Filtering features for multiple minimized instant message chats

• US 20070094341A1
• Filed: 10/24/2005
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snapchat Inc (Snap, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kalyanaraman, Raghuraman, Spooner, Courtney, Kaemmerer, John, Bostick, James, Forlenza, Randolph
• Granted Patent: US 7,844,673 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/207
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

The invention is a method of notifying a user of activity in an instant messaging session in a computer having a graphical user interface including a display, a selection device, and a network connection, the method comprising: receiving a selection input signal from the selection device indicating the selection and movement of a minimized chat window in a task bar; responsive to receiving the selection input signal, detaching the minimized chat window from the task bar and moving the detached chat window to a position on the display indicated by the selection input signal; receiving a configuration input signal from the selection device indicating the selection of a display configuration parameter; and displaying a slot in the detached chat window for each open instant messaging session according to the display configuration parameter.

Claims

1. A method of notifying a user of activity in an instant messaging session in a computer having a graphical user interface including a display, a selection device, and a network connection, the method comprising:

receiving a selection input signal from the selection device indicating the selection and movement of a minimized chat window in a task bar;

responsive to receiving the selection input signal, detaching the minimized chat window from the task bar and moving the detached chat window to a position on the display indicated by the selection input signal;

receiving a configuration input signal from the selection device indicating the selection of a display configuration parameter; and

displaying a slot in the detached chat window for each open instant messaging session according to the display configuration parameter.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving an activity input signal from the network connection indicating activity in the instant messaging session; and

modifying the appearance of the slot in the detached chat window representing the instant messaging session according to the display configuration parameter.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a second selection input signal from the selection device indicating the placement of a pointer over a slot in the detached chat window for a predetermined time interval; and

responsive to receiving the second selection input signal, displaying properties of the instant messaging session represented by the slot in a cloud window according to the display configuration parameter.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

receiving a second selection input signal from the selection device indicating the placement of a pointer over a slot in the detached chat window for a predetermined time interval; and

responsive to receiving the second selection input signal, displaying properties of the instant messaging session represented by the slot in a cloud window according to the display configuration parameter.

5. A computer-readable memory having a computer program for performing a method of notifying a user of activity in an instant messaging session, the method comprising:

receiving a selection input signal from the selection device indicating the selection and movement of a minimized chat window in a task bar;

responsive to receiving the selection input signal, detaching the minimized chat window from the task bar and moving the detached chat window to a position on the display indicated by the selection input signal;

receiving a configuration input signal from the selection device indicating the selection of a display configuration parameter; and

displaying a slot in the detached chat window for each open instant messaging session according to the display configuration parameter.

6. The computer-readable memory of claim 5 wherein the method further comprises:

receiving an activity input signal from the network connection indicating activity in the instant messaging session; and

modifying the appearance of the slot in the detached chat window representing the instant messaging session according to the display configuration parameter.

7. The computer-readable memory of claim 5 wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a second selection input signal from the selection device indicating the placement of a pointer over a slot in the detached chat window for a predetermined time interval; and

responsive to receiving the second selection input signal, displaying properties of the instant messaging session represented by the slot in a cloud window according to the display configuration parameter.

8. The computer-readable memory of claim 6 wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a second selection input signal from the selection device indicating the placement of a pointer over a slot in the detached chat window for a predetermined time interval; and

responsive to receiving the second selection input signal, displaying properties of the instant messaging session represented by the slot in a cloud window according to the display configuration parameter.

9. A computer comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a display device coupled to the processor;

a selection device coupled to the processor; and

a computer program in the memory, the computer program comprising instructions for causing the processor to

receive a selection input signal from the selection device indicating the selection and movement of a minimized chat window in a task bar;

responsive to receiving the selection input signal, detach the minimized chat window from the task bar and move the detached chat window to a position on the display indicated by the selection input signal;

receive a configuration input signal from the selection device indicating the selection of a display configuration parameter; and

display a slot in the detached chat window for each open instant messaging session according to the display configuration parameter.

10. The computer of claim 9 wherein the computer program further comprises instructions for causing the processor to:

receive an activity input signal from the network connection indicating activity in the instant messaging session; and

modify the appearance of the slot in the detached chat window representing the instant messaging session according to the display configuration parameter.

11. The computer of claim 9 wherein the computer program further comprises instructions for causing the processor to:

receiving a second selection input signal from the selection device indicating the placement of a pointer over a slot in the detached chat window for a predetermined time interval; and

responsive to receiving the second selection input signal, display properties of the instant messaging session represented by the slot in a cloud window according to the display configuration parameter.

12. The computer of claim 10 wherein the computer program further comprises instructions for causing the processor to:

receive a second selection input signal from the selection device indicating the placement of a pointer over a slot in the detached chat window for a predetermined time interval; and

responsive to receiving the second selection input signal, display properties of the instant messaging session represented by the slot in a cloud window according to the display configuration parameter.