Method and system for capturing instant messages
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system to manage instant messages, the system comprising:
- at least one processing device;
a storage storing instructions, which when implemented, cause the processing device to implement;
an input interface configured to receive instant messages created by or on behalf of one or more message sources for delivery to an intended recipient;
a degree of separation component configured to determine a degree of separation between the intended recipient and the message source, wherein the degree of separation indicates a number of intermediary relationships linking the intended recipient and the message source;
a screening component configured to;
identify, from among the received instant messages, qualifying instant messages that satisfy a capture rule, wherein the capture rule indicates that an instant message qualifies for capture if the degree of separation between the intended recipient and the message source exceeds a pre-determined threshold, andcapture as captured instant messages two or more of the qualifying instant messages; and
an output interface configured to inform the intended recipient unobtrusively of the captured instant messages and to enable the intended recipient to manage the captured instant messages.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Managing instant messages may include receiving instant messages created by or on behalf of one or more message sources for delivery to an intended recipient. From among the received instant messages, qualifying instant messages may be identified that satisfy a capture rule, and two or more of the qualifying instant messages may be captured. The intended recipient may be informed of the captured instant messages unobtrusively, and also may be enabled to manage the captured instant messages.
229 Citations
52 Claims
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1. A system to manage instant messages, the system comprising:
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at least one processing device; a storage storing instructions, which when implemented, cause the processing device to implement; an input interface configured to receive instant messages created by or on behalf of one or more message sources for delivery to an intended recipient; a degree of separation component configured to determine a degree of separation between the intended recipient and the message source, wherein the degree of separation indicates a number of intermediary relationships linking the intended recipient and the message source; a screening component configured to; identify, from among the received instant messages, qualifying instant messages that satisfy a capture rule, wherein the capture rule indicates that an instant message qualifies for capture if the degree of separation between the intended recipient and the message source exceeds a pre-determined threshold, and capture as captured instant messages two or more of the qualifying instant messages; and an output interface configured to inform the intended recipient unobtrusively of the captured instant messages and to enable the intended recipient to manage the captured instant messages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program comprising:
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a receiving code segment that causes a computer to receive instant messages created by or on behalf of one or more message sources for delivery to a user; a degree of separation code segment that causes a computer to determine a degree of separation between the user and the message source, wherein the degree of separation indicates a number of intermediary relationships linking the user and the message source; a screening code segment that causes a computer to identify, from among instant messages intended for the user, qualifying instant messages that satisfy a capture rule, and to capture as captured instant messages two or more of the qualifying instant messages, wherein the capture rule indicates that an instant message qualifies for capture if the degree of separation between the user and the message source exceeds a pre-determined threshold; and an interface code segment that causes the computer to inform the user unobtrusively of the captured instant messages and to enable the user to manage the captured instant messages. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A computer-implemented method of managing instant messages, the method comprising:
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receiving instant messages created by or on behalf of one or more message sources for delivery to a user; determining a degree of separation between the user and the message source, wherein the degree of separation indicates a number of intermediary relationships linking the user and the message source; identifying, from among the received instant messages, qualifying instant messages that satisfy a capture rule, wherein the capture rule indicates that an instant message qualifies for capture if the degree of separation between the user and the message source exceeds a pre-determined threshold; capturing two or more of the qualifying instant messages; and informing the user unobtrusively of the captured instant messages and enabling the user to manage the captured instant messages. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A system to manage instant messages, the system comprising:
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at least one processing device; a storage storing instructions, which when implemented, cause the processing device to implement; an input interface configured to receive instant messages created by or on behalf of one or more message sources for delivery to an intended recipient that is logged into the instant messaging system; a screening component configured to; identify, from among the received instant messages while the intended recipient is logged into the instant messaging system, qualifying instant messages that satisfy a capture rule, wherein the capture rule indicates that an instant message qualifies for capture based on an online status of the intended recipient, and capture as captured instant messages two or more of the qualifying instant messages; and an output interface configured to inform the intended recipient unobtrusively of the captured instant messages and to enable the intended recipient to manage the captured instant messages.
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52. A computer-implemented method of managing instant messages, the method comprising:
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receiving instant messages created by or on behalf of one or more message sources for delivery to a user; identifying, from among the received instant messages, qualifying instant messages that satisfy a capture rule; capturing two or more of the qualifying instant messages; and presenting the user with a captured message interface that enables the user to; view a list of all captured instant messages; and select one instant message from the list of captured instant messages and respond to the selected captured instant message in a new instant messaging window.
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Specification