`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`(10) Patent No:
`a2) United States Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`*Feb. 20, 2007
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Appelmanet al.
`
`
`
`
`US007181497B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4/1999 Miller et al... 365/189.01
`5,896,321 A *
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3/2001 Atlas et al. owe 715/780
`6,208,339 BI1*
`
`
`
`
`
`
`8/2001 De Vorchik et al.
`6,279,016 Bl
`
`
`
`
`
`4/2002 Hachamovitch etal.
`6,377,965 Bl
`
`
`
`
`
`6,480,885 B1* 11/2002 Olivier... 709/207
`
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`Thompson, “How to enable ‘AutoComplete’
`feature”, Google
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Group comp_unix_shell-htm, Dec. 23, 1998].*
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Pioch, Nicholas. A Short IRC Primer[online], Jan. 1997. [retrieved
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`on Mar. 14, 2002] Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: http://www.
`
`irchelp.org/irchelp/ircprimer.html>.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Polito, Julie. “Track your key contacts; Multiactive Maximizer 5.0
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vs. Polaris Packrat Pro 6.1” PC Computing, Oct. 1, 1998 p. 120
`
`(abstract).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(54) MESSAGING APPLICATION USER
`
`
`
`INTERFACE FOR AUTO-COMPLETING
`
`
`
`
`
`ADDRESS TEXT AND MODIFYING THE
`
`
`AUTO-COMPLETION BEHAVIOR
`
`(75)
`
`
`
`
`No.:
`
`
`
`No.:
`
`
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Filed:
`
`ppl.
`
`
`(21) Appl.
`
`
`(22)
`
`
`
`(51)
`
`
`
`(56)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Inventors: Barry Appelman,Great Falls, VA
`
`
`
`
`tus) Andrew L. Wick,Fairfax, VA
`
`
`
`
`.
`.
`.
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(73) Assignee: America Online, Inc., Dulles, VA (US)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`
`
`
`
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`
`
`
`
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 729 days.
`(Continued)
`
`
`
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner—Wen-Tai Lin
`claimer.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Fish & Richardson P.C.
`10/348,004
`
`
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`
`
`Jan. 22, 2003
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A messaging application user interface has an input element
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`for receiving electronic messages and an output element for
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`displaying electronic messages. The messaging application
`(63) Continuationof application No. 09/404,757, filed on
`24. 1999
`6 539.4ah
`user interface can be implemented so as to maintain a subset
`PP Pat. No.
`Sep.
`?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1 DOW BAL
`INO: D027
`of the plurality of potential message recipients, the subset
`oP.
`2%
`eh
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Int. Cl
`being determined using a predeterminedcriterion. The mes-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`G06F 15/16
`saging application user interface also can be implemented so
`(2006.01)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GO6F 3/00
`as to auto-complete a partially entered address based on the
`(2006.01)
`
`
`
`
`
`subset of potential message recipients. A set of user-select-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(52) U.S. Ch cee 709/206; 709/207; 715/780
`able signals that modify auto-completion behavior also can
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search ......0.000000.. None
`be used with the messaging application user interface. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`messaging application user interface can be used in an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`instant messaging system to allow a user to send instant
`References Cited
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`messages to and exchange comments with a plurality of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`other users without having to switch among several instant
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`
`
`9/1998 Miller
`message windows.
`5,805,911 A
`
`
`
`5,832,497 A
`11/1998 Taylor
`
`
`
`5,845,300 A
`12/1998 Comeretal.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`35 Claims, 21 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`406
`
`
`
`YES
`
`
`
`USE LAST ADDRESS AS
`CURRENT ADDRESS
`
`
`
`
`
`
` RECEIVE PARTIAL ADDRESS
`
`
`LAST-ADDRESSSIGNAL
`
`
`>
`NO
`SECOND-TO-LASTADDRESSSIGNAT.
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`420
`
`MOST-RECENT-SEARCH SIGNAL
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USE SECOND-TO-LASTADDRESS
`AS CURRENT ADDRESS
`
`
`
`
`418
`
`
` PERFORM MOST-RECENT-
`
`
`SEARCH OF ADDRESSLIST
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`422.
`USE MOST RECENT MATCH
`
`
`
`AS CURRENT ADDRESS
`
`NO AUTOCOMPLETE;
`
`RECEIVE ADDRESS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NO AUTOCOMPLETE;
`
`RECEIVE ADDRESS
`
`
`
`AUTOCOMPLETE WITH
`
`
`MATCHINGADDRESS
`
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 1
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 1
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Elkins, M.: “The Mutt E-Mail Client, version 1.0pre2”, Internet
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Document,
`[Online], Sep.
`1, 1999, pp. 1-84, XP002245042,
`
`
`
`
`
`Retrieved from the Internet: URL:ftp://ftp.nluug.nl/pub/mail/mutt/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`historic/mutt-1.Opre2.tar.gz [retrieved on Jun. 17, 2003].
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Anonymous: “Readmeof archive for TNT 1.7”, Internet Document,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[Online], Dec. 4, 1998, pp. 1-4, XP002245043, Retrieved from the
`
`
`
`Internet: URL:http://www.mit.edu/afs/athena/system/pmax_ul4/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`srvd.74/usr/sipb/sre/tnt/tnt-1.7 tar.gz [retrieved on Jun. 17, 2003]
`the whole document.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Stephenson,P.: “A user’s Guide to the Z-Shell”, Internet Document,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[Online}, Jun. 2, 1999, pp. 1-335, XP002245044, Retrieved from
`
`
`
`Internet:
`URL:http://zsh.sunsite.dk/Guide/zshguide.pdf
`the
`
`
`
`
`[retrieved on Jun. 17, 2003].
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Internet
`Anonymous: “AOL Instant Messenger, User’s Guide”,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Document,
`[Online], Feb. 25, 1998, pp. 1-23, XP002245045,
`
`
`
`
`
`Retrieved from the Internet: URL:http://www.aim.aol.com/beta/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`uguide/index.html[retrieved on Jun. 6, 2003] the whole document.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Anonymous: “Netscape Page info for http://www.aim.aol.com/beta/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`uguide/index.html”,
`Internet Document,
`Feb.
`25,
`1998,
`
`
`
`
`
`XP002245046, [retrieved on Jun. 17, 2003].
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Anonymous: “Mutt News”, Internet Document, [Online], pp. 1-2,
`
`
`
`
`
`XP002245047, Retrieved from the Internet: URL:http://www.mutt.
`
`
`
`
`
`org/news.html [retrieved on Jun. 17, 2003].
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Anonymous: “FTP Page”, Internet Document, [Online], Dec. 4,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1998, p. 1, XP002245048, Retrieved from the Internet: URL:http://
`
`
`www.mit.edu/afs/athena/system/pmax_u14/srvd.74/ustr/sipb/sre/
`
`
`
`
`
`tnt/-html [retrieved on Jun. 17, 2003].
`
`
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`
`
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 2
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 2
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 1 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`107
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`
`
`
`103
`
`
`
`105
`
`
`
`100
`
`
`
`APPLICATION
`
`
`
`
`
`127
`
`
`
`125
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 1
`
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 3
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`
`lc
`
`
`
`COMPUTER
`
`OPERATING
`
`SYSTEM
`
`
`
`APPLICATION
`
`PROGRAM
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATION
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 3
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 2 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`200
`
`
`
`
`
`~o
`
`y>o
`
`~
`4)
`
`
`
`A
`
`a
`NS
`<<
`Ox
`=O
`by
`aual
`
`Zz
`6
`=
`Ww
`bz
`g
`5
`co
`
`a
`co
`oO
`=
`
`a
`oC
`oO
`=
`
`|
`
`S
`=
`BS
`bo
`Z
`—
`5
`
`Zz.
`6
`=
`Ww
`=
`Z
`=
`5
`
`a
`A
`
`
`
`a
`A
`
`
`
`
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 4
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 4
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`Sheet 3 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`snyeusy| GIYSTUys]LUT94)dasNOApip‘Aa
`
`
`‘JOAOY}0}BopALUdye}0}peYJ
`
`ouAjayRuNosur)
`
`TVNOLLINAANOO
`
`
`
`Ot
`
`
`
`Lav
`
`nyeusy4
`
`
`
`abessowjuesu—nyeusyy¥
`
`gidosqMaIAWHSay
`
`
`
`¢Ol
`
`
`
`Appngppv
`
`Foowe;@4
`
`:OPsdypyg
`
`c
`
`
`
`vowing:Ofsdypyd
`
`Net
`
`rel
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 5
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 5
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 4 of21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`
`CONVENTIONAL ART
`
`
`
`140
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`J PhillipsJC's Buddy List Window
`
`
`
`File People Favorites
`
`
`
`
`Chat
`
`Now!
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vBuddies(0/1)
`
`
`~~ AOL (2/5)
`
`Ericbosco —— 141
`
`Flatt ——————- 142
`
`
`
`~w Family (0/2)
`
`
`~~ Co-Workers (3/5)
`
`143
`FRsnafu
`
`jimgromada —— 144
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`&"AOL Today!
`
`
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 6
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 6
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`Sheet 5 of 21
`
`US 7,181
`
`2
`
`497 B1
`
`pegpoogu GoelLVTVNOLLNAANOOD
`
`
`
`P60:|A07]BulusenS,re6gluosuyoluaidoagmalAPaalld]|%0enaGulueMms,pegleoiweidoeqMeIAIPQalg
`
`
`{}4sIUO}oY}0}OF0}JueNOAOp“CY‘ADHspegTaoarARWIH“peglaoarsweS
`
`
`
`
`LHe}sSWeSOU}SOOpUY“INSspe~gpuosuyofw‘df‘OPH*pegTeor
`
`
`
`
`obessayjuejsu|—peg.uosuyofw¥oBessowjueysul—
`|viv«vy|Rv|wqeisuj—peersouolay|a|vv*v|mv
`BOE
`paeysplyALONspesrsouotg|]Zo"aN4}y31u0}
`
`
`
`
`LignoAued“‘URG‘pegtaoar
`ofqajdosgMSIAUPDAlig
`
`gues||APPNGPPyY=|YoolgWe
`
`YooigWer@
`
`owes
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 7
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 7
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 6 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`“uyor0}dnsiZTONVITIIM<dZYOUN]0}OF0}UBMNOAOpUSUMAZIOMIVITTIM<L
`
`
`
`ory“APMOHZIOWNVITILM<d
`
`
`
`'be6ahZ4oun]0}080}ApeasNOAase“uYOorHE6[FOUl<L
`
`‘year
`
`vece
`
`ce 9OldO@81ye.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`“UYyor“OTHZIOWVITIIM
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 8
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 8
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`Sheet 7 of 21
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`L‘DIA
`
`CINYS
`
`FOVSSAN
`
`AV1dSIG
`
`HOVSSAN
`
`HOVSSHN
`
`AVTdSIC
`
`HOVSSAW
`
`AVTdsId
`
`HOVSSHW
`
`ssauqdv
`
`é1aasn
`
`NAS
`
`HOVSSAN
`
`AV'TdS10
`
`FOVSSAN
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 9
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 9
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`2
`
`7
`
`94
`
`96
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 8 of 21
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`90
`
`
`
`USING SUBSET
`
`MAINTAIN GROUP OF
`
`
`
`
`POTENTIAL RECIPIENTS
`
`MAINTAIN SUBSET OF
`
`
`
`
`GROUP OF POTENTIAL
`
`RECIPIENTS
`
`AUTO-COMPLETE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.8
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 10
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 10
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 9 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 11
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 11
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`Sheet 10 of 21
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`
`
`SSauddvLNawIND
`
`
`
` éSVSSauady1SV1gsn‘IVNOISSSauadvy
`
`
`
`807
`
`vOr
`
`
`
`SSAATyILavdFAIOTa
`
`“LSVT
`
`
`
`sSadddqvLSVT-OL-CNOOSdsn
`
`
`
`SSaudaqvLNAWINDSV
`
`
`
`“LINSOTULSOWWaOreadd
`
`
`
`LSITSSHUACVAOHOUVAS
`
`
`
`
`
`HOLVWINSO7eaLSOW3s
`
` SSaaYddV
`IdWODOLNVON SSHAAaVHAO
`
`
`
`SSHAACVINRMUNDSV
`
`
`
`“ALTTUNODOLNVON
`
`“ALA
`
`
`
`SSHaAACVFAO
`
`HLIMALATdNOOOLNV
`
`ONIHOLVN
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 12
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 12
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 11 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`
`
`UPDATE ADDRESS LIST
`
`
`
`RECEIVE MESSAGE BODY
`
`
`
`
`
`SEND INSTANT MESSAGE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 13
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 13
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 12 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`618
`
`
`
`620
`
`
`
`600
`
`
`(Conversations
`
`
`
`
`
`
`T> 07:34:57'mtoel 934:
`Hello, Mary.
`
`an Hi, LD.
`616
`
`
`
`622
`
`
`
`624
`
`
`
`626
`
`
`
`
`
`BUI - Conversations
`
`606
`
`ee
`
`608
`
`610
`
`:
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 12
`
`
`
`
`
`630
`
`
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 14
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 14
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 13 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`634
`
`roe1 934
`
`632
`
`604
`
`FIG. 14
`
`
`
`
`
`
`- BUI - Conversations
`
`
`
`600
`
`
`
`600
`
`BUI — Conversations
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`632
`
`
`
`636
`
`
`
`roe 1934,
`
`Hello, Mary
`
`
`
`
`604
`
`
`
`634
`
`
`
`638
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 15
`
`
`
`
`
`612
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 15
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 15
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 14 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`642
`
`
`
`644
`
`
`
`638
`
`
`
`
`600
`
`
`640
`
`>asia20:05'mroe!934:
`
`
`
`Hello, Mary
`‘>ae20:2Jamroe!934:
`652tok
`Hi, John
`5, 650
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`646
`
`
`
`
`
`
`660
`
`
`
`
`
`600
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BUI — Conversations
`
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:20:05 mroel 934:
`
`
`
`F > 13:20:27 mroe1934:
`
`
`Hello, Mary.
`
`
`Hi, John
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Howare you?
`
`
`
`662
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 17
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 16
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 16
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 15 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`
`
`
`_ioi
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BUI - Conversations
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BUI — Conversations
`
`SS
`
`
`Hello, Mary. 662
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Hi, John
`C
`
`
`
`T >'13:21:12'mroe1 934"
`'How are you?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I'm sick. I can't play
`F >y13:21:39ymroe1934:,
`nionbisame
`
`
`
`
`
`
`674. O76
`678
`670
`
`mjohnson1934,))Hey, MJ, are you free tonight?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:20:05 mroe1934:—Hello, Mary.
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:20:27 mroel1934:—_Hi, John
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:21:12 mroe1934:—How are you?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:21:39 mroe1934:;
`‘I'm sick. I can't play
`
`
`
`in tonight's game
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`684
`
`
`
`
`
`604
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`688
`
`
`
`FIG. 19
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 17
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 17
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 16 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`
`BUI — Conversations
`
`
`
`
`Hello, Mary.
`T > 13:20:05 mroei934:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`614
`Hi, John
`F > 13:20:27 mroe}934:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:21:12 mroe1934:|Howare you? 688
`
`
`
`
`
`
`> 13:21:39 mroel934:0741'm sick. ] can't play
`y
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Hey, MJ, are
`T >'13:23:14'myohnson] 934:
`
`
`
`
`
`70%
`you free tonight?
`
`F >,13:23:32 mjohnson1934:
`
`
`FIG. 20
`
`
`BUI — Conversations
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:20:05 mroe1934:~—-Hello, Mary.
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:20:27 mroel1934:
`Hi, John
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:21:12 mroe1934:—How are you?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:21:39 mroe]934:—I'm sick. ] can't play
`
`
`in tonight's game.
`
`
`
`T > 13:23:14 myohnsonl 934:
`
`
`
`youfree tonight?
`
`
`
`F > 13:23:32 mjohnson1934:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Yes.
`680
`
`
`
`Hey, MJ, are
`
`
`
`Yes.
`
`
`
`
`
`708
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 21
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 18
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 18
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 17 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BUI — Conversations
`
` T > 13:20:05 mroe]934:—Hello, Mary.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:20:27 mroe1934:
`Hi, John
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:21:12 mroe}934:—How are you?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:21:39 mroe]934:
`—‘I'msick. I can't play
`
`
`
`
`
`in tomght's game.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:23:14 myohnson!934-
`Hey, MJ, are
`
`
`
`
`youfree tonight?
`
`
`
`F > 13:23:32 mjohnson1934:
`
`
`
`miohnson1934
`
`710
`
`
`
`
`
`Yes.
`
`
`
`
`
`106
`
`
`FIG, 22
`
`
`
`
`BU! — Conversations
`
`
`
`600
`
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:20:05 mroe1934:—Hello, Mary.
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:20:27 mroe1934:
`Hi, John
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:21:12 mroel934:—How are you?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:21:39 mroe1934:
`__I'msick. | can't play
`
`
`
`in tonight's game.
`
`
`T > 13:23:14 mjohnson1934:
`
`
`
`youfree tonight?
`
`
`
`F > 13:23:32 mjohnson1934:
`
`
`
`Hey, MJ, are
`
`
`
`Yes.
`
`
`
`mjohnson1934,, Do you wantto play tonight?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`706
`
`
`
`712
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`710
`
`
`
`714
`
`
`
`
`FIG, 23
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 19
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 19
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 18 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`730
`
`
`
`
`
`716
`
`718
`
`722
`
`724
`
`726
`
`
`BUI — Conversations
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:21:12 mroel1934:=Howare you?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:21:39 mroe]1934:
`—_I'msick. J can't playin tomight's
`
`
`game,
`614
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:23:14 mjohnson!934:
`Hey, MJ, are you free
`
`tonight?
`
`
`
`
`
`T >y13:25:30jmjohnson1934:
`De.you want to play
`F > 13:23:32 mjohnson1934-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ight?
`720
`N
`Rae-25:38mjohnson1934)
`(Sure.
`714
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 24
`
`600
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Hey, MJ, are youfree
`
`
`
`
`Yes.
`
`
`Do you wantto play
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BUI — Conversations
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:21:12 mroe]934:—How are you?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:21:39 mroe1934:
`‘I'm sick. J can't play in tonight's
`
`
`
`
`
`
`game.
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:23:14 mjohnsonl 934:
`
`tonight?
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:23:32 mjohnson1934:
`
`
`T > 13:25:30 mjohnson1 934:
`
`tonight?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:25:38 mjohnson1934:
`Sure.
` 612
`
`ronny, «732
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 25
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 20
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 20
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 19 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`
`BUI ~ Conversations
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`600
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:21:12 mroel934:|How are you?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:21:39 mroe1934:
`—_I'msick. ] can't play in tonight's
`
`game.
`
`
`
`T > 13:23:14 mjohnson! 934:
`
`tonight?
`
`
`F > 13:23:32 mjyohnson1934:
`
`
`T > 13:25:30 mjohnson1 934:
`
`tonight?
`
`
`
`F > 13:25:38 mjohnson1934:
`
`738
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SS752
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:23:32 mjohnson1934:
`Yes.
`
`
`
`
`T>13:25:30 mjohnson1 934:
`Do you wantto play
`
`746
`,
`25:38 riohnspr4:
`Sure.
`a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`. 213:27:1 Mrsmith]1934:'
` 'MJis going to play tonight.
`me28:24ee; oS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Hey, MJ, are youfree
`
`
`
`
`Yes.
`
`
`Do you wantto play
`
`
`
`Sure.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`rsmith1934)) MJ is going to play tonight.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BUI — Conversations
`
`
`T > 13:23:14 mjohnson1 934:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Hey, MJ, are youfree
`
`
`
`
`
`0
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`760
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 21
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 21
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 20 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`600
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BUI - Conversations
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Hey, MJ, are you free
`T > 13:23:14 mjohnson] 934:
`
`tonight?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:23:32 mjohnson1934-
`Yes.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:25:30 mjohnson1 934:
`Do you want to play
`
`tonight?
`
`
`
`F > 13:25:38 mjohnson1934:
`
`
`
`T > 13:27:17 mroe1 934:
`
`
`
`F > 13:28:24 rsmith1934-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Sure.
`
`
`
`MJ is going to play tonight.
`
`Okay.
`
`
`
`614
`
`
`762
`758
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`760
`
`
`
`764
`
`
`
`FIG. 28
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`770
`
`600
`
`5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`we
`
`
`
`
`
`eee Okay,I'll seeyouthen.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`‘15.
`
`
`774
`
`
`782
`
`«776
`
`
`
`
`778
`
`
`
`
`
`784
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 29
`
`
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 22
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 22
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Feb. 20, 2007
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 21 of 21
`
`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`600
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BU! — Conversations
`
`tomght?
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:25:38 mjohnson 1934;
`Sure.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MJ is going to play tonight.
`T > 13:27:17 rsmith] 934:
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:28:24 rsmith]934:
`Okay.
`
`
`
`T > 13:30:54 mjohnson 1934:
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:32:06 myohnson1934:
`
`
`
`
`MJ, be there at 6:15.
`
`
`
`
`Okay,I'll see you then.
`
`784
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 30
`
`
`BUI — Conversations
`
`
`
`MJ is going to play tonight.
`
`
`
`
`Okay.
`
`
`MJ,be there at
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`T > 13:27:17 rsmith1934-
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:28:24 rsmith1934:
`
`
`T > 13:30:54 mjohnson1 934:
`
`6:15.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F > 13:32:06 mjohnson1934:
`Okay,I'll see you then.
`vees We are going to meetdt 6:15.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`790
`
`794
`
`614
`792
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 31
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 23
`GoogleInc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 23
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`
`
`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`
`1
`MESSAGING APPLICATION USER
`
`
`
`INTERFACE FOR AUTO-COMPLETING
`
`
`
`ADDRESS TEXT AND MODIFYING THE
`
`
`
`
`
`AUTO-COMPLETION BEHAVIOR
`
`
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`
`
`APPLICATIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`No. 09/404,757, filed Sep. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6,539,421 and titled “Messaging Application User Inter-
`
`
`
`
`
`face”, which is incorporated herewith by reference.
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This application relates to a messaging application (e.g.,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, etc.) user interface.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`20
`
`
`
`25
`
`
`
`30
`
`
`
`35
`
`
`
`40
`
`45
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`applications, instant messaging enables users to communi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cate with each other in a more dynamic, urgent and inter-
`active manner.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.3 is a screen shot of an Instant Message (IM) window
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`130 as used in AOL’s Instant Messenger (“AIM”) system.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`As shown therein, the window 130 includes a text display
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`area 131 and text entry area 132. Both users involved in the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IM under consideration (i.e., sender and recipient) would
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`have a similar window displayed on his or her computer
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6 monitor. When one user (PhillipsJC) types a comment 134
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in text entry area 132 and clicks the Send button 133 (or,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`depending on the configuration, presses the “ENTER” key
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`on the keyboard), the enteredtext (e.g., “Hey, did you see the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`gamelast night?’’) is displayed in the text display area 131
`of the window 130 such thatit is visible to both users After
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FRsnafu enters a comment 135 in response and clicks the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Send button 133,
`that comment 135 appears in the text
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`display area 131 underneath the previous comment 134. This
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`exchange of comments continues indefinitely until the users
`
`
`
`
`decide to terminate the exchange.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Typically, instant messages can be sent to another user
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`only whenthat user is presently signed on to the computer
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`service. Users whoare signed off are unavailable to receive
`
`
`
`
`
`
`instant messages. Accordingly, another popular innovation
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`introduced by America Online is the “Buddy List,” which
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`allows users to monitor when other specified users (“bud-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`dies”) are signed onto and/or off of the computer service
`
`
`
`
`
`
`under consideration (e.g., AOL Instant Messenger).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`As shown in FIG. 4, the Buddy List is implemented as a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`window 140 that lists specified users, or buddies, who are
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`signed on to the AIM system. In the example shown, the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Buddy List for user “PhillipsJC” indicates that four of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PhillipsJC’s buddies 141-144 currently are signed on to the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`system and thus available to receive instant messages. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Buddy List is updated based on information received from
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a server to add or delete names of buddies as they sign on
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and off, respectively. Such Buddy List updates can be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`accompanied by various audible and visual indications to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`help notify the user that a buddy has signed on oroff.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Users may send instant messages to, and exchange com-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ments with, more than one otheruserat a time. Conventional
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`instant message client software typically creates a separate
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`instant message window for each userthat is sent an instant
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`message. For example, as shown in FIG.5, if a user sends
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`three instant messages to three other users, one to each of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`users, three separate instant message windows 130a, 1305,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and 130c are created. To change from one instant message
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`window to another, the user typically must move and/or
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`press a button on the mouse,or press a sequence of keys on
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the keyboard, to activate the desired instant message win-
`dow.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The present inventors recognized that some users may
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`find it undesirable to have to switch between instant message
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`windows in order to send instant messages to and exchange
`comments with more than one other user at a time. There-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the present
`inventors recognized that
`it would be
`fore,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`desirable to provide users with a user interface through
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which a user can send messages to and exchange comments
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`with one or more users without having to switch among
`several different windows.
`
`
`
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The computer system 100 illustrates in FIG. 1 represents
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a typical hardware setup for executing software that allows
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a user to perform tasks such as communicating with other
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computer users, accessing various computer resources, and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`viewing, creating, or otherwise manipulating electronic con-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tent—that
`is, any combination of text,
`images, movies,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`music or other sounds, animations, 3D virtual worlds, and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`links to other objects. The system includes various input/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`output (I/O) devices (mouse 103, keyboard 105, display
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`107) and a general purpose computer 100 having a central
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`processor unit (CPU) 121, an I/O unit 117 anda memory 109
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`that stores data and various programs such as an operating
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`system 111, and one or more application programs 113. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computer system 100 also typically includes some sort of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`communications card or device 123 (e.g., a modem or
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`network adapter) for exchanging data with a network 127
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`via a communications link 125 (e.g., a telephone line).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`As shown in FIG. 2, a user of a computer system can
`access electronic content or other resources either stored
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`locally at the user’s own client system 202 (for example, a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`personal or laptop computer) or remotely at one or more
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`server systems 200. An example of a server system is a host
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computer that provides subscribers with online computer
`
`
`
`
`
`
`services such as e-mail, e-commerce,
`instant messaging,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`chat rooms, Internet access, online games, electronic news-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`papers and magazines, etc. Users of a host computer’s online
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`services typically communicate with one or more central
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`server systems 200 through client software executing on
`
`
`
`
`
`their respective client systems 202.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In practice, a server system 200 typically will not be a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`single monolithic entity but rather will be a network of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`interconnected server computers, possibly physically dis-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`persed from each other, each dedicated to its own set of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`duties and/or to a particular geographical region. In such a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`case, the individual servers are interconnected by a network
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of communication links,
`in a known fashion. One such
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`server system is “America Online 4.0” from America
`
`
`
`Online, Incorporated of Virginia.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Oneincreasingly popular computer network-based activ-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ity is referred to as “instant messaging.” An instant message
`is a form of electronic communication between users of a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computer network in which a window pops-up on the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`recipient’s computer screen “instantly” and without
`the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`recipient having to access an e-mail program or otherwise
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`check for messages. An instant message appears essentially
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`as soon as the message senderclicks the send button subject
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to any time or propagation delays the message may have
`
`
`
`
`
`
`encountered on the network. In comparison to most e-mail
`
`50
`
`
`
`55
`
`
`
`60
`
`
`
`65
`
`
`
`SUMMARY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Implementations may include one or more of the follow-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing features. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of addressing a message to a member of a plurality of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`potential message recipients may include maintaining a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`subset of a plurality of potential message recipients. Each
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`potential message recipient may have an associated address,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and the subset may be determined using a predetermined
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 24
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2001, Page 24
`Google Inc. v. Blackberry Ltd., IPR2017-00911
`
`

`

`US 7,181,497 B1
`
`4
`DRAWING DESCRIPTIONS
`
`3
`criterion. The method also may include auto-completing a
`partially entered address based on the subset of potential
`message recipients.
`In another aspect, a method of addressing electronic
`messages to users of a computer network may include
`providing a set of user-selectable signals that modify auto-
`completion behavior and auto-completing a partially entered
`address for a message based on entry of one or more of the
`set of signals.
`In another aspect, a method of exchanging instant mes-
`sages among users of a computer network may include
`providing an instance ofa user interface having an element
`for receiving addresses of instant message recipients. The
`method also may include allowing a user to send indepen-
`dent instant messagesto different recipients by specifying an
`intended recipient’s address in the instance of the user
`interface element.
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system.
`FIG. 2 shows a typical network computing environment.
`FIG. 3 is a screen shot of an “Instant Message” window.
`FIG. 4 is a screen shot of a “Buddy List” window in
`AOL’s Instant Messenger for Windows.
`FIG. 5 showsa screen shot of a three instant messages
`windows in use at one time.
`FIG.6 is a schematic diagram of a messaging application
`user interface.
`FIG.7 is a flow diagram of a process of participating in
`multiple communication sessions.
`FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process of addressing a
`message.
`FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an address list.
`FIGS. 10-11 are flow diagrams of a process of automati-
`cally completing a message address.
`FIG. 12 shows a screen shot of a messaging application
`user interface used in AOL’s Instant Messenger for UNIX.
`FIGS. 13-31 are screen shots showing the operation of the
`messaging application user interface of FIG. 12.
`Like reference numbers and designations in the various
`drawings indicate like elements.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In another aspect, an instant messaging user interface may
`include a user interface element having an input element for
`receiving instant messages for more than one separate
`instant message exchange and an output element for dis-
`playing instant messages for more than one separate instant
`message exchange.
`In another aspect, an instant messaging system may
`include an instant message server and a plurality of clients
`connected to the instant message server via a network. Each
`A messaging application (MA)user interface 10 is shown
`client may have software embodied in a computer-readable
`in FIG. 6. As used herein, MA refers to any software
`medium including instructions for causing the client
`to
`application or other software program (such as an operating
`provide a