IM conversation management
AssigneeResearch In Motion Limited
InventorsGerhard Dietrich Klassen, Craig Dunk, Lawrence Edward Kuhl, Christopher R. Wormald
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for managing IM conversations is provided. In response to idle time and, preferably, read message status, particular current conversations are removed from a list of current conversations. The removed conversations may be moved to an archive which may be automatically maintained in response to size constraints. An archive interface is facilitated to review conversations, save all or portions thereof, delete, etc. The archived conversations are preferably associated with the contact for the conversation to show a history of conversations.
Claims20
A method of instant messaging (IM) conversation management in a communication apparatus comprising:
- maintaining a first list of at least one IM conversation in a graphical user interface (GUI) for engaging in a plurality of IM conversations;
- monitoring conversation activity for the IM conversations in the first list;
- automatically removing a particular IM conversation from the first list in response to the conversation activity monitored, the particular IM conversation being automatically removed after an idle period of conversation activity and only if all messages of the particular IM conversation are read;
- archiving the particular IM conversation to an IM conversation archive for making the particular IM conversation accessible via the GUI;
- and
- providing a second list of at least one archived IM conversation in said GUI separate from said first list for accessing archived conversations of the IM conversation archive.
A communications apparatus for communicating messages, said apparatus comprising:
- a communications subsystem for sending and receiving messages;
- a storage device for storing instructions and data;
- and
- a processor coupled to said storage device and said communications subsystem, said storage device storing instructions and data to configure the processor to:
- maintain a first list of at least one IM conversation in a graphical user interface (GUI) for engaging in a plurality of IM conversations;
- monitor conversation activity for the IM conversations in the first list;
- automatically remove a particular IM conversation from the first list in response to the conversation activity monitored, the particular IM conversation being automatically removed after an idle period of conversation activity and only if all messages of the particular IM conversation are read;
- archive the particular IM conversation to an IM conversation archive for making the particular IM conversation accessible via the GUI;
- and
- provide a second list of at least one archived IM conversation in said GUI separate from said first list for accessing archived conversations of the IM conversation archive.
A computer readable medium comprising instructions and data which when executed by a processor adapt a communications device to manage IM conversations, said instructions and data adapting the processor to:
- maintain a first list of at least one IM conversation in a graphical user interface (GUI) for engaging in a plurality of IM conversations;
- monitor conversation activity for the IM conversations in the first list;
- automatically remove a particular IM conversation from the first list in response to the conversation activity monitored, the particular IM conversation being automatically removed after an idle period of conversation activity and only if all messages of the particular IM conversation are read;
- archive the particular IM conversation to an IM conversation archive for making the particular IM conversation accessible via the GUI;
- and
- provide a second list of at least one archived IM conversation in said GUI separate from said first list for accessing archived conversations of the IM conversation archive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.