Instant messaging interface having an informational tool tip

• US 7,421,661 B1
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AOL LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Myers, Linda Nols, Carbone, Kenneth, Willis, Gregory Alan, Van Lenten, Thomas E., Canfield, James Andrew, Colburn, David Fairlie
• Primary Examiner(s): Wiley; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): PITARO, RYAN F
• Application Number:
  US10/259,844
• Time in Patent Office: 2,164 Days
• Field of Search: 715/715, 715/711
• US Class Current: 715/752
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• 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]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information

Abstract

An interface enables perception of information regarding a communications session that leverages an instant messaging platform. The user interface includes an instant messaging application user interface that enables perception and selection of instant messaging communications sessions for an instant messaging user, a mechanism to determine the content from within a desired instant messaging session that is not actively displayed, and an informational tool tip that provides a perceivable indication to the user of at least a portion of the determined content of the desired instant messaging session.

Claims

1. An electronic device configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause operations including rendering of a user interface that enables perception of information regarding a communications session that leverages an instant messaging platform, the user interface comprising:

an instant messaging application user interface that enables perception and selection of instant messaging communications sessions for a first instant messaging user;

a list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user, each interface label in the list representing a distinct and concurrent communications session, the list including;

an active session interface label representative of an active communications session between the first instant messaging user and a primary instant messaging user, content from the active communications session being displayed;

a subdued session interface label representative of a subdued communications session between the first instant messaging user and a secondary instant messaging user, content from the subdued communications session being hidden from display;

a communications session interface that displays the content from the active communications session, the communications session interface being made perceivable in response to the first instant messaging user using a user input device to select the active session interface label; and

an informational tool tip that is activated to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of only a sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the subdued session interface label included in the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions, the communications session interface persisting while the informational tool tip is activated to make perceivable the sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session,

wherein the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user includes multiple additional subdued session interface labels, each additional subdued session interface label representative of an additional subdued communications session between the first instant messaging user and another user and each additional subdued session interface label configured to enable activation of the informational tool tip to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of only a sub-set of the content from within the additional subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the additional subdued session interface label.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 in which the informational tool tip provides the perceivable indication in response to the first instant messaging user maintaining the user input device in a position proximate to the subdued session interface label for a predetermined threshold period of time.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 in which the informational tool tip is rendered in a pop up window.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 in which the informational tool tip is rendered as an overlay.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising automatically closing the tool tip.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 in which the user interface comprises a visual interface.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 in which the user interface comprises an audible interface.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 in which each instant messaging communications session comprises an exchange of one or more text messages.

9. The electronic device of claim 1 in which each instant messaging communications session comprises an exchange of one or more audio messages.

10. The electronic device of claim 1 in which each instant messaging communications session comprises an exchange of one or more video messages.

26. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the subdued communications session comprises a pending instant messaging session.

27. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the subdued communications session comprises an ongoing electronic conversation between the first instant messaging user and the secondary instant messaging user.

28. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the subdued communications session comprises an inactive instant messaging session not currently being viewed or manipulated by the first instant messaging user.

29. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the content from the subdued communications session was previously displayed in the communications session interface.

30. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the list is a first list, the interface further comprising:

a second list of interface labels representative of instant messaging users associated with the first messaging user, wherein;

the second list is configured to enable perception of online presence information for the instant messaging users represented by the interface labels included in the second list, the second list differs from the first list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user in that the first list includes only a subset of the interface labels included in the second list.

31. The electronic device of claim 30 wherein the second list includes interface labels representative of instant messaging users for which the first instant messaging user is not currently engaging in a communications session, and which are not included on the first list.

32. The electronic device of claim 30 wherein the second list includes an interface label representative of the secondary instant messaging user and the informational tool tip is only activated to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of the sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the subdued session interface label included in the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions.

33. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein each interface label included in the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user, other than the active session interface label, is configured to enable activation of the informational tool tip.

11. A computer program, stored on a storage medium, comprising instructions for:

rendering an interface that enables perception of information regarding a communications session that leverages an instant messaging platform, the user interface comprising an instant messaging application user interface that enables perception and selection of instant messaging communications sessions for a first instant messaging user;

rendering a list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user, each interface label in the list representing a distinct and concurrent communications session, the list including;

an active session interface label representative of an active communications session between the first instant messaging user and a primary instant messaging user, content from the active communications session being displayed;

a subdued session interface label representative of a subdued communications session between the first instant messaging user and a secondary instant messaging user, content from the subdued communications session being hidden from display;

rendering a communications session interface that displays the content from the active communications session, the communications session interface being made perceivable in response to the first instant messaging user using a user input device to select the active session interface label; and

rendering an informational tool tip that is activated to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of only a sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the subdued session interface label included in the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions, the communications session interface persisting while the informational tool tip is activated to make perceivable the sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session,

wherein the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user includes multiple additional subdued session interface labels, each additional subdued session interface label representative of an additional subdued communications session between the first instant messaging user and another user and each additional subdued session interface label configured to enable activation of the informational tool tip to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of only a sub-set of the content from within the additional subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the additional subdued session interface label.

12. The computer program of claim 11 in which the informational tool tip provides the perceivable indication in response to the first instant messaging user maintaining the user input device in a position proximate to the subdued session interface label for a predetermined threshold period of time.

13. The computer program of claim 11 in which the informational tool tip is rendered in a pop up window.

14. The computer program of claim 11 in which the informational tool tip is rendered as an overlay.

15. The computer program of claim 11 further comprising instructions for automatically closing the tool tip.

16. The computer program of claim 11 in which the user interface comprises a visual interface.

17. The computer program of claim 11 in which the user interface comprises an audible interface.

18. The computer program of claim 11 in which each instant messaging communications session comprises an exchange of one or more text messages.

19. The computer program of claim 11 in which each instant messaging communications session comprises an exchange of one or more audio messages.

20. The computer program of claim 11 in which each instant messaging communications session comprises an exchange of one or more video messages.

21. A computer program, stored on a storage medium, the computer program comprising:

means for rendering an interface enabling perception of information regarding a communications session that leverages an instant messaging platform, the user interface comprising an instant messaging application user interface that enables perception and selection of instant messaging communications sessions for a first instant messaging user;

means for rendering a list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user, each interface label in the list representing a distinct and concurrent communications session, the list including;

an active session interface label representative of an active communications session between the first instant messaging user and a primary instant messaging user, content from the active communications session being displayed;

a subdued session interface label representative of a subdued communications session between the first instant messaging user and a secondary instant messaging user, content from the subdued communications session being hidden from display;

means for rendering a communications session interface that displays the content from the active communications session, the communications session interface being made perceivable in response to the first instant messaging user using a user input device to select the active session interface label; and

means for rendering an informational tool tip that is activated to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of only a sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the subdued session interface label included in the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions, the communications session interface persisting while the informational tool tip is activated to make perceivable the sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session,

wherein the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user includes multiple additional subdued session interface labels, each additional subdued session interface label representative of an additional subdued communications session between the first instant messaging user and another user and each additional subdued session interface label configured to enable activation of the informational tool tip to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of only a sub-set of the content from within the additional subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the additional subdued session interface label.

22. The computer program of claim 21 in which the informational tool tip provides the perceivable indication in response to the first instant messaging user maintaining the user input device proximate to the subdued session interface label predetermined threshold period of time.

23. The computer program of claim 21 in which the informational tool tip is rendered in a pop up window.

24. The computer program of claim 21 in which the informational tool tip is rendered as an overlay.

25. The computer program of claim 21 further comprising means for automatically closing the tool tip.

34. An electronic device configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause operations including rendering of a user interface that enables perception of information regarding a communications session that leverages an instant messaging platform, the user interface comprising:

an instant messaging application user interface that enables perception and selection of instant messaging communications sessions for a first instant messaging user;

a first list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user, each interface label in the first list representing a distinct and concurrent communications session, the first list including;

an active session interface label representative of an active communications session between the first instant messaging user and a primary instant messaging user, content from the active communications session being displayed;

a subdued session interface label representative of a subdued communications session between the first instant messaging user and a secondary instant messaging user, content from the subdued communications session being hidden from display;

a communications session interface that displays the content from the active communications session, the communications session interface being made perceivable in response to the first instant messaging user using a user input device to select the active session interface label;

an informational tool tip that is activated to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of only a sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the subdued session interface label included in the first list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions, the communications session interface persisting while the informational tool tip is activated to make perceivable the sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session; and

a second list of interface labels representative of instant messaging users associated with the first messaging user, wherein;

the second list is configured to enable perception of online presence information for the instant messaging users represented by the interface labels included in the second list, the second list differs from the first list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user in that the first list includes only a subset of the interface labels included in the second list,

the second list includes an interface label representative of the secondary instant messaging user and the informational tool tip is only activated to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of the sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the subdued session interface label included in the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions.

35. The electronic device of claim 34 wherein the subdued communications session comprises an ongoing electronic conversation between the first instant messaging user and the secondary instant messaging user.

36. The electronic device of claim 34 wherein the subdued communications session comprises an inactive instant messaging session not currently being viewed or manipulated by the first instant messaging user.

37. The electronic device of claim 34 wherein the content from the subdued communications session was previously displayed in the communications session interface.

38. The electronic device of claim 34 wherein each interface label included in the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user, other than the active session interface label, is configured to enable activation of the informational tool tip.

39. The electronic device of claim 34 wherein the sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session includes content from multiple messages exchanged in the subdued communications session.

40. The electronic device of claim 39 wherein the content from the multiple messages exchanged in the subdued communications session includes content from a first message and a second message exchanged subsequent to exchange of the first message.

41. The electronic device of claim 39 wherein the content from the multiple messages exchanged in the subdued communications session includes content from at least one message sent by the first instant messaging user and at least one message sent by the secondary instant messaging user.

42. The electronic device of claim 41 wherein the content from the multiple messages exchanged in the subdued communications session includes content from only a most recent message sent by the first instant messaging user and a most recent message sent by the secondary instant messaging user.

43. A computer program, stored on a storage medium, comprising instructions for:

rendering an interface that enables perception of information regarding a communications session that leverages an instant messaging platform, the user interface comprising an instant messaging application user interface that enables perception and selection of instant messaging communications sessions for a first instant messaging user;

rendering a first list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user, each interface label in the first list representing a distinct and concurrent communications session, the first list including;

an active session interface label representative of an active communications session between the first instant messaging user and a primary instant messaging user, content from the active communications session being displayed;

a subdued session interface label representative of a subdued communications session between the first instant messaging user and a secondary instant messaging user, content from the subdued communications session being hidden from display;

rendering a communications session interface that displays the content from the active communications session, the communications session interface being made perceivable in response to the first instant messaging user using a user input device to select the active session interface label;

rendering an informational tool tip that is activated to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of only a sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the subdued session interface label included in the first list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions, the communications session interface persisting while the informational tool tip is activated to make perceivable the sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session; and

rendering a second list of interface labels representative of instant messaging users associated with the first messaging user, wherein;

the second list is configured to enable perception of online presence information for the instant messaging users represented by the interface labels included in the second list, the second list differs from the first list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user in that the first list includes only a subset of the interface labels included in the second list, and

the second list includes an interface label representative of the secondary instant messaging user and the informational tool tip is only activated to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of the sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the subdued session interface label included in the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions.

44. The computer program of claim 43 wherein the subdued communications session comprises an ongoing electronic conversation between the first instant messaging user and the secondary instant messaging user.

45. The computer program of claim 43 wherein the subdued communications session comprises an inactive instant messaging session not currently being viewed or manipulated by the first instant messaging user.

46. The computer program of claim 43 wherein the content from the subdued communications session was previously displayed in the communications session interface.

47. The computer program of claim 43 wherein each interface label included in the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user, other than the active session interface label, is configured to enable activation of the informational tool tip.

48. The computer program of claim 43 wherein the sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session includes content from multiple messages exchanged in the subdued communications session.

49. The computer program of claim 48 wherein the content from the multiple messages exchanged in the subdued communications session includes content from a first message and a second message exchanged subsequent to exchange of the first message.

50. The computer program of claim 48 wherein the content from the multiple messages exchanged in the subdued communications session includes content from at least one message sent by the first instant messaging user and at least one message sent by the secondary instant messaging user.

51. The computer program of claim 50 wherein the content from the multiple messages exchanged in the subdued communications session includes content from only a most recent message sent by the first instant messaging user and a most recent message sent by the secondary instant messaging user.

52. A computer program, stored on a storage medium, the computer program comprising:

means for rendering an interface enabling perception of information regarding a communications session that leverages an instant messaging platform, the user interface comprising an instant messaging application user interface that enables perception and selection of instant messaging communications sessions for a first instant messaging user;

means for rendering a list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user, each interface label in the list representing a distinct and concurrent communications session, the list including;

an active session interface label representative of an active communications session between the first instant messaging user and a primary instant messaging user, content from the active communications session being displayed;

a subdued session interface label representative of a subdued communications session between the first instant messaging user and a secondary instant messaging user, content from the subdued communications session being hidden from display;

means for rendering a communications session interface that displays the content from the active communications session, the communications session interface being made perceivable in response to the first instant messaging user using a user input device to select the active session interface label;

means for rendering an informational tool tip that is activated to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of only a sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the subdued session interface label included in the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions, the communications session interface persisting while the informational tool tip is activated to make perceivable the sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session; and

means for rendering a second list of interface labels representative of instant messaging users associated with the first messaging user, wherein;

the second list is configured to enable perception of online presence information for the instant messaging users represented by the interface labels included in the second list, the second list differs from the first list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions of the first instant messaging user in that the first list includes only a subset of the interface labels included in the second list, and

the second list includes an interface label representative of the secondary instant messaging user and the informational tool tip is only activated to provide a perceivable indication to the first instant messaging user of the sub-set of the content from within the subdued communications session in response to the first instant messaging user positioning the user input device proximate to the subdued session interface label included in the list of interface labels representative of current communications sessions.