System and method for incorporating short message service (SMS) and multimedia messaging service (MMS) contacts into an instant messaging interface
US9014729B2 · kind B2 · utility
7Cited by
4References
27Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M1/27467
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method are provided wherein SMS-only contacts are integrated into an IM environment. An IM contact list interface distinguishes between SMS and IM chats (and contacts), such that limitations and potential differential costs associated with the respective mediums can be identified. The system is also configured to route SMS messages into the IM contact list interface for later filtering and/or selection by the user. By providing SMS-specific categories with the IM contact list interface SMS integration operations such as routing of SMS messages can be controlled to avoid degrading the user's experience.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.