Individually specifying message output attributes in a messaging system

• US 7,568,014 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2008
• Issued: 07/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maplebear Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dutta, Rabindranath, Brown, Michael Wayne, Paolini, Michael A
• Primary Examiner(s): Meky; Moustafa M
• Application Number:
  US12/140,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20080250113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 709200-203, 709217-227, 709205-206
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding

Abstract

A method, system and program for specifying message outputs in a messaging session are provided. A message entry is received in association with a particular topic from among multiple available topics from a particular user from among multiple users participating in a messaging session. Output attributes are assigned to the message entry according to receiving user specified output preferences for the particular topic individually specified by each of the receiving users participating in the messaging session, such that output of the message entry is uniquely specified for each of the receiving users participating.

Claims

1. A system for controlling messaging outputs in a messaging session, said system comprising:

a client messaging system communicatively connected to a network;

said client messaging system further comprising;

means for receiving a plurality of message entries each associated with a particular topic from among a plurality of topics within a particular channel of a messaging session; and

means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries according to output attributes assigned to said plurality of message entries for a particular user to distinguish according to a receiving user'"'"'s preferences between said plurality of topics, such that output of said plurality of message entries according to topic is distinguished according to a user receiving said plurality of message entries.

2. The system for controlling messaging outputs in a messaging session according to claim 1, said means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries according to output attributes further comprising:

means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries according to an assigned graphical output attribute.

3. The system for controlling messaging outputs in a messaging session according to claim 1, said means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries according to output attributes further comprising:

means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries according to an assigned audible output attribute.

4. The system for controlling messaging outputs in a messaging session according to claim 1, said means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries according to output attributes further comprising:

means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries to distinguish between said plurality of users.

5. The system for controlling messaging outputs in a messaging session according to claim 1, said means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries according to output attributes further comprising:

means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries in distinguishable graphical interfaces according to said plurality of topics.

6. A program for controlling messaging outputs in a messaging session, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of message entries each associated with a particular topic from among a plurality of topics within a particular channel of a messaging session; and

means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries according to output attributes assigned to said plurality of message entries for a particular user to distinguish according to a receiving user'"'"'s preferences between said plurality of topics, such that output of said plurality of message entries according to topic is distinguished according to a user receiving said plurality of message entries.

7. The program for controlling messaging outputs in a messaging session according to claim 6, said program further comprising:

means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries according to an assigned graphical output attribute.

8. The program for controlling messaging outputs in a messaging session according to claim 6, said program further comprising:

means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries according to an assigned audible output attribute.

9. The program for controlling messaging outputs in a messaging session according to claim 6, said program further comprising:

means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries to distinguish between said plurality of users.

10. The program for controlling messaging outputs in a messaging session according to claim 6, said program further comprising:

means for controlling output of said plurality of message entries in distinguishable graphical interfaces according to said plurality of topics.