SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PINNABLE CHAT MESSAGE

1 . A method for providing a chat interface, comprising:

displaying by a computerized appliance having a processor, a text communication window having a message composition field, a mechanism for initiating a send command for a composed message, and a message transcription area for displaying messages sent and received;

initiating a messaging session, wherein messages sent and received during the messaging session are displayed serially in the transcription area until the session terminates; and

providing a user-selectable mechanism for designating one or more messages to be displayed throughout the messaging session.

2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying one or more designated messages in a first portion of the transcription area and marking the designated messages uniquely for differentiating the one or more designated messages from other messages displayed in the transcription area.

3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying one or more designated messages in a space-limited region of the transcription area provided with a scrolling mechanism for scrolling through the one or more designated messages in response to user actuation of the scrolling mechanism.

4 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying one or more designated messages in a separate, floating window, moveable by drag-and-drop.

5 . The method of claim 4 further comprising:

providing a scrolling mechanism for scrolling through the one or more designated messages in the floating window in response to user actuation of the scrolling mechanism.

6 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

identifying a single word or phrase in a composed message for displaying the word or phrase throughout the messaging session.

7 . A chat interface apparatus, comprising:

a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

display:

a text communication window having a message composition field;

a user control for initiating a send command for a message composed; and

a message transcription area showing messages sent and received;

initiate a messaging session;

display messages sent and received serially in the transcription area until the session terminates; and

provide a user-selectable mechanism for designating one or more messages to be displayed throughout the messaging session.

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

display one or more designated messages in a first portion of the transcription area; and

mark the one or more designated messages uniquely for differentiating the one or more designated messages from other messages displayed in the transcription area.

9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

display one or more designated messages in a space-limited region of the transcription area provided with a scrolling mechanism for scrolling through the one or more designated messages in response to user actuation of the scrolling mechanism.

10 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

display one or more designated messages in a separate, floating window, moveable by drag-and-drop.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

provide a scrolling mechanism for scrolling through the one or more designated messages in the floating window in response to user actuation of the scrolling mechanism.

12 . The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

identify a single word or phrase in a composed message for displaying the word or phrase throughout the messaging session.