Patent ID: 9563876
Date: 2017-02-07
CPC Classifications: G06Q,H04L

Claim:
1. A method for configuring an instant messaging program, the method comprising: based on responses to invitations to chat, a computer identifying a plurality of chat sessions that are open; the computer displaying a plurality of buttons in a first control window detached from an operating system task bar, wherein the plurality of buttons correspond to the plurality of chat sessions; a computer receiving a selection of a first chat session of the plurality of chat sessions responsive to selection of a first button of the plurality of buttons, the first button corresponding to the first chat session; responsive to user input for configuring a manner in which the first chat session displays text messages, the computer determining a setting for the manner of displaying text messages of the first chat session and a finite duration of time for using the setting to override another, more global setting for the manner of displaying the text messages of the first chat session and other chat sessions, wherein the determined setting is a time limit for identifying whether to close the first chat session if no activity occurs for the first session within the time limit; the computer determining a duration that the first chat session remains open without activity; and responsive to receipt of a request, during the duration of time, to implement the other global setting, the computer not implementing the other global setting and instead, maintaining the determined setting.