing message files, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of instant messages from a list of contacts; and

storing each of the plurality of instant messages in a set of folders, wherein each folder in the set of folders stores messages for a contact in the number of contacts, wherein each folder is linked for access though a graphical user interface.

26. A method in a data processing system for handling message threads, the method comprising:

displaying a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane;

responsive to a user input identifying a new thread, displaying a secondary dialog window, wherein the secondary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane;

displaying responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane in the primary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the primary dialog window; and

displaying responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane in the secondary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the secondary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window and the secondary dialog window.