Apparatus and method for maintaining a message thread with opt-in permanence for entries

A server includes a message thread module with instructions executed by a processor to maintain a message thread between a first user and a second user. Each entry of the message thread is deleted after a display period unless an indication regarding the entry is received during the display period.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to communications in a networked environment. More particularly, this invention relates to maintaining a message thread with opt-in permanence for entries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communications between individuals are increasingly digitized and transmitted via the Internet. Individuals are communicating through text messages, email messages, voice mail messages and the like. In the case of a text message between two individuals a conversation thread is maintained. Each individual contributes text to a chronologically listed record of the communications between the two individuals. With each new communication, a new entry is added to the communication thread. Either individual can review the conversation thread at any time and edit it locally in the messaging client.

Maintaining a complete and precise record of a sequence of communication may inhibit the spontaneity of an interaction. For example, when one has a conversation with an individual, it is typically not recorded and therefore the exchange may be more candid.

A live conversation between two individuals may be memorialized with notes, but in this case there is visual feedback indicating when one individual is recording information, which allows the other individual to clarify a point or otherwise alter the direction of the conversation.

Storing the entire contents of a digital conversation may also make it difficult to surface the most important information. It is a case of information overload. Selectively saving certain communications in an ephemeral conversation thread allows the user to quickly recall or reference important aspects of the thread.

In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to have a digital communication mechanism that more naturally mimics the types of interactions to which individuals are accustomed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A server includes a message thread module with instructions executed by a processor to maintain a message thread between a first user and a second user. Each entry of the message thread is deleted after a display period unless an indication regarding the entry is received during the display period.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1illustrates a system100configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system100includes a set of client devices102_1through102_N and at least one server104connected via a network106, which may be any wired or wireless network.

Each client device102may be a computer, tablet, Smartphone and the like with standard components, such as a central processing unit110connected to input/output devices112via a bus114. The input/output devices112may include a touch display, keyboard, mouse and the like. A network interface circuit116is also connected to the bus114to provide connectivity with network106.

A memory120is also connected to the bus114. The memory120stores standard components, such as a communication module122. The communication module122may be a text message module that supports Short Message Service (SMS) texting. Alternately, the communication module122may be a browser, which supports access to an email server. Alternately, the communication module122may be a telephony interface that supports telephone interactions, such as voice messages.

Server104also includes standard components, such as a central processing unit160connected to input/output devices164via a bus162. A network interface circuit166is also connected to the bus162. Further, a memory170is connected to the bus162. The memory170stores modules of executable instructions to implement disclosed operations. For example, the memory170may store a message thread module172, which maintains a thread of communications between at least two individuals. The thread of communications may be a text message thread, an email with a sequence of returned communications or a voice mail file with a sequence of returned communications.

The configuration of system100is exemplary. The system100may include multiple servers104and a variety of communication devices to support various forms of digital communication.

FIG. 2illustrates processing operations associated with an embodiment of the message thread module172. In particular, the figure illustrates message generation processing utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. By way of example, operations will be discussed in the context of text messaging.

Initially, a transitory display parameter is set200. The transitory display parameter may be set as a default value (e.g., a 3 second viewing period) or it may be set through user input. The notion associated with the transitory display parameter is that all message entries will be deleted after the transitory display parameter time expires and therefore message entries are transitory, unless an individual opts-in for message entry permanence.

The next operation ofFIG. 2is to collect a text entry202. The text entry collection process is terminated when an individual indicts that the text entry should be sent. At this point it is determined if there was an indication to save the text entry204. The indication may be in the form of a gesture applied to the screen where the text is entered. Alternately, the indication may be based upon a specified key or combination of keys on a keyboard used to enter the text.

If there is no indication to save the entry (204—No), then the text is displayed in the thread associated with the sender and the recipient. When the recipient reads or otherwise consumes the entry, the entry is deleted from the thread associated with the sender206.

If there is an indication to save the entry (204—Yes), then the entry is displayed in its original form in the thread associated with the sender and the recipient. A check is periodically made to determine if the entry has been read by the recipient210. If not (210—No), the entry continues to be displayed in its original form. If so (210—Yes), indicia associated with the thread is altered212. That is, after the recipient reads the entry the nature of the entry will be altered on the sending side and the receiving side. If the recipient does not provide an indication to save the entry, then the indicia of the entry on the sending side thread will be altered to indicate that only one of the two parties (the sender) has saved the entry. If the recipient provides an indication to save the entry, then the indicia of the entry on the sending side and the receiving side is altered to indicate that both of the parties have saved the entry. In an alternate embodiment, the message may be restored in the sender side thread if the recipient provides an indication to save the message. This restoration in the sender side thread includes indicia that the recipient saved the message, although the sender originally declined to do so.

The operations ofFIG. 2are performed by the message thread module172operating in conjunction with a client device102. That is, operations such as collecting a text entry202and identifying an indication to save204are performed at the client device102, with the results of the operations passed and processed to the message thread module172. Similarly, the display until consumed operation206, display operation208and altering of thread indicia212are manifested at the client device102in response to information supplied by the message thread module172.

FIG. 3illustrates message consumption processing operations performed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The message thread module127coordinates the delivery of the text to the recipient300. The text is displayed for the duration of the transitory display parameter302. That is, the message thread module127directs the client device102to display the text for the duration of the transitory display parameter. Alternately, the text may be displayed until it is actively deleted or the user scrolls past it without saving it.

It is determined whether there is an indication to save the entry304during the duration of the transitory display parameter. If not (304—No), the message is deleted306from the recipient's thread. Thread indicia of the sender is altered, if necessary308. That is, if the sender elected to preserve the entry, then indicia associated with the entry would be altered to indicate that the sender preserved the entry, but the recipient did not.

If there is an indication to save the entry (304—Yes), the entry is saved in the recipient's thread310. The thread indicia is altered312to at least indicate that the recipient has saved the entry. If the sender also saved the entry, then the sender's indicia and the recipient's indicia reflect that both entities have saved the message.

FIG. 4illustrates thread review processing that may be performed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Initially, a text thread is displayed to a user400. The text thread is between the user and one or more other users. As the user scrolls through the text thread, individual entries may be deleted. If so (402—Yes), the individual entry is deleted404. If necessary, indicia associated with the entry on another device is altered406. For example, if another user had saved the entry and the present user had saved the entry initially, then the indicia associated with the entry on the two client devices would indicate that both parties saved the entry. After one party deletes the entry, the indicia associated with the entry for the other party indicates that only a single party has saved the entry.

FIG. 5illustrates a client device102with a display screen500and a keyboard502. The display screen500displays a thread including a first entry504from a first user and a second entry506from a second user. The first entry504is persisted in response to a gesture applied to the display screen500. The second entry506is also persisted in response to a gesture applied to the display screen500.

FIG. 6illustrates updated indicia indicating different states of entry preservation. Entry504′ is in bold to reflect that both the sender and the recipient persisted the entry. Entry506′ is italicized to indicate that the reply was preserved by the recipient, but not the sender.

Thus, in this example, a parameter in the form of varying fonts is altered to reflect the persistence of an entry. Other parameters may be used, such as a separate graphic indicative of the preservation states. Alternately, the parameter may be in the form of a number where a 1 indicates that only the user of the client device has saved the entry and where the number 2 indicates that two parties have saved the entry. Larger numbers may be used in the event of a group message. A text color scheme may also be used to indicate preservation states.

In one embodiment, the message thread module172is configured to eliminate the ability to copy/paste a conversation? This prevents aspects of the conversation from being taken out of context. In addition, this feature keeps the record of the “saved” communications consistent.

Thus, it will be appreciated that the disclosed techniques allow for a digital communication mechanism that more naturally mimics the types of interactions to which individuals are accustomed. That is, individual utterances (entries) are transitory in nature, unless a user opts-in to preserve an utterance. Opting-in to preserve an utterance may result in feedback that allows a counter-party to know that another has preserved the entry.

In addition to providing a more natural communication flow, the invention may provide a more condensed communication thread where only perceived important entries are preserved. This can be advantageous in connection with the use of a mobile device, which has a small screen and therefore a limited ability to display information. This may also be advantageous as it reduces the amount of information that needs to be communicated across a network.

The invention has been disclosed in the context of text communications. However, the same techniques may be applied to email communications or threaded voicemail or multimedia communications.