US20170090718A1 - Linking selected messages in electronic message threads - Google Patents

Linking selected messages in electronic message threads Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20170090718A1
US20170090718A1 US14/865,035 US201514865035A US2017090718A1 US 20170090718 A1 US20170090718 A1 US 20170090718A1 US 201514865035 A US201514865035 A US 201514865035A US 2017090718 A1 US2017090718 A1 US 2017090718A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
message
messages
program instructions
computer
graphical element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/865,035
Inventor
Xiang Chen
Bin Gu
Cheng Fang Wang
Wumi Zhong
Jia Zou
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
International Business Machines Corp
Original Assignee
International Business Machines Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by International Business Machines Corp filed Critical International Business Machines Corp
Priority to US14/865,035 priority Critical patent/US20170090718A1/en
Assigned to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION reassignment INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WANG, CHENG FANG, ZOU, Jia, CHEN, XIANG, GU, BIN, ZHONG, WUMI
Priority to US14/977,850 priority patent/US9438542B1/en
Priority to US15/185,759 priority patent/US9596200B1/en
Priority to US15/372,720 priority patent/US9772750B2/en
Publication of US20170090718A1 publication Critical patent/US20170090718A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L51/00User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
    • H04L51/21Monitoring or handling of messages
    • H04L51/216Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
    • G06F3/0482Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
    • G06F17/2235
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
    • G06F3/04817Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance using icons
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0484Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
    • G06F3/04842Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F40/00Handling natural language data
    • G06F40/10Text processing
    • G06F40/12Use of codes for handling textual entities
    • G06F40/134Hyperlinking
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L51/00User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
    • H04L51/04Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
    • H04L51/22
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L51/00User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
    • H04L51/42Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/06Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
    • H04W4/08User group management
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/12Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
    • H04W4/14Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the field of electronic messages, and more particularly to grouping electronic messages.
  • individuals can engage in multi-party message conversations using electronic message services, such as text messages.
  • electronic message services such as text messages.
  • users of electronic message services can select a few options to select whom they send the message to.
  • users involved with a group message can typically select a “Reply” option, which enables a user to respond to all participants of the group message.
  • user messages sent in reply to a group message e.g., a group chat
  • Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, program products, and systems for linking selected messages in electronic message threads.
  • a method comprising: identifying a set of related messages, wherein the set of related messages includes at least a first message and a second message related to the first message; displaying in a user interface displaying the first message, a graphical element associated with the first message; and responsive to receiving a user interaction with a visual indication, displaying the second message; wherein the second message is one of the following: a message that responds to the first message or a message that the first message responds to.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computing environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating operational steps of linking messages in electronic message threads, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating operational steps for creating a graphical element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGS. 4A-4C are example screenshots of a user interface displaying messages before and after creating a graphical element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are example screenshots of a user interface displaying before and after graphical elements displaying linked messages, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram of internal and external components of the computer systems of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Embodiments of the present invention recognize that in multi-party message conversations, messages and responses to those messages can be misinterpreted by users. In some instances, multiple questions from different users may be asked and a response to any one of those questions may be misinterpreted as a response for the other questions. For example, a group message between three users (alpha, beta, gamma) can have two questions A and B from user alpha and beta respectively. A response by user gamma could be misinterpreted as a response to either question A or B. Typically, to distinguish between responses, a user (e.g., user gamma) would have to manually identify and provide enough textual detail for other users (e.g., alpha and beta) to discern which question is being answered. Embodiments of the present invention provide solutions to eliminate potential confusion between users in group messages. In this manner, as discussed in greater detail in this specification, embodiments of the present invention can be used to continue message conversations without having to manually identify which responses correspond to each other.
  • FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of computing environment 100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Computing environment 100 includes computer system 102 , mobile computer system 110 , and mobile computer system 108 .
  • Computer system 102 , mobile computer system 110 , and mobile computer system 108 can be desktop computers, laptop computers, specialized computer servers, mobile devices, or any other computer systems known in the art.
  • computer system 102 , mobile computer system 110 , and mobile computer system 108 represent computer systems utilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool of seamless resources when accessed through network 106 .
  • such embodiments may be used in data center, cloud computing, storage area network (SAN), and network attached storage (NAS) applications.
  • SAN storage area network
  • NAS network attached storage
  • computer system 102 , mobile computer system 110 , and mobile computer system 108 represent virtual machines.
  • computer system 102 , mobile computer system 110 , and mobile computer system 108 are representative of any electronic devices, or combination of electronic devices, capable of executing machine-readable program instructions, as described in greater detail with regard to FIG. 6 .
  • Computer system 102 includes message analysis program 104 .
  • Message analysis program 104 communicates with mobile computer system 108 and mobile computer system 110 to receive messages from mobile computer systems 108 and 110 to create a visual indication of linked messages for user interfaces (not shown) of mobile computer systems 108 and 110 based, at least in part, on content of the messages as well as the relationship each message has to previous messages, as discussed in greater detail with regard to FIGS. 2-3 .
  • message analysis program 104 can be stored locally on mobile computer systems 108 and 110 .
  • a relationship between a selected message and a subsequent message can be a parent/child relationship (e.g., a selected message, and a response to the selected message).
  • Multiple messages sent to more than one individual can be designated as having a sibling relationship (e.g., two or more messages sent in parallel to multiple recipients). For example, one person may send a message asking a question to three other people. The messages generated in response to the question can be identified as siblings.
  • each message is associated with metadata that can be used to classify and identify each respective message.
  • each message is associated with a respective message ID that distinguishes that message from another.
  • the message ID can also indicate the author of the message.
  • Each message is also associated with a corresponding timestamp that indicates when the message was transmitted.
  • message analysis program 104 can identify relationships between messages and use those relationships to create visual indications of those relationships which can eliminate confusion between responses to messages.
  • individuals alpha, beta, gamma, and delta can send messages M 1-3 .
  • Messages M 1-3 each ask a different question addressed to individual delta.
  • Individual delta responds to questions posed in messages M 1-3 by generating messages M 4-6 containing the following content: “yes”, “no”, and “yes”, respectively.
  • Message analysis program 104 can identify parent/child relationships exist between messages M 1 and M 4 , between messages M 2 and M 5 , and between messages M 3 and M 6 .
  • Message analysis program 104 can use the identified parent/child relationships to create graphical elements for a user interface displaying messages.
  • graphical element refers to a visual indication displayable by the user interface that denotes relationships between messages (e.g., a parent/child relationship) and/or identifies participants of those messages.
  • graphical elements are capable of being interacted with by users of the user interface. For example, responsive to a user interaction with a graphical element associated with a first message, message analysis program 104 can display a visual indication that corresponds to a second message that responds to the first message, as described later in this specification.
  • a graphical element can be one or more symbols (e.g., arrows) for each respective message displayed in the user interface. For example, a “down arrow” at the end of a message denotes a parent message while an “up arrow” denotes a child message.
  • message analysis program 104 can use any number of combination of symbols and/or characters to denote parent and child relationships.
  • a graphical element may be a visual indication other than a combination of symbols and/or characters.
  • a graphical element can be a visual indication that includes highlighting related messages (e.g., parent/child relationship), where the related messages themselves are capable of being interacted with by users of the user interface.
  • a graphical element may also serve as a visual indication that is displayed in response to receiving a user interaction with a different graphical element.
  • a user may select graphical element A (e.g., clicking on graphical element A on a computer screen) associated with a first message and the resulting visual indication is a highlighted graphical element (e.g., graphical element B) associated with a second message, where the second message responds to the first message.
  • graphical element A e.g., clicking on graphical element A on a computer screen
  • the resulting visual indication is a highlighted graphical element (e.g., graphical element B) associated with a second message, where the second message responds to the first message.
  • message analysis program 104 can create a visual indication by moving identified responses (e.g., child message) in a position directly beneath parent messages. For example, in a group message between four individuals alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, individuals alpha, beta, and gamma can send messages M 1-3 . Messages M 1-3 each ask a different question addressed to individual delta. Individual delta responds to questions posed in messages M 1-3 by generating messages M 4-6 containing the following content: “yes”, “no”, and “yes”, respectively. Message analysis program 104 can identify parent/child relationships exist between messages M 1 and M 4 , between messages M 2 and M 5 , and between messages M 3 and M 6 . Message analysis program 104 can then create a visual indication by moving message M 4 directly beneath message M 1 , moving message M 5 beneath message M 2 , and moving message M 6 beneath message M 3 .
  • identified responses e.g., child message
  • a user interface displaying messages can have icons associated with users followed by content of a sent message of the user.
  • a group message e.g., a group text
  • a user device e.g., mobile phone
  • the user interface displaying messages sent by one or more users can be implemented with any combination of one or more message interface applications.
  • message analysis program 104 can create a graphical element for the user interface by adding a “down arrow” to the end of the content of message M 1 to denote that message M 1 is a parent message. For messages M 2 and M 3 , message analysis program 104 can add “up arrows” to each respective message to indicate a child relationship to message M 1 .
  • Message analysis program 104 can display a visual indication to show the identified relationships (e.g., subsequent messages generated in response to a message or messages that are being responded to).
  • message analysis program 104 can, responsive to a user selecting a graphical element (e.g., an up or down arrow) display one or more icons of users next to the added arrow (e.g., to show a message that responds to an earlier message) that enlarge when a message is selected to identify participants that have responded to the selected message, as discussed in greater detail, with regard to FIGS. 5A and 5B .
  • message Mi includes a “down arrow” that denotes that it is a parent message.
  • Message analysis program 104 can include a visual indication that, responsive to a user selecting message M 1 , enlarges the icons associated with users that have responded to message M 1 . For example, responsive to selecting message M 1 , message analysis program 104 can display enlarged icons associated with users beta and gamma to show that users beta and gamma have responded to message M 1 . Conversely, message analysis program 104 can, responsive to selecting a “child message”, display an enlarged icon of the user who generated the “parent message”. For example, responsive to selecting message M 2 , the icon for user alpha (i.e., the person who generated message M 1 which has been identified as the parent message) is enlarged and displayed.
  • the icon for user alpha i.e., the person who generated message M 1 which has been identified as the parent message
  • Mobile computer systems 108 and 110 communicate with message analysis program 104 via network 106 to receive graphical elements indicating linked messages from an originating message device to a receiving message device.
  • mobile computer system 108 and 110 are cellular devices (i.e. mobile phones).
  • mobile computer system 108 and 110 can be implemented with any device capable of sending and receiving messages.
  • a message refers to any electronic communication medium known in the art.
  • a message can be a text message, e-mail, multimedia message service (MMS) message, etc.
  • originating message device refers to a communication device (e.g., mobile computer system 108 ) that is used, for illustrative purposes, as a device that initiates a message.
  • receiving message device refers to a communication device (e.g., mobile computer system 110 ) that is used as the device that receives a message.
  • this embodiment may be discussed with respect to mobile computer system 108 serving as the originating message device and mobile computer system 110 serving as the receiving message device. It should be understood that either mobile computer system can serve as the originating message device while the other serves as the receiving message device.
  • Network 106 can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of the two, and include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections.
  • network 106 can be any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between computer system 102 , mobile computer system 108 , and mobile computer system 110 , in accordance with a desired embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart 200 illustrating operational steps of linking messages in electronic message threads, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • message analysis program 104 receives input from mobile computer system 108 .
  • an input may be an original message (i.e., a parent message) or a response to an original message (i.e., a child message).
  • a user may specify that the input is an original message or a response to an original message.
  • message analysis program 104 can then identify parent/child relationships between messages.
  • message analysis program 104 can receive inputs from one or more components of computing environment 100 .
  • message analysis program 104 can identify an original message (i.e., a parent message) or a response to an original message (i.e., a child message) using natural language processing.
  • message analysis program 104 can identify relationships between messages using natural language processing.
  • message analysis program 104 can use natural language annotations (e.g., sentence splitting, tokenization, POS tagging, chunking, dependency parsing, and anaphora resolution, etc.) to process the semantics of the text.
  • message analysis program 104 creates a graphical element for a user interface that displays messages for mobile computer system 108 .
  • message analysis program 104 creates a graphical element for the user interface displaying messages by adding arrows to indicate message relatedness, linking related messages, and listing icons of users associated with the linked messages, as discussed in greater detail with regard to FIG. 3 .
  • message analysis program 104 returns the graphical element for the user interface that displays messages to mobile computer system 108 and 110 .
  • message analysis program 104 returns the graphical element by transmitting the graphical element to mobile computer systems 108 and 110 via network 106 .
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart 300 illustrating operational steps for creating a graphical element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the operational steps of flowchart 300 can be performed at step 204 of flowchart 200 .
  • message analysis program 104 adds arrows to messages of the user interface displaying messages.
  • message analysis program 104 adds arrows to messages based, at least in part on message relatedness (e.g., parent/child relationship).
  • message analysis program 104 can add arrows to the end of messages to denote relationships (e.g., parent/child relationship).
  • a “down arrow” indicates a parent message.
  • an “up arrow” denotes a child message.
  • message analysis program 104 can use any combination of symbols to denote message relatedness.
  • An example output of step 302 is discussed in greater detail with regard to FIGS. 4A and 4B .
  • message analysis program 104 can add a number following the “down arrow” to indicate the number of child messages that have responded to the parent message. For example, two subsequent child messages can respond to a parent message. Message analysis program 104 can then add a down arrow to the parent message and a number two in front of the arrow to indicate that two separate child messages have responded.
  • message analysis program 104 can add a number following the “up arrow” to show that the child message responds to more than one parent message. For example, in a group message between four users, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, users alpha, beta, and gamma may generate messages M 1-3 , respectively. User delta generates two messages M 4 and M 5 and has indicated that message M 4 responds to message M 1 and M 2 , while message M 5 responds to message M 3 . Message analysis program 104 can then add down arrows at the end of messages M 1-3 . Message analysis program 104 also adds up arrows to the ends of messages M 4 and M 5 . Message analysis program 104 can then add a number two in front of the up arrow to denote that message M 4 responds to multiple parent messages (e.g., messages M 1 and M 2 ).
  • message analysis program 104 links related messages.
  • message analysis program 104 links related messages by associating parent and child messages so that responsive to selecting one, retrieves the other.
  • a group message can have three messages M 1-3 .
  • Message M 1 is an original, parent message.
  • Message M 2 is an unrelated parent message.
  • Message M 3 is a child message that responds to message M 1 .
  • Message analysis program 104 can link messages M 1 and M 3 so that by selecting message M 1 , the user interface scrolls over unrelated messages (e.g., message M 2 ) and displays message M 3 .
  • message analysis program 104 lists icons associated with users that corresponds to each linked related message.
  • message analysis program 104 can list icons at the end of each linked message (i.e., next to the added arrow) to denote users associated with linked messages.
  • a group message can have three messages M 1-3 .
  • Message M 1 is an original, parent message associated with icon A of user alpha.
  • Message M 2 is an unrelated parent message associated with icon B of user beta.
  • Message M 3 is a child message that responds to message M 1 and is associated with icon C of user gamma.
  • Message analysis program 104 displays miniature icons A and C at the end of message M 1 .
  • An example output of step 306 is discussed in greater detail with regard to FIGS. 4C and 5B .
  • message analysis program 104 can enlarge the miniature icons responsive to selecting a linked message.
  • a user may select linked message M 1 .
  • message analysis program 104 can enlarge icons associated with users alpha and gamma.
  • a message may be selected via a touch screen and pressing an area of the screen that corresponds to the message and holding the point for a user-defined number of seconds.
  • message analysis program 104 can hide the miniature icons and display them responsive to a user selecting an option to display the miniature icons. For example, in a touch screen display, an option may be selecting an area of a screen display. Responsive to a user selecting an area of the screen display, message analysis program 104 can display the miniature icons.
  • message analysis program 104 can scroll to the response of a parent message responsive to a user selecting the miniature icon.
  • message analysis program 104 can enlarge icons associated with users alpha and gamma. Responsive to a user selecting the icon associated with user alpha, message analysis program 104 can scroll through the group message (i.e., to skip over message M 2 ) to display the response of user alpha (e.g., to display message M 3 ).
  • message analysis program 104 creates a graphical element that users can interact with to avoid potential confusion in a group message.
  • message analysis program 104 creates a graphical element to users by: identifying relationships between messages based, at least in part on the content of the message; adding up and down arrows to differentiate between parent and child messages; and listing icons associated with users to enable a user to identify which users have responded to messages.
  • FIGS. 4A-4C are example screenshots of a user interface displaying messages before and after creating a graphical element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a group message comprising five messages between five users (e.g., alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon) is described.
  • Each user is associated with a unique icon that identifies and distinguishes one user from the next.
  • Each message sent by users is displayed after its respective user's icon.
  • five users are planning a group activity.
  • FIG. 4A is an example screenshot of a group message before message analysis program 104 creates a graphical element for linked messages.
  • icon 414 denotes user alpha
  • message 402 denotes user alpha's message.
  • Message 402 comprises text that asks the other users a question and suggests mountain climbing as the group activity.
  • Icon 416 denotes user beta along with user beta's message 406 .
  • Message 406 is generated in response to message 402 .
  • the contents of message 406 indicate that user beta agrees with the suggestion contained in message 402 .
  • Icon 418 denotes user gamma and message 408 denotes user gamma's message.
  • the contents of message 408 respond to message 402 but do not agree with the proposal of message 402 . Instead the contents of message 408 indicate that user gamma suggests going to the park as an alternative.
  • Icon 420 denotes user delta and message 410 denotes user delta's message.
  • the contents of message 410 indicate that user delta is in agreement. However, the contents of message 410 do not specify to which message (e.g., message 402 or message 408 ) user delta is in agreement with, which can cause confusion among the users.
  • Message analysis program 104 can create visual indications to eliminate this confusion as shown and described in FIGS. 4B and 4C .
  • FIGS. 4B and 4C are example screenshots of graphical elements that message analysis program 104 creates.
  • the screenshot of FIG. 4B may be generated at step 302 and 306 of flowchart 300 .
  • message analysis program 104 has identified that: message 402 is a parent message; message 406 is a child message that was generated in response to message 402 ; message 408 responds to message 402 and is a parent message because the contents of message 408 do not answer the question posed in message 402 ; message 410 is a child message of message 408 ; and that message 412 is a child of message 402 .
  • message analysis program 104 creates a graphical element that depicts the relationships described above.
  • Arrows 424 and 432 are added to message 402 to denote that message 402 is a parent message for more than one child message.
  • Arrow 426 is added to message 406 to indicate that it is a child message.
  • arrow 428 is added to message 408 to denote a parent message while arrow 430 denotes message 410 as a child message.
  • Arrow 434 is added to message 412 to show that message 412 is also a child message.
  • FIG. 4C is an example screenshot of miniature icons added to the linked messages which help illustrate which messages and users correspond to each other.
  • the screenshot of FIG. 4C may be generated at step 306 of flowchart 300 .
  • a user has selected area 436 which is associated with message 402 . Responsive to selecting area 436 , icons 416 A and 422 A are displayed. In this example, icons 416 A and 422 A are miniature icons of 416 and 422 , respectively.
  • selecting message 402 by selecting area 436 allows a user to visually see the users who have responded to message 402 (e.g., icon 416 and 422 which correspond to users beta and epsilon).
  • selecting message 412 by touching area 438 displays icon 414 A.
  • message analysis program 104 can display the child message that responds to message for 402 (e.g., message 412 ). In this embodiment, message analysis program 104 scrolls past other messages (e.g., messages 406 , 408 , and 410 ) not linked to the selected message (e.g., 402 ) which then allows a user to jump to message 412 . In other embodiments, message analysis program 104 can display the linked messages in any manner known in the art.
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are example screenshots of a user interface displaying before and after visual indications displaying linked messages, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5A is a screenshot before message analysis program 104 has created a graphical element.
  • five users have a group message.
  • User epsilon is a teacher and is identified by icon 526 .
  • Users alpha, beta, gamma, and delta are caretakers of students taught by epsilon and are identified by icons 518 , 520 , 522 , and 524 , respectively.
  • Each caretaker is asking user epsilon a question about the caretaker's respective student, generating messages 502 , 504 , 506 , and 508 , respectively.
  • user epsilon generates messages 510 , 512 , 514 , and 516 to respond to messages 502 , 504 , 506 , and 508 , respectively.
  • user epsilon has to include enough detail in user epsilon's response to indicate which message user epsilon is responding to.
  • FIG. 5B is an example graphical element created by message analysis program 104 .
  • message analysis program 104 has identified that two messages, messages 542 and 544 are child messages. Specifically, message analysis program 104 has identified that message 542 responds to message 502 and that message 544 responds to messages 504 , 506 , and 508 .
  • Message analysis program 104 has added arrows 528 , 530 , 532 , and 534 that indicate messages 502 , 504 , 506 , and 508 are all parent messages. Message analysis program 104 has also added arrows 536 and 538 to denote that messages 542 and 544 are child messages, respectively.
  • message analysis program 104 can add the number of messages that child message responds to.
  • arrow 538 indicates that message 544 responds to three different parent messages.
  • a user has selected area 540 which displays icons 520 A, 522 A, and 524 A which indicate the icons belonging to the users whose message has been responded to.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram of internal and external components of a computer system 600 , which is representative of the computer systems of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that FIG. 6 provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. In general, the components illustrated in FIG. 6 are representative of any electronic device capable of executing machine-readable program instructions. Examples of computer systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be represented by the components illustrated in FIG.
  • 6 include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, laptop computer systems, tablet computer systems, cellular telephones (e.g., smart phones), multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices.
  • Computer system 600 includes communications fabric 602 , which provides for communications between one or more processors 604 , memory 606 , persistent storage 608 , communications unit 612 , and one or more input/output (I/O) interfaces 614 .
  • Communications fabric 602 can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system.
  • processors such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.
  • Communications fabric 602 can be implemented with one or more buses.
  • Memory 606 and persistent storage 608 are computer-readable storage media.
  • memory 606 includes random access memory (RAM) 616 and cache memory 618 .
  • RAM random access memory
  • cache memory 618 In general, memory 606 can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage media.
  • Software is stored in persistent storage 608 for execution and/or access by one or more of the respective processors 604 via one or more memories of memory 606 .
  • Persistent storage 608 may include, for example, a plurality of magnetic hard disk drives. Alternatively, or in addition to magnetic hard disk drives, persistent storage 608 can include one or more solid state hard drives, semiconductor storage devices, read-only memories (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROM), flash memories, or any other computer-readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information.
  • ROM read-only memories
  • EPROM erasable programmable read-only memories
  • flash memories or any other computer-readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information.
  • the media used by persistent storage 608 can also be removable.
  • a removable hard drive can be used for persistent storage 608 .
  • Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto another computer-readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage 608 .
  • Communications unit 612 provides for communications with other computer systems or devices via a network (e.g., network 106 ).
  • communications unit 612 includes network adapters or interfaces such as a TCP/IP adapter cards, wireless Wi-Fi interface cards, or 3G or 4G wireless interface cards or other wired or wireless communication links.
  • the network can comprise, for example, copper wires, optical fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers.
  • Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention can be downloaded to computer system 102 through communications unit 612 (e.g., via the Internet, a local area network or other wide area network). From communications unit 612 , the software and data can be loaded onto persistent storage 608 .
  • I/O interfaces 614 allow for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to computer system 600 .
  • I/O interface 614 can provide a connection to one or more external devices 620 such as a keyboard, computer mouse, touch screen, virtual keyboard, touch pad, pointing device, or other human interface devices.
  • External devices 620 can also include portable computer-readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards.
  • I/O interface 614 also connects to display 622 .
  • Display 622 provides a mechanism to display data to a user and can be, for example, a computer monitor. Display 622 can also be an incorporated display and may function as a touch screen, such as a built-in display of a tablet computer.
  • the present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product.
  • the computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.
  • the computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device.
  • the computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
  • a non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing.
  • RAM random access memory
  • ROM read-only memory
  • EPROM or Flash memory erasable programmable read-only memory
  • SRAM static random access memory
  • CD-ROM compact disc read-only memory
  • DVD digital versatile disk
  • memory stick a floppy disk
  • a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon
  • a computer readable storage medium is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
  • Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
  • the network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers.
  • a network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.
  • Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.
  • the computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server.
  • the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).
  • electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.
  • These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
  • These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
  • the computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
  • each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s).
  • the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures.
  • two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Computational Linguistics (AREA)
  • Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems for linking selected messages in electronic message threads. In one embodiment, related messages are identified and graphic elements associated with a first message are displayed on a user interfaces. Responsive to receiving a user interaction with the graphical element, a second message can be viewed, where the second message either responds to the first message or is responded to by the first message. Displaying graphical elements associated with related messages can eliminate potential confusion between users in group messages.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates generally to the field of electronic messages, and more particularly to grouping electronic messages.
  • Typically, individuals can engage in multi-party message conversations using electronic message services, such as text messages. When responding to an electronic message, users of electronic message services can select a few options to select whom they send the message to. For example, users involved with a group message can typically select a “Reply” option, which enables a user to respond to all participants of the group message. Generally, user messages sent in reply to a group message (e.g., a group chat) are displayed to their recipients in order of receipt.
  • SUMMARY
  • Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, program products, and systems for linking selected messages in electronic message threads. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided comprising: identifying a set of related messages, wherein the set of related messages includes at least a first message and a second message related to the first message; displaying in a user interface displaying the first message, a graphical element associated with the first message; and responsive to receiving a user interaction with a visual indication, displaying the second message; wherein the second message is one of the following: a message that responds to the first message or a message that the first message responds to.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computing environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating operational steps of linking messages in electronic message threads, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating operational steps for creating a graphical element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIGS. 4A-4C are example screenshots of a user interface displaying messages before and after creating a graphical element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are example screenshots of a user interface displaying before and after graphical elements displaying linked messages, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram of internal and external components of the computer systems of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • Embodiments of the present invention recognize that in multi-party message conversations, messages and responses to those messages can be misinterpreted by users. In some instances, multiple questions from different users may be asked and a response to any one of those questions may be misinterpreted as a response for the other questions. For example, a group message between three users (alpha, beta, gamma) can have two questions A and B from user alpha and beta respectively. A response by user gamma could be misinterpreted as a response to either question A or B. Typically, to distinguish between responses, a user (e.g., user gamma) would have to manually identify and provide enough textual detail for other users (e.g., alpha and beta) to discern which question is being answered. Embodiments of the present invention provide solutions to eliminate potential confusion between users in group messages. In this manner, as discussed in greater detail in this specification, embodiments of the present invention can be used to continue message conversations without having to manually identify which responses correspond to each other.
  • FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of computing environment 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Computing environment 100 includes computer system 102, mobile computer system 110, and mobile computer system 108. Computer system 102, mobile computer system 110, and mobile computer system 108 can be desktop computers, laptop computers, specialized computer servers, mobile devices, or any other computer systems known in the art. In certain embodiments, computer system 102, mobile computer system 110, and mobile computer system 108 represent computer systems utilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool of seamless resources when accessed through network 106. For example, such embodiments may be used in data center, cloud computing, storage area network (SAN), and network attached storage (NAS) applications. In certain embodiments, computer system 102, mobile computer system 110, and mobile computer system 108 represent virtual machines. In general, computer system 102, mobile computer system 110, and mobile computer system 108 are representative of any electronic devices, or combination of electronic devices, capable of executing machine-readable program instructions, as described in greater detail with regard to FIG. 6.
  • Computer system 102 includes message analysis program 104. Message analysis program 104 communicates with mobile computer system 108 and mobile computer system 110 to receive messages from mobile computer systems 108 and 110 to create a visual indication of linked messages for user interfaces (not shown) of mobile computer systems 108 and 110 based, at least in part, on content of the messages as well as the relationship each message has to previous messages, as discussed in greater detail with regard to FIGS. 2-3. In other embodiments, message analysis program 104 can be stored locally on mobile computer systems 108 and 110.
  • In this embodiment, a relationship between a selected message and a subsequent message can be a parent/child relationship (e.g., a selected message, and a response to the selected message). Multiple messages sent to more than one individual can be designated as having a sibling relationship (e.g., two or more messages sent in parallel to multiple recipients). For example, one person may send a message asking a question to three other people. The messages generated in response to the question can be identified as siblings.
  • In this embodiment, each message is associated with metadata that can be used to classify and identify each respective message. For example, each message is associated with a respective message ID that distinguishes that message from another. The message ID can also indicate the author of the message. Each message is also associated with a corresponding timestamp that indicates when the message was transmitted. In this embodiment, message analysis program 104 can identify relationships between messages and use those relationships to create visual indications of those relationships which can eliminate confusion between responses to messages.
  • For example, in a group message between four individuals alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, individuals alpha, beta, and gamma can send messages M1-3. Messages M1-3 each ask a different question addressed to individual delta. Individual delta responds to questions posed in messages M1-3 by generating messages M4-6 containing the following content: “yes”, “no”, and “yes”, respectively. Message analysis program 104 can identify parent/child relationships exist between messages M1 and M4, between messages M2 and M5, and between messages M3 and M6.
  • Message analysis program 104 can use the identified parent/child relationships to create graphical elements for a user interface displaying messages. The term “graphical element” as used herein, refers to a visual indication displayable by the user interface that denotes relationships between messages (e.g., a parent/child relationship) and/or identifies participants of those messages. Generally speaking, graphical elements are capable of being interacted with by users of the user interface. For example, responsive to a user interaction with a graphical element associated with a first message, message analysis program 104 can display a visual indication that corresponds to a second message that responds to the first message, as described later in this specification.
  • In this embodiment, a graphical element can be one or more symbols (e.g., arrows) for each respective message displayed in the user interface. For example, a “down arrow” at the end of a message denotes a parent message while an “up arrow” denotes a child message. In other embodiments, message analysis program 104 can use any number of combination of symbols and/or characters to denote parent and child relationships.
  • In another embodiment, a graphical element may be a visual indication other than a combination of symbols and/or characters. For example, a graphical element can be a visual indication that includes highlighting related messages (e.g., parent/child relationship), where the related messages themselves are capable of being interacted with by users of the user interface. In another embodiment, a graphical element may also serve as a visual indication that is displayed in response to receiving a user interaction with a different graphical element. Continuing the above example, a user may select graphical element A (e.g., clicking on graphical element A on a computer screen) associated with a first message and the resulting visual indication is a highlighted graphical element (e.g., graphical element B) associated with a second message, where the second message responds to the first message.
  • In other embodiments, message analysis program 104 can create a visual indication by moving identified responses (e.g., child message) in a position directly beneath parent messages. For example, in a group message between four individuals alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, individuals alpha, beta, and gamma can send messages M1-3. Messages M1-3 each ask a different question addressed to individual delta. Individual delta responds to questions posed in messages M1-3 by generating messages M4-6 containing the following content: “yes”, “no”, and “yes”, respectively. Message analysis program 104 can identify parent/child relationships exist between messages M1 and M4, between messages M2 and M5, and between messages M3 and M6. Message analysis program 104 can then create a visual indication by moving message M4 directly beneath message M1, moving message M5 beneath message M2, and moving message M6 beneath message M3.
  • In this embodiment, a user interface displaying messages can have icons associated with users followed by content of a sent message of the user. For example, a group message (e.g., a group text) between three users, alpha, beta, and gamma can have the following user interface display for a user device (e.g., mobile phone) that has three messages M1-3: the icon of user alpha followed by the content of message M1; the icon of user beta followed by the content of message M2 generated in response to message M1; and the icon of user gamma followed by the content of message M3, also generated in response to message M1 1. In general, the user interface displaying messages sent by one or more users can be implemented with any combination of one or more message interface applications.
  • Continuing the above example, message analysis program 104 can create a graphical element for the user interface by adding a “down arrow” to the end of the content of message M1 to denote that message M1 is a parent message. For messages M2 and M3, message analysis program 104 can add “up arrows” to each respective message to indicate a child relationship to message M1.
  • Message analysis program 104 can display a visual indication to show the identified relationships (e.g., subsequent messages generated in response to a message or messages that are being responded to). In this embodiment, message analysis program 104 can, responsive to a user selecting a graphical element (e.g., an up or down arrow) display one or more icons of users next to the added arrow (e.g., to show a message that responds to an earlier message) that enlarge when a message is selected to identify participants that have responded to the selected message, as discussed in greater detail, with regard to FIGS. 5A and 5B. Continuing the above example, message Mi includes a “down arrow” that denotes that it is a parent message. Message analysis program 104 can include a visual indication that, responsive to a user selecting message M1, enlarges the icons associated with users that have responded to message M1. For example, responsive to selecting message M1, message analysis program 104 can display enlarged icons associated with users beta and gamma to show that users beta and gamma have responded to message M1. Conversely, message analysis program 104 can, responsive to selecting a “child message”, display an enlarged icon of the user who generated the “parent message”. For example, responsive to selecting message M2, the icon for user alpha (i.e., the person who generated message M1 which has been identified as the parent message) is enlarged and displayed.
  • Mobile computer systems 108 and 110 communicate with message analysis program 104 via network 106 to receive graphical elements indicating linked messages from an originating message device to a receiving message device. In this embodiment, mobile computer system 108 and 110 are cellular devices (i.e. mobile phones). In general, mobile computer system 108 and 110 can be implemented with any device capable of sending and receiving messages.
  • The term “messages”, as used herein, refers to any electronic communication medium known in the art. For example, a message can be a text message, e-mail, multimedia message service (MMS) message, etc. The phrase, “originating message device”, as used herein, refers to a communication device (e.g., mobile computer system 108) that is used, for illustrative purposes, as a device that initiates a message. The phrase, “receiving message device”, as used herein, refers to a communication device (e.g., mobile computer system 110) that is used as the device that receives a message. For illustrative purposes, this embodiment may be discussed with respect to mobile computer system 108 serving as the originating message device and mobile computer system 110 serving as the receiving message device. It should be understood that either mobile computer system can serve as the originating message device while the other serves as the receiving message device.
  • Network 106 can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of the two, and include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. In general, network 106 can be any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between computer system 102, mobile computer system 108, and mobile computer system 110, in accordance with a desired embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart 200 illustrating operational steps of linking messages in electronic message threads, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • In step 202, message analysis program 104 receives input from mobile computer system 108. In this embodiment, an input may be an original message (i.e., a parent message) or a response to an original message (i.e., a child message). In this embodiment, a user may specify that the input is an original message or a response to an original message. For example, a user may specify that the input responds to a particular message. Responsive to receiving the input from the user, message analysis program 104 can then identify parent/child relationships between messages. In other embodiments, message analysis program 104 can receive inputs from one or more components of computing environment 100.
  • In another embodiment, message analysis program 104 can identify an original message (i.e., a parent message) or a response to an original message (i.e., a child message) using natural language processing. In other words, message analysis program 104 can identify relationships between messages using natural language processing. For example, message analysis program 104 can use natural language annotations (e.g., sentence splitting, tokenization, POS tagging, chunking, dependency parsing, and anaphora resolution, etc.) to process the semantics of the text.
  • In step 204, message analysis program 104 creates a graphical element for a user interface that displays messages for mobile computer system 108. In this embodiment, message analysis program 104 creates a graphical element for the user interface displaying messages by adding arrows to indicate message relatedness, linking related messages, and listing icons of users associated with the linked messages, as discussed in greater detail with regard to FIG. 3.
  • In step 206, message analysis program 104 returns the graphical element for the user interface that displays messages to mobile computer system 108 and 110. In this embodiment, message analysis program 104 returns the graphical element by transmitting the graphical element to mobile computer systems 108 and 110 via network 106.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart 300 illustrating operational steps for creating a graphical element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the operational steps of flowchart 300 can be performed at step 204 of flowchart 200.
  • In step 302, message analysis program 104 adds arrows to messages of the user interface displaying messages. In this embodiment, message analysis program 104 adds arrows to messages based, at least in part on message relatedness (e.g., parent/child relationship). For example, message analysis program 104 can add arrows to the end of messages to denote relationships (e.g., parent/child relationship). In this embodiment, a “down arrow” indicates a parent message. Conversely, an “up arrow” denotes a child message. In other embodiments, message analysis program 104 can use any combination of symbols to denote message relatedness. An example output of step 302 is discussed in greater detail with regard to FIGS. 4A and 4B.
  • Where one parent message has more than one child messages that respond to the parent message, message analysis program 104 can add a number following the “down arrow” to indicate the number of child messages that have responded to the parent message. For example, two subsequent child messages can respond to a parent message. Message analysis program 104 can then add a down arrow to the parent message and a number two in front of the arrow to indicate that two separate child messages have responded.
  • Conversely, where one child message responds to multiple parent messages, message analysis program 104 can add a number following the “up arrow” to show that the child message responds to more than one parent message. For example, in a group message between four users, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, users alpha, beta, and gamma may generate messages M1-3, respectively. User delta generates two messages M4 and M5 and has indicated that message M4 responds to message M1 and M2, while message M5 responds to message M3. Message analysis program 104 can then add down arrows at the end of messages M1-3. Message analysis program 104 also adds up arrows to the ends of messages M4 and M5. Message analysis program 104 can then add a number two in front of the up arrow to denote that message M4 responds to multiple parent messages (e.g., messages M1 and M2).
  • In step 304, message analysis program 104 links related messages. In this embodiment, message analysis program 104 links related messages by associating parent and child messages so that responsive to selecting one, retrieves the other. For example, a group message can have three messages M1-3. Message M1 is an original, parent message. Message M2 is an unrelated parent message. Message M3 is a child message that responds to message M1. Message analysis program 104 can link messages M1 and M3 so that by selecting message M1, the user interface scrolls over unrelated messages (e.g., message M2) and displays message M3.
  • In step 306, message analysis program 104 lists icons associated with users that corresponds to each linked related message. In this embodiment, message analysis program 104 can list icons at the end of each linked message (i.e., next to the added arrow) to denote users associated with linked messages. For example, a group message can have three messages M1-3. Message M1 is an original, parent message associated with icon A of user alpha. Message M2 is an unrelated parent message associated with icon B of user beta. Message M3 is a child message that responds to message M1 and is associated with icon C of user gamma. Message analysis program 104 displays miniature icons A and C at the end of message M1. An example output of step 306 is discussed in greater detail with regard to FIGS. 4C and 5B.
  • In this embodiment, message analysis program 104 can enlarge the miniature icons responsive to selecting a linked message. Continuing the above example, a user may select linked message M1. Responsive to selecting linked message M1, message analysis program 104 can enlarge icons associated with users alpha and gamma. In this embodiment, a message may be selected via a touch screen and pressing an area of the screen that corresponds to the message and holding the point for a user-defined number of seconds.
  • In other embodiments, message analysis program 104 can hide the miniature icons and display them responsive to a user selecting an option to display the miniature icons. For example, in a touch screen display, an option may be selecting an area of a screen display. Responsive to a user selecting an area of the screen display, message analysis program 104 can display the miniature icons.
  • Optionally, message analysis program 104 can scroll to the response of a parent message responsive to a user selecting the miniature icon. Continuing the above example, responsive to selecting linked message M1, message analysis program 104 can enlarge icons associated with users alpha and gamma. Responsive to a user selecting the icon associated with user alpha, message analysis program 104 can scroll through the group message (i.e., to skip over message M2) to display the response of user alpha (e.g., to display message M3).
  • Accordingly, by performing the operational steps of FIG. 3, message analysis program 104 creates a graphical element that users can interact with to avoid potential confusion in a group message. In this embodiment, message analysis program 104 creates a graphical element to users by: identifying relationships between messages based, at least in part on the content of the message; adding up and down arrows to differentiate between parent and child messages; and listing icons associated with users to enable a user to identify which users have responded to messages.
  • FIGS. 4A-4C are example screenshots of a user interface displaying messages before and after creating a graphical element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a group message comprising five messages between five users (e.g., alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon) is described. Each user is associated with a unique icon that identifies and distinguishes one user from the next. Each message sent by users is displayed after its respective user's icon. In this example, five users are planning a group activity.
  • FIG. 4A is an example screenshot of a group message before message analysis program 104 creates a graphical element for linked messages. In this example, icon 414 denotes user alpha, and message 402 denotes user alpha's message. Message 402 comprises text that asks the other users a question and suggests mountain climbing as the group activity. Icon 416 denotes user beta along with user beta's message 406. Message 406 is generated in response to message 402. The contents of message 406 indicate that user beta agrees with the suggestion contained in message 402.
  • Icon 418 denotes user gamma and message 408 denotes user gamma's message. The contents of message 408 respond to message 402 but do not agree with the proposal of message 402. Instead the contents of message 408 indicate that user gamma suggests going to the park as an alternative.
  • Icon 420 denotes user delta and message 410 denotes user delta's message. The contents of message 410 indicate that user delta is in agreement. However, the contents of message 410 do not specify to which message (e.g., message 402 or message 408) user delta is in agreement with, which can cause confusion among the users. Message analysis program 104 can create visual indications to eliminate this confusion as shown and described in FIGS. 4B and 4C.
  • FIGS. 4B and 4C are example screenshots of graphical elements that message analysis program 104 creates. For example, the screenshot of FIG. 4B may be generated at step 302 and 306 of flowchart 300.
  • In this example, message analysis program 104 has identified that: message 402 is a parent message; message 406 is a child message that was generated in response to message 402; message 408 responds to message 402 and is a parent message because the contents of message 408 do not answer the question posed in message 402; message 410 is a child message of message 408; and that message 412 is a child of message 402.
  • In FIG. 4B, message analysis program 104 creates a graphical element that depicts the relationships described above. Arrows 424 and 432 are added to message 402 to denote that message 402 is a parent message for more than one child message. Arrow 426 is added to message 406 to indicate that it is a child message. Similarly, arrow 428 is added to message 408 to denote a parent message while arrow 430 denotes message 410 as a child message. Arrow 434 is added to message 412 to show that message 412 is also a child message.
  • FIG. 4C is an example screenshot of miniature icons added to the linked messages which help illustrate which messages and users correspond to each other. For example, the screenshot of FIG. 4C may be generated at step 306 of flowchart 300.
  • In this example, a user has selected area 436 which is associated with message 402. Responsive to selecting area 436, icons 416A and 422A are displayed. In this example, icons 416A and 422A are miniature icons of 416 and 422, respectively. Thus, selecting message 402 by selecting area 436, allows a user to visually see the users who have responded to message 402 (e.g., icon 416 and 422 which correspond to users beta and epsilon). Conversely, selecting message 412 by touching area 438 displays icon 414A.
  • In this example, a user has selected icon 422A. Responsive to receiving a user selection of icon 422A, message analysis program 104 can display the child message that responds to message for 402 (e.g., message 412). In this embodiment, message analysis program 104 scrolls past other messages (e.g., messages 406, 408, and 410) not linked to the selected message (e.g., 402) which then allows a user to jump to message 412. In other embodiments, message analysis program 104 can display the linked messages in any manner known in the art.
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are example screenshots of a user interface displaying before and after visual indications displaying linked messages, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, FIG. 5A is a screenshot before message analysis program 104 has created a graphical element.
  • In this example, five users (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon) have a group message. User epsilon is a teacher and is identified by icon 526. Users alpha, beta, gamma, and delta are caretakers of students taught by epsilon and are identified by icons 518, 520, 522, and 524, respectively. Each caretaker is asking user epsilon a question about the caretaker's respective student, generating messages 502, 504, 506, and 508, respectively.
  • In this example, user epsilon generates messages 510, 512, 514, and 516 to respond to messages 502, 504, 506, and 508, respectively. Instead of responding with simple “yes” and “no” answers, user epsilon has to include enough detail in user epsilon's response to indicate which message user epsilon is responding to.
  • FIG. 5B is an example graphical element created by message analysis program 104. In this example, message analysis program 104 has identified that two messages, messages 542 and 544 are child messages. Specifically, message analysis program 104 has identified that message 542 responds to message 502 and that message 544 responds to messages 504, 506, and 508.
  • Message analysis program 104 has added arrows 528, 530, 532, and 534 that indicate messages 502, 504, 506, and 508 are all parent messages. Message analysis program 104 has also added arrows 536 and 538 to denote that messages 542 and 544 are child messages, respectively.
  • In instances where a child message responds to more than one message (e.g., message 544 responds to messages 504, 506, and 508), message analysis program 104 can add the number of messages that child message responds to. In this example, arrow 538 indicates that message 544 responds to three different parent messages. In this example, a user has selected area 540 which displays icons 520A, 522A, and 524A which indicate the icons belonging to the users whose message has been responded to.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram of internal and external components of a computer system 600, which is representative of the computer systems of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that FIG. 6 provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. In general, the components illustrated in FIG. 6 are representative of any electronic device capable of executing machine-readable program instructions. Examples of computer systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be represented by the components illustrated in FIG. 6 include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, laptop computer systems, tablet computer systems, cellular telephones (e.g., smart phones), multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices.
  • Computer system 600 includes communications fabric 602, which provides for communications between one or more processors 604, memory 606, persistent storage 608, communications unit 612, and one or more input/output (I/O) interfaces 614. Communications fabric 602 can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric 602 can be implemented with one or more buses.
  • Memory 606 and persistent storage 608 are computer-readable storage media. In this embodiment, memory 606 includes random access memory (RAM) 616 and cache memory 618. In general, memory 606 can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage media. Software is stored in persistent storage 608 for execution and/or access by one or more of the respective processors 604 via one or more memories of memory 606.
  • Persistent storage 608 may include, for example, a plurality of magnetic hard disk drives. Alternatively, or in addition to magnetic hard disk drives, persistent storage 608 can include one or more solid state hard drives, semiconductor storage devices, read-only memories (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROM), flash memories, or any other computer-readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information.
  • The media used by persistent storage 608 can also be removable. For example, a removable hard drive can be used for persistent storage 608. Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto another computer-readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage 608.
  • Communications unit 612 provides for communications with other computer systems or devices via a network (e.g., network 106). In this exemplary embodiment, communications unit 612 includes network adapters or interfaces such as a TCP/IP adapter cards, wireless Wi-Fi interface cards, or 3G or 4G wireless interface cards or other wired or wireless communication links. The network can comprise, for example, copper wires, optical fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention can be downloaded to computer system 102 through communications unit 612 (e.g., via the Internet, a local area network or other wide area network). From communications unit 612, the software and data can be loaded onto persistent storage 608.
  • One or more I/O interfaces 614 allow for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to computer system 600. For example, I/O interface 614 can provide a connection to one or more external devices 620 such as a keyboard, computer mouse, touch screen, virtual keyboard, touch pad, pointing device, or other human interface devices. External devices 620 can also include portable computer-readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. I/O interface 614 also connects to display 622.
  • Display 622 provides a mechanism to display data to a user and can be, for example, a computer monitor. Display 622 can also be an incorporated display and may function as a touch screen, such as a built-in display of a tablet computer.
  • The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.
  • The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
  • Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.
  • Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.
  • Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.
  • These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
  • The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
  • The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
  • The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiment, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:
1. A method comprising:
identifying, by one or more computer processors, a set of related messages, wherein the set of related messages includes at least a first message and a second message related to the first message;
displaying, by one or more computer processors, in a user interface displaying the first message, a graphical element associated with the first message; and
responsive to receiving a user interaction with the graphical element, displaying, by one or more computer processors, in the user interface, a visual indication that identifies the second message;
wherein the second message is one of the following: a message that responds to the first message or a message that the first message responds to.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
displaying, by one or more computer processors, in the user interface, a graphical element associated with the second message;
responsive to receiving a user interaction with the graphical element associated with the second message, displaying, by one or more computer processors, in the user interface, a visual indication that identifies the first message.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the visual indication that identifies the second message includes highlighting the second message in the user interface.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
responsive to receiving a user interaction with the highlighted second message, displaying, by one or more computer processors, a visual indication that identifies the first message.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical element is an icon associated with a respective user corresponding to the second message.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
adding, by one or more computer processors, one or more symbols to the first message, wherein each symbol is associated with one of the following: messages that respond to the first message and messages that the first message responds to.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
responsive to receiving a user interaction with one of the symbols, displaying, by one or more computer processors, one or more icons associated with users corresponding to messages related to the first message.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more symbols include at least one of an up arrow and a down arrow, wherein the up arrow is associated with messages that respond to the first message, where the down arrow is associated with messages that the first message responds to.
9. A computer program product comprising:
one or more computer readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media, the program instructions comprising:
program instructions to identify a set of related messages, wherein the set of related messages includes at least a first message and a second message related to the first message;
program instructions to display in a user interface displaying the first message, a graphical element associated with the first message; and
program instructions to, responsive to receiving a user interaction with the graphical element, display a visual indication that identifies the second message;
wherein the second message is one of the following: a message that responds to the first message or a message that the first message responds to.
10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media further comprise:
program instructions to display in the user interface, a graphical element associated with the second message;
program instructions to, responsive to receiving a user interaction with the graphical element associated with the second message, display a visual indication that identifies the first message.
11. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the graphical element is an icon associated with a respective user corresponding to the second message.
12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media further comprise:
program instructions to add one or more symbols to the first message, wherein each symbol is associated with one of the following: messages that respond to the first message and messages that the first message responds to.
13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media further comprise:
program instructions to, responsive to receiving a user interaction with one of the symbols, display one or more icons associated with users corresponding to messages related to the first message.
14. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the one or more symbols include at least one of an up arrow and a down arrow, wherein the up arrow is associated with messages that respond to the first message, where the down arrow is associated with messages that the first message responds to.
15. A computer system comprising:
one or more computer processors;
one or more computer-readable storage media;
program instructions stored on the computer-readable storage media for execution by at least one of the one or more processors, the program instructions comprising:
program instructions to identify a set of related messages, wherein the set of related messages includes at least a first message and a second message related to the first message;
program instructions to display in a user interface displaying the first message, a graphical element associated with the first message; and
program instructions to, responsive to receiving a user interaction with the graphical element, display a visual indication that identifies the second message;
wherein the second message is one of the following: a message that responds to the first message or a message that the first message responds to.
16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media further comprise:
program instructions to display in the user interface, a graphical element associated with the second message;
program instructions to, responsive to receiving a user interaction with the graphical element associated with the second message, display a visual indication that identifies the first message.
17. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the graphical element is an icon associated with a respective user corresponding to the second message.
18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media further comprise:
program instructions to add one or more symbols to the first message, wherein each symbol is associated with one of the following: messages that respond to the first message and messages that the first message responds to.
19. The computer system of claim 18, wherein the program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media further comprise:
program instructions to, responsive to receiving a user interaction with one of the symbols, display one or more icons associated with users corresponding to messages related to the first message.
20. The computer system of claim 18, wherein the one or more symbols include at least one of an up arrow and a down arrow, wherein the up arrow is associated with messages that respond to the first message, where the down arrow is associated with messages that the first message responds to.
US14/865,035 2015-09-25 2015-09-25 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads Abandoned US20170090718A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/865,035 US20170090718A1 (en) 2015-09-25 2015-09-25 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads
US14/977,850 US9438542B1 (en) 2015-09-25 2015-12-22 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads
US15/185,759 US9596200B1 (en) 2015-09-25 2016-06-17 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads
US15/372,720 US9772750B2 (en) 2015-09-25 2016-12-08 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/865,035 US20170090718A1 (en) 2015-09-25 2015-09-25 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/977,850 Continuation US9438542B1 (en) 2015-09-25 2015-12-22 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20170090718A1 true US20170090718A1 (en) 2017-03-30

Family

ID=56878336

Family Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/865,035 Abandoned US20170090718A1 (en) 2015-09-25 2015-09-25 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads
US14/977,850 Expired - Fee Related US9438542B1 (en) 2015-09-25 2015-12-22 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads
US15/185,759 Expired - Fee Related US9596200B1 (en) 2015-09-25 2016-06-17 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads
US15/372,720 Expired - Fee Related US9772750B2 (en) 2015-09-25 2016-12-08 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads

Family Applications After (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/977,850 Expired - Fee Related US9438542B1 (en) 2015-09-25 2015-12-22 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads
US15/185,759 Expired - Fee Related US9596200B1 (en) 2015-09-25 2016-06-17 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads
US15/372,720 Expired - Fee Related US9772750B2 (en) 2015-09-25 2016-12-08 Linking selected messages in electronic message threads

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (4) US20170090718A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170118152A1 (en) * 2015-10-27 2017-04-27 Line Corporation Message providing methods and apparatuses, display control methods and apparatuses, and computer-readable mediums storing computer programs for executing methods
US20170351385A1 (en) * 2016-06-01 2017-12-07 Facebook, Inc. Methods and Systems for Distinguishing Messages in a Group Conversation
US10313287B2 (en) 2016-06-01 2019-06-04 Facebook, Inc. Methods and systems for displaying messages in an asynchronous order
CN112506409A (en) * 2020-12-03 2021-03-16 维沃移动通信有限公司 Message display method and device

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170090718A1 (en) 2015-09-25 2017-03-30 International Business Machines Corporation Linking selected messages in electronic message threads
US20170131870A1 (en) 2015-10-30 2017-05-11 Loji, Llc Interactive icons with embedded functionality used in text messages
US20170285895A1 (en) * 2016-03-31 2017-10-05 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Communicating editing context between users to initiate collaborative editing of electronic documents
KR20240023200A (en) 2016-05-18 2024-02-20 애플 인크. Applying acknowledgement of options in a graphical messaging user interface
US10592098B2 (en) 2016-05-18 2020-03-17 Apple Inc. Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for messaging
US10368208B2 (en) 2016-06-12 2019-07-30 Apple Inc. Layers in messaging applications
US10237213B2 (en) 2016-09-28 2019-03-19 International Business Machines Corporation Online chat questions segmentation and visualization
JP7059533B2 (en) * 2017-07-27 2022-04-26 富士フイルムビジネスイノベーション株式会社 Information processing equipment, information processing programs, and information processing systems
US10671808B2 (en) 2017-11-06 2020-06-02 International Business Machines Corporation Pronoun mapping for sub-context rendering
US10587553B1 (en) * 2017-12-29 2020-03-10 Entefy Inc. Methods and systems to support adaptive multi-participant thread monitoring
AU2020239810B2 (en) 2020-06-09 2022-05-19 Apple Inc. User interfaces for messages

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050166154A1 (en) * 2004-01-22 2005-07-28 Wilson Richard M. Enhanced instant message status message area containing time/date stamped entries and editable by others
US20060031361A1 (en) * 2004-07-01 2006-02-09 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for conversational annotation for instant messaging systems
US20080162649A1 (en) * 2007-01-03 2008-07-03 Social Concepts, Inc. Image based electronic mail system
US20110116724A1 (en) * 2009-11-19 2011-05-19 The University Of Arizona Method for Exploiting Structure in Sparse Domain for Magnetic Resonance Image Reconstruction
US20120179978A1 (en) * 2003-12-01 2012-07-12 Research In Motion Limited Previewing a new event on a small screen device
US20130012271A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2013-01-10 Lg Electronics Inc. Mobile device displaying instant message and control method of mobile device
US20130055112A1 (en) * 2011-08-28 2013-02-28 Hoozin Ltd. Computerized System And Method Supporting Message-Based Group Communication Sessions
US20140143684A1 (en) * 2012-11-21 2014-05-22 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Message-based conversation operation method and mobile terminal supporting the same
US20140237394A1 (en) * 2013-02-20 2014-08-21 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Apparatus and method for controlling messenger in terminal
US20160065529A1 (en) * 2013-03-29 2016-03-03 Nec Corporation Display control device, display control method, and program

Family Cites Families (63)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7162471B1 (en) * 1999-05-11 2007-01-09 Maquis Techtrix Llc Content query system and method
US6697365B1 (en) * 1999-06-10 2004-02-24 Charles Hayes Messenger Method of listener transmitted broadcasting
US6981223B2 (en) * 2001-03-19 2005-12-27 Ecrio, Inc. Method, apparatus and computer readable medium for multiple messaging session management with a graphical user interface
WO2002093414A1 (en) 2001-05-11 2002-11-21 Kent Ridge Digital Labs System and method for clustering and visualization of online chat
JP4032410B2 (en) * 2001-11-09 2008-01-16 ソニー株式会社 Information processing system, information processing method, program, recording medium, and information processing apparatus
US7127685B2 (en) * 2002-04-30 2006-10-24 America Online, Inc. Instant messaging interface having a tear-off element
US7039677B2 (en) 2002-05-07 2006-05-02 International Business Machines Corporation Threaded text-based chat collaboration
US7475110B2 (en) 2004-01-07 2009-01-06 International Business Machines Corporation Method and interface for multi-threaded conversations in instant messaging
US7571213B2 (en) * 2004-03-26 2009-08-04 Microsoft Corporation Interactive electronic bubble messaging
US9819624B2 (en) * 2004-03-31 2017-11-14 Google Inc. Displaying conversations in a conversation-based email system
US8190999B2 (en) 2004-05-20 2012-05-29 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for in-context, topic-oriented instant messaging
US7873916B1 (en) * 2004-06-22 2011-01-18 Apple Inc. Color labeling in a graphical user interface
US8683351B2 (en) 2004-10-26 2014-03-25 International Business Machines Corporation Chat user interface for threaded text chat systems
US7552188B2 (en) * 2005-02-21 2009-06-23 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Network system, element thereof and network visualization method
US7765265B1 (en) * 2005-05-11 2010-07-27 Aol Inc. Identifying users sharing common characteristics
US20070226638A1 (en) * 2006-03-23 2007-09-27 Nokia Corporation Selecting a stored content item for use in a task
US8108464B1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2012-01-31 Google Inc. Collaborative workflow through messaging conversations
US8200762B2 (en) 2006-06-01 2012-06-12 Aol Inc. Displaying complex messaging threads into a single display
US20080109741A1 (en) * 2006-11-02 2008-05-08 Ripl Corp. User-generated content with instant-messaging functionality
US20080147804A1 (en) * 2006-12-19 2008-06-19 Wesley Jerome Gyure Response requested message management system
US8689132B2 (en) * 2007-01-07 2014-04-01 Apple Inc. Portable electronic device, method, and graphical user interface for displaying electronic documents and lists
US20080189623A1 (en) * 2007-02-05 2008-08-07 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for enhancing communication with instant messenger/chat computer software applications
US8015246B1 (en) 2007-03-21 2011-09-06 Google Inc. Graphical user interface for chat room with thin walls
US8745513B2 (en) * 2007-11-29 2014-06-03 Sony Corporation Method and apparatus for use in accessing content
US8024412B2 (en) * 2008-02-15 2011-09-20 Microsoft Corporation User interface reading email conversations
US8335827B2 (en) * 2008-07-11 2012-12-18 Yuriy Mishchenko Systems and methods for exchanging information in a large group
US8166408B2 (en) 2009-01-05 2012-04-24 International Business Machines Corporation Management of virtual discussion threads in a synchronous conferencing system
US8539359B2 (en) 2009-02-11 2013-09-17 Jeffrey A. Rapaport Social network driven indexing system for instantly clustering people with concurrent focus on same topic into on-topic chat rooms and/or for generating on-topic search results tailored to user preferences regarding topic
KR101708775B1 (en) * 2010-02-11 2017-03-08 삼성전자주식회사 Method and apparatus for providing information in mobile terminal
US9380011B2 (en) * 2010-05-28 2016-06-28 Google Inc. Participant-specific markup
US8799815B2 (en) * 2010-07-30 2014-08-05 Apple Inc. Device, method, and graphical user interface for activating an item in a folder
JP5729994B2 (en) * 2010-12-08 2015-06-03 キヤノン株式会社 Transmission device, transmission system, transmission method, and program
US8812599B2 (en) * 2011-01-10 2014-08-19 Epic Systems Corporation Networked inbox
US8665311B2 (en) * 2011-02-17 2014-03-04 Vbrick Systems, Inc. Methods and apparatus for collaboration
US8676937B2 (en) 2011-05-12 2014-03-18 Jeffrey Alan Rapaport Social-topical adaptive networking (STAN) system allowing for group based contextual transaction offers and acceptances and hot topic watchdogging
KR101789626B1 (en) 2011-10-10 2017-10-25 엘지전자 주식회사 Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same
US20140310365A1 (en) * 2012-01-31 2014-10-16 Global Relay Communications Inc. System and Method for Tracking Messages in a Messaging Service
CN103490939A (en) 2012-06-11 2014-01-01 中兴通讯股份有限公司 Data packet processing method and data packet processing device
US20160072755A1 (en) * 2012-08-14 2016-03-10 Google Inc. Systems and methods for managing a message thread on an electronic device
KR102020335B1 (en) * 2012-08-27 2019-09-10 삼성전자 주식회사 Operation Method For Message Function And Device supporting the same
KR101988279B1 (en) * 2013-01-07 2019-06-12 삼성전자 주식회사 Operating Method of User Function based on a Face Recognition and Electronic Device supporting the same
US20140201292A1 (en) * 2013-01-17 2014-07-17 Icon.me, LLC Digital business card system performing social networking commonality comparisions, professional profile curation and personal brand management
US20140330913A1 (en) * 2013-05-06 2014-11-06 Doron Pascal Email conversation management system
US20140379815A1 (en) * 2013-06-24 2014-12-25 International Business Machines Corporation Aggregating message responses into topic-organized content
US10333882B2 (en) * 2013-08-28 2019-06-25 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to estimate demographics of users employing social media
KR102103809B1 (en) * 2013-09-12 2020-04-24 삼성전자주식회사 Method for sorting message and apparatus supporting the same
CN103490989A (en) 2013-09-30 2014-01-01 厦门三五互联科技股份有限公司 Multi-user instant chatting method achieving classified display based on content topics
KR102138515B1 (en) * 2013-10-01 2020-07-28 엘지전자 주식회사 Mobile terminal and method for controlling thereof
KR102208362B1 (en) * 2013-12-16 2021-01-28 삼성전자 주식회사 Method and apparatus for managing message of electronic device
US20150177974A1 (en) * 2013-12-23 2015-06-25 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Information display method and user terminal for instant messaging tool
US9246857B2 (en) * 2013-12-23 2016-01-26 Ctext Technology Llc Method and system for correlating conversations in a messaging environment
US20150188862A1 (en) * 2013-12-27 2015-07-02 Entefy Inc. Apparatus and Method for Multi-Format Communication Composition
US9152307B2 (en) * 2013-12-31 2015-10-06 Google Inc. Systems and methods for simultaneously displaying clustered, in-line electronic messages in one display
US20160112358A1 (en) * 2014-01-30 2016-04-21 Entefy Inc. Apparatus and method for intelligent suppression of incoming multi-format multi-protocol communications
US10169447B2 (en) * 2014-02-24 2019-01-01 Entefy Inc. System and method of message threading for a multi-format, multi-protocol communication system
US9537805B2 (en) * 2014-03-27 2017-01-03 Dropbox, Inc. Activation of dynamic filter generation for message management systems through gesture-based input
GB201406695D0 (en) * 2014-04-14 2014-05-28 Shopchat Ltd Threaded messaging
US10845982B2 (en) * 2014-04-28 2020-11-24 Facebook, Inc. Providing intelligent transcriptions of sound messages in a messaging application
US20150339373A1 (en) * 2014-05-20 2015-11-26 Matthew Christian Carlson Graphical interface for relevance-based rendering of electronic messages from multiple accounts
KR102249197B1 (en) * 2014-05-31 2021-05-10 삼성전자주식회사 User terminal apparatus, communication system and control method thereof
US9509650B2 (en) * 2014-08-29 2016-11-29 Betteremailing, Llc Electronic message management with conversation participation status
US9632664B2 (en) * 2015-03-08 2017-04-25 Apple Inc. Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interface objects with visual and/or haptic feedback
US20170090718A1 (en) 2015-09-25 2017-03-30 International Business Machines Corporation Linking selected messages in electronic message threads

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120179978A1 (en) * 2003-12-01 2012-07-12 Research In Motion Limited Previewing a new event on a small screen device
US20050166154A1 (en) * 2004-01-22 2005-07-28 Wilson Richard M. Enhanced instant message status message area containing time/date stamped entries and editable by others
US20060031361A1 (en) * 2004-07-01 2006-02-09 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for conversational annotation for instant messaging systems
US20080162649A1 (en) * 2007-01-03 2008-07-03 Social Concepts, Inc. Image based electronic mail system
US20110116724A1 (en) * 2009-11-19 2011-05-19 The University Of Arizona Method for Exploiting Structure in Sparse Domain for Magnetic Resonance Image Reconstruction
US20130012271A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2013-01-10 Lg Electronics Inc. Mobile device displaying instant message and control method of mobile device
US20130055112A1 (en) * 2011-08-28 2013-02-28 Hoozin Ltd. Computerized System And Method Supporting Message-Based Group Communication Sessions
US20140143684A1 (en) * 2012-11-21 2014-05-22 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Message-based conversation operation method and mobile terminal supporting the same
US20140237394A1 (en) * 2013-02-20 2014-08-21 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Apparatus and method for controlling messenger in terminal
US20160065529A1 (en) * 2013-03-29 2016-03-03 Nec Corporation Display control device, display control method, and program

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170118152A1 (en) * 2015-10-27 2017-04-27 Line Corporation Message providing methods and apparatuses, display control methods and apparatuses, and computer-readable mediums storing computer programs for executing methods
US10693822B2 (en) * 2015-10-27 2020-06-23 Line Corporation Message providing methods and apparatuses, display control methods and apparatuses, and computer-readable mediums storing computer programs for executing methods
US20170351385A1 (en) * 2016-06-01 2017-12-07 Facebook, Inc. Methods and Systems for Distinguishing Messages in a Group Conversation
US10313287B2 (en) 2016-06-01 2019-06-04 Facebook, Inc. Methods and systems for displaying messages in an asynchronous order
US11789579B2 (en) * 2016-06-01 2023-10-17 Meta Platforms, Inc. Methods and systems for distinguishing messages in a group conversation
CN112506409A (en) * 2020-12-03 2021-03-16 维沃移动通信有限公司 Message display method and device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US9438542B1 (en) 2016-09-06
US20170090700A1 (en) 2017-03-30
US9596200B1 (en) 2017-03-14
US9772750B2 (en) 2017-09-26
US20170090720A1 (en) 2017-03-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9772750B2 (en) Linking selected messages in electronic message threads
CN107667386B (en) Unified messaging platform and interface for providing user callouts
CN111557006B (en) Hybrid intelligent method for extracting knowledge about inline annotations
EP4050852A1 (en) Method and apparatus for displaying online document, electronic device, and storage medium
US20140195899A1 (en) Collaborative presentation of extracted information
US9590929B2 (en) Directed message notification in chat sessions
US20180287984A1 (en) System and method for tracking ongoing group chat sessions
US20110314387A1 (en) Intelligent filtering for render status determination in a screen sharing system
US9858070B2 (en) Development team file collaboration
US20170109336A1 (en) Annotating text using emotive content and machine learning
US9661474B2 (en) Identifying topic experts among participants in a conference call
US20220174336A1 (en) Preemptively altering advertising content
US10489029B2 (en) Drawing a user's attention in a group chat environment
US20190319911A1 (en) Confusion reduction in an online social network
US11811717B2 (en) User preference based message filtering in group messaging
Hafez et al. An accessibility evaluation of social media through mobile device for elderly
US10956015B1 (en) User notification based on visual trigger event
US10652196B2 (en) Relationship change alert
CN109951380B (en) Method, electronic device, and computer-readable medium for finding conversation messages
US10091011B2 (en) System for differential notification
US11652772B2 (en) Dynamically determining visibility of a post
US11665125B2 (en) Message renotification
Chua et al. Improving mobile applications usage experience of novice users through user-acclimatized interaction: a case study
US20210157867A1 (en) User-specific summary generation based on communication content analysis
Chen et al. The accessibility of Chinese social media applications: a heuristic evaluation of the WeChat app

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, NEW Y

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHEN, XIANG;GU, BIN;WANG, CHENG FANG;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20150922 TO 20150923;REEL/FRAME:036653/0242

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: FINAL REJECTION MAILED

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: ADVISORY ACTION MAILED

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION