Patent ID: 7725537
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of enabling retraction of instant messages, which method comprises: detecting a command to send an instant message from an instant message window; determining if said command is a first command received/entered at said instant message window to send an instant message after said instant message window has received focus; and if said command is determined to be the first command to send an instant message after said instant message window has received focus: automatically delaying completion of said command to send the instant message for a preset delay time after said command is received; providing a user selectable retraction control for canceling said command during the preset delay time; sending said instant message only after expiration of said delay time without detecting/receiving an actuation of said retraction control; providing a user selectable control for sending said instant message before expiration of said preset delay time; sending said instant message in response to actuation of said control for sending said instant message before expiration of said preset delay time; wherein said preset delay time is set according to a retraction policy; wherein said retraction policy is configurable by a user to prevent the instant message from being sent after receipt of the command to send the instant message until the expiration of the preset delay time, which value ranges from zero delay to a larger value delay; wherein said retraction policy provides different delay times for different categories of recipients; and wherein said preset delay time is zero for a first category of recipients and a different value for a second category of recipients, such that said command and said instant message are transmitted without delay for only the first category of recipients, while said instant message is transmitted to the second category of recipients only after expiration of the different value of preset delay time that is not zero.