System and method for instant messaging
First Claim
1. A method for managing instant messaging carried out on a computer system connected to a communications network, comprising:
- establishing a plurality of real-time chat sessions with communicants connected to the network;
opening a plurality of chat windows for the respective chat sessions;
generating an active chat sessions list (ASL) containing all of the chat sessions, including identifiers for the communicants; and
displaying said ASL on a display device of the computer system with said identifiers placed in order based on a time which has transpired since receipt of a non-responded to a chat message, wherein a given one of the identifiers with the most recent non-responded to chat message is placed at the top of the ASL in order; and
when a response is sent to the communicant associated with the given identifier then it is automatically placed at the bottom of the ASL.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for user-defined control of the operation and appearance of a computerized instant messaging service and associated user interface is disclosed, providing ease of use, control over presentation and access to instant messaging services, particularly for unsighted and other users requiring assistive technologies. A instant messaging (IM) application includes an active sessions list (ASL) comprised of algorithmically ordered identifiers of all communicants in current active chat sessions with the user. The list is presented on the desktop and focused by a predefined first hot-key. By selecting identifiers from the list and activating a predefined second hot-key, chat windows associated with the communicants are opened and focused for receipt of responsive messages from the user.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method for managing instant messaging carried out on a computer system connected to a communications network, comprising:
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establishing a plurality of real-time chat sessions with communicants connected to the network; opening a plurality of chat windows for the respective chat sessions; generating an active chat sessions list (ASL) containing all of the chat sessions, including identifiers for the communicants; and displaying said ASL on a display device of the computer system with said identifiers placed in order based on a time which has transpired since receipt of a non-responded to a chat message, wherein a given one of the identifiers with the most recent non-responded to chat message is placed at the top of the ASL in order; and
when a response is sent to the communicant associated with the given identifier then it is automatically placed at the bottom of the ASL. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification