Portable electronic device for instant messaging

• US 9,600,174 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2015
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lemay, Stephen O., Van Os, Marcel, Herz, Scott, Christie, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): SAX, STEVEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US14/963,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20160085393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04855 Interaction with scrollbars
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/043 using or handling presence information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/216 Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2747 Scrolling on a display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/70 : methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation methods for entering alphabetical characters per se G06F3/0237

Abstract

A method including displaying a list of instant message conversations on a touch screen display, a respective instant message conversation including a respective set of instant messages exchanged between a user of a device and a respective other person, and while displaying the list of instant message conversations, detecting a gesture on the touch screen display. In response to detecting the gesture on the touch screen display, entering a deletion mode. While in the deletion mode continuing to display the list of instant message conversations, displaying a selection icon adjacent to a plurality of instant message conversations in the list of instant message conversations, detecting a first user selection of an instant message conversation, and in response to detecting the first user selection of the instant message conversation, modifying a selection icon adjacent to the selected instant message conversation to indicate selection of the instant message conversation for deletion.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display;

displaying a list representing a plurality of instant message conversations on the touch screen display, wherein the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations includes;

a representation of a first instant message conversation, the first instant message conversation including a first plurality of instant messages exchanged between a user of the device and a first person; and

a representation of a second instant message conversation, the second instant message conversation including a second plurality of instant messages exchanged between the user of the device and a second person;

while continuing to display the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations;

detecting a first gesture on the touch screen display, wherein the first gesture is a scrolling gesture;

in response to detecting the first gesture, scrolling the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations in accordance with a direction of the first gesture, including;

moving the representation of the first instant message conversation in a respective direction on the touch screen display that is selected based on the direction of the first gesture; and

moving the representation of the second instant message conversation in the same respective direction on the touch screen display; and

after scrolling the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations in accordance with a direction of the first gesture, detecting a second gesture on the touch screen display, wherein the second gesture is different from the first gesture;

in response to detecting the second gesture on the touch screen display, entering a deletion mode; and

while in the deletion mode;

displaying a selection icon adjacent to a plurality of representations of instant message conversations in the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations;

detecting a first user selection of a representation of an instant message conversation; and

in response to detecting the first user selection of the representation of the instant message conversation, modifying a selection icon adjacent to the selected representation of the instant message conversation to indicate selection of the instant message conversation for deletion.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising, in response to detecting the first user selection of the representation of the instant message conversation, displaying a deletion icon for deleting the selected representation of the instant message conversation from the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising:

while displaying the modified selection icon adjacent to the selected representation of the instant message conversation, detecting a second user selection of the representation of the instant message conversation; and

in response to detecting the second user selection of the representation of the instant message conversation, returning the modified selection icon to an unmodified state.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising, while in the deletion mode:

detecting a third gesture on the touch screen display, wherein the third gesture is a scrolling gesture;

in response to detecting the third gesture, scrolling the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations to display a previously undisplayed representation of an instant message conversation;

detecting a user selection of the previously undisplayed representation of the instant message conversation; and

in response to detecting the user selection of the previously undisplayed representation of the instant message conversation, modifying a selection icon adjacent to the previously undisplayed representation of the instant message conversation to indicate selection of the previously undisplayed representation of the instant message conversation for deletion.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising, while in the deletion mode:

displaying an exit icon; and

in response to detecting selection of the exit icon;

exiting the deletion mode, and

removing the selection icon adjacent to the plurality of representations of instant message conversations in the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising, while in the deletion mode:

detecting a user input to exit the deletion mode; and

in response to detecting the user input to exit the deletion mode;

exiting the deletion mode, and

removing the selection icon adjacent to the plurality of representations of instant message conversations in the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising, while in the deletion mode:

displaying a confirmation user interface object for confirming deletion of the selected representation of the instant message conversation; and

in response to a user input on the confirmation user interface object, deleting the selected representation of the instant message conversation from the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations.

22. The method of claim 1, comprising:

detecting a selection of the representation of the first instant message conversation in the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations; and

in response to detecting the selection of the representation of the first instant message conversation, replacing display of the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations with display of the first plurality of instant messages exchanged between the user of the device and the first person.

8. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a touch screen display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs,

wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the programs including instructions for;

displaying a list representing a plurality of instant message conversations on the touch screen display, wherein the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations includes;

a representation of a first instant message conversation, the first instant message conversation including a first plurality of instant messages exchanged between a user of the device and a first person; and

a representation of a second instant message conversation, the second instant message conversation including a second plurality of instant messages exchanged between the user of the device and a second person;

while continuing to display the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations;

detecting a first gesture on the touch screen display, wherein the first gesture is a scrolling gesture;

in response to detecting the first gesture, scrolling the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations in accordance with a direction of the first gesture, including;

moving the representation of the first instant message conversation in a respective direction on the touch screen display that is selected based on the direction of the first gesture; and

moving the representation of the second instant message conversation in the same respective direction on the touch screen display; and

after scrolling the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations in accordance with a direction of the first gesture, detecting a second gesture on the touch screen display, wherein the second gesture is different from the first gesture;

in response to detecting the second gesture on the touch screen display, entering a deletion mode; and

while in the deletion mode;

displaying a selection icon adjacent to a plurality of representations of instant message conversations in the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations;

detecting a first user selection of a representation of an instant message conversation; and

in response to detecting the first user selection of the representation of the instant message conversation, modifying a selection icon adjacent to the selected representation of the instant message conversation to indicate selection of the instant message conversation for deletion.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising instructions for, in response to detecting the first user selection of the representation of the instant message conversation, displaying a deletion icon for deleting the selected representation of the instant message conversation from the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations.

10. The device of claim 8, further comprising instructions for:

while displaying the modified selection icon adjacent to the selected representation of the instant message conversation, detecting a second user selection of the representation of the instant message conversation; and

in response to detecting the second user selection of the representation of the instant message conversation, returning the modified selection icon to an unmodified state.

11. The device of claim 8, further comprising instructions for, while in the deletion mode:

detecting a third gesture on the touch screen display, wherein the third gesture is a scrolling gesture;

in response to detecting the third gesture, scrolling the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations to display a previously undisplayed representation of an instant message conversation;

detecting a user selection of the previously undisplayed representation of the instant message conversation; and

in response to detecting the user selection of the previously undisplayed representation of the instant message conversation, modifying a selection icon adjacent to the previously undisplayed representation of the instant message conversation to indicate selection of the previously undisplayed representation of the instant message conversation for deletion.

12. The device of claim 8, further comprising instructions for, while in the deletion mode:

displaying an exit icon; and

in response to detecting selection of the exit icon;

exiting the deletion mode, and

removing the selection icon adjacent to the plurality of representations of instant message conversations in the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations.

13. The device of claim 8, further comprising instructions for, while in the deletion mode:

detecting a user input to exit the deletion mode; and

in response to detecting the user input to exit the deletion mode;

exiting the deletion mode, and

removing the selection icon adjacent to the plurality of representations of instant message conversations in the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations.

14. The device of claim 8, further comprising instructions for, while in the deletion mode:

displaying a confirmation user interface object for confirming deletion of the selected representation of the instant message conversation; and

in response to a user input on the confirmation user interface object, deleting the selected representation of the instant message conversation from the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations.

23. The device of claim 8, further comprising instructions for:

detecting a selection of the representation of the first instant message conversation in the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations; and

in response to detecting the selection of the representation of the first instant message conversation, replacing display of the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations with display of the first plurality of instant messages exchanged between the user of the device and the first person.

15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, cause the device to:

display a list representing a plurality of instant message conversations on the touch screen display, wherein the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations includes;

a representation of a first instant message conversation, the first instant message conversation including a first plurality of instant messages exchanged between a user of the device and a first person; and

a representation of a second instant message conversation, the second instant message conversation including a second plurality of instant messages exchanged between the user of the device and a second person;

while continuing to display the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations;

detect a first gesture on the touch screen display, wherein the first gesture is a scrolling gesture;

in response to detecting the first gesture, scroll the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations in accordance with a direction of the first gesture, including;

move the representation of the first instant message conversation in a respective direction on the touch screen display that is selected based on the direction of the first gesture; and

move the representation of the second instant message conversation in the same respective direction on the touch screen display; and

after scrolling the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations in accordance with a direction of the first gesture, detect a second gesture on the touch screen display, wherein the second gesture is different from the first gesture;

in response to detecting the second gesture on the touch screen display, entering a deletion mode; and

while in the deletion mode;

display a selection icon adjacent to a plurality of representations of instant message conversations in the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations;

detect a first user selection of a representation of an instant message conversation; and

in response to detecting the first user selection of the representation of the instant message conversation, modify a selection icon adjacent to the selected representation of the instant message conversation to indicate selection of the instant message conversation for deletion.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further including instructions that cause the device to, in response to detecting the first user selection of the representation of the instant message conversation, display a deletion icon for deleting the selected representation of the instant message conversation from the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further including instructions that cause the device to:

while displaying the modified selection icon adjacent to the selected representation of the instant message conversation, detect a second user selection of the representation of the instant message conversation; and

in response to detecting the second user selection of the representation of the instant message conversation, return the modified selection icon to an unmodified state.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further including instructions that cause the device to, while in the deletion mode:

detect a third gesture on the touch screen display, wherein the third gesture is a scrolling gesture;

in response to detecting the third gesture, scroll the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations to display a previously undisplayed representation of an instant message conversation;

detect a user selection of the previously undisplayed representation of the instant message conversation; and

in response to detecting the user selection of the previously undisplayed representation of the instant message conversation, modify a selection icon adjacent to the previously undisplayed representation of the instant message conversation to indicate selection of the previously undisplayed representation of the instant message conversation for deletion.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further including instructions that cause the device to, while in the deletion mode:

display an exit icon; and

in response to detecting selection of the exit icon;

exit the deletion mode, and

remove the selection icon adjacent to the plurality of representations of instant message conversations in the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further including instructions that cause the device to, while in the deletion mode:

detect a user input to exit the deletion mode; and

in response to detecting the user input to exit the deletion mode;

exit the deletion mode, and

remove the selection icon adjacent to the plurality of representations of instant message conversations in the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations.

21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further including instructions that cause the device to, while in the deletion mode:

display a confirmation user interface object for confirming deletion of the selected representation of the instant message conversation; and

in response to a user input on the confirmation user interface object, delete the selected representation of the instant message conversation from the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations.

24. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further including instructions that cause the device to:

detect a selection of the representation of the first instant message conversation in the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations; and

in response to detecting the selection of the representation of the first instant message conversation, replace display of the list representing the plurality of instant message conversations with display of the first plurality of instant messages exchanged between the user of the device and the first person.