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Merging instant messaging (IM) chat sessions

  • US 7,844,662 B2
  • Filed: 10/14/2003
  • Issued: 11/30/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A communication method comprising:

  • establishing an instant messaging (IM) chat session between a first sender and a recipient, the IM chat session being established by the first sender sending a first IM message to an IM address of the recipient;

    receiving a second IM message from a second sender to the recipient;

    in response to receiving the second IM message from the second sender to the recipient, automatically generating and automatically sending by an IM client a query to the second sender, the query including an option to join the IM chat session;

    in response to receiving a response to the query indicating a desire by the second sender to join the IM chat session, sending a query to the recipient to establish an IM chat room with the second sender;

    issuing a request for permission for the second sender to join the IM chat session, the request for permission being issued to the first sender;

    receiving a reply from the first sender granting permission for the second sender to join the IM chat session;

    revealing IM communications between the second sender and the recipient to the first sender prior to establishing the IM chat room between the recipient, the first sender and the second sender; and

    in response to receiving an indication from the recipient and the first sender to establish an IM chat room with the second sender, establishing the IM chat room between the recipient, the first sender, and the second sender.

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