US007593991B2
`
`(12) Ulllted States Patent
`Friedman et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,593,991 B2
`Sep. 22, 2009
`
`(54) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
`PROCESSINGATTACHMENTS ASSOCIATED
`WITH ELECTRONIC MESSAGES
`
`75
`(
`)
`
`_
`.
`_
`Inventors‘ glele G‘lgledman’CA1Pha1etta’GiA‘ ([JSS)’
`ayne owman’ ummmg’
`(U )
`
`1/2001 Clements .................. .. 707/102
`6,182,080 B1 *
`6,360,252 B1* 3/2002 Rudy etal. .
`..... .. 709/206
`6,411,685 B1 *
`6/2002 O’Neal ........ ..
`379/8814
`6,549,612 B2* 4/2003 Gifford et a1.
`.. 379/671
`6,564,321 B2* 5/2003 Bobo, II ......... ..
`713/168
`6,721,286 B1 *
`4/2004 Williams et a1. ..
`370/282
`6,784,899 B1 *
`8/2004 Barrus et a1. .... ..
`715/717
`
`.
`
`(73) Asslgn?’Z AT&T Intellectual Property I’ LP"
`RBHQNVWS)
`_
`_
`_
`_
`SubJeCtw any dlsclalmentheterm ofthls
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(1)) by 770 days.
`
`_
`(*) Nome:
`
`(21) App1.N6.: 10/911,870
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Aug. 5, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2006/0031336A1
`(51) Int- Cl-
`
`Feb 9 2006
`'
`’
`
`(2006.01)
`G06F 15/16
`(52) U.S.Cl. ..................................... .. 709/206; 715/717
`(58) Fleld of cla7sgl9igggloglogeggc2h
`0329/33’
`’
`’
`’
`’
`’
`’
`’
`707/104.1; 715/500, 717; 348/2072; 379/67.1,
`379/88 14_ 713/168 370/282
`See a lication ?le for Com léte gearch hist’o
`pp
`p
`1y‘
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,993,594 B2* 1/2006 Schneider . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . .. 709/245
`
`707/104.1
`7,080,099 B2* 7/2006 Tada et a1. ...... ..
`..... .. 709/206
`7,130,885 B2* 10/2006 Chandra et a1.
`709/206
`2003/0055905 A1* 3/2003 Nishiyamaetal.
`709/205
`2003/0097408 A1* 5/2003 Kageyama et a1.
`2003/0140090 A1* 7/2003 Rezvani et a1. ............ .. 709/203
`2004/0070673 A1* 4/2004 Nakamura ............. .. 348/2072
`2004/0215696 A1* 10/2004 Fisher et a1.
`..... .. 709/201
`2006/0010095 A1* 1/2006 Wolffetal.
`.... .. 707/1
`2006/0224937 A1* 10/2006 Sudoh et a1. .............. .. 715/500
`
`* citedb examiner
`y
`Primary ExamineriDustin Nguyen
`Th
`74 A
`y Ag
`F.
`Home ,
`enl,
`0r
`zrmi omas,
`Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`K yd
`a en,
`
`Attachments that are received through one or more message
`transport services are processed. An object identi?er is
`.
`.
`.
`rece1ved through an electromc message rece1ved through one
`of a plurality of message transport services. A thumbnail
`graphic of a portion of the contents of the object associated
`With the object identi?er is generated and displayed in a
`display Window.
`
`5,771,355 A *
`
`6/1998 KuZma ..................... .. 709/232
`
`20 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`Uni?ed Messenger
`'- uE-mail DVoice M51?“ Faiim iue?iansufee ‘
`
`'
`
`119
`
`515
`
`510
`
`530
`
`_._' 2.. .2 *2. 1222227122,
`
`v
`
`Location Watching
`
`Add Folder
`
`550
`
`560
`
`001
`
`WHATSAPP INC.'S EXHIBIT NO. 1105
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 22, 2009
`
`Sheet 1 of6
`
`US 7,593,991 B2
`
`Receive in an e-mail program, an e- )5
`mail message that includes an attached
`?le
`
`"
`
`1 10
`
`Is attacDentQYes
`to be saved?
`
`No
`
`A
`
`1 1 5
`1 K
`Carry out a manual operation (e.g.
`selecting a "save" option from a menu)
`to save the attachment in a speci?ed
`folder
`
`ls attachment
`to be opened?
`
`No
`
`Message to be
`closed?
`
`125
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`[130
`
`Carry out a manual operation (e.g.
`double-clicking) to open the attachment
`
`y
`
`135
`/
`
`Appropriate application program is
`launched, and contents of attachment
`are displayed in a display window of the
`application program
`
`FIG. 1
`(Prior Art)
`
`002
`
`WHATSAPP INC.'S EXHIBIT NO. 1105
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 22, 2009
`
`Sheet 2 of6
`
`US 7,593,991 B2
`
`200
`
`g
`
`\:|
`U H H U
`/uuuuuuu\
`
`240
`
`246 Communication
`network
`(e.g. Internet)
`
`I.‘
`
`Ell-III".
`
`FIG. 2
`
`003
`
`WHATSAPP INC.'S EXHIBIT NO. 1105
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 22, 2009
`
`Sheet 3 of6
`
`US 7,593,991 B2
`
`440
`
`MEMORY
`
`E
`
`OPERATING SYSTEM E
`
`400
`ATTACHMENT
`PROCESSING SYSTEM ——
`
`PROCESSOR
`£9
`
`ELECTRONIC MESSAGING 407
`SYSTEM
`—
`
`LOCAL INTERFACE 5I_2_5
`
`I/O
`DEVICES
`£1.15
`
`@
`NETWORK INTERFACE
`
`FIG. 3
`
`004
`
`WHATSAPP INC.'S EXHIBIT NO. 1105
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 22, 2009
`
`Sheet 4 of6
`
`US 7,593,991 B2
`
`omm
`
`éaggcgaa
`
`
`
`
`
`. . .xSoWiwn , . . Q .“wmcwmmwi EEC: Em
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`£03562 ma , 5%:32? E D =2; 863. ?emu A)
`
`m5
`
`05
`
`0mm
`
`005
`
`WHATSAPP INC.'S EXHIBIT NO. 1105
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 22, 2009
`
`Sheet 5 of6
`
`US 7,593,991 B2
`
`Receive in a communications element, an
`electronic message that includes an —-/305
`attachment
`
`7
`
`Detach and save the contents of the
`attachment (eg. the ?rst page)
`
`7
`
`Generate a thumb-nail graphic of a portion
`of the contents (eg. the ?rst page)
`
`/315
`
`V
`When activated by a user, display the
`thumb-nail graphic in a universal
`messaging window of the receiving
`element
`
`320
`
`(to Fig. 58)
`
`FIG. 5A
`
`006
`
`WHATSAPP INC.'S EXHIBIT NO. 1105
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 22, 2009
`
`Sheet 6 of6
`
`US 7,593,991 B2
`
`(from Fig. 5A)
`
`325
`
`s attachmen
`to be moved or
`copied?
`
`No
`
`ls attachment
`to be opened?
`
`Yes
`
`330
`
`r F
`Carry out a manual operation upon the
`thumb-nail graphic (e.g. right-click on
`the graphic and select a "move" option
`from a menu) to save the attachment in
`a folder
`\
`
`335
`
`K 340
`Carry out a manual operation upon the
`thumb-nail graphic (e.g. double-clicking
`the graphic) to open the attachment
`
`350
`
`ls attachment
`to be transmitted?
`
`Yes
`f 355
`
`4
`‘ r35
`Appropriate application program is
`launched, and contents of attachment
`are displayed in a display window of the
`application program
`
`Carry out a manual operation (e.g.
`right-click on the thumb-nail graphic)
`to initiate transmission dialog (e.g.
`name of addressee, choice of
`transport program etc.)
`
`7 K- 360
`
`Transmit the contents of the ?le
`represented by the thumb-nail
`graphic
`
`FIG. 5B
`
`007
`
`WHATSAPP INC.'S EXHIBIT NO. 1105
`
`

`
`US 7,593,991 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
`PROCESSING ATTACHMENTS ASSOCIATED
`WITH ELECTRONIC MESSAGES
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present disclosure is generally related to electronic
`messaging, and more particularly, is related to attachments in
`electronic messages.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`Electronic messaging involves the transmission of elec
`tronic messages over computer networks, such as a local area
`network or the Internet. An electronic message may be a
`simple text message containing only ASCII, or it may be a
`complex message containing electronic ?les such as images,
`sounds, spreadsheets, etc. Electronic messaging is generally
`referred to as email, but it may also comprise other messaging
`technologies like instant messaging.
`To send and receive electronic messages, electronic mes
`saging clients are used. No matter which type of client is used,
`an electronic messaging client generally does at least the
`following tasks. It is able to show a list of all the messages in
`a user’s Inbox by displaying information from message head
`ers. The message header information often shows a user the
`address of each person who sent each message, the subject of
`each message, the time and date of each message, and the siZe
`of each message. The electronic messaging client also typi
`cally lets a user select a message header and read the body of
`the electronic message for that message header. Further, an
`electronic messaging client enables a user to create new mes
`sages and send them. In composing a message, a user typi
`cally is able to type in the email address of the recipient and
`the subject for the message, and then type the body of the
`message. Additionally, most clients permit a user to add
`attachments to messages that the user sends and to also save
`attachments from messages the user receives.
`Speci?cally, an attachment is often an electronic ?le that
`can accompany an electronic mail message. The attachment
`can often be of any ?le format, such as word processing
`documents, spreadsheets, sound ?les, images, and other soft
`ware. The attachment is often not simply text, but binary
`code. Otherwise, the attachment text could simply be added in
`the body of the message by the user creating the message.
`Accordingly, the original binary ?le structure of the attach
`ment is often converted by an electronic messaging transport
`service, such as e-mail or Instant Messaging (IM), into a ?le
`version that only contains text characters so that the ?le may
`be transmitted over the Internet.
`After an electronic mail with an attachment is received by
`an electronic messaging client, the client recogniZes the type
`of attachment encoding and converts the attached ?le back to
`its binary form. To access this binary ?le, the recipient often
`needs an application installed on the recipient’ s computer that
`can execute or access that particular type of ?le. Often, in a
`Microsoft® Windows® environment, the application that is
`needed to execute the binary ?le is already associated
`(through an operating system association) with the ?lename
`extension of the binary ?le, so that a user’s command to open
`the binary ?le will cause the application to access the binary
`?le.
`FIG. 1 is a ?owchart illustrating one method of handling
`attachments received in an e-mail. In block 105, an e-mail
`recipient operates a program, such as Microsoft® Outlook®,
`to receive an e-mail message that includes an attached ?le.
`Upon receiving this e-mail, the user has options of saving
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`(decision block 110) or opening (decision block 120) the
`attachment. If the recipient decides to save the attachment,
`typically, the recipient manually selects a “save” option but
`ton from an options menu, followed by optionally specifying
`a particular directory in which the attachment is to be saved.
`This manual step is illustrated in block 115.
`If the recipient decides to open the attachment, as deter
`mined in decision block 120, the recipient has to, typically,
`double-click on the attachment icon associated with the
`e-mail in the Microsoft® Outlook® mail program (illustrated
`in block 130). If an association is already present, the appro
`priate application program is launched, and the contents of
`the attachment are displayed in the launched application pro
`gram (block 135). As one example of this step of block 135,
`double-clicking on an attachment that is a document associ
`ated with Microsoft® Word will cause Microsoft® Word to
`be launched, and the text of the attachment will be displayed
`inside a display window of the Microsoft® Word program.
`Alternatively, in block 120, if the recipient decides to
`ignore the attachment momentarily, decision block 125 illus
`trates a step wherein the user decides to look at the attachment
`at a later date by closing the message or may leave the mes
`sage open and return to it later.
`In summary, electronic messaging clients, such as the
`Microsoft® Outlook® mail program, generally display and
`manage attachments in a similar manner. As explained above,
`to access an attachment in a received email message, a recipi
`ent typically has to know that a button, icon, or other element,
`needs to be selected followed by numerous other steps that
`may be involved in opening the attachment. While these
`traditional methods may be adequate for knowledgeable or
`experienced users of electronic mail clients or programs, a
`more straight forward and less arcane management structure
`is desired. Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the
`industry to address the aforementioned de?ciencies and inad
`equacies.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide
`systems and methods for processing attachments that are
`received through one or more message transport services.
`Brie?y described, one embodiment of a system, among oth
`ers, includes a method comprising receiving an object iden
`ti?er through an electronic message received through one of
`a plurality of message transport services, generating a thumb
`nail graphic of a portion of the contents of the object associ
`ated with the object identi?er, and displaying in a display
`window, the thumbnail graphic. Other systems and methods
`are also provided.
`Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the
`present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with
`skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings
`and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional
`systems, methods, features, and advantages be included
`within this description, and the scope of the present disclo
`sure.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood
`with reference to the following drawings. The components in
`the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead
`being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
`present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference
`numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the sev
`eral views.
`
`008
`
`WHATSAPP INC.'S EXHIBIT NO. 1105
`
`

`
`US 7,593,991 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 1 is a ?owchart illustrating a conventional method of
`handling attachments received in an e-mail.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communications system
`comprising various elements for exchanging electronic mes
`sages according to an exemplary embodiment.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system for processing attach
`ments, including receiving, displaying, and transmitting
`attachments associated with electronic messages, according
`to an exemplary embodiment.
`FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a graphical user inter
`face of an attachment processing system.
`FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a ?owchart describing a method
`for displaying attachments received via incoming electronic
`messages and for transmitting attachments via outgoing elec
`tronic messages according to an exemplary embodiment
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`While the description below refers to certain exemplary
`embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not
`limited to these particular embodiments. On the contrary, the
`intent is to cover all alternatives, modi?cations and equiva
`lents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
`Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of
`description and not of limitation. As one example among
`many, while reference is made to a “communications ele
`ment,” it will be understood that there exists various terms,
`such as “e-mail client” and “instant messaging client” that
`can be used alternatively. In a second example, the term
`“electronic message” will be understood to encompass mes
`sage-related data carried over one or more various transport
`mechanisms such as e-mail, instant messaging (IM), and
`peer-to-peer (P2P) systems, among others. Usage of such
`terms will be recognizable to persons of ordinary skill in the
`art.
`Attention is now drawn to FIG. 2, which is a block diagram
`of a communications system 200 comprising various ele
`ments for exchanging electronic messages according to an
`exemplary embodiment. The Internet is one example among
`many, of a communications network 240, through which mul
`tiple communication elements are communicatively coupled.
`A few examples of such communication elements are shown
`in FIG. 2.
`Corporate personal computer (PC) 205 is located in an
`of?ce containing a local area network (LAN) 245 that inter
`connects multiple computers (not shown). LAN operation
`may be carried out using a server (not shown) that connects
`into the Internet 240 through link 246, which may be a high
`speed connection, such as a ?ber link or a digital T-l link. PC
`205 utiliZes an operating system (e.g., Microsoft® Windows
`XP, Microsoft® Windows NT® among many others) to run
`various software programs for electronic messaging and pro
`grams for text and image-related operations. Some examples
`of electronic messaging programs include Microsoft® Out
`look®, Eudora, and Netscape® while examples of programs
`for text and image-related operations include Microsoft®
`Word, Microsoft® Excel, Microsoft® Explorer, andAdobe®
`Acrobat®.
`Home PC 215 connects into the Internet 240 via a link 216
`that may include, among others, a dial-up connection, a digi
`tal subscriber line (DSL) link, or a cable connection. Home
`PC 215 uses an operating system and other software programs
`as was explained above with reference to corporate PC 205.
`Wireless device 210 may be a personal digital assistant
`(PDA), a wireless computer, a wireless laptop, and a wireless
`e-mail device, which constitute a few examples among many,
`
`20
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`
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`
`4
`of such communication devices. Wireless device 210 trans
`mits and receives electronic messages via the Internet 240 and
`a wireless link 211.
`Set-top unit 220, which is typically located on a display
`device such as TV 225, is another example of a communica
`tion element that can be used to exchange electronic mes
`sages. In this example, set-top unit 220 is coupled to the
`Internet 240 via, e.g., a coaxial cable 221. TV 225 may be
`used to display received messages and also to interact with a
`suitable input/output (I/O) device such as a keyboard, to enter
`and transmit electronic messages via set-top unit 220.
`A cellphone 230 is yet another example of a communica
`tion element that exchanges electronic messages, for example
`IM messages, with other communication elements via Inter
`net 240. Link 231 comprises a cellphone network, details of
`which have been excluded in the interests of brevity.
`Server 235, representative of multiple servers, is con?g
`ured to provide Intemet-related services to multiple client
`devices, such as the communication elements shown in FIG.
`2. Server 235 contains network-related software and also
`network-based software, which in certain instances, may be
`downloaded into client devices. For example, a user of home
`PC 215, may download an Adobe AcrobatTM reader software
`that is located on server 235, so as to read documents that have
`been formatted in a pdf format. In a second example, the user
`may download a web browser software or an e-mail software
`program. Consequently, it will be understood that software
`described in this disclosure may be resident in several ele
`ments of the network, whether they be client devices or serv
`ers.
`Attention is now drawn to FIG. 3, which is a block diagram
`of an attachment processing system for processing attach
`ments associated with electronic messages. Such a system is,
`in various embodiments, located in a client device, a server
`device or a combination thereof. For example, the system is
`located in communication element 215 of FIG. 2, in one
`embodiment, and is located in server 235 in a second embodi
`ment, and in a third embodiment, a ?rst part of the system is
`located in communication element 215, while a second part is
`located in server 235. All such combinations are incorporated
`in this disclosure.
`In one embodiment, the attachment processing system of
`the present disclosure is implemented in software, but other
`solutions also include ?rmware and hardware implementa
`tions. In one exemplary embodiment, the attachment process
`ing system is implemented in software, as an executable
`program in combination with other program modules, and is
`executed as part of an electronic messaging client by a special
`or general purpose digital computer, such as a personal com
`puter, workstation, minicomputer, or mainframe computer.
`An example of a general purpose computer 440 that imple
`ments the attachment processing system 400 of the preferred
`embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 3.
`Generally, in terms of hardware architecture, as shown in
`FIG. 3, the computer 440 includes a processor 410, memory
`405, and one or more input and/or output (I/O) devices 415 (or
`peripherals) that are communicatively coupled via a local
`interface 425. The local interface 425 is, for example but not
`limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless
`connections, as is known in the art. Further, the local interface
`425, in various embodiments, includes additional elements,
`which are omitted for simplicity, such as controllers, buffers
`(caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, to enable commu
`nications. Further, in various embodiments, the local inter
`face includes address, control, and/or data connections to
`enable appropriate communications among the aforemen
`tioned components.
`
`009
`
`WHATSAPP INC.'S EXHIBIT NO. 1105
`
`

`
`US 7,593,991 B2
`
`5
`The processor 410 is a hardware device for executing soft
`Ware that is stored in memory 405. In various embodiments,
`the processor 410 may include any custom-made or commer
`cially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU) or
`auxiliary processor among several processors associated With
`a computer 440, and a semiconductor based microprocessor
`(in the form of a microchip) or a macroprocessor.
`In various embodiments, the memory 440 includes any one
`or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random
`access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, etc.)) and
`nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive tape,
`CDROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory 440 incorporates, in
`various embodiments, electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or
`other types of storage media. Note that in certain embodi
`ments, the memory 440 has a distributed architecture, Where
`various components are situated remote from one another, but
`are accessed by the processor 410.
`In exemplary embodiments, softWare in memory 405
`includes one or more separate programs, each of Which com
`prises an ordered listing of executable instructions for imple
`menting logical functions. In the example of FIG. 3, the
`softWare in memory 405 includes the attachment processing
`system 400, an electronic messaging system 407, and an
`operating system (OS) 406. The operating system 406 con
`trols the execution of other computer programs, and provides
`scheduling, input-output control, ?le and data management,
`memory management, and communication control and
`related services. The electronic messaging system 407 facili
`tates the transmission and reception of electronic messages,
`such as email and IM. In on embodiment among others, the
`attachment processing system 400 is a separate application
`that communicates With the electronic messaging client 407.
`Other embodiments include higher levels of integration, and
`some embodiments provide fully integrated solutions that
`provide a single interface system for providing the function
`alities of multiple types of messaging clients and the consoli
`dated attachment functions discussed herein.
`In one exemplary embodiment, the attachment processing
`system 400 is a source program, executable program (object
`code), script, or any entity comprising a set of instructions to
`be performed. If the attachment processing system 400 is a
`source program, then the program needs to be translated via a
`compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, Which may or
`may not be included Within the memory 405, so as to operate
`properly in connection With the O/S 406. Furthermore, in
`various embodiments, the attachment processing system 400
`is Written as (a) an object oriented programming language,
`Which has classes of data and methods, or (b) a procedure
`programming language, Which has routines, subroutines,
`and/or functions, for example but not limited to, C, C++,
`Pascal, Basic, Fortran, Cobal, Perl, Java, andAda. In addition,
`the attachment processing system 400, in some embodiments,
`is so integrated into the electronic messaging client 407 that
`there are not clear lines of separation, as might otherWise be
`suggested by the present disclosure.
`In various embodiments, the I/O devices 415 includes
`input devices, for example but not limited to, a keyboard,
`mouse, scanner, digital camera, multi-function device, micro
`phone, etc. Furthermore, the I/O devices 415 include output
`devices, for example but not limited to, a printer and a data
`transmitter. Finally, the I/O devices 415 further include
`devices that communicate both inputs and outputs, for
`instance but not limited to, a modulator/demodulator (mo
`dem; for accessing another device, system, or netWork), a
`radio frequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephonic inter
`face, a bridge, a router, etc.
`
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`If the computer 440 is a PC, Workstation, or the like, the
`softWare in the memory 405 further includes a basic input
`output system (BIOS) (omitted for simplicity). The BIOS is a
`set of essential softWare routines that initialiZe and test hard
`Ware at startup, start the O/ S 406, and support the transfer of
`data among the hardWare devices. The BIOS is stored in ROM
`so that the BIOS can be executed When the computer 440 is
`activated.
`When the computer 440 is in operation, the processor 410
`is con?gured to execute softWare stored Within the memory
`405, to communicate data to and from the memory 405, and to
`generally control operations of the computer 440 pursuant to
`the softWare. The attachment processing system 400, the elec
`tronic messaging client 407, and the O/ S 406, in Whole or in
`part, but typically the latter, are read by the processor 410,
`perhaps buffered Within the processor 41 0, and then executed.
`The computer 440 operates, in an exemplary embodiment,
`in a netWorked environment using logical connections to one
`or more remote computers, such as a remote computer (not
`shoWn). In additional exemplary embodiments, the remote
`computer is a server, a router, a peer device or other common
`netWork node, and typically includes many or all of the ele
`ments described relative to the computer 440. The netWork
`interface 420 depicted in FIG. 3 includes, in various exem
`plary embodiments, a dial -up modem, netWork interface card,
`DSL modem, etc. that provides access to a messaging net
`Work such as the Internet.
`When the attachment processing system 400 and electronic
`messaging client 407 are implemented in softWare, it should
`be noted that the attachment processing system 400 is stored
`on any computer readable medium for use by or in connection
`With any computer related system or method. In the context of
`this document, a computer readable medium is an electronic,
`magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that
`contains or stores a computer program for use by or in con
`nection With a computer related system or method. The
`attachment processing system 400 is embodied, in one
`embodiment among many, in any computer-readable medium
`for use by or in connection With an instruction execution
`system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based sys
`tem, processor-containing system, or other system that can
`fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system,
`apparatus, or device and execute the instructions.
`In the context of this document, a “computer-readable
`medium” is any means that can store, communicate, propa
`gate, or transport the program for use by or in connection With
`the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The
`computer readable medium is, for example but not limited to,
`an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or
`semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation
`medium. More speci?c examples (a nonexhaustive list) of the
`computer-readable medium Would include the folloWing: an
`electrical connection (electronic) having one or more Wires, a
`portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access
`memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (ROM)
`(electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory
`(EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory) (electronic), an opti
`cal ?ber (optical), and a portable compact disc read-only
`memory (CDROM) (optical). Note that in certain embodi
`ments, the computer-readable medium is paper or another
`suitable medium upon Which the program is printed, as the
`program can be electronically captured, via for instance, opti
`cal scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled,
`interpreted or otherWise processed in a suitable manner if
`necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.
`In an alternative embodiment, Where the attachment pro
`cessing system 400 is implemented in hardWare, the attach
`
`010
`
`WHATSAPP INC.'S EXHIBIT NO. 1105
`
`

`
`US 7,593,991 B2
`
`7
`ment processing system 400 is implemented With any com
`bination of the following technologies, Which are each Well
`knoWn in the art: a discrete logic circuit(s) having logic gates
`for implementing logic functions upon data signals, an appli
`cation speci?c integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriate
`combinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s)
`(PGA), a ?eld programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.
`Attention is noW draWn to FIG. 4, Which illustrates one
`embodiment of a graphical user interface 500 of an attach
`ment processing system. Display area 510 comprises a vieW
`of an Inbox that shoWs multiple thumbnail graphics that Were
`received via multiple message transport services. Thumbnail
`graphic 515 is a representation of an image ?le, With a ?rst
`object identi?erivincajpg, in a J PEG format, that has been
`received, for example, embedded inside an IM message.
`Thumbnail graphic 520, having a ?rst object identi?er
`trump.pdf, represents a ?le in an Adobe® Acrobat® format,
`and has been received for example, as an attachment to an
`e-mail. Thumbnail graphic 525 has a riddick.mov ?rst object
`identi?er and comprises a thumbnail graphic representation
`of a video. Thumbnail graphic 530 represents a fax that has
`been electronically transmitted to the user, While thumbnail
`graphic 545 is an iconic representation of an audio ?le that
`Was received, such as through a direct doWnload.
`It Will be recogniZed that in addition to different formats,
`different transport services, and different identi?ers, addi
`tionally, the objects represented by these thumbnail graphics
`may have originated and/or been received in a variety of
`devices such as PCs, PDAs, cellphones etc. as Was explained
`earlier.
`Display area 550 is one exemplary option Wherein the user
`can opt to sort by media format so as to obtain an individual
`count of the total number of attachments in each individual
`format. Similarly, display area 560 is a second exemplary
`option Wherein the user can sort based on date of receipt. It
`Will be recogniZed that several alternative embodiments may
`be used to incorporate various such features in various such
`display manners.
`Tabs section 570 shoWs multiple tabs, such as e-mail,
`voicemail, fax, RSS, and address book, that can be activated
`by clicking on them, so as to vieW, in one embodiment, e-mail
`related attachments, voicemail related attachments etc. In a
`second embodiment, these tabs may be operated to launch the
`associated programs, such as e-mail and address book.
`Attention is noW draWn to FIGS. 5A and 5B, Which shoW a
`?owchart describing a method for displaying attachments
`received via incoming electronic messages and for transmit
`ting attachments via outgoing electronic messages. Any pro
`cess descriptions or blocks in How charts should be under
`stood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code
`Which include one or more executable instructions for imple
`menting speci?c logical functions or steps in the process, and
`alternate implementations are included Within the scope of
`the present disclosure in Which functions may be executed out
`of order from that shoWn or discussed, including substantially
`concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the function
`ality involved, as Would be understood by those reasonably
`skilled in the art of the present disclosure.
`Referring ?rst to FIG. 5A, in block 305, an electronic
`message is received in a communication element, such as a
`communication element of FIG. 2. In this example, the elec
`tronic message is referred to as an “e-mail message,” but it
`Will be understood that this is being done merely for expla
`nation, and other electronic messages, such as but not limited
`to, IM messages, faxes, and voicemail are also included in this
`description.
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`Furthermore, as shoWn in block 305, the electronic mes
`sage includes an “attachment.” In this disclosure, the term
`“attachment” is to be construed as any object that is trans
`ported inside, outside, and/ or along With, an electronic mes
`sage. In this particular example the attached ?le may be, for
`example, a Microsoft® Word document having a ?le name
`“thesis .doc,” Wherein the Word document is referred to beloW
`as an “object,” and the corresponding ?le name, “thesis.doc,”
`is referred to as an “?rst object iden