Patent ID: 8041770

Claim:
A computer-implemented method in which a computer system performs operations providing instant messaging (IM) functionality within an electronic mail (Email) session, the method comprising: notifying, by a computer system two or more intended Email recipients that an Email message is currently being written to them, the intended Email recipients being addressed in a “To” address field of the Email message; inviting, by the computer system the two or more intended Email recipients to view the Email message that is currently being written; displaying the Email message that is currently being written via a graphical user interface of a first recipient of the two or more intended Email recipients, the Email message being displayed with selectable buttons to initiate a chat session with an originator of the Email message; in response to receiving input, via the graphical user interface of the first intended Email recipient, providing an IM session between the first Email recipient and the originator of the Email message; receiving, via an IM interface of the first Email recipient comments that correspond to text in the Email message that is currently being written, the comments being received while the Email message is currently being written; and sending the Email message to at least one of the two or more intended Email recipients.