It is often difficult for instant message (IM) users to manage conversations even when only speaking with a small number of individuals. The conversation can easily switch between topics ranging from anything from work related topics to their children's sports activities. Some IM clients, such as Sametime Connect, allow IM users to place all of their chat conversations in the same window separating them with a tab. There is, however, no known solution that allows users to organize conversations per user based on varied topics.
In accordance with embodiments consistent with the present invention, a method and system provides for organizing and controlling access to instant messaging conversations organized by topics. An existing instant messaging user, of a plurality of existing instant messaging users with access to an instant messaging conversation, tags one or more portions of the instant messaging conversation as tagged conversation topics of the existing instant messaging user. One or more of the plurality of existing instant messaging users may control access to the tagged conversation topics by inviting one or more new instant messaging users to selectively participate in the tagged conversation topics and not the instant messaging conversation in its entirety. In which of the one or more tagged conversation topics one or more new instant messaging users may participate is selected by one or more of the existing instant messaging users. The one or more new instant messaging users may then be invited to participate in the selected one or more tagged conversation topics and not the instant messaging conversation in its entirety.
The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, which describes certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
In accordance with embodiments consistent with the present invention, a method and system provides for organizing and controlling access to instant messaging conversations organized by topics. Conversations are separated out based on topics into new tabbed areas, thereby helping to organize individual IM users. An existing instant messaging user, of a plurality of existing instant messaging users with access to an instant messaging conversation, tags one or more portions of the instant messaging conversation as tagged conversation topics of the existing instant messaging user. One or more of the plurality of existing instant messaging users may control access to the tagged conversation topics by inviting one or more new instant messaging users to selectively participate in the tagged conversation topics and not the instant messaging conversation in its entirety. In which of the one or more tagged conversation topics one or more new instant messaging users may participate is selected by one or more of the existing instant messaging users. The one or more new instant messaging users may then be invited to participate in the selected one or more tagged conversation topics and not the instant messaging conversation in its entirety.
Reference is now made to flow 100 of
Creation of new conversation tabs may occur during a conversation, and may be performed automatically or manually. As the user is chatting with a fellow IM user, the topic changes to a new subject or topic. The system may either recognize this new switch or the user may manually indicate that a new topic is being discussed. The chat conversation is moved to a new tab for the same user with the related information. If the user wishes to move content between topics, they could do so by highlighting the text and adding to existing tabs or creating a new tab. When the user closes the chat window, the will have the option save all the chats by topics, such as USER1.PATENTS.txt, USER1.MENTORING.txt, USER1.DEFECTS.txt. Topic tab examples illustrated in
When a new conversation tab is saved, the system could pull up a list of same-named tabs within the system. Then, the user can select from that list or create a new file to save the information. This would provide a way to have a running history of a topics conversation. It could be based on USER1.DEFECTS or through an entire set of buddies, such as ALL.DEFECTS.
With regard to manual topic tab creation, the user may type a keyword to indicate that the next information should be contained within a tab. The user could highlight and right click to select a tab to move the content to. The content could then be highlighted and drag and dropped to the desired tab. Automatic topic tab creation may encourage using a method to extract a topic or to recognize a change in idea flows from an IM conversation; the general overall topic could then be used to create a new tab.
Consider the IM conversation illustrated in
Such a conversation viewable to INVITEE1 may include the following:
The ability to select sections of an IM conversation that are to be marked off and for the user to assign a conversation topic to each section as a topic, so that multiple topic tabs may be displayed for selected by a user in the same window.
It is further envisioned that in accordance with certain embodiments, an IM user can manually drag and drop the sections of the conversation that are of a certain topic and place them in the correct topic tab in order to recall that information later. They might choose not to “save” information because it's not important. Suppose USER1 did not care about the weather but was interested in logging information about bug fixes. In this case she might save the bug information. However, USER2 might be interested in saving everything so USER2 opts to save both the WEATHER and the DEFECT conversations. We could also specify a tag or keyword to specify to the system which tab the topics belong to, such as follows:
USER 2: WEATHER: Hey, can you believe this rain
USER 1: WEATHER: no! It's out of control and has been raining for 3 hours straight
USER 2: WEATHER: Yeah, the trees outside my window have uprooted
USER 1: DEFECT: Did you fix that bug for PIM
USER 2: WEATHER: I heard on the news that all the city transportation lines were closed
USER 2: DEFECT: Yes, it's fixed and checked in
The way these tags are added could be automatically based on the last line until the user changes it. Or, the system might choose from a list of past tags. Or, the system might prompt the user to begin typing the tag and then they can select. Alternately, the system could show a list from which the user may choose, etc. Any of these implementation details allows USER 1 and USER 2 to continue talking about various topics without leaving the current chat window; this may be contrasted with other programs which make the user go to the tab first and then chat. Also, all conversations on a topic may be saved for easy recall, or the user could choose to only view topic conversations for a specific IM buddy. Inviting others and allowing them to see only the discussion on a specific topic rather than the entire conversation is a unique feature consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention; this is in contrast to other IM programs, such as Microsoft, that require both users to use their client. The embodiments disclosed herein work with users from other instant messaging clients. While other users might not have the support of topics the users that do would have the ability to store their conversations in an easy to retrieve manner.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.