US007281215B1
`
`(12)
`
`United States Patent
`Can?eld et a].
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,281,215 B1
`Oct. 9, 2007
`
`(54) IM CONVERSATION COUNTER AND
`INDICATOR
`
`(75) Inventors: James Andrew Can?eld, Arlington, VA
`(Us); Kenneth Carbone’ 5
`andale’
`_
`.
`.
`.
`VA (US), David Fairlie Colburn,
`_
`_
`Reston, VA (US), Linda N0ls Myers,
`Purcellvllle, VA (Us); Thomas E- Van
`Lenten, Ashburn, VA (Us); Gregory
`Alan Willis, Arlington, VA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: AOL LLC, Dulles, VA (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U S C 154(1)) by 689 days
`
`(21) Appl. N0.: 10/208,187
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 31, 2002
`
`-
`-
`Related U's' Apphcatlon Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/376,181, ?led on Apr.
`30, 2002.
`
`(51) Int Cl
`'
`'
`(200601)
`G06F 3/ 00
`(52) US. Cl. ..................................... .. 715/752; 715/758
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search .............. .. 715/752,
`715/753, 754, 755, 756, 757, 758
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`_
`References Cited
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`(56)
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`d
`C t'
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`_
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`_
`Contmued)
`(
`Primary ExamineriKristine Kincaid
`A '
`E '
`Ry P‘
`sslstant xammeri an 1taro
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or F irmiFish & Richardson PC.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A user interface that enables user perception of status
`regarding communications that leverage an instant messag
`ing platform may be rendered on a display. The user inter
`face includes an instant messaging application user interface
`that enables perception and selection of instant messages for
`an instant messaging user, and a status indicator that pro
`vides a perceivable indication to the user of statistics regard
`ing concurrent instant messaging sessions.
`
`54 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`{55'
`
`R’
`AOL will nave 5 you 01 rsd c1 itin inoration.
`
`
`15 12M 1' 22:9 1" "'5 ChattingChuok: howdy —[?$‘\ "2L
`typing...
`
`Sur?nJeny: how goes?
`
`90,-‘
`76a /
`?z/
`
`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1004
`001
`
`

`

`US 7,281,215 B1
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`_
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`6,539,421 B1
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`6,731,308 B1 *
`5/2004 Tang et al. ............... .. 715/751
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`6,907,447 B1 *
`6/2005 Cooperman et al. ...... .. 709/203
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`2002/0073207 A1* 6/2002 Widger et al. ............ .. 709/227
`2002/0097277 A1* 7/2002 Pitroda ..................... .. 345/854
`
`8/2002 Tang
`2002/0101446 A1
`2002/0130904 A1* 9/2002 Becker et al. ............ .. 345/753
`2002/0160819 A1 * 10/2002 Daurensan ................ .. 455/567
`2003/0030670 A1* 2/2003 Duarte et a1. ............. .. 345/758
`2003/0052915 A1 *
`3/2003 Brown et a1.
`345/752
`2003/0142141 A1 *
`7/2003 Brown et a1. ............. .. 345/805
`2003/0164862 A1
`9/2003 Cadiz et al.
`2003/0210265 A1 * 11/2003 Haimberg ................. .. 345/758
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Tricon Software, “Tricon Software & Development”, Apr. 20, 2001,
`Internet: http://www.triconsoft.com.*
`Microsoft, Microsoft Outlook 2000, Software, SP-3, Figures
`12-16.*
`“Design Requirements Document (DRD),” Instant AOL, Instant
`AOL Refresh v1.1, Document Version 8.0, Oct. 23, 2001, 8 pages.
`“Design Requirements Document (DRD),” Gamera, Revision 18,
`Apr. 10, 2001, 110 pages.
`Anonymous “GameSpy ArcadeiPlay Hundreds of Online
`Multiplayer Games”, Internet Document, [Online], pp. 1-3,
`retrieved from the internet, http://www.gamespyarcade.com/sup
`poIt/help/communicate.shtml [retrieved on Apr. 12, 2004].
`“AOL IM Companion”, Tricon Software & Development, published
`Mar. 7, 2001. 7 total pages retrieved Jul. 16, 2003 from World Wide
`Web:
`http://download.com.com/3000-2150-5056089.
`html?legacy:cnet (1 page); http://www.triconsoft.com/screenshots/
`mnuIMAnswer.jpg
`(1
`page);
`http://www.triconsoft.com/
`screenshots/mnuOptions.jpg (1 page); http://www.triconsoft.com/
`screenshots/IMCompanionTabsjpg (1 page); http://www.triconsoft.
`com/screenshots/IMCompanionListBoxjpg (1 page); http://www.
`triconsoft.com/IMCompanionasp (2 pages).
`“Move or Cover Sheets”, Microsoft Excel 2000 Help File. 8 total
`pages retrieved Jul. 21, 2003 from World Wide Web: http://www.
`triconsoft.com/IMCompanionShotsasp
`(4
`pages);
`mk:
`@MSITStore:C:\Program%20Files\Microsoft%200f?ce\Of?ce\
`1033\xlmain9.chm::/htm .
`.
`. (1 page); About Microsoft Excel (3
`pages).
`“A.I.M Frames”, BPS Software, lastest version Jul. 3, 2003, ?rst
`published version Jun. 1, 1998. 7 total pages retrieved Jul. 11, 2003
`from World Wide Web: http://www.bpssoft.com/AIMFrame/index.
`htrn (3 pages); http://www.bpssoft.com/AIMFrame/history.htm (4
`pages).
`“Power Tools Pro”, BPS Software, ?rst published release May 10,
`2000. 24 total pages retrieved Jul. 16, 2003 from World Wide Web:
`httpg//www,bpss()f[,COIn/PowefTools/historyhtm (19 pages); http;//
`www.bpssoft.com/PowerTools/images/shots/9pwrim.gif (1 page);
`http1//www,bpss()f[,QOIn/POWQITOOls/ptshotghtm (4 pages),
`International Search Report (6 pages).
`
`* Cited by examiner
`
`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1004
`002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 9, 2007
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`US 7,281,215 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`0a. 9, 2007
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1004
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`U.S. Patent
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`0a. 9, 2007
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1004
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 9, 2007
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`U.S. Patent
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`0a. 9, 2007
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 9, 2007
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`Oct. 9, 2007
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`Oct. 9, 2007
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`Oct. 9, 2007
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 9, 2007
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`Sheet 13 0f 13
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`US 7,281,215 B1
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1004
`015
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`

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`US 7,281,215 B1
`
`1
`IM CONVERSATION COUNTER AND
`INDICATOR
`
`This application claims priority from US. Provisional
`Application No. 60/376,181, ?led Apr. 30, 2002, Which is
`incorporated by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The following description relates generally to providing a
`graphical user interface and more particularly to providing
`an IM conversation counter and indicator for a tabbed
`instant messaging user interface.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Online service providers facilitate access to information
`and services by providing interactive UIs (User Interfaces)
`that help users navigate to desired resources. UIs often take
`advantage of the graphics capabilities of a user’s computer
`and eliminate the need to manually type text commands.
`Generally, a UI alloWs a user to simply select screen objects
`such as icons, WindoWs, and drop-doWn menus to execute
`particular commands or to link to certain locations. The
`design of a UI has a signi?cant impact on a user’s online
`experience. In particular, the icons, WindoWs, and menus of
`a UI must be arranged to enable a user to locate preferred
`information and services quickly and easily. Conventionally,
`navigation among interfaces corresponding to separate com
`munications sessions Was accomplished through the selec
`tion if disparate icons appearing in an operating system task
`bar, Where the icons appeared along With other icons that did
`not correspond to communications sessions.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In one general aspect, a user interface that enables user
`perception of status regarding communications that leverage
`an instant messaging platform may be rendered on a display.
`The user interface includes an instant messaging application
`user interface that enables perception and selection of instant
`messages for an instant messaging user, and a status indi
`cator that provides a perceivable indication to the user of
`statistics regarding concurrent instant messaging sessions.
`Implementations may include one or more of the folloW
`ing features. For example, the user interface may also
`include one or more instant messaging sub-interfaces that
`represent distinct and concurrent instant messaging commu
`nications sessions. In one implementation, the user interface
`includes a perceivable status indication that a neW message
`is pending in at least one concurrent instant messaging
`session.
`In another implementation, the user interface also
`includes a mechanism to determine the statistics. The sta
`tistics may include one or more of the folloWing: a total
`number of concurrent instant messaging sessions; a number
`of instant messaging sessions With neW messages; a number
`of neW instant messaging sessions; and a number of neW
`instant messages. The number of instant messaging sessions
`With neW messages may further include a number of neW
`instant messaging sessions With neW messages and a number
`of old instant messaging sessions With neW messages.
`The statistics may be rendered in numerous positions on
`the display. For example, the statistics may be rendered in a
`title bar, in a tab header in an interface having persistent tabs,
`in an operating system tray, in a user interface toolbar, in a
`general interface that persists beyond active display of the
`
`20
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`25
`
`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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`55
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`60
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`65
`
`2
`user interface, or in a general interface actionable item that
`is arranged in a position on the display and that persists
`beyond active display of the user interface, Where the
`general user interface actionable item enables activation of
`the user interface.
`In one implementation, the user interface is a visual
`interface. In another implementation, the user interface is an
`audible interface.
`Aspects of the IM conversation counter and indicator for
`a tabbed IM user interface may be implemented by an
`apparatus and/or by a computer program stored on a com
`puter readable medium. The computer readable medium
`may comprise a disc, a client device, a host device, and/or
`a propagated signal. In addition, aspects of the IM conver
`sation counter and indicator for a tabbed IM user interface
`may be implemented in a client/host context or in a stan
`dalone or of?ine client device. The IM conversation counter
`and indicator for a tabbed IM user interface may be rendered
`in a client/host context and may be accessed or updated
`through a remote device in a client/host environment. The
`IM conversation counter and indicator for a tabbed IM user
`interface also may be rendered by the stanalone/of?ine
`device and may be accessed or updated through a remote
`device in a non-client/host environment such as, for
`example, a LAN server serving an end user or a mainframe
`serving a terminal device.
`Other features and advantages Will be apparent from the
`folloWing description, including the draWings, and from the
`claims.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`FIGS. 1-4 are block diagrams of a communications sys
`tem.
`FIGS. 5-12 are illustrations of different graphical user
`interfaces that may be implemented by the systems of FIGS.
`1-4 When executing the process of FIG. 13.
`FIG. 13 is a How chart of a process that may be imple
`mented by the systems of FIGS. 1-4.
`Like reference symbols in the various draWings indicate
`like elements.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In general, an IM conversation counter and indicator may
`be provided for a tabbed instant messaging (IM) user
`interface (U I), and the tabbed IM UI may have one or more
`IM interface tabs. Each interface tab is assigned to a pending
`IM session, and the tabs appear adjacent to one another to,
`among other things, help ease sWitching betWeen IM ses
`sions. An active tab is rendered for the IM session currently
`being vieWed by the user, and inactive tabs are rendered for
`the IM sessions Which are not currently being vieWed by the
`user. A interface tab typically includes an identi?er, such as
`the screen name of an IM buddy, to identify the particular IM
`session to Which it is assigned. When displayed, the iden
`ti?er for an IM session is con?gured such that a user is able
`to read or otherWise recogniZe the identi?er no matter hoW
`many other IM sessions are pending. An interface tab also
`includes a status indicator to indicate Whether a neW IM
`message is Waiting to be vieWed for that session. A conver
`sation counter may be provided to inform the user of
`information relating to the concurrent IM sessions, such as
`the total number of concurrent IM sessions, the number of
`neW IM sessions, and the number of ongoing IM sessions
`having a neW IM message Waiting to be vieWed. A scroll bar
`is provided for scrolling to perceive tabs corresponding to
`
`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1004
`016
`
`

`

`US 7,281,215 B1
`
`3
`open IM sessions When the total number of concurrent IM
`sessions exceeds the maximum number of concurrent con
`versations that may be displayed simultaneously. The scroll
`bar alloWs a user to scroll up and doWn among the concur
`rent IM sessions, and may provide an indication that one or
`more of the IM sessions “hidden” by the scroll bar has a neW
`IM message Waiting to be vieWed.
`In one implementation, an IM counter and indicator is
`provided on a tabbed IM UI to count the total number of
`concurrent IM sessions, the number of neW IM sessions,
`and/or the number of neW messages from ongoing IM
`sessions. AneW IM session (i.e., a neW conversation) may be
`?agged differently from an ongoing IM session With a neW
`message. Thus, a user knoWs if and hoW many neW IM
`sessions and/or neW IM messages are present, even When
`vieWing a different content area. Furthermore, When using
`the tabbed instant message (IM) user interface, neW IM
`messages may or may not be forced into the foreground.
`An indicator is provided to the user to indicate Whether
`the user has vieWed a received IM message in an existing IM
`session. For example, an indicator such as a blinking inter
`face tab or area on an interface tab may be provided for a
`received IM message that has not been vieWed. When the
`user vieWs the received IM, the indicator may change to a
`solid IM interface tab or area on an interface tab. The user
`Will be able to knoW that a neW, unvieWed message has been
`received Without having to close a WindoW or leave a current
`IM session, and once vieWed, the indicator changes Without
`having to actually reply to the message itself. A different
`visual indication may be provided for a neW IM session to
`distinguish the neW session from a neW message in an old
`session. The tabbed IM user interface may be rendered in
`response to user manipulation of a general IM user interface
`tab.
`The IM conversation counter and indicator for a tabbed
`IM user interface may be rendered by any type of hardWare,
`softWare, device, computer, computer system, equipment,
`component, program, application, code, storage medium, or
`propagated signal. In one implementation, the IM conver
`sation counter and indicator for a tabbed IM user interface
`may be rendered in a client/host context, and the IM
`conversation counter and indicator for a tabbed IM user
`interface may be accessed or updated through a remote
`device in a client/host environment. In another implemen
`tation, the IM conversation counter and indicator for a
`tabbed IM user interface may be implemented in a standa
`lone or o?line client context. The IM conversation counter
`and indicator for a tabbed IM user interface may be rendered
`by the standalone/of?ine device and may be accessed or
`updated through a remote device in a non-client/host envi
`ronment such as, for example, a LAN server serving an end
`user or a mainframe serving a terminal device.
`Typically, instant messaging communications involves an
`instantaneous or nearly instantaneous communication
`betWeen tWo users, Where each user is provided With online
`presence information regarding other selected users (“bud
`dies”).
`For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 1 and 2 shoW an example
`of a communications system for implementing techniques
`for transferring electronic data. For brevity, several elements
`in the ?gures described beloW are represented as monolithic
`entities. HoWever, as Would be understood by one skilled in
`the art, these elements each may include numerous inter
`connected computers and components designed to perform
`a set of speci?ed operations and/or may be dedicated to a
`particular geographical region.
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`FIG. 1 illustrates a communications system 100 including
`a client system 105 communicating With a host system 110
`through a communications link 115.
`The client device 120 typically includes a general-purpose
`computer 170 having an internal or external storage 172 for
`storing data and programs such as an operating system 174
`(e.g., DOS, WindoWsTM, WindoWs 95TM, WindoWs 98TM,
`WindoWs 2000TM, WindoWs MeTM, WindoWs XPTM, Win
`doWs NTTM, OS/2, or Linux) and one or more application
`programs. Examples of application programs include
`authoring applications 176 (e.g., Word processing, database
`programs, spreadsheet programs, or graphics programs)
`capable of generating documents or other electronic content;
`client applications 178 (e.g., AOL client, CompuServe cli
`ent, AIM client, AOL TV client, ISP client, or IM client)
`capable of communicating With other computer users,
`accessing various computer resources, and vieWing, creat
`ing, or otherWise manipulating electronic content; and
`broWser applications 180 (e.g., Netscape’s Navigator or
`Microsoft’s Internet Explorer) capable of rendering standard
`Internet content.
`The general-purpose computer 170 also includes a central
`processing unit 182 (CPU) for executing instructions in
`response to commands from the client controller 125. In one
`implementation, the client controller 125 includes one or
`more of the application programs installed on the internal or
`external storage 172 of the general-purpose computer 170.
`In another implementation, the client controller 125 includes
`application programs externally stored in and performed by
`one or more device(s) external to the general-purpose com
`puter 170.
`The general-purpose computer typically Will include a
`communication device 184 for sending and receiving data.
`One example of the communication device 184 is a modem.
`Other examples include a transceiver, a set-top box, a
`communication card, a satellite dish, an antenna, or another
`netWork adapter capable of transmitting and receiving data
`over the communications link 115 through a Wired or
`Wireless data pathWay 150. The general-purpose computer
`170 also may be a television (“TV”) tuner 186 for receiving
`television programming in the form of broadcast, satellite,
`and/or cable TV signals. As a result, the client device 120
`can selectively and/or simultaneously display netWork con
`tent received by communications device 184 and television
`programming content received by the TV tuner 186.
`The general-purpose computer 170 typically Will include
`an input/output interface 188 for Wired or Wireless connec
`tion to various peripheral devices 190. Examples of periph
`eral devices 190 include, but are not limited to, a mouse 191,
`a mobile phone 192, a personal digital assistant 193 (PDA),
`an MP3 player (not shoWn), a keyboard 194, a display
`monitor 195 With or Without a touch screen input, a TV
`remote control 196 for receiving information from and
`rendering information to users, and an audiovisual input
`device 198.
`Although FIG. 1 illustrates devices such as a mobile
`telephone 192, a PDA 193, and a TV remote control 196 as
`being peripheral With respect to the general-purpose com
`puter 170, in another implementation, such devices may
`themselves include the functionality of the general-purpose
`computer 170 and operate as the client device 120. For
`example, the mobile phone 192 or the PDA 193 may include
`computing and netWorking capabilities and function as a
`client device 120 by accessing the delivery netWork 160 and
`communicating With the host system 110. Furthermore, the
`client system 105 may include one, some or all of the
`components and devices described above.
`
`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1004
`017
`
`

`

`US 7,281,215 B1
`
`5
`A graphical user interface, such as a tabbed IM user
`interface, may be displayed on the display monitor 195 or
`other peripheral device 190. A tabbed IM user interface
`includes one or more tabs located adjacent to one another,
`and each tab is assigned to an IM session. An IM conver
`sation counter and indicator may be provided for the tabbed
`IM user interface.
`Referring to FIG. 2, a communications system 200 is
`capable of delivering and exchanging data between a client
`system 105 and a host system 110 through a communica
`tions link 115. The client system 105 typically includes one
`or more client devices 120 and/ or client controllers 125, and
`the host system 110 typically includes one or more host
`devices 135 and/or host controllers 140. For example, the
`client system 105 or the host system 110 may include one or
`more general-purpose computers (e.g., personal computers),
`one or more special-purpose computers (e.g., devices spe
`ci?cally programmed to communicate with each other and/
`or the client system 105 or the host system 110), or a
`combination of one or more general-purpose computers and
`one or more special-purpose computers. The client system
`105 and the host system 110 may be arranged to operated
`within or in concert with one or more other systems, such as,
`for example, one or more LANs (“Local Area Networks”)
`and/or one or more WANs (“Wide Area Networks”).
`The client device 120 and the host device 135 are gen
`erally capable of executing instructions under the command
`of, respectively, a client controller 125 and a host controller
`140. The client device 120 and the host device 135 are
`connected to, respectively, the client controller 125 and the
`host controller 140 by, respectively wired or wireless data
`pathways 130 and 145, which are capable of delivering data.
`The client device 120, the client controller 125, the host
`device 135, and the host controller 140 each typically
`include one or more hardware components and/ or software
`components. An example of a client device 120 or a host
`device 135 is a general-purpose computer (e.g., a personal
`computer) capable of responding to and executing instruc
`tions in a de?ned manner. Other examples include a special
`purpose computer, a workstation, a server, a device, a
`component, other physical or virtual equipment or some
`combination of these capable of responding to and executing
`instructions. The client device 120 and the host device 135
`may include devices that are capable of peer-to-peer com
`munications.
`An example of client controller 125 or host controller 140
`is a software application loaded on the client device 120 or
`the host device 135 for commanding and directing commu
`nications enabled by the client device 120 or the host device
`135. Other examples include a program, a piece of code, an
`instruction, a device, a computer, a computer system, or a
`combination of these for independently or collectively
`instructing the client device 120 or the host device 135 to
`interact and operated as described. The client controller 125
`and the host controller 140 may be embodied permanently or
`temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or
`virtual equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal
`capable of providing instructions to the client device 120
`and the host device 135.
`The communications link 115 typically includes a deliv
`ery network 160 making a direct or indirect communication
`between the client system 105 and the host system 110,
`irrespective of physical separation. Examples of a delivery
`network 160 include the Internet, the World Wide Web,
`WANs, LANs, analog or digital wired and wireless tele
`phone networks (e.g. PSTN, ISDN, and xDSL), radio,
`television, cable, or satellite systems, and any other delivery
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`mechanism for carrying data. The communications link 115
`may include communication pathways 150, 155 that enable
`communications through the one or more delivery networks
`160 described above. Each of the communication pathways
`150, 155 may include, for example, a wired, wireless, cable
`or satellite communication pathway.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a communications system 300 including
`a client system 105 communicating with a buddy client
`system 305 and an IM host system 310 through a commu
`nication link 115. Such a communications system may be
`used by users of IM service providers, such as, for example,
`AIM, ICQ, Yahoo Messenger, and Microsoft Messenger.
`In one implementation, the IM host system 310 may have
`characteristics similar to those described above with respect
`to host system 110. The client system 105 and the buddy
`client system 305 may include communication software to
`enable access to the IM host system 310 by users.
`In general, the IM host system 310 supports instant
`messaging services irrespective of a user’s network or
`Internet access. Thus, the IM host system 310 allows users
`to send and receive instant messages, regardless of whether
`they have access to any particular ISP. The IM host system
`310 may support associated services, such as administrative
`matters, advertising, directory services, chat, and interest
`groups related to the instant messaging. The IM host system
`310 has an architecture that enables the machines (e.g.,
`servers) within the IM host system 310 to communicate with
`each other. To transfer data, the IM host system 310 employs
`one or more standard or exclusive IM protocols.
`To access the IM host system 310 to begin an instant
`messaging session in the implementation of FIG. 3, the
`client system 105 establishes a connection to the IM host
`system 310. Once a connection to the IM host system 310
`has been established, the client system 105 may directly or
`indirectly transmit data to and access content from the IM
`host system 310. By accessing the IM host system, a user
`can use the IM client application to view whether particular
`users (“buddies”) are online, exchange instant messages
`with particular buddies, participate in group chat rooms,
`trade ?les such as pictures, invitations or documents, ?nd
`other buddies with similar interests, get customiZed infor
`mation such as news and stock quotes, and search the Web.
`For example a user who is using client system 105 may
`view whether a buddy using buddy client system 305 is
`online, and typically may view whether the buddy is able to
`receive instant messages. If the buddy is online, the user may
`exchange instant messages with that buddy