SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSTANT MESSAGING
First Claim
1. An integrated instant messages (IM) user interface for exchanging IM in a network-based community, comprising:
- a text entry area configured to receive a text message from a first user;
a first graphic representation representing a second user, wherein the first graphic representation is configured to be activated by the first user to start an IM session between the first user and the second user;
a second graphic representation representing a third user associated with the first user, wherein the second graphic representation is configured to be activated by the first user to start an IM session between the first user and the third user; and
a chat window configured to display text messages between the first user and the second user or between the first user and the third user.
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Abstract
An integrated IM user interface for exchanging instant messages (IM) in a network-based community includes a text entry area configured to receive a text message from a first user and a first graphic representation representing a second user. The first graphic representation can be activated by the first user to start an IM session between the first user and the second user. A second graphic representation represents a third user associated with the first user. The second graphic representation can be activated by the first user to start an IM session between the first user and the third user. A chat window displays text messages between the first user and the second user or between the first user and the third user.
14 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An integrated instant messages (IM) user interface for exchanging IM in a network-based community, comprising:
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a text entry area configured to receive a text message from a first user; a first graphic representation representing a second user, wherein the first graphic representation is configured to be activated by the first user to start an IM session between the first user and the second user; a second graphic representation representing a third user associated with the first user, wherein the second graphic representation is configured to be activated by the first user to start an IM session between the first user and the third user; and a chat window configured to display text messages between the first user and the second user or between the first user and the third user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An integrated IM user interface for exchanging instant messages (IM) in a network-based community, comprising:
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a text entry area configured to receive a text message from a first user; a first graphic representation representing a second user, wherein the first graphic representation is configured to be activated by the first user to start an IM session between the first user and the second user; a plurality of graphic representations each representing a different user associated with the first user, the first graphic representation and the plurality of graphic representations are positioned adjacent to each other, wherein each of graphic representations is configured to be activated by the first user to start an IM session between the first user and the user represented by the graphic representation; a first symbol in association with one of the plurality of graphic representations, wherein the first symbol indicates one or more new or an unread instant message(s) sent by a different user represented by the one of the plurality of graphic representations; a chat window configured to display text messages between the first user and the second user or between the first user and one of the different users represented by the plurality of graphic representations; a control button which when actuated, allows the first user to send a text message to the second user or one of the different users; an icon positioned adjacent to the first graphic representation or the plurality of graphic representations, wherein the icon is configured to indicate new or an unread forum posting(s) from users associated with the first user, and wherein the icon is configured to be activated by the first user to view forum posting(s) from the users associated with the first user. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A network-based instant messages (IM) system, comprising:
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one or more servers configured to provide an integrated IM user interface on a first remote computer device, wherein the integrated IM user interface comprises; a text entry area configured to receive a text message from a first user; a first graphic representation representing a second user operating a second remote computer device, wherein the first graphic representation is configured to be activated by the first user to start an IM session between the first user and the second user; a second graphic representation representing a third user operating a third remote computer device, wherein the second graphic representation is configured to be activated by the first user to start an IM session between the first user and the third user; and a chat window configured to display text messages between the first user and the second user or between the first user and the third user, wherein the one or more servers are configured to transmit the text messages between the first remote computer device and the second remote computer device, or between the first remote computer device and the third remote computer device; and a computer storage device configured to store the text messages, the first graphic representation, and the second graphic representation. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification