IP Library Granted Patent US 9,191,348
Granted Patent B2
US 9,191,348 · App. 14/605,960 · Granted Nov 17, 2015

System and method for a messaging interface

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,191,348
App. No.
14/605,960
Granted
Nov 17, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Computer-implemented systems and methods for a simplified messaging interface are provided for allowing users to initiate and engage in messaging conversations. In some embodiments, the systems and methods reduce the overhead involved in initiating and/or engaging in messaging conversations. In addition, the messaging interface may allow users to initiate and/or engage in conversations without having to open a separate standard messaging window for every conversation. Further, the simplified messaging interface may be used in conjunction with a standard messaging interface.

Claims (55)

1. A method for providing an electronic messaging interface, the method comprising the following operations performed by one or more processors:

generating instructions to display a contact list in a graphical user interface;

receiving a selection of a contact in the contact list;

generating instructions to display a textual input field within the contact list, wherein the textual input field is displayed within a separate graphical region designated for the selected contact;

receiving a message entered into the textual input field displayed within the separate graphical region; and

transmitting the message, over a network, to a device associated with the selected contact.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a response message from the selected contact; and

generating instructions to display a response notification window, the response notification window including an additional textual input field for receiving one or more additional messages.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

initiating a standard messaging window after a threshold message size is received into the textual input field.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the threshold message size is significantly less than the amount displayed in a standard messaging window.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the threshold message size is 20 characters.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the threshold message size is 100 characters.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the threshold message size is based on the type of language is used to compose the message.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically opening the textual input field after a response is received from a contact.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selection is a first selection, the contact is a first contact, the textual input field is a first textual input field, and the message is a first message; and

wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a second selection of a second contact;

generating instructions to display a second textual input field within the contact list, wherein the second textual input field is displayed in a separate graphical region designated for the second contact, the separate graphical region designated for the second contact differing from the separate graphical region designated for the first contact;

receiving a second message into the second textual input field; and

transmitting the second message, over a network, to a device associated with the second contact.

10. A system for providing an electronic messaging interface, comprising:

a processing system comprising one or more processors; and

a memory system that stores instructions, the instructions being executable by the processing system to perform operations comprising:

generating instructions to display a contact list in a graphical user interface;

receiving a selection of a contact in the contact list;

generating instructions to display a textual input field within the contact list, wherein the textual input field is displayed within a separate graphical region designated for the selected contact;

receiving a message entered into the textual input field displayed within the separate graphical region; and

transmitting the message, over a network, to a device associated with the selected contact.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the operations performed by the processing system further comprise:

receiving a response message from the selected contact; and

generating instructions to display a response notification window, the response notification window including an additional textual input field for receiving one or more additional messages.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the operations performed by the processing system further comprise:

initiating a standard messaging window after a threshold message size is received into the textual input field.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the threshold message size is significantly less than the amount of message displayed in a standard messaging window.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the threshold message size is 20 characters.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the threshold message size is 100 characters.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the threshold message size is based on the type of language used to compose the message.

17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the operations performed by the processing system further comprise:

automatically opening the textual input field after a response is received from a contact.

18. The system of claim 10 , wherein the selection is a first selection, the contact is a first contact, the textual input field is a first textual input field, and the message is a first message; and

wherein the operations performed by the processing system further comprise:

receiving a second selection of a second contact;

generating instructions to display a second textual input field within the contact list, wherein the second textual input field is displayed in a separate graphical region designated for the second contact, the separate graphical region designated for the second contact differing from the separate graphical region designated for the first contact;

receiving a second message into the second textual input field; and

transmitting the second message, over a network, to a device associated with the second contact.

19. A method for providing an electronic messaging interface, the method comprising the following operations performed by one or more processors:

generating instructions to display a contact list in a graphical user interface;

receiving a selection of a contact in the contact list;

generating instructions to display a first textual input field within the contact list, wherein the first textual input field is displayed within a separate graphical region designated for the selected contact;

detecting that a message entered into the first textual input field has exceeded a threshold message size;

displaying a separate window in response to detecting that the message has exceeded the threshold message size, wherein the separate window includes a second textual input field containing the message that the user entered into the first textual input field and provides functionality for receiving a message that exceeds the threshold message size;

receiving an indication to send the message in the second textual input field to the selected contact; and

transmitting the message, over a network, to a device associated with the selected contact.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 19, 2021
From: VERIZON MEDIA INC.
To: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
Reel/Frame 057453/0431 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2020
From: OATH INC.
To: VERIZON MEDIA INC.
Reel/Frame 054258/0635 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 24, 2017
From: AOL INC.
To: OATH INC.
Reel/Frame 043672/0369 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2015
From: ARAD, RONEN
To: AOL LLC
Reel/Frame 034839/0771 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2015
From: AOL LLC
To: AOL INC.
Reel/Frame 034839/0783 →