# US 9,882,856 B2 · Method and device for prioritizing messages based on originating time zone > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,882,856 B2 - Document ID: US9882856B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/796,084 - Filed: 2015-07-10 - Published: 2017-01-12 - Granted: 2018-01-30 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-10 - Assignees: BlackBerry Limited - Applicants: BlackBerry Limited - Inventors: Cody Bryant - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9882856B2 ## CPC - H04L 51/224: providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages - H04L 51/222: using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area - H04L 51/226: Delivery according to priorities - H04L 51/42: Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and a communication device display an email message by receiving at least one incoming email message, determining the incoming email message originates from a different time zone than the time zone in which the communication device is currently located, and displaying the incoming email message in a prioritized position within a message listing. The incoming email may be displayed at a top of the message list, regardless of reception order. When a plurality of incoming email messages that originate from different time zones are received, each incoming email message is displayed in the message listing according to an absolute or relative time distance from the communication device. When the incoming email message has been read, the read email message is moved to a normal position within the message list. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of displaying an email message on a communication device comprising: receiving, by the communication device, at least one incoming email message; determining, by the communication device, the incoming email message originates from a different time zone than the time zone in which the communication device is currently located; and the communication device displaying the incoming email message in a prioritized position within a message listing on a display of the communication device only when a time difference between the originating time zone and the time zone in which the communication device is currently located is greater than a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the incoming email message in a prioritized position within the message listing comprises displaying the incoming email at a top of the message list, regardless of reception order. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a plurality of incoming email messages, each email message originating from a different time zone than the time zone in which the communication device is currently located; and displaying each incoming email message in the message listing according to absolute time distance from the communication device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a plurality of incoming email messages, each email message originating from a different time zone than the time zone in which the communication device is currently located; and displaying each incoming email message in the message listing according to a relative time distance from the communication device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining the incoming email message has been read; and moving the read email message to a normal position within the message list. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the incoming email message a prioritized position within a message listing comprises displaying the incoming email message along with a priority indicator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the priority indicator is at least one of sub-text, an icon, message text displayed in a different color, message text displayed in a different font, a message box having a different background color than a message box for a normal message, and an enhanced message box border. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a difference between a current time in the originating time zone and a workday end time in the originating time zone; and displaying an indication of the difference. ### Claim 9 A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer instructions for displaying an email message which, when executed by a processor of the communication device cause the communication device to: receive, by the communication device, at least one incoming email message; determine, by the communication device, the incoming email message originates from a different time zone than the time zone in which the communication device is currently located; and display the incoming email message in a prioritized position within a message listing on a display of the communication device only when a time difference between the originating time zone and the time zone in which the communication device is currently located is greater than a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein displaying the incoming email message in a prioritized position within the message listing comprises displaying the incoming email at a top of the message list, regardless of reception order. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, further comprising computer instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to: receive a plurality of incoming email messages, each email message originating from a different time zone than the time zone in which the communication device is currently located; and display each incoming email message in the message listing according to absolute time distance from the communication device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, further comprising computer instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to: receive a plurality of incoming email messages, each email message originating from a different time zone than the time zone in which the communication device is currently located; and display each incoming email message in the message listing according to a relative time distance from the communication device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, further comprising computer instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to: determine the incoming email message has been read; and move the read email message to a normal position within the message list. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein displaying the incoming email message a prioritized position within a message listing comprises displaying the incoming email message along with a priority indicator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the priority indicator is at least one of sub-text, an icon, message text displayed in a different color, message text displayed in a different font, a message box having a different background color than a message box for a normal message, and an enhanced message box border. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, further comprising computer instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to: determine a difference between a current time in the originating time zone and a workday end time in the originating time zone; and display an indication of the difference. ### Claim 17 A communication device comprising: a display; a communication interface that receives at least one incoming email message; and a microprocessor that: determines the incoming email message originates from a different time zone than the time zone in which the communication device is currently located; and displays the incoming email message on the display in a prioritized position within a message listing only when a time difference between the originating time zone and the time zone in which the communication device is currently located is greater than a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The communication device of claim 17, wherein the at least one incoming mail message comprises a plurality of incoming email messages, each email message originating from a different time zone than the time zone in which the communication device is currently located, the processor further displays each incoming email message in the message listing according to one of an absolute time distance and a relative time distance from the communication device.