Method and apparatus for enhancing instant messaging systems
First Claim
1. A method for handling message threads, the method comprising the steps of:
- a computer displaying a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes a first ongoing conversation pane and a first outgoing message pane;
the computer displaying, in the primary dialog window, a first discussion between a first party and a second party during a chat session between the first party and the second party;
during the chat session, the computer receiving an indication, from the first party, of a new thread, wherein the new thread is a subset of the chat session, and wherein the new thread is a second discussion between the first party and the second party;
after receiving the indication, the computer displaying a secondary dialog window, wherein the secondary dialog window includes a second ongoing conversation pane and a second outgoing message pane;
the computer displaying responses to first outgoing messages sent from the first outgoing message pane in the first ongoing conversation pane; and
the computer displaying responses to second outgoing messages sent from the second outgoing message pane in the second ongoing conversation pane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for organizing threads in an instant messaging session. Instant messages are received from a list of contacts. Each of these messages are stored in a set of folders, wherein each folders in the set of folders stores messages for a contact in the number of contacts. Each file is linked for access though a graphical user interface. Message threads are handled by displaying a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responsive to a user input identifying a new thread, a secondary dialog window is displayed, wherein the secondary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane are displayed in the primary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the primary dialog window. Responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane in the secondary dialog window are displayed in the ongoing conversation pane in the secondary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window and the secondary dialog window.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for handling message threads, the method comprising the steps of:
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a computer displaying a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes a first ongoing conversation pane and a first outgoing message pane; the computer displaying, in the primary dialog window, a first discussion between a first party and a second party during a chat session between the first party and the second party; during the chat session, the computer receiving an indication, from the first party, of a new thread, wherein the new thread is a subset of the chat session, and wherein the new thread is a second discussion between the first party and the second party; after receiving the indication, the computer displaying a secondary dialog window, wherein the secondary dialog window includes a second ongoing conversation pane and a second outgoing message pane; the computer displaying responses to first outgoing messages sent from the first outgoing message pane in the first ongoing conversation pane; and the computer displaying responses to second outgoing messages sent from the second outgoing message pane in the second ongoing conversation pane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17)
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8. A computer system for handling message threads, the computer system comprising:
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one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories and one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices; program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to display a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes a first ongoing conversation pane and a first outgoing message pane; program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to display, in the primary dialog window, a first discussion between a first party and a second party during a chat session between the first party and the second party; program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to, during the chat session, receive an indication, from the first party, of a new thread, wherein the new thread is a subset of the chat session, and wherein the new thread is a second discussion between the first party and the second party; program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to, after receiving the indication, display a secondary dialog window, wherein the secondary dialog window includes a second ongoing conversation pane and a second outgoing message pane; program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to display responses to first outgoing messages sent from the first outgoing message pane in the first ongoing conversation pane; and program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to display responses to second outgoing messages sent from the second outgoing message pane in the second ongoing conversation pane. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer program product for handling message threads, the computer program product comprising:
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one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices; program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices, to display a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes a first ongoing conversation pane and a first outgoing message pane; program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices, to display, in the primary dialog window, a first discussion between a first party and a second party during a chat session between the first party and the second party; program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices, to, during the chat session, receive an indication, from the first party, of a new thread, wherein the new thread is a subset of the chat session, and wherein the new thread is a second discussion between the first party and the second party; program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices, to, after receiving the indication, display a secondary dialog window, wherein the secondary dialog window includes a second ongoing conversation pane and a second outgoing message pane; program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices, to display responses to first outgoing messages sent from the first outgoing message pane in the first ongoing conversation pane; and program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices, to display responses to second outgoing messages sent from the second outgoing message pane in the second ongoing conversation pane. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification