Source: https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/cacdce/2:2018cv01844/703149/1/7.html
Timestamp: 2020-06-02 09:01:34
Document Index: 711328714

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 61', 'Application No. 10154855', 'Application No. 10', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 2']

Justia Dockets & Filings Ninth Circuit California Central District BlackBerry Limited v. Facebook, Inc. et al Filing 1 Attachment 7
EXHIBIT G EXHIBIT G US009349 120B2 (12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: Kalu US 9,349,120 B2 (45) Date of Patent: (54) SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR SILENCING NOTIFICATIONS FOR AMESSAGE THREAD (75) Inventor: Kalu Onuka Kalu, Waterloo (CA) 8,176,126 B2 * 2002/0087646 A1* 2003/01673 10 A1* 2002fOO87643 A1* 2004/O13381.0 A1* May 24, 2016 5/2012 Davis et al. ................... 7/2002 Hickey et al. ... 9/2003 Moody et al. ... 7, 2002 Parsons et al. . TO9,206 TO9,206 TO9,206 TO9,206 7/2004 Brischke et al. .............. 713/201 2004/0225718 A1* 11/2004 Heinzel et al. ..... TO9,206 (73) Assignee: BlackBerry Limited, Waterloo (CA) 2005, 0181836 A1* 8, 2005 Kamat ........ 2006/0075040 A1* 4/2006 Chmaytelli. 455/567 TO9,206 (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 38887. A. : 338 Hitle s al. patent 1s ity Olisted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 757 days. 2008.0114884 A1* 5/2008 Hewes et al. ................. 709,229 2008/0294727 A1 1 1/2008 Moody et al. OCS Cal. .... 372, 6. 2008/0294.730 A1* 11/2008 Oral et al. ..................... TO9,206 (21) Appl. No.: 12/713,577 2008/03.01250 A1 (22) Filed: 2011/0022674 A1 (65) 2009/0204681 A1* Feb. 26, 2010 1/2011 Callanan et al. .............. TO9,206 OTHER PUBLICATIONS O Matias Erny Reichl Hoffman, Response to Office Communication Related U.S. Application Data pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC, filed Jul. 7, 2011, in respect of Euro (60) Provisional application No. 61/167,542, filed on Apr. 8, 2009. (51) Int. Cl. 8, 2009 Sun ............................... TO9,206 (Continued) Prior Publication Data US 2010/O262666A1 Oct. 14, 2010 O 12/2008 Hardy et al. pean Application No. 10154855.0. Patent (Continued) G06F 15/16 (2006.01) Primary Examiner — Quang N Nguyen G06O 10/10 (2012.01) (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Ridout and Maybee LLP H04L 2/58 (2006.01) (52) U.S. Cl. CPC ............ G06O 10/107 (2013.01); H04L 12/587 (57) ABSTRACT (2013.01); H04L 5 1/24 (2013.01) (58) Field of Classification Search Methods, systems, and computer programming products are provided for silencing message threads. Incoming messages CPC .......... HO4L 51/16 HO4L 51/22: HO4L 51/24 USPC .......... 709f2O6 217 219, 223 224 232, 240 related to the same matter are grouped into one or more message threads. A user can select to silence a message See application file for complete search history s thread. Once a message thread has been silenced, the user will no longer receive notifications of new messages added to the (56) References Cited thread. Methods, systems, and computer programming prod U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 5,283,856 A * 6,442,565 B1* 7,890,085 B2* 2/1994 Gross et al. ..................... TO6/47 ucts display new incoming electronic messages flagged as silenced in the inbox together with any message thread not flagged as silenced. 8/2002 Tyra et al. 2/2011 Chiu et al. ................. 455,412.2 24 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets 20, 32, 50,04 & -- 158 Thumbwheel 60 62 EXHIBIT G Page 229 US 9,349,120 B2 Page 2 (56) MERH IP Response to communication pursuant to Rule 62 dated Aug. 5, 2010. European Patent Office, Communication pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC for European Patent Application No. 10 154855.0, datedMar. 4. References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2012/0151196 A1* 6/2012 May et al. ......................... T13/1 2013/0095823 A1* 2013/0159879 A1* 4/2013 Klassen ..................... 455,432.1 6, 2013 Affronti et al. ............... 715/752 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Extended European Search Report pursuant to Rule 62 dated May 7, 2010. 2011. Norton Rose, Response to Examination Report dated May 17, 2013, issued in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,694.885. Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Examination Report dated Nov. 19, 2012, issued in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,694.885. Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Examination Report dated Dec. 17, 2013, issued in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,694.885. * cited by examiner EXHIBIT G Page 230 U.S. Patent US 9,349,120 B2 EXHIBIT G Page 231 U.S. Patent May 24, 2016 Sheet 2 of 11 Wireless NetWork Gatewa WLAN ACCeSS Point 316 Interface Wireless Network - - - - - - - US 9,349,120 B2 - 220 232 Email Server Content Server 230 Origin Server FIG. 2 EXHIBIT G Page 232 Physical Interface U.S. Patent May 24, 2016 Sheet 3 of11 US 9,349,120 B2 - 300 Software Modules 306 Graphical User Interface 304 Operating System 302 Message Module 308 Notification Module 31 Silencing Module 312 FIG. 3 EXHIBIT G Page 233 U.S. Patent May 24, 2016 US 9,349,120 B2 Sheet 4 of 11 y 102 406 152 160a 412 142 304 404 410 408 407 40gaH QEHao | || | | | H FIG. 4 EXHIBIT G Page 234 | 154 | U.S. Patent May 24, 2016 Sheet 5 of 11 US 9,349,120 B2 502 Select Inbox 504 Select Message Thread 506 Silence/Reactivate Thread FIG. 5 EXHIBIT G Page 235 U.S. Patent May 24, 2016 Sheet 6 of 11 US 9,349,120 B2 600 602 New Message Received 604 Yes No New Matter? 606 Begin New Thread 60 608 Determine Thread 612 Yes Thread Silenced? NO 614 Message Grayed Out FIG. 6 EXHIBIT G Page 236 616 Notification U.S. Patent May 24, 2016 Sheet 7 of 11 US 9,349,120 B2 700 702 7 Test Group 706 704 8 I'm TIM HAWKES FIG. 7 EXHIBIT G Page 237 U.S. Patent May 24, 2016 Sheet 8 of11 US 9,349,120 B2 800 7 Test Group: Activity 806 - Compose a Record - Tue, Mar 10, 2009 810 Picture added: "Cottage" - Lisa 812 814 5:36p : Welcome to BlackBerry Groups. Ge... FIG. 8 EXHIBIT G Page 238 U.S. Patent May 24, 2016 Sheet 9 of11 US 9,349,120 B2 900 Lisa Mar 10 (6:56p "Nice picture. Where was this taken?" th. I'm TIM HAWKES 908 Mar 10 (5:38p) a picture added "cottage FIG. 9 EXHIBIT G Page 239 910 U.S. Patent May 24, 2016 Sheet 10 of 11 US 9,349,120 B2 1000 1002 Bug Report Mark Prior Opened Delete Prior r Compose Message this take... Record Voice Note 5:36p Open Picture Open Thread 6:56p X Groups. Ge... X Send Thread to Tag as Favourite 1004 — Silence Thread F.G. 10 EXHIBIT G Page 240 U.S. Patent May 24, 2016 Sheet 11 of11 US 9,349,120 B2 1100 Bug Report Mark Prior Opened * Delete Prior Compose Message Record Voice Note Open Picture Open Thread 6:56p. was this take. 5:36p X y Groups. Ge... Send Thread To 1104 to Tag as Favourite Activate Thre FIG. 11 EXHIBIT G Page 241 US 9,349,120 B2 1. 2 FIG. 6 shows a schematic flow diagram of an example method for receiving a message in accordance with an SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR SILENCING NOTIFICATIONS FOR AMESSAGE THREAD embodiment; FIG. 7 is a screen shot showing a group home page in CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS accordance with an embodiment; FIG. 8 is a screen shot showing a group message inbox in This application claims the benefit of, and by this reference incorporates the entirety of, U.S. Provisional Patent Applica tion Ser. No. 61/167,542, filed 8 Apr. 2009 and entitled SILENCING THREAD. NOTIFICATIONS FOR A MESSAGE accordance with an embodiment; FIG. 9 is a screen shot showing a messages for a message 10 thread in accordance with an embodiment; FIG.10 is a screen shot showing a menu suitable for silenc ing a message thread in accordance with one embodiment; and TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to electronic mes sages, and more particularly to systems and methods for silencing notifications for electronic messages. 15 FIG. 11 is a screen shot showing a menu suitable for reac tivating a message thread in accordance with one embodi ment. It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. BACKGROUND DETAILED DESCRIPTION Electronic messages, such as electronic mail messages and messages posted to group sites, can be grouped into message threads. Each message thread can relate to a particular matter Such as a particular topic of conversation or an activity. For example, a user may be part of an email group which is involved in an ongoing discussion. Each email in the discus sion could be included in the same message thread. A user may receive a notification each time an electronic message is received. Notifications could include, for example, auditory user alerts such as ring tones, visual alerts such as flashing lights or pop-ups and physical alerts such as vibrations. Similarly, a user may bea member of a centralized group site which provides the capability ofa group discussion. For example, the group may bea set of users who share a common relationship or interest (e.g. family, co-workers, book club, Small business, golf foursome, etc.). The group site may allow data to be shared, updated and commented on by group mem bers. Each group discussion regarding aparticular matter may be considered a message thread. A matter could be, for example, a topic of conversation among the group members or an activity Such as, for example, the creation ofa list or the uploading of a photograph by a member of the group. The user may receive a notification each time a message or com ment is sent or posted to a group site of which they are a In one aspect, the present application provides a commu nication system configured to silence notifications for incom ing electronic messages, the system comprising a data pro cessor, media readable by the data processor and a communications Subsystem: the communication Subsystem adapted for receiving the incoming electronic messages; and the media readable by the data processor comprising coded program instructions adapted to cause the processor to: deter mine that a new incoming electronic message is associated with a message thread; determine that the message thread has been flagged as silenced; and override a currently-enabled notification setting to prevent a receipt notification pertaining to new incoming electronic messages associated with the message thread from being activated. In another aspect, the present application provides a method for silencing notifications for incoming electronic messages to a communication system, the communication system comprising a data processor, media readable by the data processor and a communications Subsystem, the com munications Subsystem adapted to receive the incoming elec tronic messages, the method comprising: receiving a new incoming electronic message; identifying the new incoming message as associated with one or more message threads: determining that a message thread associated with the new incoming message has been flagged as silenced; and overrid ing at least one currently-enabled notification setting to pre vent a notification pertaining to receipt of the new incoming message from being activated. Other aspects of the present application will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings. Embodiments of the present application are not limited to any particular operating system, mobile device architecture, server architecture, or computer programming language. 25 30 35 40 45 member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made to the drawings, which show by way ofexample, embodiments of the present disclosure, 50 and in which: FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless device Suitable for communications in accordance with the disclo Sure herein; 55 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system suitable for providing an operating environment for a diagram illustrating a wireless device 102 that may be used wireless device such as that shown in FIG. 1 in accordance for communications over a network in accordance with vari Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which shows a block with the disclosure herein; FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example of con tents of a memory of a wireless device Such as that shown in 60 FIG. 1: FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a wireless device such as that shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 shows a schematic flow diagram of an example method of silencing and reactivating a message thread in accordance with an embodiment; 65 ous aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device 102 communicates through a wireless communication network 104 (e.g., an enterprise network 20, a PLMN 50 and/or a WLAN 32). Wireless network 104 includes antenna, base stations, and Supporting radio equipment as for Supporting wireless communications between wireless device 102 and other devices connected to wireless network 104. Wireless network 104 may be coupled to a wireless network gateway and to a wide area network, shown in FIG. 2. EXHIBIT G Page 242 US 9,349,120 B2 3 In various embodiments, wireless device 102 is a two-way mobile communication device having at least Voice and data communication capabilities, includingthe capability to com municate with other computer systems. Depending on the functionality provided by wireless device 102, it may be referred to as a wireless handheld device, a mobile device, a data messaging device, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone with data messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appli ance, a data communication device (with or without tele phony capabilities), a clamshell device, or a flip-phone. Wire less device 102 may communicate with any one ofa plurality of fixed transceiver Stations within its geographic coverage 10 aca. A wireless device 102 may incorporate a communication subsystem 112, which includes a receiver 114, a transmitter 116, and associated components. Such as one or more antenna elements 118 and 120, local oscillators (LOs) 122, and a processing module Such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 15 124. In various embodiments, antenna elements 118 and 120 may be embedded or internal to wireless device 102. As will be apparent to those skilled in the field of communications, the particular design of communication Subsystems 112 depends on the system(s). Such as enterprise network 20, PLMN 50 and/or WLANs 32, with which wireless device 102 is intended to communicate. A wireless device 102 may send and receive communica tion signals to andfroman enterprise server of the enterprise network 20 through, for example, PLMN 50 and/or one of WLANs 32. Signals received by the antenna 118 are input to receiver 114, which may perform such common receiver functions as signal amplification, frequency down conver sion, filtering, channel selection, etc., as well as analog-to digital (A/D) conversion. A/D conversion ofa received signal allows more complex communication functions such as demodulation and decoding to be performed in the DSP 124. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted are processed, including modulation and encoding, for example, by DSP 124. These DSP-processed signals are input to transmitter 116 for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification, and transmission via antenna 120. DSP 124 not only processes communication signals, but also provides forreceiver and transmitter control. For example, the gains applied to communication signals in receiver 114 and transmitter 116 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in DSP 124. 25 30 35 40 45 4 and Voice communications, may be performed through com munication subsystem(s) 112. Microprocessor(s) 140 may also interact with additional device Subsystems, such as modem 128, primary display 142, optional secondary display 143, flash memory 144, random access memory (RAM) 146, read-only memory (ROM) 148, auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem(s) 150, data port(s) such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) port 152, keyboards or keypads 154, speakers or audio ports 156 for connecting to, for example a set of headphones or an earpiece, microphones 158, clickable thumb wheels or thumbwheels 160, open/close sensors 161, short-range com munications Subsystems 162, and any other device Sub systems generally designated as 164. Some of Subsystems shown in FIG. 1 perform communication-related functions, whereas other subsystems may provide “resident’ or on device functions. Notably, some Subsystems. Such as keypads 154, primary displays 142, secondary displays 143, and click able thumbwheels 160, for example, may be used for both communication-related functions, such as displaying notifi cations or entering a text message for transmission through, for example, PLMN 50 and/or one of WLANs 32, and execut ing device-resident functions such as a clock, a calculator or a task list. In some examples, primary displays 142 and/or secondary displays 143 may be touch-sensitive displays. Such as capacitive touch screen displays, for receiving tactile input. Where one or more touch-sensitive displays are used, one or more input Subsystems, such as keyboards or keypads 154 and clickable thumbwheels 160, may be omitted and a virtual keyboard or keypad presented by the touch-sensitive display is used instead. In some examples, there may be one or more physical input Subsystems provided in addition to one or more touch-sensitive displays. The touch-sensitive display may provide different virtual input interfaces as suitable. Operat ing system software used by microprocessor(s) 140 may be stored in persistent store(s) such as flash memory 144, which may include or be supplemented by or substituted by for example ROM 148 and/or similar storage element(s). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be tempo rarily loaded into a volatile store such as RAM 146. Microprocessor(s) 140, in addition to their operating sys tem functions, can enable execution of software applications on wireless device 102. A predetermined set of applications that control basic device operations, including data and Voice communication applications, may be installed on wireless device 102 during or after manufacture. Wireless device 102 may include a personal information manager (PIM) applica tion having the ability to organize and manage data items relating to a user Such as, but not limited to, instant messag ing, email, calendar events, Voice mails, appointments, groups and task items. One or more memory stores may be available on wireless device 102 to facilitate storage of infor mation, such as flash memory 144, RAM 146, ROM 148, memory module 130, or other types of memory storage devices or FLASH memory cards represented by the other device subsystems 164, such as Secure Digital (SD) cards or Network access may be associated with a subscriber or user of a wireless device 102 via a memory module, such as a memory module 130, which may be a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card for use in a GSM network or a Universal 50 Subscriber Identity Module(USIM) card for use in a Univer sal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The SIM card may be inserted in or connected to an interface 132 of wireless device 102. Alternatively, wireless device 102 may have an integrated identity modulO065 for use with systems 55 such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems. miniSD cards, etc. A wireless device 102 may also include a battery interface 136 for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries 138. PIM and/or media applications have the ability to send and Battery 138 may provide electrical power to at least some of receive data items via PLMN 50 and/or one of WLANS 32 or the electrical circuitry in wireless device 102, and battery 60 via a linkto a computer system(s). The link to Such computer interface 136 provides a mechanical and electrical connection system(s) may be via serial port 152 or short-range commu for battery 138. Battery interface 136 may be coupled to a nications subsystem 162. In an embodiment, PIM and/or regulator (not shown) which provides power V+ to the cir media data items are seamlessly combined, synchronized, and updated, for example, through PLMN 50 and/or one of cuitry of wireless device 102. Wireless device 102 may include one or more micropro 65 WLANs 32, with wireless device user's corresponding data cessors 140 which control the overall operation of wireless items stored and/or associated with a host computer system device 102. Communication functions, including at least data thereby creating a mirrored or partially mirrored host com EXHIBIT G Page 243 US 9,349,120 B2 5 6 Subsystem 162 may be a wireless networking communica puter on wireless device 102 with respect to such items. This may be advantageous where for example the host computer tions subsystem, conforming to IEEE 802.11 standards such system is a wireless device users office computer system. as one or more of 802.11b. 802.11g, and/or 802.11n. Additional applications may also be loaded onto wireless Referring to FIG. 2, wireless WAN 202 may be imple device 102 through, for example, PLMN 50 and/or one of 5 mented as a packet-based cellular or mobile network that WLANs 32,the auxiliary I/O subsystem 150, serial port 152, includes a number of base stations 208 (one of which is shown short-range communications Subsystem 162, or any other in FIG. 2) where each of base stations 208 provides wireless suitable subsystem 164, and installed by a user in RAM 146 Radio Frequency (RF) coverage to a corresponding area or or a non-volatile store such as ROM 148 for execution by cell. Wireless WAN 202 is typically operated by a cellular microprocessor 140. Such flexibility in application installa 10 network service that sells Subscription packages to tion increases the functionality of wireless device 102 and users of wireless provider 102. Wireless WAN 202 comprises devices may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication a number for example, Mobi related functions, or both. For example, secure communica tex Radioof different types of networks,(Global System for Network, DataTAC, GSM tion applications may enable electronic commerce functions and other such financial transactions to be performed using 15 Mobile Communication), GPRS (General Packet Radio Sys tem), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), CDMA wireless device 102. In a data communication mode, a received data signal (Code Division Multiple Access), CDPD (Cellular Digital representing information Such as a text message, an email Packet Data), iDEN (integrated Digital Enhanced Network) message, a media file to be transferred, or Web page down or various other third generation networks such as EDGE load may be processed by communication Subsystem(s) 112 (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution), UMTS (Universal and input to microprocessor(s) 140. Microprocessor(s) 140 Mobile Telecommunications Systems), or Evolution-Data may further process such signal(s) for output to primary dis Optimized (EV-DO). play 142, secondary display 143, or alternatively to the aux As shown in FIG. 2, communications system 200 also iliary I/O device 150. A user of wireless device 102 may also includes a wireless network gateway 210 and one or more compose data items, such as email messages, for example, 25 network provider systems 212. Wireless network gateway using keypad 154 and/or clickable thumbwheel 160 in con 210 provides translation and routing services between net junction with primary display 142and possibly auxiliary I/O work provider system(s) 212 and WAN 202, which facilitates device 150. Keypad 154 maybe either a complete alphanu communication between wireless devices 102 and other meric keypad or telephone-type keypad. These composed devices (not shown) connected, directly or indirectly, to net items may be transmitted through communication Subsystem 30 work provider system 212. WLAN 204 can comprise a network which can for example 112 or via short range communication Subsystem 162. For voice communications, the overall operation of wire conform to IEEE 802.11 standards such as 802.11b,802.11g, less device 102 may be similar, except that the received sig and/or 802.11n; however, other communications protocols nals may be output to speaker or audio port 156 and signals may also be used for WLAN 204. WLAN 204 includes one or for transmission may be generated by a transducer Such as 35 more wireless RF Access Points (AP) 214 (one of which is shown in FIG. 2) that collectively provide a WLAN coverage microphone 158. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, Such as Voice message recording Subsystem(s), may also be area. For the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, WLAN 204 is implemented on wireless device 102. Although voice or audio operated by an enterprise (for example, a business or univer signal output is typically accomplished primarily through sity in a building or campus type environment) and the access speakers or audio ports 156, primary displays 142 or second 40 points 214 are connected to an access point (AP) interface ary displays 143 may also be used to provide an indication of 216. AP interface 216 provides translation and routing ser the identity of a calling party or the communication type, vices between the access points 214 and network provider duration of a voice call, or other voice call related informa system 212 to facilitate communication between two or more tion. Stereo headphones or earpieces may also be used in of wireless devices 102 and other devices (e.g., such as desk 45 top computers) connected, directly or indirectly, to network place of or in addition to speaker 156. USB ports 152 may be implemented in personal digital provider system 212. AP interface 216 is implemented using assistant (PDA) type communications device for, for a computer, for example,a server running a suitable computer example, synchronization with a user's computer. USB ports program or Software. 152 can enable a user to set preferences through an external According to some embodiments, the other interfaces 206 device orSoftware application and can extend the capabilities 50 may be implemented using a physical interface indicated by of a wireless device 102 by providing for information or reference 218. The physical interface 218 includes an Ether software downloads to wireless device 102 other than through net, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Firewire, or infrared (IR) PLMN 50 and/or one of WLANs 32. Such alternate download connection implemented to exchange information between paths may, for example, be used to load software or data files network provider system 212 and wireless device 102. onto wireless device 102 through a direct, reliable and trusted 55 Network provider system(s) 212 can comprise server(s) or connection. server module(s) which are typically located behinda firewall Short-range communications Subsystem 162 is an addi (not shown). Network provider system 212 may include a tional optional component which provides for communica number of modules including a mobile data delivery module tion between wireless device 102 and different systems or 220. Various modules running on network provider system devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For 60 212 may be implemented as a number of services running on example, Subsystem 162 may include an infrared device and a single server oras a number of interconnected servers each associated circuits and components, or a wireless bus proto running a software program to implement the functionality of col compliant communication mechanism Such as a Blue the respective module. Network provider system 212 can toothTM communication module to provide for communica provide access for wireless devices 102, through for example tion with similarly-enabled systems and devices 65 wireless WAN 202, WLAN 204, or other connection(s) 206 to (BluetoothTM is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, the devices connected, for example, through an enterprise Inc.). In another embodiment, short-range communications network 224 (e.g., an intranet), to network provider system EXHIBIT G Page 244 US 9,349,120 B2 7 212. In various embodiments, data delivery module 220 is implemented on a computer, such as network provider system 212. Enterprise network 224 can comprise one or more local area networks, intranets, the Internet, and/or direct connec tion(s), or combinations thereof. Enterprise network 224 may for example comprise an intranet for a corporation or other type of organization. In at least some embodiments, network provider system 212 can be part of an enterprise network 224, and located behind a corporate firewall and connected to wireless network gateway 210 through the Internet. A com puter 222 (e.g., a desktop or laptop computer) belonging to the user of wireless device 102 is typically connected to enterprise network 224. As described earlier, wireless device 102 may be temporarily and directly connected to computer 222 using, for example, the serial port 152. Such direct con nections may make use of a cradle or docking station con nected to a serial port of computer 222, where wireless device 102 is placed in the cradle, therefore completing the serial connection between wireless device 102 and computer 222. Alternatively, wireless device 102 may communicate with computer 222 using communication Subsystem 112 and WAN 202 and/or short-range communications subsystem 10 15 306. Memory 300 can also include one or more message mod ules 308 which can be used to group electronic messages received by communication subsystem 112 of wireless device 102 into one or more message threads. For example, each electronic message in a particular message thread may be related to the same, or related, matter, or otherwise linked in 162 and WLAN 204. As shown in FIG. 2, an application/content server 226 may be connected to enterprise network 224 and also to another network, for example Wide Area Network(s) (WAN(s)) 228. In some embodiments, email server(s) 232 and/or content server(s) 226 form part of enterprise network 224. WANs 228 may further connect to other networks. WAN 228 may com prise or be configured with the Internet, a direct connection, a LAN, a wireless communication link, or any combination(s) thereof. Content providers, such as Web servers, may be connected to WAN228, an example of which is shown in FIG. 2 as an origin server 230. According to various embodiments, mobile data delivery module(s) 220 provide connectivity between wireless WAN 202and WLAN 204and other connection(s) 206 and devices and/or networks connected directly or indirectly to network provider system 212. In some embodiments, connectivity provided may be Hypertext TransferProtocol (HTTP) based connectivity providing an Internet based service connection a conversational or other communicative sense. A matter used 25 30 35 40 the other connection 206 and devices and/or networks con rations for use with wireless devices 102. Reference is next made to FIG. 3, which shows a block to define or identify a thread could be, for example, a topic of conversation or an activity. Process(es) for grouping elec tronic messages into message threads will be described in greater detail below in relation to FIGS. 5 and 6. Message module 308 may also comprise, or enable implan tation of, one or more virtual (e.g., electronic) "folders, such as one or more inboxes. As will be understood by those skilled in the relevant arts, an inbox for use in processing electronic messages refers to a virtual “folder containing one or more electronic messages—that is, a group of data records repre senting a group of messages, each of which comprises a flag or other suitably-adapted data item useful for identifying the records as associated with a common set identified as a to devices connected to wireless WAN 202, WLAN 204, or nected directly or indirectly to network provider system 212. Network 224, application/content server 226, WAN 228, and origin server 230, may individually and/or collectively in various combinations provide content sources for network provider system 212. It will be appreciated that the system shown in FIG. 2 comprises but one possible communication network or configuration of a multitude of possible configu 8 device 102, an operating system (OS) 302 resident on wire less device 102 provides a basic set of operations for support ing various applications typically operable through agraphi cal user interface (GUI) 304. For example, operating system 302 can provide basic input/output system features to obtain input from auxiliary I/O 150, keypad 154, clickable thumb wheel 160, and other input devices, and to facilitate output to the user via display 142. GUI 304 is typically a component of operating system 302. One or more software modules 306 for managing communications or providing a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other functions may also be included. Memory 300 can also include email and calendar clients, which may be combined in, for example, a PIM application having email-based calendaring and scheduling functions. Typically, the PIM is installed as one of the software modules 45 50 “folder analogous to a physical file folder. Standard appli cations used to manage electronic messages, such as, for example, electronic mail applications such as Microsoft Out lookTM generally allow a user to associate messages with one or more electronic folders by directly or indirectly setting Suitable data flags or tags. This is generally referred to as storing a message in the folder. For example, a user may have different electronic folders for messages from friends, family, work, etc. An inbox generally refers to an electronic folder with which incoming messages may initially be associated. For example, a data set representing a group or set of received e-mail messages stored in a memory 300 on or off a device 102 can comprise a number of different e-mail records. Each e-mail record can comprise a number of data items. Some of these items will include, for example, flags, or tags, or filters, which, as set at any given time, indicate whether an diagram illustrating a memory 300 of wireless device 102 Suitable for use in implementing systems and methods in 55 e-mail is to be associated with an inbox datasetor with some accordance with the disclosure. Memory 300 has various other virtual folder(s), so that when a user executes a com software components for controlling wireless device 102 and mand which will cause the contents of an e-mail database to may include, for example, any numbers of flash memory 144, be searched for suitable flags in order that an inbox or other RAM 146, ROM 148, memory module 130 and/or other folder may be displayed, data records representing eligible device subsystems 164. In accordance with some embodi 60 e-mail communications will be noted, and data items identi ments, wireless device 102 is intended to be a multi-tasking fying those communications (which are often a Subset of the wireless communications device configured for sending and complete e-mail data set) will be included within a displayed receiving data items and for making and receiving Voice calls folder data set, using a display 142, etc. that also includes various applications enabling users to, for Thus, in Some aspects an inbox or other virtual folder may example, listen to music, watch video files, play games, view 65 be viewed as a flagged data set usable, for example, for picture files, surf the internet wirelessly, etc. To provide a writing to a display or other buffer, produced by reading all of user-friendly environment to control the operation of wireless the data within a given data set, such as a database, and EXHIBIT G Page 245 US 9,349,120 B2 9 writing selected data records, or data items useful for identi fying data records, to a designated display or other buffer or 10 Reference is next made to FIG.4, which shows a schematic front view of wireless device 102 suitable for use in imple menting various aspects of the systems and processes dis memory. Memory 300 can also include notification module(s) 310 for providing notifications to user(s) of a wireless device 102. Such notifications could include, for example, auditory user alerts such as ring tones, visual alerts Such as flashing lights or pop-ups, and/or physical alerts such as vibrations. Notifica tions may be initiated upon the happening of certain events, Such as when a new message is received by communication Subsystem 112. When a new message is received by commu nication Subsystem 112, microprocessor 140 may store the message in memory 300 and signal notification module 310 to indicate the arrival of the new message in any one or more of a very wide variety of ways. Notification module 310 may comprise one or more notification settings which may indi closed herein. As mentioned above, a wireless device 102 10 15 cate how and when notifications should be activated. For example, a user of wireless device 102 may enable a notifi cation setting which will cause a sound to be emitted each time a new communication is received. Other notification settings may indicate that a user only wishes to receive audi tory notifications for specific types of communications. Such as telephony communications. In other circumstances, a user may enable a notification setting which may prevent any auditory notifications from being emitted for any type of communication while the setting is enabled. Those of skill in the art will recognize that there may be many different types of notification settings, including visual alarms (including, for example, pop-up messages, blinking lights of one or more colors, frequencies, etc.) and/or physical alarms such as 25 30 vibrators or shakers. Memory 300 can also include a silencing module 312. Silencing module 312 provides the user of wireless device 102 with an option to silence a message thread determined by the message module 308. Message threads which have been silenced may be marked or flagged as silenced in memory 300 by, for example, setting a flag or other indicator in a data record associated with the message thread. When a new elec tronic message associated with a message thread which has been flagged as silenced is received, any previously-enabled notification setting(s) may be overridden and notification module 310 may be prevented from producing notifications for new messages added to the corresponding thread(s). In some embodiments, each ofcomponents 308, 310 and 312 may be part of the software modules 306. Alternatively, com ponents 308, 310, 312, and 314 may be separate software components, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Thus, wireless device 102 may include computer-execut able programmed instructions for directing wireless device 102, and specifically, for example, microprocessor(s) 140, to implement various applications. Such programmed instruc tions may beembodied in one or more software modules 306 resident in memory 300 of wireless device 102. Alternatively, the programmed instructions may be tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium (such as a DVD, CD, floppy disk or other storage media) which may be used for transporting the programmed instructions to memory 300 of wireless device 102. Alternatively, the programmed instructions may be embedded in a computer-readable, signal-bearing medium that is uploaded to wireless network 104 by a vendor or Supplier of the programmed instructions, and this signal bearing medium may be downloaded through one or more of 35 40 45 50 55 60 may include systems, devices, and executable instruction sets configured to enable the device 102 to act as both a data and voice communications device. Wireless device 102 may include a casing, data or serial port(s) 152, display screen(s) 142, graphical user interface(s) (GUI) 304, keypad(s) 154, clickable thumb wheel(s) or scroll button(s) 160a, or other device(s), for navigation such as a trackball(s) 160b, one or more input buttons 404 (e.g., select, cancel, talk, play, stop, fast forward, rewind, next, previous buttons), signal inputs/ outputs 407 (e.g., direct wire connection or inductive cou pling power connector input, microphone, speaker, data inter face input, etc.), and audio port(s) 406. Additionally, wireless device 102 may have a number of navigation control buttons represented by numerals 409a and 409b. Navigation control buttons 409 may provide a number of functions such as a send and/or end key for a mobile telephone application of wireless device 102, a menu key, an escape key, etc. The functions of navigation control buttons 409 may be user-configurable. Internally, wireless device 102 can include one or more circuit boards (not shown), microprocessors 140 (FIG. 1), memory(ies)300 (FIG.3), battery(ies) 138 (FIG. 1), antennae 118, 120 (FIG. 1), etc., which may all be coupled to the signal inputs/outputs 407, keypad(s) 154, display screen(s) 142, clickable thumb wheel(s) 160, etc. Microprocessor(S) 140 are typically coupled to one or more input devices (e.g., buttons 404, keypad 154, clickable thumbwheel160) for receiving user commands or queries and display 142 for displaying the results of these commands or queries. Forexample, user queries may be transformed into a combination of commands for producing one or more tables of output data which may be incorporated in one or more display pages for presentation to the user. Microprocessor 140 is also coupled to memory 300. A user may interact with wireless device 102 and its soft ware modules 306 using, for example, GUI(s) 304. GUI(s) 304 can be controlled by microprocessor(s) 140 executing, for example, an operating system 302 (FIG. 3), and can pro vide a display format enabling the user to choose commands, execute application programs, manage computer files, and perform other functions by selecting pictorial representations (i.e., icons), or selecting items froma menu through the use of an input or pointing device such as clickable thumbwheel 160 and/or keypad 154. Generally, a GUI 304 is used to convey information and receive commands from users and generally includes a variety of GUI objects or controls including icons, toolbars, drop-down menus, pop-up menus, text, dialog boxes, buttons, etc. A user typically interacts with a GUI 304 presented on display 142 by using an input or pointing device to position a pointer or cursor 408 over an object 410 (i.e., "pointing at the object) and by "clicking on the object 410 (e.g., by depressing the thumbwheel 160 or a button on the keyboard 154, etc.). This is often referred to as a point-and click or selection operation. Typically, an object 410 may be highlighted (e.g., shaded) when it is selected or pointed at by the pointer or cursor 408 to indicate that object 410 is select able. Typically, a GUI-based system presents application, status, and other information to the user in windows appearing on display a 142. A window 412 is a display area shown within a the interfaces 112, 150, 152, 162 to wireless device 102 from, for example, wireless network 104 by end users. Alterna display 142, typically rectangular, in which a user may view tively, specifically-configured special purpose circuitry, 65 an application or document. A window 412 may be open, including for example dedicated integrated circuit boards or closed, displayed full-screen, reduced to an icon, increased or chips, can be provided. reduced in size, or moved to different areas of display 142. EXHIBIT G Page 246 US 9,349,120 B2 11 Multiple windows 412 may be displayed simultaneously. For example, windows 412 may be displayed within other win dows, overlapped with other windows, or tiled within the display area. Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which shows a flow diagram representing an example of a method 500 of silenc ing and reactivating a message thread according to one embodiment. Method 500 is suitable for use in, for example, a wireless device 102 of FIG. 1 in implementing various aspects of the disclosure herein. A method 500 can begin at 502 where a user can, using Suitably-configured GUI(s) and input device, select a mes sage inbox. As explained above, an inbox generally refers to a virtual folder with which incoming messages are initially associated. Although the term “inbox’ is used, it should be understood that the incoming messages are not necessarily email messages, and an inbox is not necessarily an email inbox. In general, it should be understood that incoming messages may be organized or flagged as belonging to or being associated with a certain defined group; or as satisfying certain criteria (e.g., is sent by a member of a defined group or contact list); and that such association with a group may be referred to as being associated with an inboxor virtual folder. When a user selects a folder, such as an inbox, for viewing, all of the messages associated with that folder may be displayed, as for example through use of data processing filtering tech niques based on the use of flags orotheridentifying data items 10 15 25 within relevant data records, on auser interface such as a GUI 304 on a display 142. Electronic messages received by, for example, communication Subsystem 112 may be stored in memory 300 along with some indication of the electronic folder(s) with which the message is currently associated, i.e., a memory 300 may comprise a data set comprising one or more data records representing electronic messages which may comprise data items representing, for example, Suitably configured flags identifying record for inclusion within, for example, an inbox data set, such that incoming messages may be presented as part of a displayed inbox’ data set. It should be understood that the current application is not limited to any particular messaging application nor to any particular imple mentation as to how electronic messages may be stored in 30 35 40 memory. In various embodiments, some incoming messages may be routed to electronic folder(s) other than an inbox. Such as a junk mail folder or other default folder based on content and/or various flags or tags associated with the message(s), or may be otherwise handled or disposed of. Electronic folders containing only messages which meet Some automatically applied predetermined screening or filtering criteria for unwanted messages, such as predetermined criteria employed by a spam or junk mail filter, are generally not considered to be inboxes. 45 50 12 ongoing discussion. For example, in various embodiments a filter algorithm may be applied to a subject line of an elec tronic message and/or the body ofan electronic message in order to determine to which message thread it relates. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be many different methods of associating a particular electronic mes sage with a message thread. In some embodiments, a message inbox may be imple mented as a group inbox associated with a pre-determined group of users. For example, as explained above, a user/ device may be authorized to access a definable group com munications functionality which provides, for example, the capability of group discussions, or communications, such as a BlackBerryTM Group. Such group functionality (also referred to as a group “site') may allow data to be shared between and updated by any or all members of a defined user group, and may allow electronic messages to be sent to the group “site' by any or all group members. As with other messaging applications, a group site may comprise one or more virtual folders, or other group-accessible databases, with which electronic messages generated by group members may be associated and accessed. When, for example, a group discussion is initiated regarding a particular matteror topic of conversation, electronic messages received in association with that discussion may be associated with a particular elec tronic folder associated with and accessible by members of the group. Such virtual group folders can be referred to as group inboxes. Alternatively, each message received may be associated with a single inbox, regardless of the topic to which they relate. When messages in Such a single inbox are displayed on, for example, display 142, some indication of the group discussion to which they relate may also be dis played. Messages pertaining to, or otherwise previously associated with, a particular group discussion or matter are an example of messages which may be considered to form a message thread. Some message threads may relate to a particular topic of conversation. For example, if the group site is a site for use by a book club, the topic of conversation could relate to a discussion of the location for the next meeting. Alternatively, the message thread could relate to an activity occurring in the group site. For example, BlackberryTM Groups allows photos to be uploaded to the site and allows lists (such as grocery lists) to be posted and updated. A member of the group can Submit a comment regarding a photo or a list. Similarly, members of a group can view the location of other group members on a map. A group discussion can be started in relation to the location of one or more group members at a given time. Each message posted by a group member regard ing a particular photo or list or the location of one or more group members may be identified as belonging to one of one or more message threads. Threads may be defined in a very wide variety ofways, and may include communications gen erated by any of a very wide variety of users, devices, and/or Some or all of the electronic messages associated with an inbox may be grouped into, or otherwise associated with, one or more message threads. For example, in Some embodi 55 other sources. Thus, the inbox selected at 502 could relate to, for example, ments, a data record stored in memory 300 which is associ ated with an electronic message may be modified to include an instant messaging group discussion. Such group conver an indication of the message thread to which the message sations can be considered message threads. belongs. Messages in a message thread may, for example, At 504, the user selects a message thread using, for relate to a particular subject matter, Such as a topic of conver 60 example, a user interface Such as a GUI304, displaying one or sation or activity. For example, if an ongoing discussion more selectable options such as a list of one or more message occurs between a number of users using, for example, the threads. A message thread may be selected by the userby, for “reply' or “reply to all features of many email applications, example, selecting a displayed, selectable option associated all the messages relating to that conversation could be iden with the message thread using point-and-click functionality tified as belonging to a particular message thread. Messaging 65 as described above. applications, such as electronic mail applications, may have At 506, a user can silence a message thread or reactivate a various ways of determining which messages belong to an message thread that had previously been silenced with respect EXHIBIT G Page 247 US 9,349,120 B2 13 to a device the user is using. This can, for example, be accom plished using a user interface such as a GUI 304, with one or more selectable options displayed, for example, on display 142. AS is known in the art, user interfaces may provide various types of selectable options such as, for example, checkboxes, radio boxes, lists and drop down menus, such as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The selectable options may be selected by the user as explained above in relation to FIG. 4. A message thread which has been silenced may be marked or flagged as silenced in memory 300 by, for example, setting a flag or other indicator in a data record associated with the message thread. As explained above, one or more notification settings may 14 to one embodiment. Such a method 600 is suitable for use in, for example, a wireless device 102 such as that shown in FIG. 1, using processing procedures andcomponents as described above. A method 600 can begin at 602 where a message is received which is addressed or otherwise identified in such away as to be associated with an inbox. As mentioned above, the mes 10 be enabled for wireless device 102. When a new electronic message associated with a message thread which has been flagged as silenced is received, any currently enabled notifi cation settings may be overridden and notification module 310 may be prevented from producing notifications for the new message. Thus, when a user silences a thread, the user will no longer receive notifications (e.g. ring tones, flashing lights or vibrations) when a new message arrives belonging to the silenced message thread. If the inbox is shared, such as in the case of a group inbox of a group site or an instant mes saging group discussion, only the member(s) of the group who have silenced the thread may cease to receive notifica tions for new messages in the thread. Notifications to mem 15 25 bers who have not silenced the thread will be unaffected. New messages in a silenced message thread may still be associated with an inbox and displayed with the inbox con tents. In some embodiments, new messages received for a silenced message thread may appear to be greyed out or otherwise diminished in appearance when displayed with an inbox contents. That is, when the messages in an inbox are displayed, for example on display 142, new messages in a silenced message thread may be displayed in a different man ner, Such as, for example, using a differently-colored or styled font. If the inbox is shared, such as in the caseof a group inbox of a group site oran instant messaging group discussion, only the member(s) of the group who have silenced the thread may see the messages as greyed out. The display of messages to 30 35 40 members who have not silenced the thread will be unaffected. When a user who has silenced a message thread reactivates that thread, that user may again receive notifications (e.g. ring tones, flashing lights or vibrations) when a new message is received belonging to the message thread. Messages associ ated with Such a reactivated message thread may no longer appear to be greyed out or otherwise diminished in appear ance when displayed with the inbox contents on, for example, display 142. If the inbox is a group inbox of a group site oran instant messaging group discussion, only the member of the group who has reactivated the thread will be affected. When a message thread has been reactivated the mark or flag which indicated the thread as silenced in memory 300 by may be removed by, for example, unsetting a flag or other indicator in a data record associated with the message thread. In some embodiments, when a user joins a group discus Sion, such as an instant messaging discussion, or a new mem berjoins a group site. Such as described above, they may only receive notifications for those messages which were posted after they joined the group discussion or group site. For example, when a new member joins a group site, any mes sages with a timestamp older than when the group was created locally (i.e. when the member joined the group) may be automatically silenced. 45 50 55 60 sage can be a message posted to a group inbox by a member of a group site or it can be an individual message received, for example, in a user's email inbox. In some embodiments, the message could also be an instant message Submitted as part of an instant messaging group discussion. In some embodi ments, the inbox with which a message is associated may be inherent in the message itself. Such as where a message is posted to a particular group inbox, or it may be determined based on protocols or settings of an application managing the messages, such as the electronic mail or instant messaging application. At 604, it may be determined whether or not the message relates to a new matter, Such as a new topic of conversation or a new activity. If the message relates to a topic of conversa tion, determining whether or not the message relates to a new matter may involve determining if the message is a reply to a previous message sent or received by the user. In some embodiments, a subject line of a message may be compared to the Subject line of other messages to determine if the message relates to a new matter. If the message relates to an activity, Such as a list, posted photograph or member location, deter mining whether or not the message relates to a new matter may involve determining whether the list, photograph or loca tion had previously been commented on. If the message does relate to a new matter, at 606, a new message thread is started. At 608, the user is notified of the message according to any currently-enabled notification set tings, as described above. If the message does not relate to a new matter, at 610, a thread to which the message belongs may be determined. This may be done, for example, by determining that the new mes sage is in reply to a previous message, by matching key words included in content portions of the message data set, or by using Suitably-configured and processed data records or items to determine a list, photograph or other image, or location, etc., to which a message relates. At 612, it is may determined whether or not the message thread to which the message belongs has been silenced by the user. For example, a data record in memory 300 which is associated with the message thread may be checked to deter mine whether a flag has been set indicating that thethread has been silenced. If the message thread has been silenced by the user then no notification may be activated and at 614 the message may appear 'greyed out' or other diminished fash ion when displayed with the inbox contents. If the message thread has not been silenced by the user, then at 616 the user may be notified of the incoming message according to any currently-enabled notification settings. While the embodiments of methods 500and600 comprise actions or steps shown as occurring in a particular order, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many of the blocks are interchangeable and may occur in different orders than that shown without materially affecting the end results of the methods 500 and 600. Referring now to FIG. 7, a display 700 is shown displaying a main page of a group site according to one embodiment. The display 700 could, for example, be displayed on display 142 Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which shows a flow 65 of wireless device of FIG. 1 through the implementation of diagram representing an example of a method 600 of handling processes and components described above. Reference will a message contained in or to be routed to an inbox according be made to FIG. 1 where appropriate. EXHIBIT G Page 248 US 9,349,120 B2 15 A title bar 702 of the display 700 shows the name of the group site. An activity bar 704 of the display 700 may display various interactive icons which can be used to navigate to areas of the group site, by, for example, use of one or more input devices 154, 158, 160 as described above. Activity bar 704 includes a letter icon 706 used to open the group inbox (i.e. display the group inbox on display 142). A member of the group can open the group inbox by selecting letter icon 706 using, for example, one or more input devices 154, 158, 160 as described above. Referring now to FIG. 8, a display 800 is shown displaying a group inbox ofa group site according to one embodiment. This could, for example, be displayed on display 142 of wireless device of FIG. 1 by implementing processes and using components described above. Reference will be made to FIG. 1 where appropriate. A title bar 802 of the display 800 shows the current location of the display within the group site. For example, the title bar 802 may indicate the electronic folder which is currently being displayed. An activity bar 804 of the display 800 con tains a “compose' icon 806 which can be used to invoke functionality which will allow a user to compose a new text based message. The activity bar 804 also contains a record icon 814 which can be used to invoke functionality which will allow a user to record a new Voice message. In FIG. 8, data identifying two message threads 810 and 812 are displayed. Data identifying the first message thread 810 indicate that the thread relates to a picture which has been uploaded to the group site. A message thread 810, 812 can be selected by a group member using, for example, keyboard 154 or thumbwheel 160 of wireless device 102 as explained above in relation to FIG. 4. When a message thread 810, 812 has been selected, corresponding messages in the selected message thread may be displayed as shown in FIG. 9. Referring now to FIG.9, a display 900 is shown displaying messages in a message thread according to one embodiment. This could, for example, be displayed on display 142 of wireless device of FIG. 1 through the use of processes and components described above. Reference will be made to FIG. 1 where appropriate. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the selected message thread relates to aphotograph posted by one of the members of the group site. An activity bar 904 displays an icon 906 which can be used to invoke functionality which will allow a user to open the picture associated with the message thread for display. Two messages 908 and 910 in the currently selected message thread are displayed. Referring now to FIG. 10, a display 1000 is shown display ing messages in a message thread and a drop down menu according to one embodiment. This could, for example, be displayed on display 142 of wireless device of FIG. 1 through the application of processes and components described above. Reference will be made to FIG.1 where appropriate. A drop down menu 1002 for initiating actions related to a selected message thread is displayed on display 1000. A drop down menu is an interactive component ofa graphical user interface which allows a user to select one or more options, for example using one of the techniques described above, which may initiate one or more commands or applications. Menu 1002 includes an option 1004 for silencing the current message thread. The option 1004 can be selected by a group member using, for example, keyboard 154 or thumb wheel 5 10 15 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 16 Once a message thread has been silenced, the messages in the message thread may appear 'greyed out or in otherwise visually diminished form (e.g., through the use of less promi nent or eye-catching colors, reduced or less-discreet font sizes, etc.) to the member of the group site who has silenced the thread and that member will no longer receive notifica tions of new messages added to the thread, as explained above. Other members who have not silenced the thread may still receive notifications of new messages added to the thread. Referring now to FIG. 11, a display 1100 is shown display ing messages in a message thread and a drop down menu according to one embodiment. This could, for example, be displayed on display 142 of wireless device of FIG. 1 includ ing processes and components described above. Reference will be made to FIG. 1 where appropriate. A drop down menu 1102 for initiating actions related to the message thread is displayed on display 1100. In this case, the message thread had been silenced by the member currently viewing the thread and hence, menu 1102 includes an option 1104 for reactivating the current message thread. The option 1104 can be selected by a group member using, for example, keyboard 154 or thumbwheel 160 of wireless device 102 as described above. Once the message thread has been reacti vated, the member who has reactivated the thread may again receive notifications of new messages added to the thread and the messages in the thread may no longer appear to be greyed out. The message thread may only be reactivated for the member who selected the option 1104 to reactivate the thread. While the invention has been described and illustrated in connection with specific, presently-preferred embodiments, many variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention is therefore not to be limited to the exact compo nents or details of methodology or construction set forth above. Except to the extent necessary or inherent in the pro cesses themselves, no particular order to steps or stages of methods or processes described in this disclosure, including the Figures, is intended or implied. In many cases the order of process steps may be varied without changing the purpose, effect, or import of the methods described. The scope of the claims is to be defined solely by the appended claims, giving due consideration to the doctrine of equivalents and related doctrines. The invention claimed is: 1. A communication system configured to silence notifica tions for incoming electronic messages, the system compris ing a data processor, non-transitory media readable by the data processor and a communications Subsystem: the communication Subsystem adapted for receiving the incoming electronic messages; and the non-transitory media readable by the data processor comprising coded program instructions adapted to cause the processor to: receive a selected message thread for silencing; in response to receiving the selected message thread, activate a flag stored in the non-transitory media in association with theselected message thread, wherein the flag indicates that the selected message thread has been silenced; determine that a new incoming electronic message is associated with the selected message thread; 160 of wireless device 102 as described above. When the determine that the selected message thread has been silencing option is selected, the current message thread may flagged as silenced using the flag stored in the non transitory media; be marked or flagged as silenced. For example, in some 65 override a currently-enabled notification setting to pre embodiments, a data record in memory 300 associated with the message thread may be flagged. vent a receipt notification pertaining to new incoming EXHIBIT G Page 249 US 9,349,120 B2 17 electronic messages associated with the selected mes Sage thread from being activated; and display the new incoming electronic message in an inbox together with anymessage thread not flagged as silenced, while silencing any further notifications per taining to receipt of the new incoming electronic mes sage, wherein the new incoming message thread flagged as silenced is displayed in the inbox in a different manner than any message thread not flagged as silenced. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the new incoming elec tronic message is part of a group discussion. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein a receipt notification for a new incoming electronic message is prevented only for a user who has flagged the message thread as silenced. 10 15 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the inbox is one ofa group inbox or an email inbox. 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one display for displaying the incoming electronic messages. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein, if the message thread has been flagged as silenced, electronic messages in the mes Sage thread appear diminished in appearance. 7. The system of claim 1, further adapted to allow the message thread to be unflagged deactivating the flag. 8. The system of claim 7, further adapted to, after deter mining that the message thread has been unflagged, retain the new incoming message associated with the inbox while allowing notifications pertaining to receipt of any subsequent new incoming message forthe message thread, and associate any Subsequent new incoming message with the inbox. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a 25 the inbox. 21. The method of claim 13, wherein the notifications 30 wireless device. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the notifications include one or more ofan auditory alert, a visual alert or a physical alert. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the new incoming message is displayed in a default view of the inbox. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the coded program instructions further cause the processor to store the new incoming message in theinbox. 13. A method for silencing notifications for incoming elec tronic messages to a communication system, the communi cation system comprising a data processor, media readable by the data processor and a communications subsystem, the communications subsystem adapted to receive the incoming electronic messages, the method comprising: receiving one or more selected message threads for silenc ing: in response to receiving the one or more selected message threads, activating one or more flags, each flag in asso ciation with a selected message thread of the one or more Selected message threads, wherein the one or more flags 35 40 45 sage threads have been silenced; include one or more of an auditory alert, a visual alert or a physical alert. 22. The method of claim 13, wherein the new incoming message is displayed in a default view of the inbox. 23. The method of claim 13, further comprising storing the new incoming message in the inbox. 24. A non-transitory computer readable medium compris ing processing instructions which when executed by a data processor cause the data processor to perform a method for silencing notifications for incoming electronic messages to a communication system, the method comprising: receiving one or more selected message threads for silenc ing: in response to receiving the one or more selected message threads, activating one or more flags, each flag in asso ciation with a selected message thread of the one or more Selected message threads, wherein the one or more flags indicate that the associated one or more selected mes sage threads have been silenced; 50 indicate that the associated one or more selected mes receiving a new incoming electronic message; identifying the new incoming message as associated with the selected one or more message threads: determining that a message thread associated with the new incoming message has been flagged as silenced using the one or more flags; overriding at least one currently-enabled notification set ting to prevent a notification pertaining to receipt of the new incoming message from being activated; and displaying the new incoming electronic message in an inbox together with any message thread not flagged as 18 silenced, while silencing any further notifications per taining to receipt of the new incoming electronic mes Sage; wherein the new incoming message thread flagged as silenced is displayed in the inbox in a different manner than any message thread not flagged as silenced. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the new incoming electronic message is part of a group discussion. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein a receipt notification for a new incoming electronic message is prevented only for a user who has flagged the message thread as silenced. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the inbox is one of a group inbox or an email inbox. 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying the incoming electronic messages. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein, if the message thread has been flagged as silenced, electronic messages in the mes Sage thread appear diminished in appearance. 19. The method of claim 13, further adapted to allow the message thread to be unflagged by deactivating the flag. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising, after determining that the message thread has been unflagged, retaining the new incoming message associated with the inbox while allowing notifications pertaining to receipt of any Subsequent new incoming message for the message thread, and associating any subsequent new incoming message with 55 60 receiving a new incoming electronic message; identifying the new incoming message as associated with the selected one or more message threads: determining that a message threadassociated with the new incoming message has been flagged as silenced using the one or more flags; overriding at least one currently-enabled notification set ting to preventa notification pertaining to receipt of the new incoming message from being activated; and displaying the new incoming electronic message in an inbox together with any message thread not flagged as silenced, while silencing any further notifications per taining to receipt of the new incoming electronic mes Sage; wherein the new incoming message thread flagged as silenced is displayed in the inbox in a different manner than any message thread not flagged as silenced. EXHIBIT G Page 250 ck k k k k