Multi-modal participant lists
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for switching a participant list of potential message recipients from a first messaging mode to a second messaging mode, the method comprising:
- displaying a participant list in a first messaging mode associated with general-purpose instant messaging communications;
receiving, from a user, an indication to switch the participant list to a second messaging mode associated with special-purpose instant messaging communications;
transforming the participant list from the first messaging mode to the second messaging mode in response to the received indication, the participant list displayed in the second messaging mode including information that is not included in the participant list displayed in the first messaging mode;
activating, in response to the transformation, a control related to the second messaging mode that enables the user to initiate a function specific to the second messaging mode; and
displaying the participant list in the second messaging mode,wherein receiving, from a user, an indication to switch the participant list to a second messaging mode comprises receiving, from a user, an indication to perform a function associated with the special-purpose instant messaging communications.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An instant messaging user may use a buddy list that includes a user-selected list of potential instant messaging recipients (“buddies”) to identify another instant messaging user with whom instant messages are to be exchanged. An instant messaging user also may use a buddy list for other purposes, such as to initiate playing of an on-line game or to invite participants to play an on-line game. Techniques are provided to transform a buddy list from one messaging-mode to another messaging-mode. The transformation may include, for example, substitution or re-ordering of groups of buddies, substitution of buddy icons associated with buddies, substitution of information displayed about buddies, and substitution of controls for directing operation of the buddy list.
85 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for switching a participant list of potential message recipients from a first messaging mode to a second messaging mode, the method comprising:
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displaying a participant list in a first messaging mode associated with general-purpose instant messaging communications; receiving, from a user, an indication to switch the participant list to a second messaging mode associated with special-purpose instant messaging communications; transforming the participant list from the first messaging mode to the second messaging mode in response to the received indication, the participant list displayed in the second messaging mode including information that is not included in the participant list displayed in the first messaging mode; activating, in response to the transformation, a control related to the second messaging mode that enables the user to initiate a function specific to the second messaging mode; and displaying the participant list in the second messaging mode, wherein receiving, from a user, an indication to switch the participant list to a second messaging mode comprises receiving, from a user, an indication to perform a function associated with the special-purpose instant messaging communications. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer-implemented method for controlling a participant list display comprising:
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displaying, in a first mode, a participant list including potential participants in a first activity; receiving, from a user, an instruction to switch the participant list displayed in the first mode to a second mode; displaying, in the second mode and in response to the instruction, the participant list including potential participants in a second activity, the second activity being different than the first activity, and membership of potential participants in the participant list in the second mode differing from membership of potential participants in the participant list in the first mode; activating, in response to switching to the second mode, a control related to the second mode that enables the user to initiate a function specific to the second mode; and displaying, in the second mode, at least one of a control associated with the second activity which is not displayed in the first mode, and information associated with a potential participant of the second activity which is not displayed in the first mode. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A computer-implemented method for switching a participant list of potential message recipients from a first messaging mode to a second messaging mode, the method comprising:
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displaying a participant list in a first messaging mode associated with general-purpose instant messaging communications, the participant list having first messaging groups; receiving, from a user, an activation of a control for switching the first messaging mode to a second messaging mode associated with special-purpose instant messaging communications; transforming the participant list from the first messaging mode to the second messaging mode in response to the received indication by adding second messaging groups to the participant list and removing the first messaging groups from the participant list, the second messaging groups being specific to the second messaging mode, the transforming of the participant list providing additional or substitute types of information to be displayed for the second messaging groups; providing, in response to the transformation, a control related to the second messaging mode that enables the user to initiate a function specific to the second messaging mode; displaying the participant list in the second messaging mode; and removing the second messaging groups related to the second mode when the participant list is transformed back to the first messaging mode, and adding the first messaging groups to the participant list. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A computer-implemented method for switching a participant list of potential message recipients from a first messaging mode to a second messaging mode, the method comprising:
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displaying a participant list in a first messaging mode associated with general-purpose instant messaging communications, the participant list having first messaging groups organized according to a first organization; receiving, from a user, an activation of a control for switching the first messaging mode to a second messaging mode associated with special-purpose instant messaging communications; transforming the participant list from the first messaging mode to the second messaging mode in response to the received indication by reorganizing the participant list according to a second organization, adding second messaging groups, and providing additional or substitute types of information to be displayed for the second messaging groups, the second organization being different from the first organization; providing, in response to the transformation, a control related to the second messaging mode that enables the user to initiate a function specific to the second messaging mode; displaying the participant list in the second messaging mode; and transforming the participant list back to the first messaging mode and reorganizing the participant list according to the first organization upon receiving, from the user, an activation of a control for switching the second messaging mode to the first messaging mode. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification