System and method for in-context, topic-oriented instant messaging
First Claim
1. A method for grouping a plurality of instant messaging (IM) statements into a plurality of topics, wherein a chat participant does not have to assign one of the topics to each statement, and wherein the statements within each topic are grouped together for display in a separate window.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for grouping IM statements together into a plurality of topics and displaying the topics in separate windows comprising a Configuration Program (CP), a Topic Creation Program (TCP), and a Statement Classification Program (SCP). The CP allows a user to configure the global options for the present invention such as designating the parties authorized to create a topic, specifying whether the topic name and/or keywords are negotiable, and specifying whether icons should be displayed with the topic name. The TCP allows a user to create a topic by specifying the topic name, selecting a statement classification method, designating keywords to be used in searching the statements, and adding an icon to the topic name. When a statement is submitted to an IM channel, the SCP places the statement into one of the topics based on the statement classification method selected in the TCP.
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Citations
39 Claims
- 1. A method for grouping a plurality of instant messaging (IM) statements into a plurality of topics, wherein a chat participant does not have to assign one of the topics to each statement, and wherein the statements within each topic are grouped together for display in a separate window.
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19. A program product for grouping a plurality of instant messaging (IM) statements into a plurality of topics, the program product comprising:
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a memory;
a set of instructions stored in the memory, the instructions directing a processor to perform steps comprising;
creating a plurality of topics, each topic comprising a topic name;
selecting a statement classification method for the statements;
associating each statements with one of the topics based on the statement classification method; and
grouping the statements into topics based on the topic assigned to each statement. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An apparatus for grouping a plurality of instant messaging (IM) statements into a plurality of topics, wherein a chat participant does not have to assign one of the topics to each statement, and wherein the statements within each topic are grouped together for display in a separate window, the apparatus comprising:
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creating the topics, each topic comprising a topic name;
selecting a statement classification method for the statements;
associating each statements with one of the topics based on the statement classification method;
grouping the statements into topics based on the topic assigned to each statement;
wherein the statement classification method is by keyword;
assigning a keyword to one of the topics;
determining whether the statements contain the keyword;
responsive to the determination that the statements contain the keyword, associating the statements containing the keyword with the topic associated with the keyword;
wherein the participants do not associate any of the topics with the statements;
wherein the topic name is negotiable, thereby allowing any participant to propose a change the topic name, the proposal subject to approval by a group leader; and
wherein the topic name is displayed with an icon.
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Specification