Patent ID: 7653693

Claim:
A system to manage instant messages, the system comprising: at least one processing device; a storage storing instructions, which when implemented, cause the processing device to implement: an input interface configured to receive instant messages created by or on behalf of one or more message sources for delivery to an intended recipient; a degree of separation component configured to determine a degree of separation between the intended recipient and the message source, wherein the degree of separation indicates a number of intermediary relationships linking the intended recipient and the message source; a screening component configured to: identify, from among the received instant messages, qualifying instant messages that satisfy a capture rule, wherein the capture rule indicates that an instant message qualifies for capture if the degree of separation between the intended recipient and the message source exceeds a pre-determined threshold, and capture as captured instant messages two or more of the qualifying instant messages; and an output interface configured to inform the intended recipient unobtrusively of the captured instant messages and to enable the intended recipient to manage the captured instant messages.