International Business Machines Corporation

Harry Schatz

Rick A Hamilton, Ii

Carl Phillip Gusler

James W Seaman

Timothy Moffett Waters

Craig William Fellenstein

The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for organizing threads in an instant messaging session. Instant messages are received from a list of contacts. Each of these messages are stored in a set of folders, wherein each folders in the set of folders stores messages for a contact in the number of contacts. Each file is linked for access though a graphical user interface. Message threads are handled by displaying a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responsive to a user input identifying a new thread, a secondary dialog window is displayed, wherein the secondary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane are displayed in the primary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the primary dialog window. Responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane in the secondary dialog window are displayed in the ongoing conversation pane in the secondary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window and the secondary dialog window.

Method and apparatus for enhancing instant messaging systems

In the method of the present invention, a customer of a service provider would be placed in hold while waiting to speak to a customer service representative. The method and system of the invention would recognize the telephone number of the caller using a 'caller ID' system. If this call is the first time the caller has ever called, the caller would be presented with an audible listing of listening choices that would include but not be limited to the latest news, the weather (of the caller's location), financial headlines, or a selection of music stations (via cable radio, for example). The caller would then speak or type his/her preference into the keypad and the selection would be played. If the caller does not like the selection, the caller can then speak another selection or type the new selection as many times as the caller prefers. The caller selection is recorded in a caller preference database. Finally, when the same customer calls one or more additional times, the system would retain the caller's number and preferred listening selection, based on caller ID value. The listening selection would automatically be played on subsequent calls.

Method and system for telephone wait user interface selection

An example of a solution provided here comprises: in response to a request from an original sender, transmitting tracing notifications to the original sender, and providing limits for the tracing notifications. The tracing notifications operate when an e-mail message is forwarded to at least one non-original recipient.

E-mail route trace functionality

An apparatus and method for monitoring instant messaging user accounts are provided. The apparatus and method provide a mechanism by which transcripts of instant messages may be generated and analyzed to determine if inappropriate contact with unapproved users is occurring. A user is registered with an instant messaging service provider such that an indication as to whether or not transcripts of the user's instant messages should be stored. In addition, a listing of destination user identifications that are approved, and thus do not require transcripts, may be provided to the instant messaging service provider. Thereafter, when an instant message is received, a look-up of the source user identification of the instant message, and optionally, the destination user identification, may be used to determine if transcripts are to be stored. The transcript may be reported to an authorized recipient of the transcript. An analysis tool is provided for analyzing the content of the instant messaging transcripts to provide additional information regarding contacts in the transcript. Also, a mechanism for maintaining the integrity of the transcripts is also provided such that tampering will be identified and the instant messaging user account may be suspended.

Apparatus and method for monitoring and analyzing instant messaging account transcripts

The present invention provides a monitoring subsystem that would capture all incoming MDN messages (return receipts), and rather than posting individual MDN notes in the user's in-box, a tracking and update subsystem would correlate the incoming responses by reading the appropriate fields in the captured MDN message, and would then use this data to update/create the new functionality.

Method for managing electronic mail receipts using audio-visual notification enhancements

An example of a solution provided here comprises: receiving a message from a sender; providing the message to a recipient; and in response to a request from the sender, automatically transmitting multiple-party receipt notifications to a number of persons. Thus a number of persons may be notified that the recipient has been provided with the content of the message. In some cases, such a solution may comprise providing limits for the multiple-party receipt notifications.

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McLean, VA, United States of America

Harry Schatz