User interface for transitioning between chat and email
US7756936B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L51/043
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Instant messaging, also known as chat, is integrated with electronic mail in a user interface that provides for conversion of messages between electronic mail (email) and instant messaging. A user interface is provided for allowing a user who is composing an email message to convert the message to a chat message. The chat message will include any content that was present in the electronic mail message, and the user can continue to compose the chat message, and then send it to a chat address determined automatically from the email address of the original email message. Notifications are provided that indicate when chat users have logged on to or logged off from the chat service. These notifications assist a user composing a message to select the most appropriate communication method based upon the current online presence of the intended recipient. A user interface for converting messages in the opposite direction, from chat to email, is also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.