Patent ID: 7475110
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for managing multi-threaded conversations in an instant messaging session, comprising: receiving a first user input identifying an outgoing message as a new conversation thread in the instant messaging session displayed in an instant messaging window, wherein a user and a recipient have exchanged messages in at least one previous conversation thread during the instant messaging session; sending the outgoing message to the recipient; displaying the sent message segregated from previous conversation threads in a conversation pane of the instant messaging window, wherein the new conversation thread and previous conversation threads are displayed in a same conversation pane of the instant messaging window; receiving a second user input comprising selection of a first menu button on the instant messaging window, wherein selection of the first menu button merges conversation threads to form a multi-threaded conversation, and wherein selection of the first menu button displays the merged conversation threads as a single stream of conversation in chronological order in the same conversation pane of the instant messaging window; and receiving a third user input comprising selection of a second menu button on the instant messaging window, wherein selection of the second menu button segregates the merged conversation threads from within the multi-threaded conversation, and wherein selection of the second menu button displays the segregated conversation threads as separate topics of conversation in the same conversation pane of the instant messaging window.