User interface for integrating diverse methods of communication
First Claim
1. Messaging interface logic, comprising:
- display logic for causing the display of a list of communication methods;
communication method selection logic for enabling selection of a first communication method from the list; and
messaging logic for initiating transmission of input content to at least one recipient based upon the first communication method.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated communication interface is provided for composing and sending messages. The interface is multi-configurable to seamlessly switch between different communication methods, e.g., electronic mail, instant messaging, SMS, chat, voice, and the like, without loss of message content. The interface allows a user to begin composing a message to be sent using one communication method, such as electronic mail, and subsequently change the communication method and send the message via a second communication method, such as instant messaging. When the communication method is changed, the user interface may also change to include elements specific to a particular communication method. The integrated communication interface may display information about participants in the communication, such as the participants'"'"' presence, i.e., whether they are online and available for communication, and may automatically choose the best method of communication based on the preferences and online presence of the participants.
255 Citations
57 Claims
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1. Messaging interface logic, comprising:
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display logic for causing the display of a list of communication methods;
communication method selection logic for enabling selection of a first communication method from the list; and
messaging logic for initiating transmission of input content to at least one recipient based upon the first communication method. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Participant listing logic comprising:
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list display logic for displaying a list of at least one participant, wherein the at least one participant is associated with a list of at least one selectable communication method; and
selection logic for enabling selection of a selected communication method from the list of at least one selectable communication method, wherein selection activates messaging interface logic configured for sending a message to the at least one participant using the selected communication method. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of providing a messaging interface, comprising the steps of:
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causing the display of a list of communication methods;
enabling selection of a first communication method from the list; and
initiating transmission of input content to at least one recipient based upon the first communication method. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of providing a list of at least one participant, comprising the steps of:
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causing the display of the list of at least one participant, wherein the at least one participant is associated with a list of at least one selectable communication method;
enabling selection of a selected communication method from the list of at least one selectable communication method; and
invoking a messaging interface in response to selection of the selected communication method, wherein the messaging interface is configured for sending a message to the at least one participant using the selected communication method. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A computer program product comprising program code for providing a messaging interface, the computer program product comprising:
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program code for causing a list of communication methods to be displayed;
program code for enabling selection of a first communication method from the list; and
program code for initiating transmission of input content to at least one recipient based upon the first communication method. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A computer program product comprising program code for providing a list of at least one participant, the computer program product comprising:
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program code for causing the display of the list of at least one participant, wherein the at least one participant is associated with a list of at least one selectable communication method;
program code for enabling selection of a selected communication method from the list of at least one selectable communication method; and
program code for invoking a messaging interface in response to selection of the selected communication method, wherein the messaging interface is configured for sending a message to the at least one participant using the selected communication method. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57)
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Specification