Multi-system instant messaging (IM)
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- establishing a first instant-messaging (IM) session between a user on a client device and a first contact in a single IM-session window, the first IM session being initiated with the first contact having a first IM account, the first IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a first IM protocol; and
establishing a second IM session between the user and a second contact in the single IM-session window, the second IM session being initiated with the second contact having a second IM account, the second IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a second IM protocol, the client device being configured to permit IM communications between the first contact and the second contact,wherein the IM communications between the first contact and the second contact are communicated via the client device of the user, andwherein the first IM protocol is different than the second IM protocol.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for instant messaging (IM) with multiple contacts from multiple IM systems are presented. In one embodiment, incoming IM messages from multiple IM systems are translated and displayed to the user. Similarly, outgoing IM messages from the user are translated for compatibility with each of the multiple IM systems, thereby permitting communication between the user and contacts at the multiple IM systems. In another embodiment, an incoming IM message from one of the IM systems is translated for compatibility with each of the other IM systems, thereby permitting communication between contacts at the multiple IM systems.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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establishing a first instant-messaging (IM) session between a user on a client device and a first contact in a single IM-session window, the first IM session being initiated with the first contact having a first IM account, the first IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a first IM protocol; and establishing a second IM session between the user and a second contact in the single IM-session window, the second IM session being initiated with the second contact having a second IM account, the second IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a second IM protocol, the client device being configured to permit IM communications between the first contact and the second contact, wherein the IM communications between the first contact and the second contact are communicated via the client device of the user, and wherein the first IM protocol is different than the second IM protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method comprising:
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receiving at a client device at a user location a first instant-messaging (IM) message from a first contact, the first contact having a first IM account, the first IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a first IM protocol; and conveying the first IM message from the client device at a user location to a second contact, the second contact having a second IM account, the second IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a second IM protocol, wherein the first IM protocol is different than the second IM protocol, wherein the client device is configured to permit IM communications between the first contact and the second contact, and wherein the IM communications between the first contact and the second contact are communicated via the client device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system comprising:
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means for establishing a first instant-messaging (TM) session between a user on a client device and a first contact in a single TM-session window, the first IM session being initiated with the first contact having a first IM account, the first IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a first IM protocol; and means for establishing a second IM session between the user and a second contact in the single TM-session window, the second IM session being initiated with the second contact having a second IM account, the second IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a second IM protocol, the client device being configured to permit IM communications between the first contact and the second contact, wherein the IM communications between the first contact and the second contact are communicated via the client device of the user, and wherein the first IM protocol is different than the second IM protocol. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A system comprising:
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means for a user to receive, at a client device at a user location, a first instant-messaging (IM) message from a first contact, the first contact having a first IM account, the first IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a first IM protocol; and means for conveying the first IM message from the client device at a user location to a second contact, the second contact having a second IM account, the second IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a second IM protocol, wherein the first IM protocol is different than the second IM protocol, wherein the client device is configured to permit IM communications between the first contact and the second contact, and wherein the IM communications between the first contact and the second contact are communicated via the client device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A system comprising:
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logic adapted to establish a first instant-messaging (IM) session between a user on a client device and a first contact in a single IM-session window, the first IM session being initiated with the first contact having a first IM account, the first IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a first IM protocol; and logic adapted to establish a second IM session between the user and a second contact in the single IM-session window, the second IM session being initiated with the second contact having a second IM account, the second IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a second IM protocol, the client device being configured to permit IM communications between the first contact and the second contact, wherein the IM communications between the first contact and the second contact are communicated via the client device of the user, and wherein the first IM protocol is different than the second IM protocol. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A system comprising:
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logic adapted to allow a user to receive, at a client device at a user location, a first instant-messaging (IM) message from a first contact, the first contact having a first IM account, the first IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a first IM protocol; and logic adapted to convey the first IM message from the client device at a user location to a second contact, the second contact having a second IM account, the second IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a second IM protocol, wherein the first IM protocol is different than the second IM protocol, wherein the client device is configured to permit IM communications between the first contact and the second contact, and wherein the IM communications between the first contact and the second contact are communicated via the client device. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A computer-readable storage medium embodying computer-readable code configured to instruct:
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a programmable device to establish a first instant-messaging (IM) session between a user on a client device and a first contact in a single IM-session window, the first IM session being initiated with the first contact having a first IM account, the first IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a first IM protocol, and a programmable device to establish a second IM session between the user and a second contact in the single IM-session window, the second IM session being initiated with the second contact having a second IM account, the second IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a second IM protocol, the client device being configured to permit IM communications between the first contact and the second contact, wherein the IM communications between the first contact and the second contact are communicated via the client device of the user, and wherein the first IM protocol is different than the second IM protocol. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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41. A computer-readable storage medium embodying computer-readable code configured to instruct:
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a programmable device to allow a user to receive, at a client device at a user location, a first instant-messaging (IM) message from a first contact, the first contact having a first IM account, the first IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a first IM protocol; and a programmable device to convey the first IM message from the client device at a user location to a second contact, the second contact having a second IM account, the second IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a second IM protocol, wherein the first IM protocol is different than the second IM protocol, wherein the client device is configured to permit IM communications between the first contact and the second contact, and wherein the IM communications between the first contact and the second contact are communicated via the client device. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification