Electronic Communication System
First Claim
1. A method implemented on a user device for providing read receipts for messages communicated in an instant messaging system, the method comprising:
- receiving a message via the instant messaging system;
displaying a dummy message on a display of the user device;
receiving a user action responsive to the dummy message;
upon receiving the user action, removing the dummy message from the display and displaying the message on the display; and
sending a confirmation signal to the instant messaging system to indicate that a user has read the message.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention discloses a method and apparatus for providing reliable read receipts for messages communicated in an instant messaging system. Upon receiving an instant message via the instant messaging system, an embodiment of the invention displays a notification message or redacted version of the instant message (instead of the instant message) on a user device, such as a personal computer or a smartphone. The notification message or redacted message contains visual cues that invite a user to click, tap, or swipe on it to view the full content of the instant message. Upon receiving the responsive user action, the invention replaces the notification message or redacted message with the full instant message. And immediately after that, the invention sends a confirmation signal to the instant messaging system to indicate that a user has read the message. Meanwhile, the invention determines whether the instant message is an ephemeral message or not. If it is an ephemeral message, the invention receives a calculated ephemeral period from the instant messaging system and remove the instant message from the display after the ephemeral period has passed since receiving the user action.
51 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method implemented on a user device for providing read receipts for messages communicated in an instant messaging system, the method comprising:
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receiving a message via the instant messaging system; displaying a dummy message on a display of the user device; receiving a user action responsive to the dummy message; upon receiving the user action, removing the dummy message from the display and displaying the message on the display; and sending a confirmation signal to the instant messaging system to indicate that a user has read the message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A personal computing device comprising:
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a display; a memory for storing instructions; and a processor which, upon executing the instructions, performs a process comprising; receiving a message from an instant messaging system; displaying a dummy message on the display; receiving a user action responsive to the dummy message; upon receiving the user action, removing the dummy message from the display and displaying the message on the display; and sending a confirmation signal to the instant messaging system to indicate that a user has read the message. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A non-transient computer readable medium programmed with computer readable code that upon execution by a processor of a mobile device causes the processor to:
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display a notification message on a display of the mobile device in response to the mobile device'"'"'s receipt of an instant message from a server, wherein the notification message invites a user action; receive the user action responsive to the notification message; replace the notification message with the instant message on the display upon receiving the user action; and send a confirmation signal to the server to indicate that a user has read the instant message. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification