Method and device for hiding messages

• US 8,150,931 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2011
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Bocking, Andrew Douglas, Van Belle, Theodore Benedict
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Application Number:
  US13/181,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20110270939A1
• Time in Patent Office: 265 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709206-207, 709217-218, 709/250
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails

Abstract

Based on user configuration, a main messaging user interface screen on a messaging device either presents a list of references to messages stored on the device based on a complete index of references to the stored messages or based on a filtered index of references to the stored messages. References to stored messages of a predetermined type are not maintained in the filtered index.

Claims

1. A method of presenting a user interface on a communication device on which device are stored a plurality of messages, said method comprising:

maintaining a master index of references to a plurality of message objects, said plurality of message objects including a plurality of received message objects, a plurality of sent message objects and a plurality of other message objects, where said other message objects are neither received message objects nor sent message objects;

receiving an indication of a filtering criterion, wherein said filtering criterion specifies that references to said sent message objects are to be omitted from said filtered index;

creating, based on said master index, a filtered index of references to a plurality of message objects that satisfy said filtering criterion, where said creating said filtered index includes;

selecting a given reference from said master index;

determining whether a given message object corresponding to said given reference satisfies said filtering criterion; and

if said given message object satisfies said filtering criterion, adding said given reference to said filtered index;

forming a display list based on said filtered index; and

presenting said display list.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said determining whether said given message object satisfies said filtering criterion comprises:

sending a status query to said given message object;

receiving, from said given message object, a communication responsive to said status query; and

determining, from said communication, whether said given message object satisfies said filtering criterion.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said communication includes a plurality of status bits and said determining whether said given message object satisfies said filtering criterion comprises determining a value for a given bit among said plurality of bits, where said given bit indicates whether said given message object is a sent message object.

4. A mobile communication device comprising:

memory for storing a plurality of message objects, said plurality of message objects including a plurality of received message objects, a plurality of sent message objects and a plurality of other message objects, where said other message objects are neither received message objects nor sent message objects;

a processor adapted to;

maintain a master index of references to said plurality of message objects;

receive an indication of a filtering criterion, wherein said filtering criterion specifies that references to said sent message objects are to be omitted from said filtered index;

create, based on said master index, a filtered index of references to a plurality of message objects that satisfy said filtering criterion, where said creating said filtered index includes;

selecting a given reference from said master index;

determining whether a given message object corresponding to said given reference satisfies said filtering criterion; and

if said given message object satisfies said filtering criterion, adding said given reference to said filtered index;

form a display list based on said filtered index; and

present said display list.

5. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by processor in a mobile communication device, cause said processor to:

maintain a master index of references to a plurality of message objects, said plurality of message objects including a plurality of received message objects, a plurality of sent message objects and a plurality of other message objects, where said other message objects are neither received message objects nor sent message objects;

receive an indication of a filtering criterion, wherein said filtering criterion specifies that references to said sent message objects are to be omitted from said filtered index;

create, based on said master index, a filtered index of references to a plurality of message objects that satisfy said filtering criterion, where said creating said filtered index includes;

selecting a given reference from said master index;

determining whether a given message object corresponding to said given reference satisfies said filtering criterion; and

if said given message object satisfies said filtering criterion, adding said given reference to said filtered index;

form a display list based on said filtered index; and

present said display list.