Handheld electronic device and associated method providing time data in a messaging environment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of displaying an instant message conversation on an electronic device, the instant message conversation comprising a plurality of instant messages exchanged between the electronic device and a second electronic device during a single instant messaging conversation, the method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of incoming instant messages from the second electronic device, each incoming instant message part of the single instant messaging conversation and having an incoming textual portion;
transmitting a plurality of outgoing instant messages to the second electronic device, each outgoing instant message part of the single instant messaging conversation and having an outgoing textual portion;
associating each instant message with a corresponding time stamp;
within a single conversation screen;
displaying the incoming textual portion of each incoming instant message horizontally aligned at a same first horizontal position;
displaying the outgoing textual portion of each outgoing instant message horizontally aligned at a same second horizontal position, the second horizontal position being different from the first horizontal position; and
displaying time information along with at least one instant message of the incoming and outgoing instant messages according to the corresponding time stamp;
detecting an interruption in the instant message conversation; and
refraining from displaying a time stamp associated with a next one of an incoming instant message and an outgoing instant message if the interruption is less than a predetermined duration of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method are provided in which time data regarding certain aspects of a messaging conversation on a handheld electronic device are made available to a user. Such time data is provided, for instance, in situations where an interruption has occurred during a messaging conversation. Time data can also be provided to a user on demand in certain circumstances.
21 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of displaying an instant message conversation on an electronic device, the instant message conversation comprising a plurality of instant messages exchanged between the electronic device and a second electronic device during a single instant messaging conversation, the method comprising:
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receiving a plurality of incoming instant messages from the second electronic device, each incoming instant message part of the single instant messaging conversation and having an incoming textual portion; transmitting a plurality of outgoing instant messages to the second electronic device, each outgoing instant message part of the single instant messaging conversation and having an outgoing textual portion; associating each instant message with a corresponding time stamp; within a single conversation screen; displaying the incoming textual portion of each incoming instant message horizontally aligned at a same first horizontal position; displaying the outgoing textual portion of each outgoing instant message horizontally aligned at a same second horizontal position, the second horizontal position being different from the first horizontal position; and displaying time information along with at least one instant message of the incoming and outgoing instant messages according to the corresponding time stamp; detecting an interruption in the instant message conversation; and refraining from displaying a time stamp associated with a next one of an incoming instant message and an outgoing instant message if the interruption is less than a predetermined duration of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electronic device for displaying an instant message conversation, the instant message conversation comprising a plurality of instant messages exchanged between the electronic device and a second electronic device during a single instant messaging conversation, the electronic device comprising:
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a display; a memory; and a processor electronically coupled with the display and the memory, the processor configured to; receive a plurality of incoming instant messages from the second electronic device, each incoming instant message part of the single instant messaging conversation and having an incoming textual portion; transmit a plurality of outgoing instant messages to the second electronic device, each outgoing instant message part of the single instant messaging conversation and having an outgoing textual portion; associate each instant message with a corresponding time stamp; within a single conversation screen; display the incoming textual portion of each incoming instant message horizontally aligned at a same first horizontal position; display the outgoing textual portion of each outgoing instant message horizontally aligned at a same second horizontal position, the second horizontal position being different from the first horizontal position; and display time information along with at least one instant message of the incoming and outgoing instant messages according to the corresponding time stamp; detect an interruption in the instant message conversation; and refrain from displaying a time stamp associated with a next one of an incoming instant message and an outgoing instant message if the interruption is less than a predetermined duration of time. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions embedded thereon for execution by a processor of an electronic device for displaying an instant message conversation upon a display of the electronic device, the instant message conversation comprising a plurality of instant messages exchanged between the electronic device and a second electronic device during a single instant message conversation, such that when executed, the processor:
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receives a plurality of incoming instant messages from the second electronic device, each incoming instant message part of the single instant messaging conversation and having an incoming textual portion; transmits a plurality of outgoing instant messages to the second electronic device, each outgoing instant message part of the single instant messaging conversation and having an outgoing textual portion; associates each instant message with a corresponding time stamp; within a single conversation screen; displays the incoming textual portion of each incoming instant message horizontally aligned at a same first horizontal position; displays the outgoing textual portion of each outgoing instant message horizontally aligned at a same second horizontal position, the second horizontal position being different from the first horizontal position; and displays time information along with at least one instant message of the incoming and outgoing instant messages according to the corresponding time stamp; detects an interruption in the instant message conversation; and refrains from displaying a time stamp associated with a next one of an incoming instant message and an outgoing instant message if the interruption is less than a predetermined duration of time. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification