INSTANT MESSAGING SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An instant messaging system comprising:
- means associated with a first party for sending a message to a second party;
means responsive to the identification of said second party for accessing information related to previous messages between said first party and said second party; and
a display associated with said first party for displaying said information concerning said previous messages between said first party and said second party.
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Abstract
An instant messaging system is disclosed that provides a means for presenting information to a user about current conversants and for managing the handling of multiple messages from different parties. A priority hierarchy is established and set by a user with respect to each conversant. Messages from high priority conversants are delivered and displayed prior to messages from lower priority conversants. In a business setting, messages may be routed to particular individuals or with a particular priority based on characteristics or attributes of the message sender.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An instant messaging system comprising:
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means associated with a first party for sending a message to a second party;
means responsive to the identification of said second party for accessing information related to previous messages between said first party and said second party; and
a display associated with said first party for displaying said information concerning said previous messages between said first party and said second party. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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2. An instant messaging system comprising:
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means associated with a first party for sending messages to a plurality of recipients;
means responsive to the identification of said recipients for accessing information related to previous messages between said first party and each of said recipients; and
a display associated with said first party for displaying information concerning previous messages between said first party and a particular one of said recipients whenever a message is sent to said recipient. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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3. An instant messaging system comprising:
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a first user receiving messages from a plurality of second users;
prioritization means associated with said first user for assigning a priority level to each of said second users; and
means for determining the order of display by said first user of said messages received from each of said second users in accordance with said priority levels. - View Dependent Claims (7, 17, 18)
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4. An instant messaging system comprising:
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means for receiving at least one message from each of a plurality of senders;
means for determining at least one attribute associated with each of said plurality of senders;
means for assigning a priority level to said at least one received message from each of said plurality of senders based on said attribute; and
means for controlling the display of said messages by a recipient in response to said priority level. - View Dependent Claims (8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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9. A method for operating an instant messaging system comprising the steps of:
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receiving by a first user messages from a plurality of second users;
prioritizing said messages received by said first user by assigning a priority level to each of said second users; and
determining the order of display by said first users of said messages received from each of said second users in accordance with said priority levels. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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10. A method for operating an instant messaging system comprising the steps of:
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receiving at least one message from each of a plurality of senders;
determining at least one attribute associated with each of said plurality of senders;
assigning a priority level to said at least one received message from each of said plurality of senders based on said attribute; and
controlling the display of said messages by a recipient in response to said priority level. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An instant messaging system comprising:
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a communication device associated with a first party for sending a message to a second party;
a storage device responsive to the identification of said second party for accessing information related to previous messages between said first party and said second party; and
a display associated with said first party for displaying said information concerning said previous messages between said first party and said second party. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification