IM conversation management
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating a communications device, the method comprising:
- maintaining a first list of at least one instant messaging conversation in a graphical user interface for engaging in a plurality of instant messaging conversations;
monitoring conversation activity for the instant messaging conversations in the first list;
automatically removing a particular instant messaging conversation from the first list after an idle period of conversation activity and only if all messages of the particular conversation have been read;
archiving the particular instant messaging conversation to an instant messaging conversation archive for making the particular instant messaging conversation accessible via the graphical user interface;
providing a second list of at least one archived instant messaging conversation in said graphical user interface separate from said first list for accessing archived conversations of the instant messaging conversation archive; and
removing at least one instant messaging conversation from the second list.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for managing IM conversations is provided. In response to idle time and, preferably, read message status, particular current conversations are removed from a list of current conversations. The removed conversations may be moved to an archive which may be automatically maintained in response to size constraints. An archive interface is facilitated to review conversations, save all or portions thereof, delete, etc. The archived conversations are preferably associated with the contact for the conversation to show a history of conversations.
21 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of operating a communications device, the method comprising:
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maintaining a first list of at least one instant messaging conversation in a graphical user interface for engaging in a plurality of instant messaging conversations; monitoring conversation activity for the instant messaging conversations in the first list; automatically removing a particular instant messaging conversation from the first list after an idle period of conversation activity and only if all messages of the particular conversation have been read; archiving the particular instant messaging conversation to an instant messaging conversation archive for making the particular instant messaging conversation accessible via the graphical user interface; providing a second list of at least one archived instant messaging conversation in said graphical user interface separate from said first list for accessing archived conversations of the instant messaging conversation archive; and removing at least one instant messaging conversation from the second list. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer executable instructions for operating a communications device, the computer executable instructions comprising instructions for:
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maintaining a first list of at least one instant messaging conversation in a graphical user interface for engaging in a plurality of instant messaging conversations; monitoring conversation activity for the instant messaging conversations in the first list; automatically removing a particular instant messaging conversation from the first list after an idle period of conversation activity and only if all messages of the particular conversation have been read; archiving the particular instant messaging conversation to an instant messaging conversation archive for making the particular instant messaging conversation accessible via the graphical user interface; providing a second list of at least one archived instant messaging conversation in said graphical user interface separate from said first list for accessing archived conversations of the instant messaging conversation archive; and removing at least one instant messaging conversation from the second list. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A communications device comprising a processor and memory, the memory comprising computer executable instructions for operating the communications device, the computer executable instructions comprising instructions for:
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maintaining a first list of at least one instant messaging conversation in a graphical user interface for engaging in a plurality of instant messaging conversations; monitoring conversation activity for the instant messaging conversations in the first list; automatically removing a particular instant messaging conversation from the first list after an idle period of conversation activity and only if all messages of the particular conversation have been read; archiving the particular instant messaging conversation to an instant messaging conversation archive for making the particular instant messaging conversation accessible via the graphical user interface; providing a second list of at least one archived instant messaging conversation in said graphical user interface separate from said first list for accessing archived conversations of the instant messaging conversation archive; and removing at least one instant messaging conversation from the second list. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification