DISPLAYING OPTIONS, ASSIGNING NOTIFICATION, IGNORING MESSAGES, AND SIMULTANEOUS USER INTERFACE DISPLAYS IN A MESSAGING APPLICATION

• US 20150350143A1
• Filed: 04/29/2015
• Published: 12/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Yang, Lawrence Y., Lemay, Stephen O., Jon, Tiffany S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,971,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24575 using context
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• 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 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• 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 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/216 Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

An electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and display can execute a messaging application. In the messaging application, swipe options can be displayed for messages and threads. Swipe options correspond to actions that can be taken on the messages or threads. Messages and threads can be associated with notification rules as well as be ignored. Composition interfaces and messages can be displayed simultaneously in the messaging application. The messaging application can display a conversation view of a message thread with a common header that can include subject information and names of participants in the threads. The messaging application allows for adding and removing participants to the conversation view. The messaging application allows for grouping search results from a search of messages using a search term. The grouping can be based on the location of the search term within the messages.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and display;

displaying a list comprising information corresponding to a plurality of email messages;

detecting a contact on the touch-sensitive surface;

detecting continuous movement of the contact in a first direction, without breaking contact with the touch-sensitive surface, at a location on the display corresponding to a message of the plurality of email messages;

determining one or more parameters of the movement of the contact;

in accordance with a determination that a parameter of the movement meets a first criterion, displaying a plurality of user interface elements representing actions to be taken on the email message; and

in accordance with a determination that the parameter of the movement meets a second criterion different from the first criterion, performing a default action on the email message.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein one or more parameters are selected from a group consisting of:

distance, rate, strength of pressure of the contact, number of contact points, and any combination thereof.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first criterion is selected from a group consisting of:

a threshold distance, a threshold rate, threshold strength of pressure of the contact, a threshold number of contact points, and any combination thereof.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of user interface elements visually slides out from a side of the message continuously and proportionally based on the first criterion.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the message visually disappears as the plurality of user interface elements visually slide out from the side of the message.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein if the first criterion is not met by the parameter of the movement, the plurality of user interface elements slide out of view and are not displayed.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of user interface elements is selectable and associated with actions selected from a group consisting of:

a trash option, a notify option, a more option, a un-notify option, and any combination thereof.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of user interface elements is configurable by a user using the electronic device.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein if contact is maintained for a threshold duration, the plurality of user interface elements are not displayed.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the second criterion is selected from a group consisting of:

a threshold distance, a threshold rate, threshold strength of pressure of the contact, a threshold number of contact points, and any combination thereof.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein performing a default action on the email message includes displaying a user interface element associated with the default action.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a user interface element associated with the default action visually slides out from a side of the message continuously and proportionally based on the second criterion.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein if the second criterion is not met by the parameter of the movement, the user interface element associated with the default action slides out of view and is not displayed.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein if the second criterion is not met by the parameter of the movement, the user interface element associated with the default action slides out of view and the plurality of user elements are displayed.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the default action is configurable by a user using the electronic device.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein if contact is maintained for a threshold duration, the user interface element associated with the default action is not displayed.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting continuous movement of the contact in a second direction, without breaking contact with the touch-sensitive surface, at a location on the display corresponding to a message of the plurality of email messages;

determining one or more parameters of the movement of the contact;

in accordance with a determination that a parameter of the movement meets a third criterion, displaying one or more user interface elements representing actions to be taken on the email message.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the second direction is different than the first direction.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the third criterion is selected from a group consisting of:

a threshold distance, a threshold rate, threshold strength of pressure of the contact, a threshold number of contact points, and any combination thereof.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the one or more user interface elements includes a junk option.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the one or more user interface elements visually slides out from a side of the message continuously and proportionally based on the third criterion.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein if the third criterion is not met by the parameter of the movement, the one or more user interface elements slides out of view and are not displayed.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the one or more user interface elements are configurable by a user using the electronic device.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein graphical indications of the one or more user interface elements are configurable by a user using the electronic device and are selected from a group consisting of:

color, size, action, and any combination thereof.

25. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein if contact is maintained for a threshold duration, the one or more user interface elements are not displayed.

26. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein if a user interface element is selected, a sheet is displayed including additional user interface elements associated with additional actions to take on the message.

27. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein if a user interface element associated with the default action is selected, a prompt is displayed requesting confirmation of the selection.

28. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving confirmation of the selection of the user interface element associated with the default action further comprises displaying a sheet including additional user interface elements associated with additional actions to take on the message.

101. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions to perform the method of claim 1 or claim 29 or claim 44 or claim 54 or claim 55 or claim 72 or claim 73 or claim 88.

102. A device including instructions for performing the method of claim 1 or claim 29 or claim 44 or claim 54 or claim 55 or claim 72 or claim 73 or claim 88.

103. A device including means for performing the method of claim 1 or claim 29 or claim 44 or claim 54 or claim 55 or claim 72 or claim 73 or claim 88.

29. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and display;

within a messaging application;

in response to receiving an action to compose a message, displaying a composition interface in the messaging application;

displaying, within the composition interface, a selectable user interface element that, when selected, changes notification rules for replies to the message;

detecting a contact on the touch-sensitive surface at a location on the display corresponding to the selectable user interface element within the composition interface, the contact indicative of selection of the selectable user interface element; and

in response to detection of the selection, changing an appearance of the selectable user interface element within the composition interface to indicate the activation of a notification rule that a subsequently received message in a conversation thread corresponding to the message will trigger a conversation notification.

30. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the action is a contact with an additional user interface element and contact with the additional user interface element is indicative of displaying the composition interface.

31. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein notification rules are from a group consisting of:

displaying an additional user element adjacent to subsequently received messages in the conversation thread corresponding to the message, receiving push notifications for subsequently received messages in the conversation thread corresponding to the message, and any combination thereof.

32. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the additional user interface element displayed adjacent to subsequently received messages is selected from a group consisting of:

a bell, an outline of a bell, and a shaded bell.

33. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the selectable user interface element is selected from a group consisting of:

a bell, an outline of a bell, and a shaded bell.

34. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the selectable user interface element is displayed on a subject line of the composition interface.

35. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the selectable user interface element is displayed on a subject line of the composition interface in response to indication of a cursor in the composition interface in the subject line.

36. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein changing the appearance of the selectable user interface element within the composition interface further comprises changing a graphical indication of the selectable user interface element, the graphical indication selected from a group consisting of:

color, shape, size, location, and any combination thereof.

37. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the conversation notification can be visually the same as the displayed selectable user interface element.

38. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the conversation notification is a push notification indicative of a subsequently received message.

39. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the conversation notification is a push notification indicative of a subsequently received message on the electronic device outside the messaging application.

40. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, further comprising:

detecting an additional contact on the touch-sensitive surface;

detecting continuous movement of the contact in a first direction, without breaking contact with the touch-sensitive surface, at a location on the display corresponding to messages associated with the message;

determining one or more parameters of the movement of the contact; and

in accordance with a determination that a parameter of the movement meets a first criterion, displaying a user interface element representing an action to change notification rules for replies to the message; and

selecting the user interface element representing the action to change notification rules.

41. The computer-implemented method of claim 40, wherein selection of the user interface element representing the action to change notification rules results in changed notification rules selected from a group consisting of:

not displaying an additional user element adjacent to subsequently received messages in the conversation thread corresponding to the message, not receiving push notifications for subsequently received messages in the conversation thread corresponding to the message, and any combination thereof.

42. The computer-implemented method of claim 40, wherein selection of the user interface element displays a sheet for additional actions to change notification rules.

43. The computer-implemented method of claim 40, wherein the additional actions to change notification rules displayed on the sheet are selected from a group consisting of:

turn off notifications for subsequently received messages, flag subsequently received messages, go to settings, and any combination thereof.

44. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a display;

displaying information corresponding to a plurality of messages in a messaging application;

receiving input at a location on the display corresponding to a displayed message, the input indicating deletion of the displayed message;

in response to receiving the input, displaying proximate to the location of the displayed message a plurality of selectable user interface elements representing deletion actions to be taken on subsequent messages in a conversation thread corresponding to the displayed message; and

in response to selection of one of the plurality of selectable user interface elements, deleting the displayed message and setting a deletion action for subsequently received messages in the conversation thread.

45. The computer-implemented method of claim 44, wherein the received input is a contact with the location on the display corresponding to the displayed message.

46. The computer-implemented method of claim 44, wherein the location on the display corresponding to the displayed message displays a selectable user interface element corresponding to a request for deletion of the displayed message.

47. The computer-implemented method of claim 44, wherein, in response to receiving the input, displaying a prompt requesting confirmation of deletion of the displayed message.

48. The computer-implemented method of claim 44, wherein the prompt requesting confirmation of deletion of the displayed message includes selectable user interface elements selected from a group consisting of:

deletion of the displayed message, deletion of the conversation thread corresponding to the displayed message, request for additional deletion actions, and any combination thereof.

49. The computer-implemented method of claim 44, wherein the plurality of selectable user interface elements representing deletion actions to be taken are selected from a group consisting of:

unsubscribe, move to designated folder, demote and any combination thereof.

50. The computer-implemented method of claim 44, wherein a selectable user interface element representing an unsubscribe deletion action is selected from a group consisting of:

trash displayed message, trash subsequently received messages of the displayed message, trash conversation thread corresponding to the displayed message, archive displayed message, archive subsequently received messages of the displayed message, archive conversation thread corresponding to the displayed message, mark displayed message as read, mark subsequently received messages of the displayed message as read, mark the conversation thread as read, turn off all alerts for subsequently received messages of the displayed message, turn off all alerts for the conversation thread and any combination thereof.

51. The computer-implemented method of claim 44, wherein a selectable user interface element representing a demote deletion action includes displaying subsequently received messages of the displayed message are presented with the conversation thread and not as a new message of the conversation thread.

52. The computer-implemented method of claim 44, further comprising:

in response to a reengage condition being met by a subsequently received message of the displayed message, removing the selected deletion action for the subsequently received message and additional subsequently received messages of the subsequently received message of the display message.

53. The computer-implemented method of claim 52, wherein a reengage condition is selected from a group consisting of:

a sender previously designated as a VIP sender replies to the email thread, the sender replies to a user associated with the electronic device, the sender replies to a user associated with the electronic device only, the user'"'"'s name is mentioned in an email message of the conversation thread, and any combination thereof.

54. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and display;

displaying a first composition interface in a messaging application, the first composition interface including a first message; and

while displaying the first composition interface, receiving an action to compose a second message; and

in response to receiving the action;

displaying a second composition interface, and

displaying the first composition interface in a first portion and the second composition interface in a second portion.

56. The computer-implemented method of claim 54 or claim 55, wherein the first and the second composition interfaces are resizable.

57. The computer-implemented method of claim 54 or claim 55, wherein the first composition interface, including the first message, is displayed in response to receiving another action to compose the first message.

58. The computer-implemented method of claim 54 or claim 55, wherein the action is a contact with an additional user interface element and contact with the additional user interface element is indicative of displaying the first composition interface.

59. The computer-implemented method of claim 54 or claim 55, wherein the action is a contact with an additional user interface element and contact with the additional user interface element is indicative of displaying the second composition interface.

60. The computer-implemented method of claim 54 or claim 55, wherein the area of the first portion and the area of the second portion are equal.

61. The computer-implemented method of claim 54 or claim 55, wherein the area of the first portion and the area of the second portion are different.

62. The computer-implemented method of claim 54 or claim 55, wherein the area of the second portion is greater than the area of the first portion.

63. The computer-implemented method of claim 54 or claim 55, further comprising:

receiving a second contact on the touch-sensitive surface at a location corresponding to a composition interface selected from a group consisting of;

the first composition interface and the second composition interface;

detecting continuous movement of the second contact in a first direction, without breaking the second contact with the touch-sensitive surface;

determining one or more parameters of the movement of the second contact; and

in accordance with a determination that a parameter of the movement meets a first criterion, displaying the first composition interface and the second composition interface in a third portion below a list comprising information corresponding to a plurality of email messages associated with the messaging application.

64. The computer-implemented method of claim 63, further comprising:

receiving a third contact on the first composition interface; and

in response to receiving the third contact on the composition interface, displaying the first composition interface in front of the second composition interface.

65. The computer-implemented method of claim 64, further comprising:

receiving a fourth contact on the touch-sensitive surface at a location corresponding to a third portion below a list comprising information corresponding to a plurality of email messages associated with the messaging application, the third portion displaying the first composition interface and the second composition interface;

detecting continuous movement of the additional contact in a second direction, without breaking the fourth contact with the touch-sensitive surface;

determining one or more parameters of the movement of the fourth contact; and

in accordance with a determination that a parameter of the movement meets a second criterion, displaying the first composition interface and the second composition interface in a fourth portion below the list comprising information corresponding to the plurality of email messages associated with the messaging application, the area of the fourth portion greater than the area of the third portion.

66. The computer-implemented method of claim 65, further comprising:

receiving a fifth contact on the touch-sensitive surface at a location corresponding to first composition interface;

detecting continuous movement of the fifth contact in a third direction, without breaking the fifth contact with the touch-sensitive surface;

determining one or more parameters of the movement of the fifth contact; and

in accordance with a determination that a parameter of the movement meets a third criterion, closing the first composition interface.

67. The computer-implemented method of claim 66, further comprising:

receiving a sixth contact on the touch-sensitive surface at a location corresponding to a selectable user interface element displayed on the first composition interface; and

in response to receiving the sixth contact at the location, closing the first composition interface.

68. The computer-implemented method of claim 63, wherein one or more parameters are selected from a group consisting of:

distance, rate, strength of pressure of the contact, number of contact points, and any combination thereof.

69. The computer-implemented method of claim 66, wherein the first, second, and third criterion are selected from a group consisting of:

a threshold distance, a threshold rate, threshold strength of pressure of the contact, a threshold number of contact points, and any combination thereof.

70. The computer-implemented method of claim 65, wherein the first direction is an opposite direction of the second direction.

71. The computer-implemented method of claim 66, wherein the third direction is substantially perpendicular to the first and the second directions.

55. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and display;

displaying a first composition interface in a messaging application, the first composition interface including a first message; and

while displaying the first composition interface, receiving an action to compose a second message; and

in response to receiving the action;

displaying a second composition interface, and

moving the first composition interface such that a portion of the first composition interface is displayed adjacent the second composition interface.

72. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and display;

in response to selection of a conversation view in a messaging application, the messaging application configured to display a plurality of email messages in the conversation view;

identifying in the plurality of email messages a conversation thread, the conversation thread comprising email messages from the plurality of email messages;

determining information common to the email messages in the conversation thread, the common information comprising a conversation title based at least in part on a subject of at least one or more email messages in the conversation thread;

displaying a header in a header portion of the conversation view, the header comprising the common information; and

displaying, visually distinguished from the header area, a message area comprising two or more of the email messages in the conversation thread, each of the two or more email messages comprising sender information and content information.

74. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, wherein in response to a request to view email messages in the conversation thread not displayed in a visible portion of the conversation view, displaying one or more additional email messages in the conversation thread, wherein each additional email message comprises sender information content information.

75. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, wherein the header further comprises the number of email messages included in the conversation thread.

76. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, wherein the conversation name for the conversation thread is based at least in part on the subject line of each email message contained in the conversation thread.

77. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, further comprising:

adding a participant to the plurality of participants; and

in response to adding a participant to the plurality of participants,

displaying a name of the added participant visibly distinguished from the names of the other participants in the header, and

including an email message associated with the added participant to the conversation threat.

78. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, further comprising:

in response to selecting a participant of the plurality of participants,

displaying a name of the selected participant in the header and removing from displaying names of all other participants of the plurality of participants, and

displaying below the header only email messages associated with the selected participant by displaying for each of the displayed email messages a sender of the email message but without displaying at least a portion of the common information of the email message.

79. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, further comprising:

removing a participant from the plurality of participants; and

in response to removing a participant from the plurality of participants,

displaying a name of the removed participant visibly distinguished from the names of the other participants in the header, and

removing an email message associated with the removed participant from the conversation thread.

80. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, wherein names of only a portion of all participants of the plurality of participants is displayed in the header.

81. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, wherein at most two lines in the header are occupied by displayed names of the plurality of participants.

82. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, further comprising providing an option to display all names of the plurality of participants in the header if only at most two lines in the header are occupied by displayed names.

83. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, further comprising providing an option to display one of the at least portion of the two or more the email messages.

84. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, wherein the displayed names comprise a first name.

85. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, wherein the displayed names comprise a first name and a last name initial.

86. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, wherein the displayed names comprise a first name and if two or more of the displayed first names are identical the displayed names of the identical first names comprise the first name and a last name initial.

87. The computer-implemented method of claim 72 or claim 73, wherein displaying the names in the header is in response to detecting a pull-down gesture.

73. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and display;

displaying in a messaging application a conversation thread in an inbox view;

in response to selection of the conversation thread for display in a conversation view in the messaging application;

identifying in a plurality of email messages contained in the conversation thread;

determining information common to the plurality of email messages corresponding to the conversation thread, the common information comprising a conversation name for the conversation thread based at least in part on a subject line of a email message contained in the conversation thread;

displaying in a header in the conversation view for the conversation thread, the header comprising the common information and names of a plurality of participants included in the conversation thread; and

displaying below the header two or more of the plurality of email messages contained in conversation thread by displaying for each of the two or more email messages a sender of the email message but without displaying at least a portion of the two or more the email message.

88. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and display;

receiving a search query comprising at least one term for searching email messages in a messaging application;

in response to receiving the search query, determining whether one or more email messages in the messaging application include the at least one search term;

determining, for each of the one or more email messages in the messaging application including the search term, a field where the search term is found within the email message, wherein the search term can appear in one or more of a plurality of different predetermined locations; and

displaying one or more email message query result groups, each query result group based on a different predetermined location and comprising the one or more email messages in the messaging application including the search term in the corresponding predetermined location.

89. The computer-implemented method of claim 88, further comprising:

displaying in an inbox of a messaging application a plurality of email messages.

90. The computer-implemented method of claim 88, further comprising:

displaying a search field for searching email messages in the inbox.

91. The computer-implemented method of claim 88, further comprising:

displaying the search term included in the one or more email messages in the messaging application, wherein the displayed search term is visibly distinguished from other portions of one or more email messages in the messaging application including the search term.

92. The computer-implemented method of claim 88, further comprising:

concurrently displaying a plurality of the email message query result groups.

93. The computer-implemented method of claim 88, wherein the email message query result groups are based on predetermined locations of a sender field, a recipient and carbon-copied field, a subject line field, or a message body field.

94. The computer-implemented method of claim 88, further comprising:

displaying the one or more email messages in the messaging application including the search term in chronological order based on dates that the email messages were sent or dates that the email messages were received.

95. The computer-implemented method of claim 88, further comprising:

displaying the one or more email messages in the messaging application including the search term in reverse chronological order based on dates that the email messages were sent or dates that the email messages were received.

96. The computer-implemented method of claim 88, wherein the determining whether one or more email messages in the messaging application include the at least one search term is based on email messages in an inbox.

97. The computer-implemented method of claim 88, wherein the determining whether one or more email messages in the messaging application including the search term is based on email messages in all mail boxes.

98. The computer-implemented method of claim 88, wherein at most five of the one or more email messages in the messaging application including the search term for each email message query result group are displayed.

99. The computer-implemented method of claim 88, further comprising:

providing an option to display more than five of the one or more email messages in the messaging application including the search for one of the email message query result groups.

100. The computer-implemented method of claim 88, further comprising:

displaying for an email message query result group at most three of the one or more email messages in the messaging application including the search term if more than five email messages are included in the email message query result group.