IP Library Granted Patent US 7,877,697
Granted Patent B2
US 7,877,697 · App. 11/868,377 · Granted Jan 25, 2011

IM conversation counter and indicator

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,877,697
App. No.
11/868,377
Granted
Jan 25, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A user interface that enables user perception of status regarding communications that leverage an instant messaging platform may be rendered on a display. The user interface includes an instant messaging application user interface that enables perception and selection of instant messages for an instant messaging user, and a status indicator that provides a perceivable indication to the user of statistics regarding concurrent instant messaging sessions.

Claims (74)

1. An electronic device configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause operations including rendering of a user interface that enables perception of information regarding communications sessions, the user interface comprising:

interface labels representative of personal messaging communication sessions of a first personal messaging user, each interface label representing a personal messaging communication session, the interface labels including:

an active session interface label representative of an active communication session between the first personal messaging user and another personal messaging user; and

one or more subdued session interface labels, each subdued session interface label representative of a subdued communication session between the first personal messaging user and another personal messaging user;

a communication session display area that displays content from the active communication session; and

a status display area that:

enables perception of a number of personal messaging communication sessions of the first personal messaging user that include at least one unacknowledged message, the perception being enabled by using a first number accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels; and

enables perception of a total number of personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user by using a second number, the second number accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and with the one or more subdued session interface labels.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the status display area displays the first number making perceivable the number of personal messaging communication sessions of the first personal messaging user that include at least one unacknowledged message.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the status display area includes a numeric representation that makes perceivable the first number.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the number of personal messaging communication sessions of the first personal messaging user that include at least one unacknowledged message accounts for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels include distinct and concurrent instant messaging communication sessions.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein content from each of the subdued communication sessions is hidden from display.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the communication session display area includes a previous message information indicator making perceivable an identity of the another personal messaging user in active communication with the first personal messaging user, and making perceivable a time when a previous message was received from the another personal messaging user.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the status display area includes a third number making perceivable a number of new personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user, the third number accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels.

9. The electronic device of claim 8 wherein the new personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user include personal messaging communication sessions in which the first personal messaging user has not sent any messages.

10. The electronic device of claim 8 wherein the new personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user include personal messaging communication sessions in which the first personal messaging user has not displayed content from the personal messaging communication sessions in the communication session display area.

11. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the status display area includes a third number making perceivable a number of new senders from whom at least one unacknowledged message has been received and a fourth number making perceivable a number of old senders from whom at least one unacknowledged message has been received, the third and fourth numbers accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels.

12. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the status display area includes a third number making perceivable a total number of new messages, the third number accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels.

13. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a perceivable status indicator for each interface label, each perceivable status indicator indicating whether or not the corresponding personal messaging communication session has at least one new message, wherein:

at least one perceivable status indicator is hidden from the first personal messaging user and at least one perceivable status indicator is visible to the first personal messaging user, and the first number accounts for the personal messaging communication sessions associated with a visible perceivable status indicator and the personal messaging communication sessions associated with a hidden perceivable status indicator.

14. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the active session interface label and the one or more subdued session interface labels are rendered proximate to the communication session display area.

15. The electronic device of claim 14 wherein the active session interface label and the one or more subdued session interface labels are rendered in a user interface window with the communication session display area.

16. A method of rendering of a user interface that enables perception of information regarding communications sessions, the method comprising:

rendering a display of interface labels representative of personal messaging communication sessions of a first personal messaging user, each interface label representing a personal messaging communication session, the interface labels including:

an active session interface label representative of an active communication session between the first personal messaging user and another personal messaging user; and one or more subdued session interface labels, each subdued session interface label representative of a subdued communication session between the first personal messaging user and another personal messaging user;

rendering a display of a communication session display area that displays content from the active communication session; and

rendering a display of a status display area that:

enables perception of a number of personal messaging communication sessions of the first personal messaging user that include at least one unacknowledged message, the perception being enabled by using a first number accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels; and

enables perception of a total number of personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user by using a second number, the second number accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and with the one or more subdued session interface labels.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein rendering the display of the communication session display area includes a previous message information indicator making perceivable an identity of the another personal messaging user in active communication with the first personal messaging user, and making perceivable a time when a previous message was received from the another personal messaging user.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein rendering the display of the status display area includes rendering a display of a third number making perceivable a number of new personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user, the third number accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the new personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user include personal messaging communication sessions in which the first personal messaging user has not sent any messages.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the new personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user include personal messaging communication sessions in which the first personal messaging user has not displayed content from the personal messaging communication sessions in the communication session display area.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein rendering the display of the status display area includes rendering a display of a third number making perceivable a number of new senders from whom at least one unacknowledged message has been received and a fourth number making perceivable a number of old senders from whom at least one unacknowledged message has been received, the third and fourth numbers accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein rendering the display of the status display area includes rendering a display of a third number making perceivable a total number of new messages, the third number accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels.

23. The method of claim 16 further comprising rendering a display of a perceivable status indicator for each interface label, each perceivable status indicator indicating whether or not the corresponding personal messaging communication session has at least one new message, wherein:

at least one perceivable status indicator is hidden from the first personal messaging user and at least one perceivable status indicator is visible to the first personal messaging user, and the first number accounts for the personal messaging communication sessions associated with a visible perceivable status indicator and the personal messaging communication sessions associated with a hidden perceivable status indicator.

24. At least one computer-readable medium storing one or more computer programs including instructions that, when executed, perform operations comprising:

rendering a display of interface labels representative of personal messaging communication sessions of a first personal messaging user, each interface label representing a personal messaging communication session, the interface labels including:

an active session interface label representative of an active communication session between the first personal messaging user and another personal messaging user; and one or more subdued session interface labels, each subdued session interface label representative of a subdued communication session between the first personal messaging user and another personal messaging user;

rendering a display of a communication session display area that displays content from the active communication session; and

rendering a display of a status display area that:

enables perception of a number of personal messaging communication sessions of the first personal messaging user that include at least one unacknowledged message, the perception being enabled by using a first number accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels; and

enables perception of a total number of personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user by using a second number, the second number accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and with the one or more subdued session interface labels.

25. A method of providing status of personal messaging communication sessions, the method being executed by a processor and comprising:

monitoring multiple distinct and concurrent personal messaging communication sessions of a personal messaging user for unacknowledged messages;

based on monitoring the distinct and concurrent personal messaging communication sessions, determining a total number of the distinct and concurrent personal messaging communication sessions that include at least one unacknowledged message and determining a total number of the multiple distinct and concurrent personal messaging communication sessions;

enabling display of a first number representing the determined total number of the distinct and concurrent personal messaging communication sessions that include at least one unacknowledged message; and

enabling display of a second number representing the determined total number of the multiple distinct and concurrent personal messaging communication sessions.

26. A method of rendering of a user interface that enables perception of information regarding communications sessions, the method comprising:

rendering a display of interface labels representative of personal messaging communication sessions of a first personal messaging user, each interface label representing a personal messaging communication session, the interface labels including:

an active session interface label representative of an active communication session between the first personal messaging user and another personal messaging user; and one or more subdued session interface labels, each subdued session interface label representative of a subdued communication session between the first personal messaging user and another personal messaging user;

rendering a display of a communication session display area that displays content from the active communication session;

rendering a display of a status display area that:

enables perception indicating personal messaging communication sessions of the first personal messaging user that include at least one unacknowledged message, the perception being enabled by using a first numerical representation accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels; and

enables perception indicating a total number of personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user by using a second numerical representation, the second numerical representation accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and with the one or more subdued session interface labels; and

rendering a display of a third numerical representation making perceivable a number of new senders from whom at least one unacknowledged message has been received and a fourth numerical representations making perceivable a number of old senders from whom at least one unacknowledged message has been received, the third and fourth numerical representations accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein a new personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user and one of the new senders include personal messaging communication sessions in which the first personal messaging user has not sent any messages.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein a new personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user and one of the new senders include personal messaging communication sessions in which the first personal messaging user has not displayed content from the personal messaging communication sessions in the communication session display area.

29. The method of claim 26 further comprising rendering a display of a perceivable status indicator for each interface label, each perceivable status indicator indicating whether or not the corresponding personal messaging communication session has at least one new message, wherein:

at least one perceivable status indicator is hidden from the first personal messaging user and at least one perceivable status indicator is visible to the first personal messaging user, and the first numerical representation accounts for the personal messaging communication sessions associated with a visible perceivable status indicator and the personal messaging communication sessions associated with a hidden perceivable status indicator.

30. A method of rendering of a user interface that enables perception of information regarding communications sessions, the method comprising:

rendering a display of interface labels representative of personal messaging communication sessions of a first personal messaging user, each interface label representing a personal messaging communication session, the interface labels including:

an active session interface label representative of an active communication session between the first personal messaging user and another personal messaging user; and one or more subdued session interface labels, each subdued session interface label representative of a subdued communication session between the first personal messaging user and another personal messaging user;

rendering a display of a communication session display area that displays content from the active communication session;

rendering a display of a status display area that:

enables perception indicating personal messaging communication sessions of the first personal messaging user that include at least one unacknowledged message, the perception being enabled by using a first conversation count indicator accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels; and

enables perception indicating a total number of personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user by using a second conversation count indicator, the second conversation count indicator accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and with the one or more subdued session interface labels; and

rendering a display of a third conversation count indicator making perceivable a number of new senders from whom at least one unacknowledged message has been received and a fourth conversation count indicator making perceivable a number of old senders from whom at least one unacknowledged message has been received, the third and fourth conversation count indicators accounting for personal messaging communication sessions that are associated with the active session interface label and that are associated with the one or more subdued session interface labels.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein a new personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user and one of the new senders include personal messaging communication sessions in which the first personal messaging user has not sent any messages.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein a new personal messaging communication sessions for the first personal messaging user and one of the new senders include personal messaging communication sessions in which the first personal messaging user has not displayed content from the personal messaging communication sessions in the communication session display area.

33. The method of claim 30 further comprising rendering a display of a perceivable status indicator for each interface label, each perceivable status indicator indicating whether or not the corresponding personal messaging communication session has at least one new message, wherein:

at least one perceivable status indicator is hidden from the first personal messaging user and at least one perceivable status indicator is visible to the first personal messaging user, and the first conversation count indicator accounts for the personal messaging communication sessions associated with a visible perceivable status indicator and the personal messaging communication sessions associated with a hidden perceivable status indicator.

Assignments (7)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 20, 2021
From: FACEBOOK, INC.
To: META PLATFORMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 058961/0436 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 3, 2012
From: AOL INC.
To: FACEBOOK, INC.
Reel/Frame 028487/0466 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Nov 16, 2010
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N A
To: AOL INC; AOL ADVERTISING INC; GOING INC; LIGHTNINGCAST LLC; MAPQUEST, INC; NETSCAPE COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION; QUIGO TECHNOLOGIES LLC; SPHERE SOURCE, INC; TACODA LLC; TRUVEO, INC; YEDDA, INC
Reel/Frame 025323/0416 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2009
From: AOL LLC
To: AOL INC.
Reel/Frame 023723/0645 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 14, 2009
From: AOL INC.; AOL ADVERTISING INC.; BEBO, INC.; ICQ LLC; GOING, INC.; LIGHTNINGCAST LLC; MAPQUEST, INC.; NETSCAPE COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION; QUIGO TECHNOLOGIES LLC; SPHERE SOURCE, INC.; TACODA LLC; TRUVEO, INC.; YEDDA, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICAN, N.A. AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 023649/0061 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 18, 2009
From: CANFIELD, JAMES ANDREW; CARBONE, KENNETH; COLBURN, DAVID FAIRLIE; MYERS, LINDA NOLS; VAN LENTEN, THOMAS E.; WILLIS, GREGORY ALAN
To: AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 022847/0031 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 18, 2009
From: AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
To: AOL LLC
Reel/Frame 022848/0104 →