System and Method for Providing Information Associated with a Messaging Contact

• US 20130047104A1
• Filed: 08/17/2011
• Published: 02/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Henry Yao-Tsu
• Granted Patent: US 9,465,506 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/765
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails

Abstract

An unobtrusive tab is provided in a user interface (UI) used in communicating with a contact, for providing a notification of new information, and to enable access to the information or a representation of the information. The items provided in the information pane may also be selectable to enable further information to be displayed, e.g. an application related to or containing the selected item. Various data items can also be associated with items in the information pane in order to enable further content and information to be launched through selection of an item in the information pane. The information pane can be used as an alternative communication channel and portal for sending and receiving data items such as links, pictures, or other attachments to enable sharing between contacts without disrupting or cluttering a conversational exchange or consuming resources in a particular communication medium.

Claims

1. A method of operating a mobile device, the method comprising:

displaying a message exchange user interface (UI) for a contact;

displaying a first object in a portion of the message exchange UI without obstructing existing content in the message exchange UI;

obtaining information associated with the contact, the information being additional to the existing content displayed in the message exchange UI; and

after detecting selection of the first object;

enlarging the first object in the message exchange UI to provide a second object; and

displaying the additional information associated with the contact using the second object.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising modifying the first object upon receipt of the information associated with the contact.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein modifying the first object comprises changing an appearance of the first object.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein changing the appearance of the first object comprises moving at least a portion of the first object.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second object consumes a larger portion of a display screen than the first object without obstructing the existing content.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

after detecting an input associated with the second object, removing the second object and redisplaying the first object.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the message exchange UI is an instant messaging (IM) UI, the method further comprising:

displaying a third object in the IM UI in association with a list entry for the contact; and

upon detecting selection of the third object, displaying the second object in the IM UI.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second objects are displayed adjacent to messages exchanged with the contact.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second objects are displayed in a banner portion of the message exchange UI.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein display of the existing content is resized to accommodate the second object such that view of the existing content is not obstructed.

11. A mobile device comprising a processor, a display, and memory, the memory storing computer executable instructions for:

displaying a message exchange user interface (UI) for a contact on the display;

displaying a first object in a portion of the message exchange UI without obstructing existing content in the message exchange UI;

obtaining information associated with the contact, the information being additional to the existing content displayed in the message exchange UI; and

after detecting selection of the first object;

enlarging the first object in the message exchange UI to provide a second object; and

displaying the additional information associated with the contact using the second object.

12. The mobile device according to claim 11, further comprising instructions for modifying the first object upon receipt of the information associated with the contact.

13. The mobile device according to claim 12, wherein modifying the first object comprises changing an appearance of the first object.

14. The mobile device according to claim 13, wherein changing the appearance of the first object comprises moving at least a portion of the first object.

15. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein the second object consumes a larger portion of a display screen than the first object without obstructing the existing content.

16. The mobile device according to claim 11, further comprising instructions for:

after detecting an input associated with the second object, removing the second object and redisplaying the first object.

17. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein the message exchange UI is an instant messaging (IM) UI, the memory further comprising instructions for:

displaying a third object in the IM UI in association with a list entry for the contact; and

upon detecting selection of the third object, displaying the second object in the IM UI.

18. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein the first and second objects are displayed adjacent to messages exchanged with the contact.

19. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein the first and second objects are displayed in a banner portion of the message exchange UI.

20. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein display of the existing content is resized to accommodate the second object such that view of the existing content is not obstructed.

21. A computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for operating a mobile device, the computer executable instruction comprising instructions for:

displaying a message exchange user interface (UI) for a contact;

displaying a first object in a portion of the message exchange UI without obstructing existing content in the message exchange UI;

obtaining information associated with the contact, the information being additional to the existing content displayed in the message exchange UI; and

after detecting selection of the first object;

enlarging the first object in the message exchange UI to provide a second object; and

displaying the additional information associated with the contact using the second object.

22. A method of operating a mobile device, the method comprising:

displaying a list of a plurality of instant messaging (IM) contacts in a first user interface (UI);

displaying a first object in association with at least one of the list of IM contacts without obstructing the list of a plurality of IM contacts;

obtaining information associated with a particular one of the at least one of the IM contacts, the information being additional to an IM conversation; and

after detecting selection of the first object associated with the particular one of the at least one of the IM contacts;

enlarging the first object in the first UI to provide a second object; and

displaying the additional information associated with the particular one of the at least one IM contact in the second object.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising displaying a third object in an IM conversation UI for the particular one of the at least one IM contact;

and upon detecting selection of the third object, displaying the second object in the IM conversation UI.