Variable level sound alert for an instant messaging session

A computer implemented method comprising:

• receiving, at a computer system on which an instant messaging application is executing, a first instant message in an instant messaging conversation involving a first instant messaging identifier and a second instant messaging identifier, the received first instant message being addressed to the first instant messaging identifier, the received first instant message being addressed to the first instant messaging identifier and from the second instant messaging identifier;
• determining that no instant messages addressed to the first instant messaging identifier and from the second instant messaging identifier had been received in the instant messaging conversation involving the first instant messaging identifier and the second instant messaging identifier prior to receipt of the first instant message;
• as a consequence of having determined that no instant messages addressed to the first instant messaging identifier and from the second instant messaging identifier had been received in the instant messaging conversation involving the first instant messaging identifier and the second instant messaging identifier prior to receipt of the first instant message, sounding, at the computer system, an audible alert at a first volume to signal the receipt of the first instant message;
• after receiving the first instant message and sounding the audible alert at the first volume, receiving, at the computer system, a second instant message in the instant messaging conversation involving the first instant messaging identifier and the second instant messaging identifier, the received second instant message being addressed to the first instant messaging identifier ad from the second instant messaging identifier;
• determining that at least one previous instant message addressed to the first instant messaging identifier and from the second instant messaging identifier had been received in the instant messaging conversation involving the first instant messaging identifier and the second instant messaging identifier prior to receipt of the second instant message;
• as a consequence of having determined that at least one previous instant message addressed to the first instant messaging identifier and from the second instant messaging identifier had been received in the instant messaging conversation involving the first instant messaging identifier and the second instant messaging identifier prior to receipt of the second instant message, sounding, at the computer system, the audible alert at a second volume that is different from the first volume to signal the receipt of the second instant message;
• after receiving the second instant message and sounding the second alert at the second volume, receiving, at the computer system, a third instant message in the instant messaging conversation involving the first instant messaging identifier and the second instant messaging identifier, the received third instant messaging being addressed to the first instant messaging identifier and from the second instant messaging identifier;
• determining that at least a predefined period of time has elapsed between receipt of the third instant message and any other previous exchange of instant messages between the first instant messaging identifier and the second instant messaging identifier within the instant messaging conversation involving the first instant messaging identifier and the second instant messaging identifier;
• and as a consequence of having determined that at least the predefined period of time has elapsed between receipt of the third instant message and any other previous exchange of instant messages between the first instant messaging identifier and the second instant messaging identifier within the instant messaging conversation involving the first instant messaging identifier and the second instant messaging identifier, sounding, at the computer system, the audible alert at a third volume that is different from the second volume to signal the receipt of the third instant message.

A computer implemented method comprising:

• rendering, on a user system, an electronic communications user interface for an electronic communications session involving at least an electronic communications recipient and an electronic communications sender;
• receiving notification of receipt of an electronic communication from the electronic communications sender;
• comparing an identity of the electronic communications sender with an identity of a participant engaged in an active electronic communications session with the electronic communications recipient;
• based on results of comparing the identity of the electronic communications sender with the identity of the participant engaged in the active electronic communications session with the electronic communications recipient, determining that the electronic communications recipient presently is engaged in an active electronic communications session with the electronic communications sender and that the electronic communication received from the electronic communications sender is a subsequent electronic communication in the active electronic communications session after an initial electronic communication in the active electronic communications session;
• accessing an audible alert to be rendered to signal receipt of an electronic communication;
• as a consequence of having determined that the electronic communication received from the electronic communications sender is a subsequent electronic communication, adjusting a volume of the audible alert to be rendered to signal receipt of an electronic communication to an alternative volume differing from an initial volume played for the initial electronic communication;
• and
• rendering the audible alert at the adjusted volume to signal receipt of the subsequent electronic communication, wherein the audible alert is rendered on the same user system on which the electronic communications user interface is rendered.