Patent ID: 8631076

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: identifying a first instant messenger event; identifying a display area of a graphical user interface, the display area having a first display area identifier; responsive to identifying the display area of the graphical user interface, comparing the first display area identifier associated with the first instant messenger event with a second display area identifier associated with a previously indexed second instant messenger event; associating the first instant messenger event with a conversation identifier associated with the second instant messenger event if the first and second display area identifiers match; determining an elapsed time if the first and second display area identifiers do not match, wherein the elapsed time comprises a time period between a first time associated with the first instant messenger event, and a second time associated with the second instant messenger event. comparing a first conversation roster associated with the first instant messenger event with a second conversation roster associated with the second instant messenger event; associating the first instant messenger event with the conversation identifier if the first and second conversation rosters match and the elapsed time is less than a predetermined value; indexing the first instant messenger event if it is associated with the conversation identifier, wherein indexing the first instant messenger event comprises storing event data associated with the first instant messenger event in a data store; and generating a new conversation identifier and associating the first instant messenger event with the new conversation identifier if the first instant messenger event is unassociated with any previously indexed instant messenger event.