Templates for themed instant messages
First Claim
1. A method comprising the steps of:
- storing a plurality of templates, wherein each templatea) defines a set of fields and a manner of presenting user-provided information for those fields;
b) is based on a theme; and
c) defines functionality associated with the theme;
receiving, at a first IM client, first user input from a first user, wherein the first user input selects a particular template of the plurality of templates;
in response to the first user input, prompting the first user for second user input for the set of fields associated with the particular template;
sending, from the first IM client to a second IM client of a second user, a message that indicates the particular template and includes content that is based on the second user input;
wherein receipt of said message at the second IM client automatically causes the second IM client to;
generate a display that displays the content in the manner dictated by the particular template; and
provide the functionality that is defined in the particular template for the theme;
wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for templates for implementing instant message themes is provided. For example, the user selects between a “to-do” theme, an “invite” theme, a “postcard” theme, a “reminder” theme, etc. If the user selects the “to-do” theme, the to-do template may prompt the user to input a description of the task to be performed and a due date/time. An instant message is sent to a recipient who is to perform the task. The recipient'"'"'s instant message application displays a to-do in a themed IM window. The themed IM window may have special features that are related to the interactions for the to-do theme. For example, the themed IM window can have a “completed indicator” for the recipient to send a completion notice to the sender. Alternatively, the themed IM window could have a button to perform the task. In response to performing the task, the to-do theme could automatically send a completion notice.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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storing a plurality of templates, wherein each template a) defines a set of fields and a manner of presenting user-provided information for those fields; b) is based on a theme; and c) defines functionality associated with the theme; receiving, at a first IM client, first user input from a first user, wherein the first user input selects a particular template of the plurality of templates; in response to the first user input, prompting the first user for second user input for the set of fields associated with the particular template; sending, from the first IM client to a second IM client of a second user, a message that indicates the particular template and includes content that is based on the second user input; wherein receipt of said message at the second IM client automatically causes the second IM client to; generate a display that displays the content in the manner dictated by the particular template; and provide the functionality that is defined in the particular template for the theme; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer program product embodied in volatile or non-volatile storage, said program when executed on one or more processors operable to:
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receive, at a first instant message (IM) client, first user input from a first user, wherein the first user input selects a particular template of a plurality of templates; wherein each template of the plurality of templates a) defines a set of fields and a manner of presenting user-provided information for those fields; b) is based on a theme; and c) defines functionality associated with the theme; in response to the first user input, prompt the first user for second user input for the set of fields associated with the particular template; send, from the first IM client to a second IM client of a second user, a message that indicates the particular template and includes content that is based on the second user input; wherein receipt of said message at the second IM client automatically causes the second IM client to; generate a display that displays the content in the manner dictated by the particular template; and provide the functionality that is defined in the particular template for the theme. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification