Method and apparatus for autocorrelation of instant messages

1. A method for use in a text chat messaging system in which messages are displayed in chronological order on a message-by-message basis according to chat participants, comprising:

identifying messages in a chat session according to said chat participants;

selectively determining an order of initial participation by said chat participants in said chat session, wherein selectively determining the order is by an autocorrelation unit responsive to selecting autocorrelation at a client endpoint; and

arranging a record of said chat session in conversational order by said autocorrelation unit responsive to said order of initial participation, wherein said arranging a record comprises said autocorrelation unit re-arranging messages in a record at said client endpoint out of order from the order at which said messages included in said record arrived at and were created in said client endpoint, said autocorrelation unit re-arranging said messages into said conversational order, wherein when said autocorrelation unit determines there are consecutive messages from the same chat participant said autocorrelation unit bumps said consecutive messages after a next message from another participant in a respective chat session.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said arranging a record comprises said autocorrelation unit re-arranging a log of a chat session in said conversational order.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein arranging said record comprises arranging a display of an ongoing chat session in said conversational order.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 , further comprising signaling other chat participants an indication of an arrangement in said order of initial participation.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 , wherein said chronological order corresponds to the order messages arrive at a server and signaling comprises signaling said server said indication of arrangement.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said arranging a record comprises re-arranging messages in a record at a messaging server out of order from the order at which said messages included in said record arrived at said messaging server and into said conversational order.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein selecting determining the order is by said autocorrelation unit responsive to selecting autocorrelation at a client endpoint and said arranging a record comprises said autocorrelation unit re-arranging messages in a record at said client endpoint out of order from the order at which said messages included in said record arrived at and were created in said client endpoint, said autocorrelation unit re-arranging said messages into said conversational order.

8. A method for use in a text chat messaging system in which messages are displayed in chronological order on a message-by-message basis according to chat participants, comprising:

identifying messages in a chat session according to chat participants; and

re-arranging said chat session for display according to a conversation order of participation in said chat session by an autocorrelation unit responsive to selecting autocorrelation at a client endpoint, wherein said arranging a record comprises said autocorrelation unit re-arranging messages in a record at said client endpoint out of order from the order at which said messages included in said record arrived at and were created in said client endpoint, said autocorrelation unit re-arranging said messages into said conversational order, wherein when said autocorrelation unit determines there are consecutive messages from the same chat participant said autocorrelation unit bumps said consecutive messages after a next message from another participant in a respective chat session.

9. A text chat messaging system in which messages are displayed in chronological order on a message-by-message basis according to chat participants, comprising:

a messaging server; and

a plurality of network clients defining said chat participants and each including an autocorrelation unit configured to identify messages in a chat session according to chat participants and responsive to receiving autocorrelation selection at a client endpoint, rearrange said chat session for display according to a conversation order of participation in said chat session, wherein said arranging a record comprises said autocorrelation unit rearranging messages in a record at said client endpoint out of order from the order at which said messages included in said record arrived at and were created in said client endpoint, said autocorrelation unit re-arranging said messages into said conversational order, wherein when said autocorrelation unit determines there are consecutive messages from the same chat participant said autocorrelation unit bumps said consecutive messages after a next message from another participant in a respective chat session.

10. A text chat messaging system in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said plurality of network clients are adapted to transmit to others of said plurality one or more indicia of a new ordering of said chat session display.

11. A text chat messaging system in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said plurality of network clients are adapted to transmit to said messaging server one or more indicia of a new ordering of said chat session display.

12. A text chat messaging system in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said plurality of network clients comprise web-browser clients.

13. A text chat messaging device for use in a text chat messaging system in which messages are displayed in chronological order on a message-by-message basis according to chat participants, the device including an autocorrelation unit configured to identify messages in a chat session according to chat participants responsive to selecting autocorrelation at a client endpoint, said autocorrelation unit rearranging said chat session for display according to a conversation order of participation in said chat session, wherein said arranging a record comprises said autocorrelation unit re-arranging messages in a record at said client endpoint out of order from the order at which said messages included in said record arrived at and were created in said client endpoint, said autocorrelation unit re-arranging said messages into said conversational order, wherein when said autocorrelation unit determines there are consecutive messages from the same chat participant said autocorrelation unit bumps said consecutive messages after a next message from another participant in a respective chat session.