MULTI-SYSTEM INSTANT MESSAGING (IM)

• US 20070130259A1
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Friedman, Lee, Daniell, W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,941,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols

Abstract

Systems and methods for instant messaging (IM) with multiple contacts from multiple IM systems are presented. In one embodiment, incoming IM messages from multiple IM systems are translated and displayed to the user. Similarly, outgoing IM messages from the user are translated for compatibility with each of the multiple IM systems, thereby permitting communication between the user and contacts at the multiple IM systems. In another embodiment, an incoming IM message from one of the IM systems is translated for compatibility with each of the other IM systems, thereby permitting communication between contacts at the multiple IM systems.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

establishing a first instant-messaging (IM) session in a single IM-session window, the first IM session being initiated with a first contact having a first IM account, the first IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a first IM protocol; and

establishing a second IM session in the single IM-session window, the second IM session being initiated with a second contact having a second IM account, the second IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a second IM protocol.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the establishing the second IM session occurs substantially simultaneously with the establishing the first IM session.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an IM message from the first contact; and

displaying the received IM message from the first contact in the single IM-session window.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an IM message from the second contact; and

displaying the received IM message from the second contact in the single IM-session window.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving IM messages from the first contact and the second contact; and

displaying the received IM messages from the first contact and the second contact in the single IM-session window.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving user input at the IM-session window, the user input being an IM message;

conveying the IM message to the first contact at the first IM account; and

substantially simultaneously conveying the IM message to the second contact at the second IM account.

7. A method comprising:

receiving a first instant-messaging (IM) message from a first contact, the first contact having a first IM account, the first IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a first IM protocol; and

conveying the first IM message to a second contact, the second contact having a second IM account, the second IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a second IM protocol.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the conveying the first IM message comprises:

reformatting the first IM message; and

forwarding the reformatted first IM message to the second contact.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the reformatting the first IM message comprises:

removing a user IM address from the first IM message;

determining an IM address of the first contact;

extracting a first message content from the first IM message; and

appending the determined IM address of the first contact to the first message content.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the removing the user IM address from the first IM message comprises:

determining a number of characters in the user IM address;

inserting a number of delete characters adjacent to the user IM address, the number of delete characters being the same as the number of characters in the user IM address, each of the delete characters adapted to delete a character in the user IM address.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a second IM message from the second contact; and

conveying the received second IM message to the first contact.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the conveying the second IM message comprises:

reformatting the second IM message; and

forwarding the reformatted second IM message to the second contact.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the reformatting the second IM message comprises:

removing a user IM address from the second IM message;

determining an IM address of the second contact;

extracting a second message content from the second IM message; and

appending the determined IM address of the second contact to the second message content.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the removing the user IM address from the second IM message comprises:

determining a number of characters in the user IM address;

inserting a number of delete characters adjacent to the user IM address, the number of delete characters being the same as the number of characters in the user IM address, each of the delete characters adapted to delete a character in the user IM address.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

displaying the first IM message and the second IM message on a single IM-session screen.

16. A system comprising:

means for establishing a first instant-messaging (IM) session in a single IM-session window, the first IM session being initiated with a first contact having a first IM account, the first IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a first IM protocol; and

means for establishing a second IM session in the single IM-session window, the second IM session being initiated with a second contact having a second IM account, the second IM account adapted to transmit and receive IM messages using a second IM protocol.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for receiving an IM message from the first contact; and

means for displaying the received IM message from the first contact in the single IM-session window.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for receiving an IM message from the second contact; and

means for displaying the received IM message from the second contact in the single IM-session window.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for receiving user input at the IM-session window, the user input being an IM message;

means for conveying the IM message to the first contact at the first IM account; and

means for substantially simultaneously conveying the IM message to the second contact at the second IM account.