Method, computer program product and apparatus for implementing professional use of instant messaging

• US 7,206,813 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2002
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hintermeister, Gregory Richard, Rackham, DeVaughn Lawrence, Dunbar, Anthony Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Cardone; Jason
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MINH CHAU
• Application Number:
  US10/273,226
• Publication Number:
  US 20040078435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,643 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/206, 709217-219
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing professional use of instant messaging. A flow of an IM conversation is displayed. Responsive to identifying a user selection to pair a response with a previous request, a user entered response and a user selected previous request are sent. Responsive to a user selection, a new topic is displayed in a new view and a new IM conversation is started. When an IM conversation is completed or a window is closed for the IM conversation; the IM conversation is automatically saved. Responsive to a user selection, another user is added to the IM conversation and a window including the flow of the IM conversation is displayed to the added user. An object can be linked to an IM conversation and the IM conversation is automatically saved with the selected object.

Claims

1. A method for implementing professional use of instant messaging (IM) comprising the steps of:

displaying a flow of an IM conversation;

identifying a user selection to pair a response with a previous request from the displayed flow of the IM conversation,

receiving a user entered response and said user selected previous request;

sending both the user entered response and the user selected previous request with the user entered response displayed following the user selected previous request; and

identifying a completed IM conversation or a window closed for the IM conversation; and

automatically saving the IM conversation.

2. A method for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 1 includes the steps of identifying a user selection to add another user to the IM conversation;

and adding another user to the IM conversation.

3. A method for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 2 includes the steps of displaying a window including the flow of the IM conversation to the added user.

4. A method for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 3 includes the steps of displaying a selected IM conversation and keeping other IM conversation private from the added user.

5. A method for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 1 includes the steps of identifying a user selection to isolate a new topic.

6. A method for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 5 includes the steps of receiving a user selected request in the flow of the IM conversation and a user selected new topic;

and displaying the user entered request in a new view and continuing a new IM conversation.

7. A method for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 1 further includes the steps responsive to identifying a user entered view conversations option, displaying saved IM conversations.

8. A method for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 7 includes the steps of receiving a user selection of a saved IM conversation;

and continuing the selected IM conversation.

9. A method for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 1 includes the steps of identifying a user selection, linking a selected object to an IM conversation.

10. A method for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 9 includes the steps of identifying a completed IM conversation or a window closed for the IM conversation;

and automatically saving the IM conversation with the selected object.

11. Apparatus for implementing professional use of instant messaging comprising:

a professional instant messaging management program including a plurality of computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable medium, said professional instant messaging management program executing said instructions;

said professional instant messaging management program receiving user selections and displaying a flow of an IM conversation;

said professional instant messaging management program identifying a user selection to pair a response with a previous request from the displayed flow of the IM conversation, and sending both the user entered response and the user selected previous request with the user entered response displayed following the user selected previous request; and

said professional instant messaging management program identifying a completed IM conversation or a window closed for the IM conversation; and

automatically saving the IM conversation.

12. Apparatus for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 11 wherein said professional instant messaging management program identifies a user selection to add another user to the IM conversation;

and adds another user to the IM conversation.

13. Apparatus for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 12 wherein said professional instant messaging management program displays a window including the flow of the IM conversation to the added user.

14. Apparatus for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 11 wherein said professional instant messaging management program receives a user selected request in the flow of the IM conversation and a user selected new topic;

and displays the user entered request in a new view and continues a new IM conversation.

15. Apparatus for implementing professional use of instant messaging as recited in claim 11 wherein said professional instant messaging management program identifies a user selection and links a selected object to an IM conversation.

16. A computer program product for implementing professional use of instant messaging, said computer program product including a plurality of computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable medium, wherein said instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:

displaying a flow of an IM conversation;

identifying a user selection to pair a response with a previous request from the displayed flow of the IM conversation,

receiving a user entered response and said user selected previous request; and

sending both the user entered response and the user selected previous request with the user entered response displayed following the user selected previous request, and

identifying a completed IM conversation; and

automatically saving the IM conversation.

17. A computer program product as recited in claim 16 wherein said instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:

receiving a user selected new topic and a user selected request in the flow of the IM conversation; and

displaying the user entered request in a new view and continuing a new IM conversation.

18. A computer program product as recited in claim 16 wherein said instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:

identifying a user selection and linking a selected object to an IM conversation;

identifying a completed IM conversation or a window closed for the IM conversation; and

automatically saving the IM conversation with the selected object.

19. A method for implementing professional use of instant messaging comprising:

receiving user selections and displaying a flow of an IM conversation;

identifying a user selection to pair a response with a previous request from the displayed flow of the IM conversation, and sending both the user entered response and the user selected previous request with the user entered response displayed following the user selected previous request; and

identifying a completed IM conversation; and

automatically saving the IM conversation.