Patent ID: 8015247

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for displaying multiple instant messaging sessions in a single window comprising: transmitting instructions for displaying a two-way instant messaging session within the single window of at least one device, the two-way instant messaging session including one or more first instant messages from a first source and one or more second instant messages from a second source, the one or more first instant messages being different from the one or more second instant messages; transmitting instructions for displaying an option enabling the first source to prohibit the second source from authorizing a third source to join the two-way instant messaging session; receiving a selection of the option by the first source; determining whether one or more third instant messages from the third source are authorized to join the two-way instant message session, the one or more third instant messages being different from the one or more first instant messages and being different from the one or more second instant messages; transmitting instructions for displaying a three-way instant messaging session within the single window only when the one or more third instant messages from the third source are authorized to join the two-way instant message session, wherein the one or more third instant messages are determined to be authorized to join the two-way instant message session when the third source is invited from the first source, and the one or more third instant messages are determined to be not authorized to join the two-way instant message session when the third source is invited from the second source; transmitting instructions for visually distinguishing, within the single window, the display of the two-way instant messaging session from the display of the three-way instant messaging session; determining whether one or more fourth instant messages from a fourth source are authorized to join the three-way instant messaging session; and transmitting instructions for displaying a four-way instant messaging session within the window only when the one or more fourth instant messages from the fourth source are allowed to join the three-way instant messaging session.