User interface for integrating diverse methods of communication
An integrated communication interface is provided for composing and sending messages. The interface is multi-configurable to seamlessly switch between different communication methods, e.g., electronic mail, instant messaging, SMS, chat, voice, and the like, without loss of message content. The interface allows a user to begin composing a message to be sent using one communication method, such as electronic mail, and subsequently change the communication method and send the message via a second communication method, such as instant messaging. When the communication method is changed, the user interface may also change to include elements specific to a particular communication method. The integrated communication interface may display information about participants in the communication, such as the participants' presence, i.e., whether they are online and available for communication, and may automatically choose the best method of communication based on the preferences and online presence of the participants.
1. A computer-implemented method of providing a messaging interface, comprising the steps of:
causing the display of a list of communication methods;
enabling selection of a first communication method and a second communication method from the list, wherein input content created for use with the first communication method is duplicated as input content for use with the second communication method, and wherein the duplicated input content is editable; and
initiating transmission of input content to at least one recipient based upon the selected communication method.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication methods comprise messaging protocols.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein selection of the first communication method does not alter the input content.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the messaging interface has a format based upon the first communication method.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input content comprises text.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input content comprises voice.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the list of communication methods includes electronic mail, instant messaging, short message service, and chat.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the list of communication methods is based upon presence information associated with the at least one recipient.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the list of communication methods is based upon preference information associated with the at least one recipient.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the list of communication methods is in a sorted order based upon presence information associated with the at least one recipient.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the list of communication methods is in a sorted order based upon preference information associated with the at least one participant.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the list of communication methods includes a text-based method and a voice-based method, further comprising the step of translating the input content between text and voice.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of:
if a different communication method is selected, initiating translation of the input content between text and voice.
14. A computer-implemented method of providing a list of at least one participant, comprising the steps of:
causing the display of the list of at least one participant, wherein the at least one participant is associated with a list of at least one selectable communication method;
enabling selection of a selected communication method from the list of at least one selectable communication method;
invoking a messaging interface in response to selection of the selected communication method, wherein the messaging interface is configured for sending a message to the at least one participant using the selected communication method;
enabling selection of a selected participant from the list of at least one participant; and
invoking a messaging interface in response to selection of the selected participant, wherein the messaging interface is configured for sending a message to the selected participant using a default communication method associated with the selected participant.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:
causing the display of a participant display associated with the at least one participant, wherein the participant display includes a list of at least one communication method; and
enabling selection of the default communication method from the list of at least one communication method.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
causing the display of an online presence indicator associated with the at least one participant, wherein the online presence indicator is based upon online presence information associated with the at least one participant.
17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
causing the display of a status indicator associated with the at least one participant, wherein the status indicator is based upon availability status information associated with the at least one participant.
18. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions for providing a messaging interface, the instructions for:
causing a list of communication methods to be displayed;
enabling selection of a first communication method and a second communication method from the list, wherein input content created for use with the first communication method is duplicated as input content for use with the second communication method, and wherein the duplicated input content is editable; and
initiating transmission of input content to at least one recipient based upon the selected communication method.
19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the communication methods comprise messaging protocols.
20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein selection of the first communication method does not alter the input content.
21. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the messaging interface has a format based upon the first communication method.
22. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the input content comprises text.
23. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the input content comprises voice.
24. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the list of communication methods includes electronic mail, instant messaging, short message service, and chat.
25. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the list of communication methods is based upon presence information associated with the at least one recipient.
26. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the list of communication methods is based upon preference information associated with the at least one recipient.
27. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the list of communication methods is in a sorted order based upon presence information associated with the at least one recipient.
28. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the list of communication methods is in a sorted order based upon preference information associated with the at least one participant.
29. The computer readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the list of communication methods includes a text-based method and a voice-based method, further comprising program code for translating the input content between text and voice.
30. The computer readable storage medium of claim 29 , further comprising instructions for:
initiating translation of the input content between text and voice if a different communication method is selected.
31. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions for providing a list of at least one participant, the instructions for:
causing the display of the list of at least one participant, wherein the at least one participant is associated with a list of at least one selectable communication method;
enabling selection of a selected communication method from the list of at least one selectable communication method; and
invoking a messaging interface in response to selection of the selected communication method, wherein the messaging interface is configured for sending a message to the at least one participant using the selected communication method;
enabling selection of a selected participant from the list of at least one participant; and
invoking a messaging interface in response to selection of the selected participant, wherein the messaging interface is configured for sending a message to the selected participant using a default communication method associated with the selected participant.
32. The computer readable storage medium of claim 31 , further comprising instructions for:
causing the display of a participant display associated with the at least one participant, wherein the participant display includes a list of at least one communication method; and
enabling selection of the default communication method from the list of at least one communication method.
33. The computer readable storage medium of claim 31 , further comprising instructions for:
causing the display of an online presence indicator associated with the at least one participant, wherein the online presence indicator is based upon online presence information associated with the at least one participant.
34. The computer readable storage medium of claim 31 , further comprising instructions for:
causing the display of a status indicator associated with the at least one participant, wherein the status indicator is based upon availability status information associated with the at least one participant.