Patent ID: 7779076

Claim:
A computer implemented method for an instant messaging communications session, the method comprising: receiving, on an instant messaging application user interface of an instant message sender system, a selection of a personalization item by the instant message sender, the personalization item to be associated with the instant message sender; receiving, on the instant messaging application user interface of the instant message sender system, an input of instant message text from the instant message sender; obtaining, via the instant message sender system, an identifier associated with the personalization item; transmitting the instant message text and the identifier to an instant message recipient system; obtaining, via the instant message recipient system, the personalization item associated with the identifier; and rendering, on an instant messaging application graphical user interface of the instant message recipient system, the personalization item and the instant message text, wherein the graphical user interface includes a graphical window in which the personalization item and instant message text are rendered, the graphical window being configured to enable communications between only two users and configured to be displayed to an instant message recipient in response to receipt of the instant message text and the identifier by the instant message recipient system, the graphical window including: a first displayed portion associated with the instant message sender, the first displayed portion including: an instant message display area structured and arranged to display the instant message text and text of other instant messages communicated between the instant message sender and the instant message recipient during the instant messaging communications session, and a first personalization portion positioned adjacent to the instant message display area, the first personalization portion including the personalization item; and a second displayed portion associated with the instant message recipient and displayed below the first displayed portion, the second displayed portion including: an instant message compose area structured and arranged to receive an input of instant message text by the instant message recipient, and a second personalization portion positioned adjacent to the instant message compose area, the second personalization portion having a visual appearance personalized to the instant message recipient based on an identifier selected by the instant message recipient.