# US 2008/0189374 A1 · Managing instant messaging sessions on multiple devices

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2008/0189374 A1
- Document ID: US20080189374A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/022,437
- Filed: 2008-01-30
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Earliest claimed: 2004-12-30
- Assignees: AOL Inc.
- Inventors: James A. Odell; Barry Appelman; W. Karl Renner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080189374A1

## CPC

- H04L 51/046: Interoperability with other network applications or services
- G06Q 10/107: Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
- H04L 51/04: Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
- H04L 65/1069: Session establishment or de-establishment
- H04L 65/1096: Supplementary features, e.g. call forwarding or call holding (systems providing special services or facilities to telephony subscribers H04M3/42)
- H04L 67/148: Migration or transfer of sessions
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

Transferring instant messaging sessions includes receiving a selection, from a user within a user interface, of at least one instant messaging session from among multiple instant messaging sessions to transfer from a first instant messaging controller on a first device to at least a second instant messaging controller on a second device, where the user is signed on concurrently to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device. At least a portion of the selected instant messaging session is transferred from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device and the transferred portion of the instant messaging session is made perceivable on the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-20. (canceled)

### Claim 21

A method for transferring instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:
while a user is signed on concurrently to both a first instant messaging controller on a first device and a second instant messaging controller on a second device and while the user is engaged in at least one ongoing instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device, receiving a selection from the user to transfer the instant messaging session from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;
responsive to the received user selection, transferring at least a portion of the selected instant messaging session from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device; and
enabling perception, on the second instant messaging controller on the second device, of the transferred portion of the instant messaging session.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 wherein receiving the selection of the instant messaging session to transfer includes receiving the selection from the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 wherein receiving the selection of the instant messaging session to transfer includes receiving the selection from the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 wherein receiving the selection of the instant messaging session to transfer includes receiving the selection from within an instant messaging conversation interface.

### Claim 25 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 further comprising enabling presentation, to the user, of a listing of multiple instant messaging sessions from which to select an instant messaging session to transfer.

### Claim 26 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 wherein the user is signed on to at least one additional instant messaging controller on at least one additional device, the method further comprising:
enabling presentation of a listing of the instant messaging controllers on the devices on which the user is signed on; and
enabling selection, by the user and from among the listing of the instant messaging controllers on the devices on which the user is signed on, of the second instant messaging controller on the second device as the instant messaging controller on the device to which to transfer the selected instant messaging session.

### Claim 27 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 wherein enabling perception of the transferred portion of the instant messaging session on the second instant messaging controller on the second device includes enabling perception of the transferred instant messaging session on both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

### Claim 28 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 wherein enabling perception of the transferred instant messaging session on the second instant messaging controller on the second device includes enabling perception of the transferred instant messaging session on the second instant messaging controller on the second device to the exclusion of enabling perception of the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

### Claim 29 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 wherein:
the user is signed on to multiple instant messaging controllers on multiple different devices including at least the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device; and
enabling perception of the portion of the transferred instant messaging session on the second instant messaging controller on the second device includes enabling perception of the transferred instant messaging session on less than all of the instant messaging controllers on the corresponding devices.

### Claim 30 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 further comprising:
after transferring the portion of the instant messaging session to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, detecting an idle state or an away state on the first instant messaging controller; and
disabling perception of the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to the detected idle state or away state.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The method as in claim 30 further comprising:
after disabling perception of the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to the detected idle state or away state, detecting an active state on the first instant messaging controller on the first device; and
in response to detecting the active state on the first instant messaging controller on the first device:
refreshing the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device, and
enabling perception of the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The method as in claim 31 wherein:
refreshing the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device includes refreshing the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device automatically in response to detecting the active state; and
enabling perception of the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device includes automatically enabling perception of the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to automatically refreshing the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

### Claim 33 (depends on 31)

The method as in claim 31 wherein:
refreshing the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device includes refreshing the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to input from the user requesting a manual refresh of the instant messaging session in addition to detecting the active state on the first instant messaging controller on the first device; and
enabling perception of the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device includes enabling perception of the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device in response to refreshing the instant messaging session on the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

### Claim 34 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 further comprising enabling the user to select multiple instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

### Claim 35 (depends on 34)

The method as in claim 34 wherein:
receiving a selection from the user of an instant messaging session to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device includes receiving a selection of multiple instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;
transferring at least a portion of the selected instant messaging session from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device includes transferring portions of the multiple selected instant messaging sessions from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device; and
making the transferred portion of the instant messaging session perceivable on the second instant messaging controller on the second device includes making the transferred portions of the multiple instant messaging sessions perceivable on the second instant messaging controller.

### Claim 36 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 further comprising conditioning whether to present a listing of the multiple instant messaging sessions based on detection of the user being signed on to three or more instant messaging controllers concurrently.

### Claim 37 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 further comprising:
receiving an indication that the user has signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device; and
in response to receiving the indication that the user has signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, causing menu options to be displayed that enable selection of an instant message session to transfer from the first instant message controller on the first device to the second instant message controller on the second device.

### Claim 38 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 further comprising conditioning presentation, at a new instant messaging controller on a new device, of menu options that enable selection of whether to transition instant messaging sessions or to mirror instant messaging sessions on the new instant messaging controller and the new device on a sign on to the new instant messaging controller on the new device.

### Claim 39 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 further comprising enabling the user to select a portion of the selected instant messaging session to transfer to the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

### Claim 40 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 further comprising enabling the user to select on a per device basis instant messaging session transfer preferences.

### Claim 41 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 further comprising making user-inspired instant messages perceivable on both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

### Claim 42 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 further comprising:
receiving an indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device;
receiving an indication that the user is signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device;
in response to receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device, enabling the user to engage in one or more instant messaging sessions using the instant messaging controller on the first device;
based on receiving the indication that the user is signed on to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the indication that the user is signed on to the second instant messaging controller on the second device, determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device; and
in response to determining that the user is signed on concurrently to both the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device, enabling the user to select an instant messaging session from among the one or more instant messaging sessions to transfer from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device.

### Claim 43 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 wherein receiving a selection of an instant messaging session to transfer includes receiving a selection of the instant messaging session from among multiple instant messaging sessions on the first instant messaging controller on the first device.

### Claim 44 (depends on 21)

The method as in claim 21 wherein receiving the selection of the instant messaging session to transfer includes receiving the selection of the instant messaging session to transfer within a user interface.

### Claim 45

A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:
receiving a first indication that a user has signed on to an instant messaging system using a first device;
establishing multiple instant messaging sessions on the first device between the user and other users;
receiving a second indication that the user has signed on to the instant messaging system using a second device;
while the user is signed on to the instant messaging system on both the first device and the second device, receiving an indication of a selection by the user of at least one instant messaging session from among the instant messaging sessions on the first device to replicate on the second device; and
replicating at least a portion of the selected instant messaging session on the second device.

### Claim 46

A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:
establishing, on a first device of a user, multiple instant messaging sessions between the user and other users;
receiving an indication of a selection, by the user, of at least two instant messaging sessions from the instant messaging sessions on the first device to replicate on at least a second device; and
replicating at least portions of the selected instant messaging sessions on the second device.

### Claim 47

A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:
conditioning whether to present, to a user, a listing of multiple instant messaging sessions based on detection of the user being signed on to an instant messaging system on three or more devices concurrently;
receiving an indication of a selection by the user of at least one instant messaging session on a first device from among the listing of multiple instant messaging sessions to replicate on at least a second device; and
replicating at least a portion of the selected instant messaging session from the first device on the second device.

### Claim 48

A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:
establishing an instant messaging session on a first device between the user and another user;
receiving an indication of a request by the user to replicate the established instant messaging session on a second device;
replicating at least a portion of the established instant messaging session on the second device; and
making the replicated portion of the instant messaging session perceivable on the second device to the exclusion of being perceivable on the first device.

### Claim 49 (depends on 48)

The method of claim 48 wherein making the replicated portion of the instant messaging session perceivable on the second device to the exclusion of being perceivable on the first device includes enabling display of the replicated portion of the instant messaging session on the second device and disabling display of the replicated portion of the instant messaging session on the first device.

### Claim 50 (depends on 48)

The method of claim 48 further comprising receiving an indication of a request by the user to prevent perception of the instant messaging session on the first device, wherein making the replicated portion of the instant messaging session perceivable on the second device to the exclusion of being perceivable on the first device includes making the replicated portion of the instant messaging session perceivable on the second device to the exclusion of being perceivable on the first device in response to receiving the indication of the request by the user to prevent perception of the instant messaging session on the first device.

### Claim 51

A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:
establishing an instant messaging session on a first device between the user and another user;
receiving an indication of a request by the user to replicate the established instant messaging session on a second device;
replicating at least a portion of the established instant messaging session on the second device;
making the replicated portion of the instant messaging session perceivable on the second device; and
conditioning whether to present, on a third device, menu options that enable selection of at least one other device on which to replicate the instant messaging session based on a sign on to an instant messaging service at the third device.

### Claim 52

A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:
establishing, on a first device of a user, multiple instant messaging sessions between the user and other users;
receiving an indication of a selection of at least one instant messaging session from among the instant messaging sessions on the first device to replicate on at least a second device;
enabling the user to select a portion of the selected instant messaging session for replication; and
replicating the selected portion of the selected instant messaging session on the second device.

### Claim 53

A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:
establishing, on a first device of a user, multiple instant messaging sessions between the user and other users;
presenting, to the user, an interface that includes identifiers for at least two of the instant messaging sessions on the first device that indicate that the at least two instant messaging sessions on the first device are available to be replicated to a second device;
receiving an indication of a selection, by the user, of one of the at least two instant messaging sessions to replicate on the second device; and
replicating at least a portion of the selected instant messaging session on the second device.

### Claim 54

A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:
establishing, on a first device of a user of an instant messaging system, one or more instant messaging sessions between the user and other users;
receiving an indication that the user has signed on to the instant messaging system on a second device; and
responsive to receiving the indication that the user has signed on to the instant messaging system on the second device, presenting, to the user, an interface that includes an identifier for at least one of the instant messaging sessions on the first device that indicates that the at least one instant messaging session on the first device is available to be replicated to a second device.

### Claim 55 (depends on 54)

The method of claim 54 further comprising:
receiving an indication of a selection, by the user, of the at least one instant messaging session to replicate on the second device; and
replicating at least a portion of the selected instant messaging session on the second device.

### Claim 56

A method for replicating instant messaging sessions, the method comprising:
establishing, on a first device of a user of an instant messaging system, one or more instant messaging sessions between the user and other users;
determining that the user also is signed on to the instant messaging system on at least a second device and a third device; and
responsive to determining that the user also is signed on to the instant messaging system on at least a second device and a third device, prompting the user to determine if the user desires to replicate at least one of the instant messaging sessions from the first device on one or more of the second device and the third device.