Hierarchy-indicating graphical user interface for discussion threads
First Claim
1. A method programed into instructions to be performed by a computing device, the method comprising:
- displaying, within a graphical user interface of the computing device, a plurality of messages that belong to a hierarchy of messages;
while a first message, of the plurality of messages, is an initial focal message;
displaying the first message and a first set of messages that are descendants, in the hierarchy, of the first message;
the computing device receiving information indicating selection, by a user, of a second message from the first set of messages as a new focal message;
in response to receiving said information indicating selection of the second message, from the first set of messages, as the new focal message, the computing device performing the steps of;
establishing the second message as the new focal message,waiting for a predetermined non-zero amount of time to lapse after receiving said information indicating selection of the second message, wherein said instructions include instructions that instruct the computing device to wait the predetermined non-zero amount of time prior to ceasing to display one or more messages, within the graphical user interface, that are not descendants, in the hierarchy, of the second message, andin response to lapse of the predetermined non-zero amount of time, ceasing to display the one or more messages, within the graphical user interface, that are not descendants, in the hierarchy, of the second message, anddisplaying a second set of messages that are descendants, in the hierarchy, of the second message.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques are described for display and navigation of hierarchical messages, which displays include contextual data for the messages. Context information for a current message includes reply messages, parent messages, and metadata representations. Message representations are also associated with visual depth indicators that are independent of the text of the messages. Users may navigate displays of hierarchical message data using different navigational inputs. For example, more information may be requested for messages, without selecting a new message for viewing as a focal message, using swipes across portions of the display dedicated to displaying the messages. A limited number of messages for a requested list of messages is initially retrieved and displayed, and a mechanism for viewing more messages from the list is provided. Historical usage of the mechanism is recorded and the number of messages to be displayed for the list of messages is adjusted based on the historical usage data.
51 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method programed into instructions to be performed by a computing device, the method comprising:
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displaying, within a graphical user interface of the computing device, a plurality of messages that belong to a hierarchy of messages; while a first message, of the plurality of messages, is an initial focal message; displaying the first message and a first set of messages that are descendants, in the hierarchy, of the first message; the computing device receiving information indicating selection, by a user, of a second message from the first set of messages as a new focal message; in response to receiving said information indicating selection of the second message, from the first set of messages, as the new focal message, the computing device performing the steps of; establishing the second message as the new focal message, waiting for a predetermined non-zero amount of time to lapse after receiving said information indicating selection of the second message, wherein said instructions include instructions that instruct the computing device to wait the predetermined non-zero amount of time prior to ceasing to display one or more messages, within the graphical user interface, that are not descendants, in the hierarchy, of the second message, and in response to lapse of the predetermined non-zero amount of time, ceasing to display the one or more messages, within the graphical user interface, that are not descendants, in the hierarchy, of the second message, and displaying a second set of messages that are descendants, in the hierarchy, of the second message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause performance of:
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displaying, within a graphical user interface of a computing device, a plurality of messages that belong to a hierarchy of messages; while a first message, of the plurality of messages, an initial focal message; displaying the first message and a first set of messages that are descendants, in the hierarchy, of the first message; the computing device receiving information indicating selection, by a user, of a second message from the first set of messages as a new focal message; in response to receiving said information indicating selection of the second message, from the first set of messages, as the new focal message, the computing device performing the steps of; establishing the second message as the new focal message, waiting for a predetermined non-zero amount of time to lapse after receiving said information indicating selection of the second message, wherein said instructions include instructions that instruct the computing device to wait the predetermined non-zero amount of time prior to ceasing to display one or more messages, within the graphical user interface, that are not descendants, in the hierarchy, of the second message, and in response to lapse of the predetermined non-zero amount of time, ceasing to display the one or more messages, within the graphical user interface, that are not descendants, in the hierarchy, of the second message, and displaying a second set of messages that are descendants, in the hierarchy, of the second message. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification