Patent Publication Number: US-RE48615-E

Title: User interface methods and apparatus for use in communicating messages

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional application having application No. 61/326,511 and filing date of 21 Apr. 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Technology 
     The present disclosure relates generally to communication devices and messaging, and more particularly to user interface techniques for use in communicating messages from mobile communication devices which operate in wireless communication networks. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Today, wireless communication devices which operate in wireless communication networks have capabilities which may include wireless telephony and wireless messaging. Wireless messaging may include electronic-mail (e-mail) messaging, text messaging such as short message service (SMS) messaging, or instant messaging, messaging in chat sessions, as examples. 
     When a user of a wireless communication device wants to send a message to one or more intended recipients, he/she may wish to consult previously sent and/or received messages or conversation threads stored in memory to recall the context of the previous conversation with intended recipients. However, the number of messages or conversation threads stored in the wireless device may become large over time. User-directed searching capabilities of the wireless device may assist the user in finding the appropriate message or conversation thread, but even these features require additional steps for the user to take, which results in inconvenience to the user. 
     What are needed are methods and apparatus to overcome these and related or similar deficiencies of the prior art. The same or similar problems may exist in other devices or messaging types. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to attached figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a communication system which includes a wireless communication device for communicating in a wireless communication network; 
         FIG. 2  is a more detailed example of a wireless communication device for use in the wireless communication network; 
         FIG. 3  is a particular structure of a system for communicating with the wireless communication device; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart for describing a method for use in communicating short messages from the wireless communication device; and 
         FIGS. 5-9  are display presentations in a display of the wireless communication device for depicting various actions associated with the method described in relation to  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Methods and apparatus for use in communicating messages from a communication device via a wireless network are described. The communication device receives, via its user interface, an input request for creating a new message. The communication device also receives, via its user interface, one or more input requests for selecting one or more message recipient identifiers for the new message. In response to receiving the one or more input requests, the communication device identifies whether a stored conversation thread is associated with conversation participant identifiers that match the conversation participant identifiers for the new message. If so, the communication device displays the identified conversation thread together with a message body input field of the new message, prior to entry of message body contents in the message body input field. Thereafter, the communication device receives, via the user interface, the message body contents in the message body input field. The message is then transmitted via the wireless network to one or more communication devices identified by the one or more message recipient identifiers. In one embodiment, the messages are short message service (SMS) messages or multimedia messaging service (MMS) messages. 
     To illustrate one exemplary environment within which the present techniques may be practiced,  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a communication system  100  which includes a wireless communication device  102  which communicates through a wireless communication network  104 . Wireless communication device  102  may include a visual display  112 , a keyboard  114 , and one or more auxiliary user interfaces (UI)  116 , each of which is coupled to a controller  106 . Controller  106  is also coupled to radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry  108  and an antenna  110 . 
     In most modern communication devices, controller  106  is embodied as a central processing unit (CPU) which runs operating system software in a memory component (not shown). Controller  106  normally controls overall operation of wireless device  102 , whereas signal processing operations associated with communication functions are typically performed in RF transceiver circuitry  108 . Controller  106  interfaces with device display  112  to display received information, stored information, input requests, and the like. Keyboard  114 , which may be a telephone type keypad or full alphanumeric keyboard, is normally provided for entering data for storage in wireless device  102 , information for transmission to network  104 , a telephone number to place a telephone call, commands to be executed on wireless device  102 , and possibly other or different input requests. In one embodiment, keyboard  114  may be or include a physical keyboard or a virtual or “soft” keyboard, implemented, for example, by way of images of keys rendered on a touch screen display. 
     Wireless device  102  sends communication signals to and receives communication signals from network  104  over a wireless link via antenna  110 . RF transceiver circuitry  108  performs functions similar to those of base station  138 , including for example modulation/demodulation and possibly encoding/decoding and encryption/decryption. It is also contemplated that RF transceiver circuitry  108  may perform certain functions in addition to those performed by base station  138 . It will be apparent to those skilled in art that RF transceiver circuitry  108  will be adapted to particular wireless network or networks in which wireless device  102  is intended to operate. 
     Wireless device  102  includes a battery interface  118  for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries  132 . Battery  120  provides electrical power to (most if not all) electrical circuitry in wireless device  102 , and battery interface  118  provides for a mechanical and electrical connection for battery  120 . Battery interface  118  is coupled to a regulator  122  which regulates power for the device. When wireless device  102  is fully operational, an RF transmitter of RF transceiver circuitry  108  is typically keyed or turned on only when it is sending to network  104 , and is otherwise turned off to conserve resources. Such intermittent operation of transmitter has a dramatic effect on power consumption of wireless device  102 . Similarly, an RF receiver of RF transceiver circuitry  108  is typically periodically turned off to conserve power until it is needed to receive signals or information (if at all) during designated time periods. 
     Wireless device  102  may consist of a single unit, such as a data communication device, a cellular telephone, a multiple-function communication device with data and voice communication capabilities such as a mobile telephone with data communication functionality, a personal digital assistant (PDA) enabled for wireless communication, or a computer incorporating an internal modem. Alternatively, wireless device  102  may be a multiple-module unit comprising a plurality of separate components, including but in no way limited to a computer or other device connected to a wireless modem. In particular, for example, in the wireless device block diagram of  FIG. 1 , RF transceiver circuitry  108  and antenna  110  may be implemented as a radio modem unit that may be inserted into a port on a laptop computer. In this case, the laptop computer would include display  112 , keyboard  114 , one or more auxiliary UIs  116 , and controller  106  embodied as the computer&#39;s CPU. It is also contemplated that a computer or other equipment not normally capable of wireless communication may be adapted to connect to and effectively assume control of RF transceiver circuitry  108  and antenna  110  of a single-unit device such as one of those described above. Such a wireless device  102  may have a more particular implementation as described later in relation to wireless device  202  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Wireless device  102  may operate using a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)  126  which is connected to or inserted in wireless device  102  at a SIM interface  124 . SIM  126  is one type of a conventional “smart card” used to identify an end user (or subscriber) of wireless device  102  and to personalize the device, among other things. Without SIM  126 , the wireless device terminal is not fully operational for communication through wireless network  104 . By inserting SIM  126  into wireless device  102 , an end user can have access to any and all of his/her subscribed services. In order to identify the subscriber, SIM  126  contains some user parameters such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and a Mobile Station Integrated International Service Digital Network (MSISDN). In addition, SIM  126  is typically protected by a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) which is stored therein and known only by the end user. An advantage of using SIM  126  is that end users are not necessarily bound by any single physical wireless device. Typically, the only element that personalizes a wireless device terminal is a SIM card. Therefore, the user can access subscribed services using any wireless device equipped to operate with the user&#39;s SIM. 
     Some information stored on SIM  126  (e.g., address book and SMS messages) may be retrieved and visually displayed on display  112 . Wireless device  102  has one or more software applications which are executed by controller  106  to facilitate the information stored on SIM  126  to be displayed on display  112 . Controller  106  and SIM interface  124  have data and control lines  144  coupled therebetween to facilitate the transfer of the information between controller  106  and SIM interface  124  so that it may be visually displayed. An end user enters input requests at keyboard  114 , for example, and in response, controller  106  controls SIM interface  124  and SIM  126  to retrieve the information for display. The end user may also enter input requests at keyboard  114 , for example, and, in response, controller  106  controls SIM interface  124  and SIM  126  to store information on SIM  126  for later retrieval and viewing. The software applications executed by controller  106  may include an application to retrieve and display address book information stored on SIM  126 , and an application to retrieve and display SMS message information stored on SIM  126 . 
     Wireless device  102  communicates in and through wireless communication network  104 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wireless network  104  is a Global Systems for Mobile (GSM) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network. Wireless network  104  includes a base station  138  with an associated antenna tower  136 , a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)  140 , a Visitor Location Register (VLR)  130 , a Home Location Register (HLR)  132 , and a Short Message Service Center (SMS-SC)  128 . MSC  140  is coupled to base station  138  and to SMS-SC  128 , which is in turn coupled to other network(s)  134 . 
     Base station  138 , including its associated controller and antenna tower  136 , provides wireless network coverage for a particular coverage area commonly referred to as a “cell”. Base station  138  transmits communication signals to and receives communication signals from wireless devices within its cell via antenna tower  136 . Base station  138  normally performs such functions as modulation and possibly encoding and/or encryption of signals to be transmitted to the wireless device in accordance with particular, usually predetermined, communication protocols and parameters, under control of its controller. Base station  138  similarly demodulates and possibly decodes and decrypts, if necessary, any communication signals received from wireless device  102  within its cell. Communication protocols and parameters may vary between different networks. For example, one network may employ a different modulation scheme and operate at different frequencies than other networks. 
     The wireless link shown in communication system  100  of  FIG. 1  represents one or more different channels, typically different radio frequency (RF) channels, and associated protocols used between wireless network  104  and wireless device  102 . Those skilled in art will appreciate that a wireless network in actual practice may include hundreds of cells, each served by a distinct base station  138  and transceiver, depending upon desired overall expanse of network coverage. All base station controllers and base stations may be connected by multiple switches and routers (not shown), controlled by multiple network controllers. 
     For all wireless devices  102  registered with a network operator, permanent data (such as wireless device  102  user&#39;s profile) as well as temporary data (such as wireless device&#39;s  102  current location) are stored in HLR  132 . In case of a voice call to wireless device  102 , HLR  132  is queried to determine the current location of wireless device  102 . VLR  130  is responsible for a group of location areas and stores the data of those wireless devices that are currently in its area of responsibility. This includes parts of the permanent wireless device data that have been transmitted from HLR  132  to VLR  130  for faster access. However, VLR  130  may also assign and store local data, such as temporary identifications. Optionally, VLR  130  can be enhanced for more efficient co-ordination of GPRS and non-GPRS services and functionality (e.g., paging for circuit-switched calls, and combined GPRS and non-GPRS location updates). 
     Being part of the GPRS network, a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) is at the same hierarchical level as MSC  140  and keeps track of the individual locations of wireless devices. An SGSN also performs security functions and access control. Further, a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) provides interworking with external packet-switched networks and is connected with SGSNs via an IP-based GPRS backbone network. The SGSN performs authentication and cipher setting procedures based on the same algorithms, keys, and criteria as in existing GSM. For SMS transfer over GPRS, the SGSN is used in place of MSC  140 . 
     In order to access GPRS services, wireless device  102  first makes its presence known to wireless network  104  by performing what is known as a GPRS “attach”. This operation establishes a logical link between wireless device  102  and the SGSN and makes wireless device  102  available to receive, for example, pages via SGSN, notifications of incoming GPRS data, or SMS messages over GPRS. In order to send and receive GPRS data, wireless device  102  assists in activating the packet data address that it wants to use. This operation makes wireless device  102  known to the GGSN; interworking with external data networks can thereafter commence. User data may be transferred transparently between wireless device  102  and the external data networks using, for example, encapsulation and tunneling. Data packets are equipped with GPRS-specific protocol information and transferred between wireless device  102  and the GGSN. 
     SMS makes use of SMS-SC  128  which acts as a store-and-forward system for relaying short messages. Messages are stored in the network until the destination device becomes available, so a user can receive or transmit an SMS message at any time, whether a voice call is in progress or not. SMS-SC  128  may be integrated with a Gateway MSC for Short Message Service (SMS-GMSC) and an Interworking MSC for Short Message Service (SMS-IWMSC), as would be the case shown in  FIG. 1 . An SMS-GMSC is a function for receiving a short message from an SMS-SC, interrogating an HLR for routing information and SMS info, and delivering the short message for the recipient MS. An SMS-IWMSC is a function for receiving a short message from within the network and submitting it to the recipient SMS-SC. Other messages which may be delivered are Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messages. The above configuration may be provided in substantial accordance with 3 rd  Generation Partnership Project, Technical Specification 03.40, V6.2.0, 2001-12 (Release 1997) (3GPP TS 03.40). 
     As apparent from the above, the wireless network includes fixed network components including RF transceivers, amplifiers, base station controllers, network servers, and servers connected to network. Those skilled in art will appreciate that a wireless network may be connected to other systems, possibly including other networks, not explicitly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2  is a detailed block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device  202 . Wireless device  202  may be a two-way communication device having at least voice and data communication capabilities, including the capability to communicate with other computer systems. Depending on the functionality provided by wireless device  202 , it may be referred to as a data messaging device, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone with data messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appliance, or a data communication device (with or without telephony capabilities). Wireless device  202  may be a mobile station. 
     If wireless device  202  is enabled for two-way communication, it will normally incorporate a communication subsystem  211 , which includes a receiver  212 , a transmitter  214 , and associated components, such as one or more (e.g., embedded or internal) antenna elements  216  and  218 , local oscillators (LOs)  213 , and a processing module such as a digital signal processor (DSP)  220 . Communication subsystem  211  is analogous to RF transceiver circuitry  108  and antenna  110  shown in  FIG. 1 . As will be apparent to those skilled in field of communications, particular design of communication subsystem  211  depends on the communication network in which wireless device  202  is intended to operate. 
     Network access requirements will also vary depending upon type of network utilized. In GPRS networks, for example, network access is associated with a subscriber or user of wireless device  202 . A GPRS device therefore operates in conjunction with a Subscriber Identity Module, commonly referred to as a “SIM” card  256 , in order to operate on the GPRS network. Without such a SIM card  256 , a GPRS device will not be fully functional. Local or non-network communication functions (if any) may be operable, but wireless device  202  will be unable to carry out any functions involving communications over the network. SIM  256  includes those features described in relation to  FIG. 1 . 
     Wireless device  202  may send and receive communication signals over the network after required network registration or activation procedures have been completed. Signals received by antenna  216  through the network are input to receiver  212 , which may perform such common receiver functions as signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection, and like, and in example shown in  FIG. 2 , analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. A/D conversion of a received signal allows more complex communication functions such as demodulation and decoding to be performed in DSP  220 . In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted are processed, including modulation and encoding, for example, by DSP  220 . These DSP-processed signals are input to transmitter  214  for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission over communication network via antenna  218 . DSP  220  not only processes communication signals, but also provides for receiver and transmitter control. For example, the gains applied to communication signals in receiver  212  and transmitter  214  may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in DSP  220 . 
     Wireless device  202  includes a microprocessor  238  (which is one implementation of controller  106  of  FIG. 1 ) which controls overall operation of wireless device  202 . Communication functions, including at least data and voice communications, are performed through communication subsystem  211 . Microprocessor  238  also interacts with additional device subsystems such as a display  222 , a flash memory  224 , a random access memory (RAM)  226 , auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems  228 , a serial port  230 , a keyboard  232 , a speaker  234 , a microphone  236 , a short-range communications subsystem  240 , and any other device subsystems generally designated at  242 . Data and control lines  260  extend between SIM interface  254  and microprocessor  238  for communicating data therebetween and for control. Some of the subsystems shown in  FIG. 2  perform communication-related functions, whereas other subsystems may provide “resident” or on-device functions. Notably, some subsystems, such as keyboard  232  and display  222 , for example, may be used for both communication-related functions, such as entering a text message for transmission over a communication network, and device-resident functions such as a calculator or task list. Operating system software used by microprocessor  238  may be stored in a persistent store such as flash memory  224 , which may alternatively be a read-only memory (ROM), a battery backed-up RAM, or similar storage element (not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store such as RAM  226 . 
     Microprocessor  238 , in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of software applications on wireless device  202 . A predetermined set of applications which control basic device operations, including at least data and voice communication applications (such as a user interface technique), will normally be installed on wireless device  202  during its manufacture. One exemplary application that may be loaded onto wireless device  202  may be a personal information manager (PIM) application having the ability to organize and manage data items relating to user such as, but not limited to, e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. Naturally, one or more memory stores are available on wireless device  202  and SIM  256  to facilitate storage of PIM data items and other information. 
     The PIM application has the ability to send and receive data items via the wireless network. In an exemplary embodiment, PIM data items are seamlessly integrated, synchronized, and updated via the wireless network, with the wireless device user&#39;s corresponding data items stored and/or associated with a host computer system thereby creating a mirrored host computer on wireless device  202  with respect to such items. This is especially advantageous where the host computer system is the wireless device user&#39;s office computer system. Additional applications may also be loaded onto wireless device  202  through network, an auxiliary I/O subsystem  228 , serial port  230 , short-range communications subsystem  240 , or any other suitable subsystem  242 , and installed by a user in RAM  226  or a non-volatile store for execution by microprocessor  238 . Such flexibility in application installation increases the functionality of wireless device  202  and may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication-related functions, or both. For example, secure communication applications may enable electronic commerce functions and other such financial transactions to be performed using wireless device  202 . 
     In a data communication mode, data such as an SMS message will be processed by communication subsystem  211  and input to microprocessor  238 . Microprocessor  238  may further process the signal for output to display  222  or alternatively to auxiliary I/O device  228 . A user of wireless device  202  may also compose data items, such as SMS messages, using keyboard  232  in conjunction with display  222  and possibly auxiliary I/O device  228 . Keyboard  232  may be a complete alphanumeric keyboard and/or telephone-type keypad. In one embodiment, keyboard  232  may be or include a physical keyboard or a virtual or “soft” keyboard, implemented, for example, by way of images of keys rendered on a touch screen display. The composed items may be transmitted over a communication network through communication subsystem  211 . 
     For voice communications, the overall operation of wireless device  202  is substantially similar, except that the received signals are output to speaker  234  and signals for transmission are generated by microphone  236 . Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on wireless device  202 . Although voice or audio signal output may be accomplished primarily through speaker  234 , display  222  may also be used to provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information, as some examples. 
     Serial port  230  in  FIG. 2  is normally implemented in a personal digital assistant (PDA)-type communication device for which synchronization with a user&#39;s desktop computer is a desirable, albeit optional, component. Serial port  230  enables a user to set preferences through an external device or software application and extends the capabilities of wireless device  202  by providing for information or software downloads to wireless device  202  other than through a wireless communication network. The alternate download path may, for example, be used to load an encryption key onto wireless device  202  through a direct and thus reliable and trusted connection to thereby provide secure device communication. 
     Short-range communications subsystem  240  of  FIG. 2  is an additional optional component which provides for communication between wireless device  202  and different systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, subsystem  240  may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, a Bluetooth™ communication module, or an 802.11 communication module, to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices. Bluetooth™ is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that “Bluetooth” and “802.11” refer to sets of specifications, available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), relating to wireless personal area networks and wireless local area networks, respectively. 
     Wireless device  202  also includes a battery interface (such as that described in relation to  FIG. 1 ) for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries. Such a battery provides electrical power to most if not all electrical circuitry in wireless device  202 , and the battery interface provides for a mechanical and electrical connection for it. The battery interface is coupled to a regulator which regulates a voltage to all of the circuitry. 
       FIG. 3  shows a particular system architecture for communicating with a wireless communication device. In particular,  FIG. 3  shows basic components of an IP-based wireless data network, such as a GPRS network. Wireless device  202  communicates with a wireless packet data network  345 , and may also be capable of communicating with a wireless voice network (not shown). The voice network may be associated with the IP-based wireless network as similar to, for example, GSM and GPRS networks, or alternatively may be a completely separate network. The GPRS IP-based data network is unique in that it is effectively an overlay on the GSM voice network. As such, GPRS components will either extend existing GSM components, such as base stations  320 , or require additional components to be added, such as an advanced Gateway GPRS Service Node (GGSN) as a network entry point  305 . Such network architecture may facilitate the communication of data messages, such as multimedia messaging service (MMS) messages. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a gateway  340  may be coupled to an internal or external address resolution component  335  and one or more network entry points  305 . Data packets are transmitted from gateway  340 , which is source of information to be transmitted to wireless device  202 , through wireless network  345  by setting up a wireless network tunnel  325  from gateway  340  to wireless device  202 . In order to create this wireless tunnel  325 , a unique network address is associated with wireless device  202 . In an IP-based wireless network, however, network addresses are typically not permanently assigned to a particular wireless device  202  but instead are dynamically allocated on an as-needed basis. Thus, wireless device  202  may acquire a network address and for gateway  340  to determine this address so as to establish wireless tunnel  325 . 
     Network entry point  305  is generally used to multiplex and demultiplex amongst many gateways, corporate servers, and bulk connections such as the Internet, for example. There are normally very few of these network entry points  305 , since they are also intended to centralize externally available wireless network services. Network entry points  305  often use some form of an address resolution component  335  that assists in address assignment and lookup between gateways and wireless devices. In this example, address resolution component  335  is shown as a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server as one method for providing an address resolution mechanism. 
     A central internal component of wireless data network  345  is a network router  315 . Normally, network routers  315  are proprietary to the particular network, but they could alternatively be constructed from standard commercially available hardware. The purpose of network routers  315  is to centralize a plurality (e.g. thousands) of base stations  320  normally implemented in a relatively large network into a central location for a long-haul connection back to network entry point  305 . In some networks there may be multiple tiers of network routers  315  and there may be cases where there are master and slave network routers  315 , but in all such cases the functions of network routers  315  are similar. Often network router  315  will access a name server  307 , in this case shown as a dynamic name server (DNS)  307  as used in the Internet, to look up destinations for routing data messages. Base stations  320 , as described above, provide wireless links to wireless devices such as wireless device  202 . 
     Wireless network tunnels such as a wireless tunnel  325  are opened across wireless network  345  in order to allocate necessary memory, routing, and address resources to deliver IP packets. In GPRS, such tunnels  325  are established as part of what are referred to as “PDP contexts” (i.e., data sessions). To open wireless tunnel  325 , wireless device  202  may use a specific technique associated with wireless network  345 . The step of opening such a wireless tunnel  325  may require wireless device  202  to indicate the domain, or network entry point  305  with which it wishes to open wireless tunnel  325 . In this example, the tunnel first reaches network router  315  which uses name server  307  to determine which network entry point  305  matches the domain provided. Multiple wireless tunnels can be opened from one wireless device  202  for redundancy, or to access different gateways and services on the network. Once the domain name is found, the tunnel is then extended to network entry point  305  and necessary resources are allocated at each of the nodes along the way. Network entry point  305  then uses address resolution component  335  (e.g., DHCP server  335 ) to allocate an IP address for wireless device  202 . When an IP address has been allocated to wireless device  202  and communicated to gateway  340 , information can then be forwarded from gateway  340  to wireless device  202 . 
     Wireless tunnel  325  typically has a limited life, depending on wireless device&#39;s  202  coverage profile and activity. Wireless network  345  will tear down wireless tunnel  325  after a certain period of inactivity or out-of-coverage period, in order to recapture resources held by this wireless tunnel  325  for other users. The main reason for this is to reclaim the IP address temporarily reserved for wireless device  202  when wireless tunnel  325  was first opened. Once the IP address is lost and wireless tunnel  325  is torn down, gateway  340  loses all ability to initiate IP data packets to wireless device  202 , whether over Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or over User Datagram Protocol (UDP). 
     In the present disclosure, an IP-based wireless network (which is one specific type of wireless communication network) may include but is not limited to (1) a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network that has been developed and operated by Qualcomm; (2) a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network for use in conjunction with Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network both developed by standards committee of European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT); and (3) future third-generation (3G) networks like Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). It is to be understood that although particular IP-based wireless networks have been described, techniques of the present disclosure could be utilized in any suitable type of wireless network. Note that the infrastructure shown and described in relation to  FIG. 3  may be representative of each one of a number of different communication networks which are provided and available in the same geographic region. One of these communication networks will be selected by the wireless device, either in an automatic or manual fashion, for communications. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart for describing an exemplary method for use in communicating messages from a communication device, such as the wireless communication device described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-3 . In particular, the techniques described in relation to the flowchart may be performed by one or more controllers or processors of the communication device along with its wireless transceiver. A computer program product which may embody the technique may include a computer readable medium (e.g., memory of the communication device, computer disk, CD-ROM, etc.) having computer instructions stored therein which are executable by the one or more processors of the communication device for performing the technique. 
     The flowchart of  FIG. 4  will be described in combination with  FIGS. 5-9 , which are display presentations of display  222  of the wireless device corresponding to the steps of the flowchart. Referring initially to  FIG. 5 , a messaging application of the wireless device is opened or activated. When the messaging application is opened, a list  502  of message headers may be shown in display  222 . The message headers in list  502  correspond to previously-communicated messages which are stored in memory. The messages may include messages received at the wireless device, as well as message sent from the wireless device. The message headers of the messages may be displayed in forward or reverse chronological order from the date and time they were received or sent, for example, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In the embodiment described, the messages are or include messages that may be communicated as text messages or short messages, e.g., Short Message Service (SMS) messages or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messages. Such messages may be or include individual messages, group messages, or broadcast messages. The processor of the wireless device operates to process these different types of messages differently depending on the type (i.e. individual, group, or broadcast). Individual messages are communicated between two different message participants (i.e., the user of the wireless device and another message participant). For individual messages, the processor of the wireless device is operative to display and make visible the message sender identifier of the message sender (i.e., the other party). Note, however, that such sender identifier may be implied for each message instance (e.g., listed once in the conversation). The processor may be further operative to enable reply messaging in response to an input request for reply. When sending such a message, the recipient identifier for the individual message may be displayed, e.g., in a recipient input field which is designated as a “TO” field. The processor may format and communicate an individual message as an SMS message or an MMS message. 
     On the other hand, group messages are communicated amongst a plurality of group participants (i.e., the user of the wireless device and at least two other group participants). For messages of the group type, the processor is operative to process according to a group message processing mode. Here, the processor operates to display and make visible the message sender identifier who sent the message, in association with the message. The processor may be further operative to enable reply messaging (i.e., reply to sender only, or reply to all) in response to an input request for reply. If a group message is being communicated, the processor operates to format and communicate the message as an MMS message. When sending such a message, although recipient identifiers for group messages may be displayed in recipient input fields which are designated as “TO” fields, the processor operates to populate “CC” fields of the MMS message with these message recipient identifiers when formatting the MMS message for transmission. 
     Further, broadcast messages are communicated or broadcasted to a plurality of broadcast members (i.e., the user of the wireless device and at least two other members). For messages of the broadcast (non-group) type, the processor is operative to process according to a broadcast (non-group) message processing mode. Here, the processor is operative to suppress the display of the sender identifier (who sent the message) with the message. The processor may be further operative to enable reply messaging to the sender and all recipients (or in an alternate embodiment, only to the sender identifier), in response to an input request for reply. If a broadcast message is being communicated, the processor operates to format and communicate the message as an MMS message. When sending such a message, although message recipient identifiers for broadcast messages are displayed in recipient input fields which are designated as “TO” fields, the processor operates to populate “BCC” fields of the MMS message with the message recipient identifiers when formatting the MMS message for transmission. 
     Note further that the processor of the wireless device operates to present previously-communicated messages having the same participants as part of a single conversation thread of the same “conversation” or “chat.” The processor operates to associate all messages having the same participants as part of the same conversation and same conversation thread when needed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , while the list  502  of message headers is displayed, the user of the wireless device uses an input mechanism of the user interface (e.g., a keyboard, touch screen display, etc.) to navigate through a menu list  504  which may be invoked in the display  222 . Menu list  504  includes a plurality of function indicators  506  corresponding to a plurality of different functions which may be invoked. More specifically, many of function indicators  506  correspond to a plurality of different functions associated with messaging or messaging in connection with specific messages in menu list  504 . In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , function indicators  506  in menu list  504  include a “Help” function indicator corresponding to a help function; an “Open” function indicator corresponding to an “open message” function; a “Mark Unopened” function indicator corresponding to a “marked message as unopened” function; an “Clear Chat” function indicator corresponding to a “clear or erase previous chat” function; a “Delete” function indicator corresponding to a “delete message” function; a “Compose E-mail” function indicator corresponding to a “create new e-mail” function; a “Compose SMS/MMS” function indicator  508  corresponding to a “create new SMS/MMS” function; and an “Instant Message” function indicator corresponding to a “create new Instant Message” function. 
     Referring back to the flowchart of  FIG. 4 , and beginning at a start block  402  of  FIG. 4 , the processor receives via the user interface an input request for creating a new message (step  404  of  FIG. 4 ). In response, the processor causes one or more message/input fields for creating the new message to be produced in the display. To illustrate as shown in  FIG. 5 , with use of the input mechanism which positions a cursor, the user finds and selects “Compose SMS/MMS” indicator  508  within menu list  504 . “Compose SMS/MMS” indicator  508  is for creating a new text message to be sent. An exemplary response to this selection is shown in  FIG. 6 , where one or more message/input fields  620  for creating the new message  602  is presented in display  222 . All or some of these message input fields  620  will be blank. 
     In this example shown in  FIG. 6 , the one or more message input fields  620  for creating new message  602  include a message recipient input field  604  (e.g., a “TO” field as shown) for the user&#39;s entering or selecting of a message recipient identifier, a message body input field  606  for the user&#39;s entering or selecting of text for the message, and a conversation thread field  608  for displaying any existing conversation thread. 
     At this step, new message  602  is “blank” and requires input from the user; the cursor is set within the message recipient input field  604 . The processor receives through the user interface (e.g., through keyboard and/or touch screen display, for example) an input request for selecting a message recipient identifier (step  406  of  FIG. 4 ). The message recipient identifier may be a recipient name, telephone number (e.g., a Mobile Station International ISDN (MSISDN) or the like), or an address (e.g., an e-mail address), as examples. As shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , a message recipient identifier  702  corresponding to the name of “Jim Taylor” is selected by the user and displayed in message recipient input field  604 . 
     Upon such selection and display, the cursor may be automatically set or positioned in an additional message recipient input field  704  (e.g., another “TO” field) of  FIG. 7  as shown. Then, the user may select an additional message recipient identifier. If so, the additional identifier is displayed in additional message recipient input field  704 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , an additional message recipient identifier  706  corresponding to the name of “Seth Eisen” is selected by the user and displayed in message recipient input field  704 . Note that the user selections may continue for even additional message recipient identifiers. In the present example, three (3) additional message recipient identifiers are added as message recipients. 
     Note that a message sender input field (e.g., a “FROM” field, which is not shown in  FIGS. 6-7 ) may also exist for the user&#39;s entering or selecting of a message sender identifier corresponding to the user of the device. In this example, however, such field is assumed and pre-populated as a “default” message sender identifier associated with the user of the wireless device, and may or may not be suppressed from view. 
     In response to the selection of the (last) message recipient identifier(s) in step  406 , or in response to an input request for positioning the cursor within message body input field  606  (which indicates the completion of the selection of message recipient identifier(s) in the recipient input field(s)), the processor performs particular actions. Specifically, the processor performs actions to identify whether there is a stored conversation thread associated with conversation participant identifiers that match the conversation participant identifiers (i.e., the sender identifier and the one or more message recipient identifiers) for the new message (step  408  of  FIG. 4 ). 
     If “no” at step  408  (i.e., no such match is identified), the new message is indeed deemed a new message for a new conversation or chat, and is therefore presented as a new message with no conversation thread being displayed in conversation thread field  608  (step  410  of  FIG. 4 ). 
     If “yes” at step  408  (i.e., an exact match between conversation participant identifiers is identified), then the processor performs different actions. In particular, the processor selects and causes the identified stored conversation thread associated with the conversation participant identifiers that match the identifiers for the new message to be displayed in conversation thread field  608  (step  412  of  FIG. 4 ). 
     Thus, as apparent and shown in  FIG. 8 , a conversation thread  802  may be displayed in conversation thread field  608  simultaneously and together with message body input field  606 , which is still blank. In this example, conversation thread  802  shown in  FIG. 8  includes a message text string from the message participant named “Jim Taylor” which indicates or asks “Are you all going out tonight?”, and a subsequent message text string from the message participant named “Set Eisen” which indicates or asks “I may. What about you?” Note that one or more additional message strings may also be presented and displayed as part of conversation thread  802 , if they so exist. 
     Another action that the processor may perform as part of step  412  is that of grouping the message recipient identifiers from multiple input fields into a single string of a single field. One example of such action is shown in  FIG. 8 , where the names “Jim Taylor” and “Seth Eisen” are strung together in the same field, separated by comma (“,”) separators. In the example of  FIG. 8 , the user selections continued for additional message recipient identifiers, specifically, three (3) additional message recipients (indicated in  FIG. 8  as “+3”). Further, a graphic icon  810  or picture (photo) uniquely associated with the multiple conversation participants and/or conversation thread may also be selected and displayed by the processor, one example of which is shown in  FIG. 8  (“G1” indicated for “group 1”). 
     Note that in step  408 , the processor may operate to compare the message sender identifier and the one or more message recipient identifiers of the new message with the conversation participant identifiers associated with each existing conversation stored in memory. When matches are identified amongst these identifiers, then an existing conversation is deemed to exist and the current conversation thread is displayed (step  412 ); otherwise no existing conversation is deemed to exist (step  410 ). 
     In one embodiment, the processor produces and stores a conversation identifier associated with each conversation and uses such conversation identifiers for comparison purposes. In particular, each conversation identifier may be a unique hash result value. The processor may derive each hash result value from a hashing function using the conversation participant identifiers of the conversation as inputs. In this case, in step  408 , the processor operates to produce a hash result value derived from the hashing function using the message sender identifier and the one or more message recipient identifiers for the new message as inputs. The processor then compares this hash result value with each stored hash result value associated with each stored conversation. If there is no match, then the processor proceeds to step  410  of  FIG. 4 . If there is a match, however, then the processor further operates to perform the comparison amongst the message sender identifier and the one or more message recipient identifiers for the new message with the conversation participant identifiers of the stored conversation, threads as previously described above. 
     After step  410  or  412 , message body input field  606  of new message  602  is “blank” and requires input from the user; the cursor  806  is set at the beginning of the message body input field  606 . Since existing conversation thread  802  is already presented in conversation thread field  608 , the user need not manually search through stored messages or threads to recall the context of the previous conversation with the intended recipient(s). The identified conversation thread is displayed together with the “blank” message body input field of the new message, prior to entry of message body contents in the message body input field. 
     Responsive to the user&#39;s actions, the processor receives via the user interface (e.g., through keyboard and/or touch screen display, for example) message body contents (e.g., text, such as alphanumeric characters entered or selected by the user) being entered into message body input field  606  by the user (step  414  of  FIG. 4 ). See e.g.,  FIG. 9 , message body contents  902  being entered into message body input field  606  for new message  602 . The example in  FIG. 9  is message body contents which indicates “Hey—Where To Go?” Note that this information will make up the main body of the new message to be sent. 
     Subsequently, the processor receives through the user interface an indication to send the new message (e.g., the user pressing “SEND”, “SEND MESSAGE”, or enter or return) and, in response, causes the new message to be transmitted to the message recipient identifier(s) (e.g., telephone number(s)) via a wireless communication network (step  416  of  FIG. 4 ). For example, the message may be formatted by the processor and sent from the wireless device as an SMS or MMS message. Note that message body contents  902  in message body field  606  is transmitted in the new message  602 , but any conversation thread  802  in message history field  608  is not (necessarily) transmitted in the new message  602 . The flowchart ends at an end block  418  of  FIG. 4 . 
     In one embodiment, if the new message is for initiating a group conversation, then the processor may operate to format each recipient address in a first type of header field of the message. For example, the first type of header field may be a CC header field of an MMS message. On the other hand, if the new message is for initiating a broadcast and not a group conversation, then the processor may operate to format each recipient address in a second type of header field of the message. For example, the second type of header field may be a BCC header field of an MMS message. 
     Again, any conversation thread  802  in message history field  608  is not (necessarily) transmitted in the new message  602 . Rather, wireless devices that receive the new message operate to associate the new message with an existing stored conversation thread having matching participants, and will append the new message to such identified existing conversation thread. 
     The techniques of the present disclosure provide advantages over conventional messaging techniques. Typically, when a user of a wireless device wants to send a message to one or more intended message recipients, he/she may wish to consult previously sent and/or received messages or conversation threads stored in memory to recall the context of the previous conversation. However, the number of messages or conversation threads stored in the wireless device may become large over time. In accordance with the present techniques, the user need not manually search through previously communicated messages or conversation threads to recall the context of the previous conversation with the intended recipient(s). In the present techniques, prior to entry of message body contents of the new message, the processor performs search and identification of matches for the same conversation or chat for display to the user. This way, the user may efficiently review the context of the previous/existing conversation prior to composing the new message. 
     Thus, methods and apparatus for use in communicating messages from a communication device via a wireless network have been described. The communication device receives, via its user interface, an input request for creating a new message. The communication device also receives, via its user interface, one or more input requests for selecting one or more message recipient identifiers for the new message. In response to receiving the one or more input requests, the communication device identifies whether a stored conversation thread is associated with conversation participant identifiers that match the conversation participant identifiers for the new message. If so, the communication device displays the identified conversation thread together with a message body input field of the new message, prior to entry of message body contents in the message body input field. Thereafter, the communication device receives, via the user interface, the message body contents in the message body input field. The message is then transmitted to one or more communication devices identified by the one or more message recipient identifiers. In one embodiment, the messages are short message service (SMS) messages or multimedia messaging service (MMS) messages. 
     The above-described embodiments of disclosure are intended to be examples only. For example, the techniques may apply to other types of messages such as instant messages or email messages. Alterations, modifications, and variations may be effected to particular embodiments by those of skill in art without departing from scope of invention, which is defined solely by claims appended hereto.