Methods and Apparatus for Managing and Distinguishing Instant Messaging Sessions and Threads
First Claim
1. A method of managing instant messaging communication over a computer network, comprising the steps of:
- organizing one or more instant messaging session windows in an instant messaging session manager; and
attributing at least one distinguishing session characteristic to each of the one or more instant messaging session windows, wherein the at least one distinguishing session characteristic comprises at least one of a sound clip associated with a user of the session, a background of an instant messaging session window associated with a user of the session, and a change in at least one of a color and an intensity of the instant messaging session window;
wherein the at least one distinguishing session characteristic increases a likelihood of identification of each of the one or more instant messaging session windows.
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Abstract
A method of managing instant messaging communication over a computer network is provided. One or more instant messaging session windows are organized in an instant messaging session manager. At least one distinguishing session characteristic is attributed to each of the one or more instant messaging session windows. The at least one distinguishing session characteristic is at least one of a sound clip associated with a user of the session, an instant messaging session window background associated with a user of the session, and a change in at least one of a color and an intensity of the instant messaging session window. The at least one distinguishing session characteristic increases a likelihood of identification of each of the one or more instant messaging session windows.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of managing instant messaging communication over a computer network, comprising the steps of:
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organizing one or more instant messaging session windows in an instant messaging session manager; and attributing at least one distinguishing session characteristic to each of the one or more instant messaging session windows, wherein the at least one distinguishing session characteristic comprises at least one of a sound clip associated with a user of the session, a background of an instant messaging session window associated with a user of the session, and a change in at least one of a color and an intensity of the instant messaging session window; wherein the at least one distinguishing session characteristic increases a likelihood of identification of each of the one or more instant messaging session windows. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. Apparatus for transmitting managing instant messaging communication over a computer network, comprising:
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a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and operative to;
organize one or more instant messaging session windows in an instant messaging session manager; and
attribute at least one distinguishing session characteristic to each of the one or more instant messaging session windows, wherein the at least one distinguishing session characteristic comprises at least one of a sound clip associated with a user of the session, an instant messaging session window background associated with a user of the session, and a change in at least one of a color and an intensity of the instant messaging session window;
wherein the at least one distinguishing session characteristic increases a likelihood of identification of each of the one or more instant messaging session windows. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. An article of manufacture for managing instant messaging communication over a computer network, comprising a machine readable medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of:
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organizing one or more instant messaging session windows in an instant messaging session manager; and attributing at least one distinguishing session characteristic to each of the one or more instant messaging session windows, wherein the at least one distinguishing session characteristic comprises at least one of a sound clip associated with a user of the session, an instant messaging session window background associated with a user of the session, and a change in at least one of a color and an intensity of the instant messaging session window; wherein the at least one distinguishing session characteristic increases a likelihood of identification of each of the one or more instant messaging session windows.
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Specification