BlackBerry Limited v. Facebook, Inc. et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT Receipt No: 0973-21360760 - Fee: $400, filed by Plaintiff BlackBerry Limited. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H, # 9 Exhibit I, # 10 Exhibit J) (Attorney James R Asperger added to party BlackBerry Limited(pty:pla))(Asperger, James)

EXHIBIT G

EXHIBIT G

US009349 120B2

(12) United States Patent

(10) Patent No.:

Kalu

US 9,349,120 B2

(45) Date of Patent:

(54) SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR SILENCING
NOTIFICATIONS FOR AMESSAGE THREAD

(75) Inventor: Kalu Onuka Kalu, Waterloo (CA)

8,176,126 B2 *
2002/0087646 A1*
2003/01673 10 A1*
2002fOO87643 A1*

2004/O13381.0 A1*

May 24, 2016

5/2012 Davis et al. ...................
7/2002 Hickey et al. ...
9/2003 Moody et al. ...
7, 2002 Parsons et al. .

TO9,206
TO9,206
TO9,206

TO9,206

7/2004 Brischke et al. .............. 713/201

2004/0225718 A1* 11/2004 Heinzel et al. .....

TO9,206

(73) Assignee: BlackBerry Limited, Waterloo (CA)

2005, 0181836 A1* 8, 2005 Kamat ........
2006/0075040 A1* 4/2006 Chmaytelli.

455/567
TO9,206

(*) Notice:

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this

38887. A. : 338 Hitle s al.

patent 1s ity Olisted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 757 days.

2008.0114884 A1* 5/2008 Hewes et al. ................. 709,229
2008/0294727 A1 1 1/2008 Moody et al.

OCS Cal. ....

372, 6.

2008/0294.730 A1* 11/2008 Oral et al. ..................... TO9,206

(21) Appl. No.: 12/713,577

2008/03.01250 A1

(22) Filed:

2011/0022674 A1

(65)

2009/0204681 A1*

Feb. 26, 2010

1/2011 Callanan et al. .............. TO9,206

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

O

Matias Erny Reichl Hoffman, Response to Office Communication

Related U.S. Application Data

pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC, filed Jul. 7, 2011, in respect of Euro

(60) Provisional application No. 61/167,542, filed on Apr.
8, 2009.

(51) Int. Cl.

8, 2009 Sun ............................... TO9,206

(Continued)

Prior Publication Data
US 2010/O262666A1
Oct. 14, 2010
O

12/2008 Hardy et al.

pean Application No. 10154855.0.
Patent
(Continued)

G06F 15/16

(2006.01)

Primary Examiner — Quang N Nguyen

G06O 10/10

(2012.01)

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Ridout and Maybee LLP

H04L 2/58

(2006.01)

(52) U.S. Cl.
CPC ............ G06O 10/107 (2013.01); H04L 12/587

(57)

ABSTRACT

(2013.01); H04L 5 1/24 (2013.01)
(58) Field of Classification Search

Methods, systems, and computer programming products are
provided for silencing message threads. Incoming messages

CPC .......... HO4L 51/16 HO4L 51/22: HO4L 51/24
USPC .......... 709f2O6 217 219, 223 224 232, 240

related to the same matter are grouped into one or more
message threads. A user can select to silence a message

See application file for complete search history s

thread. Once a message thread has been silenced, the user will
no longer receive notifications of new messages added to the

(56)

References Cited

thread. Methods, systems, and computer programming prod

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

5,283,856 A *
6,442,565 B1*
7,890,085 B2*

2/1994 Gross et al. ..................... TO6/47

ucts display new incoming electronic messages flagged as
silenced in the inbox together with any message thread not
flagged as silenced.

8/2002 Tyra et al.
2/2011 Chiu et al. ................. 455,412.2

24 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets

20, 32, 50,04

& --

158

Thumbwheel
60

62

EXHIBIT G
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US 9,349,120 B2
Page 2
(56)

MERH IP Response to communication pursuant to Rule 62 dated
Aug. 5, 2010.
European Patent Office, Communication pursuant to Article 94(3)
EPC for European Patent Application No. 10 154855.0, datedMar. 4.

References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

2012/0151196 A1* 6/2012 May et al. ......................... T13/1
2013/0095823 A1*
2013/0159879 A1*

4/2013 Klassen ..................... 455,432.1
6, 2013 Affronti et al. ............... 715/752

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Extended European Search Report pursuant to Rule 62 dated May 7,
2010.

2011.

Norton Rose, Response to Examination Report dated May 17, 2013,
issued in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,694.885.
Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Examination Report dated
Nov. 19, 2012, issued in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,694.885.
Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Examination Report dated
Dec. 17, 2013, issued in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,694.885.

* cited by examiner

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U.S. Patent

US 9,349,120 B2

EXHIBIT G
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U.S. Patent

May 24, 2016

Sheet 2 of 11

Wireless
NetWork
Gatewa

WLAN

ACCeSS Point 316
Interface

Wireless
Network
-

-

-

-

-

-

-

US 9,349,120 B2

-

220

232
Email Server

Content Server
230

Origin
Server

FIG. 2

EXHIBIT G
Page 232

Physical
Interface

U.S. Patent

May 24, 2016

Sheet 3 of11

US 9,349,120 B2

- 300
Software Modules 306

Graphical User Interface 304

Operating System 302
Message Module 308
Notification Module 31

Silencing Module 312

FIG. 3

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Sheet 4 of 11

y

102

406
152
160a
412

142

304

404
410
408

407

40gaH QEHao
|

|| |

| |

H
FIG. 4

EXHIBIT G
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|

154 |

U.S. Patent

May 24, 2016

Sheet 5 of 11

US 9,349,120 B2

502

Select Inbox

504

Select Message Thread

506

Silence/Reactivate Thread

FIG. 5

EXHIBIT G
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U.S. Patent

May 24, 2016

Sheet 6 of 11

US 9,349,120 B2

600

602

New Message
Received

604

Yes

No

New Matter?

606

Begin New Thread

60

608

Determine Thread

612

Yes

Thread
Silenced?

NO

614

Message Grayed
Out

FIG. 6

EXHIBIT G
Page 236

616

Notification

U.S. Patent

May 24, 2016

Sheet 7 of 11

US 9,349,120 B2

700

702

7 Test Group
706

704

8 I'm TIM HAWKES

FIG. 7

EXHIBIT G
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May 24, 2016

Sheet 8 of11

US 9,349,120 B2

800

7 Test Group: Activity

806 -

Compose

a Record -

Tue, Mar 10, 2009
810

Picture added: "Cottage"
- Lisa

812

814
5:36p :

Welcome to BlackBerry Groups. Ge...

FIG. 8

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May 24, 2016

Sheet 9 of11

US 9,349,120 B2

900

Lisa

Mar 10 (6:56p

"Nice picture. Where was this taken?"
th. I'm TIM HAWKES

908

Mar 10 (5:38p)

a picture added "cottage

FIG. 9

EXHIBIT G
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910

U.S. Patent

May 24, 2016

Sheet 10 of 11

US 9,349,120 B2

1000

1002

Bug Report
Mark Prior Opened
Delete Prior

r

Compose Message

this take...

Record Voice Note

5:36p

Open Picture
Open Thread

6:56p X

Groups. Ge... X

Send Thread to

Tag as Favourite
1004 — Silence Thread

F.G. 10

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May 24, 2016

Sheet 11 of11

US 9,349,120 B2

1100

Bug Report
Mark Prior Opened

*

Delete Prior

Compose Message
Record Voice Note

Open Picture
Open Thread

6:56p.

was this take.

5:36p X

y Groups. Ge...

Send Thread To
1104

to

Tag as Favourite
Activate Thre

FIG. 11

EXHIBIT G
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US 9,349,120 B2
1.

2
FIG. 6 shows a schematic flow diagram of an example
method for receiving a message in accordance with an

SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR SILENCING
NOTIFICATIONS FOR AMESSAGE THREAD

embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a screen shot showing a group home page in

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS

accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a screen shot showing a group message inbox in
This application claims the benefit of, and by this reference
incorporates the entirety of, U.S. Provisional Patent Applica
tion Ser. No. 61/167,542, filed 8 Apr. 2009 and entitled
SILENCING
THREAD.

NOTIFICATIONS

FOR A

MESSAGE

accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a screen shot showing a messages for a message
10

thread in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG.10 is a screen shot showing a menu suitable for silenc
ing a message thread in accordance with one embodiment;
and

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic mes
sages, and more particularly to systems and methods for
silencing notifications for electronic messages.

15

FIG. 11 is a screen shot showing a menu suitable for reac
tivating a message thread in accordance with one embodi
ment.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings,
like features are identified by like reference numerals.

BACKGROUND

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Electronic messages, such as electronic mail messages and
messages posted to group sites, can be grouped into message
threads. Each message thread can relate to a particular matter
Such as a particular topic of conversation or an activity. For
example, a user may be part of an email group which is
involved in an ongoing discussion. Each email in the discus
sion could be included in the same message thread. A user
may receive a notification each time an electronic message is
received. Notifications could include, for example, auditory
user alerts such as ring tones, visual alerts such as flashing
lights or pop-ups and physical alerts such as vibrations.
Similarly, a user may bea member of a centralized group
site which provides the capability ofa group discussion. For
example, the group may bea set of users who share a common
relationship or interest (e.g. family, co-workers, book club,
Small business, golf foursome, etc.). The group site may allow
data to be shared, updated and commented on by group mem
bers. Each group discussion regarding aparticular matter may
be considered a message thread. A matter could be, for
example, a topic of conversation among the group members
or an activity Such as, for example, the creation ofa list or the
uploading of a photograph by a member of the group. The
user may receive a notification each time a message or com
ment is sent or posted to a group site of which they are a

In one aspect, the present application provides a commu
nication system configured to silence notifications for incom
ing electronic messages, the system comprising a data pro
cessor, media readable by the data processor and a
communications Subsystem: the communication Subsystem
adapted for receiving the incoming electronic messages; and
the media readable by the data processor comprising coded
program instructions adapted to cause the processor to: deter
mine that a new incoming electronic message is associated
with a message thread; determine that the message thread has
been flagged as silenced; and override a currently-enabled
notification setting to prevent a receipt notification pertaining
to new incoming electronic messages associated with the
message thread from being activated.
In another aspect, the present application provides a
method for silencing notifications for incoming electronic
messages to a communication system, the communication
system comprising a data processor, media readable by the
data processor and a communications Subsystem, the com
munications Subsystem adapted to receive the incoming elec
tronic messages, the method comprising: receiving a new
incoming electronic message; identifying the new incoming
message as associated with one or more message threads:
determining that a message thread associated with the new
incoming message has been flagged as silenced; and overrid
ing at least one currently-enabled notification setting to pre
vent a notification pertaining to receipt of the new incoming
message from being activated.
Other aspects of the present application will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art from a review of the following
detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.
Embodiments of the present application are not limited to
any particular operating system, mobile device architecture,
server architecture, or computer programming language.

25

30

35

40

45

member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, which show
by way ofexample, embodiments of the present disclosure,

50

and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless device
Suitable for communications in accordance with the disclo

Sure herein;

55

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a communication
system suitable for providing an operating environment for a

diagram illustrating a wireless device 102 that may be used

wireless device such as that shown in FIG. 1 in accordance

for communications over a network in accordance with vari

Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which shows a block

with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example of con
tents of a memory of a wireless device Such as that shown in

60

FIG. 1:

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a wireless device such as
that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic flow diagram of an example
method of silencing and reactivating a message thread in
accordance with an embodiment;

65

ous aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device 102
communicates through a wireless communication network
104 (e.g., an enterprise network 20, a PLMN 50 and/or a
WLAN 32). Wireless network 104 includes antenna, base
stations, and Supporting radio equipment as for Supporting
wireless communications between wireless device 102 and
other devices connected to wireless network 104. Wireless

network 104 may be coupled to a wireless network gateway

and to a wide area network, shown in FIG. 2.
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In various embodiments, wireless device 102 is a two-way
mobile communication device having at least Voice and data
communication capabilities, includingthe capability to com
municate with other computer systems. Depending on the
functionality provided by wireless device 102, it may be
referred to as a wireless handheld device, a mobile device, a

data messaging device, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone
with data messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appli
ance, a data communication device (with or without tele
phony capabilities), a clamshell device, or a flip-phone. Wire
less device 102 may communicate with any one ofa plurality
of fixed transceiver Stations within its geographic coverage

10

aca.

A wireless device 102 may incorporate a communication
subsystem 112, which includes a receiver 114, a transmitter
116, and associated components. Such as one or more antenna
elements 118 and 120, local oscillators (LOs) 122, and a
processing module Such as a digital signal processor (DSP)

15

124. In various embodiments, antenna elements 118 and 120

may be embedded or internal to wireless device 102. As will
be apparent to those skilled in the field of communications,
the particular design of communication Subsystems 112
depends on the system(s). Such as enterprise network 20,
PLMN 50 and/or WLANs 32, with which wireless device 102
is intended to communicate.

A wireless device 102 may send and receive communica
tion signals to andfroman enterprise server of the enterprise
network 20 through, for example, PLMN 50 and/or one of
WLANs 32. Signals received by the antenna 118 are input to
receiver 114, which may perform such common receiver
functions as signal amplification, frequency down conver
sion, filtering, channel selection, etc., as well as analog-to
digital (A/D) conversion. A/D conversion ofa received signal
allows more complex communication functions such as
demodulation and decoding to be performed in the DSP 124.
In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted are processed,
including modulation and encoding, for example, by DSP
124. These DSP-processed signals are input to transmitter
116 for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency up
conversion, filtering, amplification, and transmission via
antenna 120. DSP 124 not only processes communication
signals, but also provides forreceiver and transmitter control.
For example, the gains applied to communication signals in
receiver 114 and transmitter 116 may be adaptively controlled
through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in
DSP 124.

25

30

35

40

45

4
and Voice communications, may be performed through com
munication subsystem(s) 112. Microprocessor(s) 140 may
also interact with additional device Subsystems, such as
modem 128, primary display 142, optional secondary display
143, flash memory 144, random access memory (RAM) 146,
read-only memory (ROM) 148, auxiliary input/output (I/O)
subsystem(s) 150, data port(s) such as Universal Serial Bus
(USB) port 152, keyboards or keypads 154, speakers or audio
ports 156 for connecting to, for example a set of headphones
or an earpiece, microphones 158, clickable thumb wheels or
thumbwheels 160, open/close sensors 161, short-range com
munications Subsystems 162, and any other device Sub
systems generally designated as 164. Some of Subsystems
shown in FIG. 1 perform communication-related functions,
whereas other subsystems may provide “resident’ or on
device functions. Notably, some Subsystems. Such as keypads
154, primary displays 142, secondary displays 143, and click
able thumbwheels 160, for example, may be used for both
communication-related functions, such as displaying notifi
cations or entering a text message for transmission through,
for example, PLMN 50 and/or one of WLANs 32, and execut
ing device-resident functions such as a clock, a calculator or
a task list. In some examples, primary displays 142 and/or
secondary displays 143 may be touch-sensitive displays. Such
as capacitive touch screen displays, for receiving tactile input.
Where one or more touch-sensitive displays are used, one or
more input Subsystems, such as keyboards or keypads 154
and clickable thumbwheels 160, may be omitted and a virtual
keyboard or keypad presented by the touch-sensitive display
is used instead. In some examples, there may be one or more
physical input Subsystems provided in addition to one or more
touch-sensitive displays. The touch-sensitive display may
provide different virtual input interfaces as suitable. Operat
ing system software used by microprocessor(s) 140 may be
stored in persistent store(s) such as flash memory 144, which
may include or be supplemented by or substituted by for
example ROM 148 and/or similar storage element(s). Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system,
specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be tempo
rarily loaded into a volatile store such as RAM 146.
Microprocessor(s) 140, in addition to their operating sys
tem functions, can enable execution of software applications
on wireless device 102. A predetermined set of applications
that control basic device operations, including data and Voice
communication applications, may be installed on wireless
device 102 during or after manufacture. Wireless device 102
may include a personal information manager (PIM) applica
tion having the ability to organize and manage data items
relating to a user Such as, but not limited to, instant messag
ing, email, calendar events, Voice mails, appointments,
groups and task items. One or more memory stores may be
available on wireless device 102 to facilitate storage of infor
mation, such as flash memory 144, RAM 146, ROM 148,
memory module 130, or other types of memory storage
devices or FLASH memory cards represented by the other
device subsystems 164, such as Secure Digital (SD) cards or

Network access may be associated with a subscriber or user
of a wireless device 102 via a memory module, such as a
memory module 130, which may be a Subscriber Identity
Module (SIM) card for use in a GSM network or a Universal 50
Subscriber Identity Module(USIM) card for use in a Univer
sal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The SIM
card may be inserted in or connected to an interface 132 of
wireless device 102. Alternatively, wireless device 102 may
have an integrated identity modulO065 for use with systems 55
such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems.
miniSD cards, etc.
A wireless device 102 may also include a battery interface
136 for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries 138.
PIM and/or media applications have the ability to send and
Battery 138 may provide electrical power to at least some of receive data items via PLMN 50 and/or one of WLANS 32 or
the electrical circuitry in wireless device 102, and battery 60 via a linkto a computer system(s). The link to Such computer
interface 136 provides a mechanical and electrical connection system(s) may be via serial port 152 or short-range commu
for battery 138. Battery interface 136 may be coupled to a nications subsystem 162. In an embodiment, PIM and/or
regulator (not shown) which provides power V+ to the cir media data items are seamlessly combined, synchronized,
and updated, for example, through PLMN 50 and/or one of
cuitry of wireless device 102.
Wireless device 102 may include one or more micropro 65 WLANs 32, with wireless device user's corresponding data
cessors 140 which control the overall operation of wireless items stored and/or associated with a host computer system
device 102. Communication functions, including at least data thereby creating a mirrored or partially mirrored host com
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6
Subsystem 162 may be a wireless networking communica
puter on wireless device 102 with respect to such items. This
may be advantageous where for example the host computer tions subsystem, conforming to IEEE 802.11 standards such
system is a wireless device users office computer system. as one or more of 802.11b. 802.11g, and/or 802.11n.
Additional applications may also be loaded onto wireless
Referring to FIG. 2, wireless WAN 202 may be imple
device 102 through, for example, PLMN 50 and/or one of 5 mented as a packet-based cellular or mobile network that
WLANs 32,the auxiliary I/O subsystem 150, serial port 152, includes a number of base stations 208 (one of which is shown
short-range communications Subsystem 162, or any other in FIG. 2) where each of base stations 208 provides wireless
suitable subsystem 164, and installed by a user in RAM 146
Radio Frequency (RF) coverage to a corresponding area or
or a non-volatile store such as ROM 148 for execution by cell. Wireless WAN 202 is typically operated by a cellular
microprocessor 140. Such flexibility in application installa 10 network service
that sells Subscription packages to
tion increases the functionality of wireless device 102 and users of wireless provider 102. Wireless WAN 202 comprises
devices
may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication a number
for example, Mobi
related functions, or both. For example, secure communica tex Radioof different types of networks,(Global System for
Network, DataTAC, GSM
tion applications may enable electronic commerce functions
and other such financial transactions to be performed using 15 Mobile Communication), GPRS (General Packet Radio Sys
tem), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), CDMA
wireless device 102.
In a data communication mode, a received data signal (Code Division Multiple Access), CDPD (Cellular Digital
representing information Such as a text message, an email Packet Data), iDEN (integrated Digital Enhanced Network)
message, a media file to be transferred, or Web page down or various other third generation networks such as EDGE
load may be processed by communication Subsystem(s) 112 (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution), UMTS (Universal
and input to microprocessor(s) 140. Microprocessor(s) 140 Mobile Telecommunications Systems), or Evolution-Data
may further process such signal(s) for output to primary dis Optimized (EV-DO).
play 142, secondary display 143, or alternatively to the aux
As shown in FIG. 2, communications system 200 also
iliary I/O device 150. A user of wireless device 102 may also includes a wireless network gateway 210 and one or more
compose data items, such as email messages, for example, 25 network provider systems 212. Wireless network gateway
using keypad 154 and/or clickable thumbwheel 160 in con 210 provides translation and routing services between net
junction with primary display 142and possibly auxiliary I/O work provider system(s) 212 and WAN 202, which facilitates
device 150. Keypad 154 maybe either a complete alphanu communication between wireless devices 102 and other
meric keypad or telephone-type keypad. These composed devices (not shown) connected, directly or indirectly, to net
items may be transmitted through communication Subsystem 30 work provider system 212.
WLAN 204 can comprise a network which can for example
112 or via short range communication Subsystem 162.
For voice communications, the overall operation of wire conform to IEEE 802.11 standards such as 802.11b,802.11g,
less device 102 may be similar, except that the received sig and/or 802.11n; however, other communications protocols
nals may be output to speaker or audio port 156 and signals may also be used for WLAN 204. WLAN 204 includes one or
for transmission may be generated by a transducer Such as 35 more wireless RF Access Points (AP) 214 (one of which is
shown in FIG. 2) that collectively provide a WLAN coverage
microphone 158. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems,
Such as Voice message recording Subsystem(s), may also be area. For the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, WLAN 204 is
implemented on wireless device 102. Although voice or audio operated by an enterprise (for example, a business or univer
signal output is typically accomplished primarily through sity in a building or campus type environment) and the access
speakers or audio ports 156, primary displays 142 or second 40 points 214 are connected to an access point (AP) interface
ary displays 143 may also be used to provide an indication of 216. AP interface 216 provides translation and routing ser
the identity of a calling party or the communication type,
vices between the access points 214 and network provider
duration of a voice call, or other voice call related informa
system 212 to facilitate communication between two or more
tion. Stereo headphones or earpieces may also be used in of wireless devices 102 and other devices (e.g., such as desk
45 top computers) connected, directly or indirectly, to network
place of or in addition to speaker 156.
USB ports 152 may be implemented in personal digital provider system 212. AP interface 216 is implemented using
assistant (PDA) type communications device for, for a computer, for example,a server running a suitable computer
example, synchronization with a user's computer. USB ports program or Software.
152 can enable a user to set preferences through an external
According to some embodiments, the other interfaces 206
device orSoftware application and can extend the capabilities 50 may be implemented using a physical interface indicated by
of a wireless device 102 by providing for information or reference 218. The physical interface 218 includes an Ether
software downloads to wireless device 102 other than through net, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Firewire, or infrared (IR)
PLMN 50 and/or one of WLANs 32. Such alternate download
connection implemented to exchange information between
paths may, for example, be used to load software or data files network provider system 212 and wireless device 102.
onto wireless device 102 through a direct, reliable and trusted 55 Network provider system(s) 212 can comprise server(s) or
connection.
server module(s) which are typically located behinda firewall
Short-range communications Subsystem 162 is an addi (not shown). Network provider system 212 may include a
tional optional component which provides for communica number of modules including a mobile data delivery module
tion between wireless device 102 and different systems or 220. Various modules running on network provider system
devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For 60 212 may be implemented as a number of services running on
example, Subsystem 162 may include an infrared device and a single server oras a number of interconnected servers each
associated circuits and components, or a wireless bus proto running a software program to implement the functionality of
col compliant communication mechanism Such as a Blue the respective module. Network provider system 212 can
toothTM communication module to provide for communica provide access for wireless devices 102, through for example
tion with similarly-enabled systems and devices 65 wireless WAN 202, WLAN 204, or other connection(s) 206 to
(BluetoothTM is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, the devices connected, for example, through an enterprise
Inc.). In another embodiment, short-range communications network 224 (e.g., an intranet), to network provider system
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7
212. In various embodiments, data delivery module 220 is
implemented on a computer, such as network provider system
212.

Enterprise network 224 can comprise one or more local
area networks, intranets, the Internet, and/or direct connec

tion(s), or combinations thereof. Enterprise network 224 may
for example comprise an intranet for a corporation or other
type of organization. In at least some embodiments, network
provider system 212 can be part of an enterprise network 224,
and located behind a corporate firewall and connected to
wireless network gateway 210 through the Internet. A com
puter 222 (e.g., a desktop or laptop computer) belonging to
the user of wireless device 102 is typically connected to
enterprise network 224. As described earlier, wireless device
102 may be temporarily and directly connected to computer
222 using, for example, the serial port 152. Such direct con
nections may make use of a cradle or docking station con
nected to a serial port of computer 222, where wireless device
102 is placed in the cradle, therefore completing the serial
connection between wireless device 102 and computer 222.
Alternatively, wireless device 102 may communicate with
computer 222 using communication Subsystem 112 and
WAN 202 and/or short-range communications subsystem

10

15

306.

Memory 300 can also include one or more message mod
ules 308 which can be used to group electronic messages
received by communication subsystem 112 of wireless device
102 into one or more message threads. For example, each
electronic message in a particular message thread may be
related to the same, or related, matter, or otherwise linked in

162 and WLAN 204.

As shown in FIG. 2, an application/content server 226 may
be connected to enterprise network 224 and also to another
network, for example Wide Area Network(s) (WAN(s)) 228.
In some embodiments, email server(s) 232 and/or content
server(s) 226 form part of enterprise network 224. WANs 228
may further connect to other networks. WAN 228 may com
prise or be configured with the Internet, a direct connection, a
LAN, a wireless communication link, or any combination(s)
thereof. Content providers, such as Web servers, may be
connected to WAN228, an example of which is shown in FIG.
2 as an origin server 230.
According to various embodiments, mobile data delivery
module(s) 220 provide connectivity between wireless WAN
202and WLAN 204and other connection(s) 206 and devices
and/or networks connected directly or indirectly to network
provider system 212. In some embodiments, connectivity
provided may be Hypertext TransferProtocol (HTTP) based
connectivity providing an Internet based service connection

a conversational or other communicative sense. A matter used
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the other connection 206 and devices and/or networks con

rations for use with wireless devices 102.

Reference is next made to FIG. 3, which shows a block

to define or identify a thread could be, for example, a topic of
conversation or an activity. Process(es) for grouping elec
tronic messages into message threads will be described in
greater detail below in relation to FIGS. 5 and 6.
Message module 308 may also comprise, or enable implan
tation of, one or more virtual (e.g., electronic) "folders, such
as one or more inboxes. As will be understood by those skilled
in the relevant arts, an inbox for use in processing electronic
messages refers to a virtual “folder containing one or more
electronic messages—that is, a group of data records repre
senting a group of messages, each of which comprises a flag
or other suitably-adapted data item useful for identifying the
records as associated with a common set identified as a

to devices connected to wireless WAN 202, WLAN 204, or

nected directly or indirectly to network provider system 212.
Network 224, application/content server 226, WAN 228, and
origin server 230, may individually and/or collectively in
various combinations provide content sources for network
provider system 212. It will be appreciated that the system
shown in FIG. 2 comprises but one possible communication
network or configuration of a multitude of possible configu

8
device 102, an operating system (OS) 302 resident on wire
less device 102 provides a basic set of operations for support
ing various applications typically operable through agraphi
cal user interface (GUI) 304. For example, operating system
302 can provide basic input/output system features to obtain
input from auxiliary I/O 150, keypad 154, clickable thumb
wheel 160, and other input devices, and to facilitate output to
the user via display 142. GUI 304 is typically a component of
operating system 302. One or more software modules 306 for
managing communications or providing a personal digital
assistant (PDA) or other functions may also be included.
Memory 300 can also include email and calendar clients,
which may be combined in, for example, a PIM application
having email-based calendaring and scheduling functions.
Typically, the PIM is installed as one of the software modules

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“folder analogous to a physical file folder. Standard appli
cations used to manage electronic messages, such as, for
example, electronic mail applications such as Microsoft Out
lookTM generally allow a user to associate messages with one
or more electronic folders by directly or indirectly setting
Suitable data flags or tags. This is generally referred to as
storing a message in the folder. For example, a user may have
different electronic folders for messages from friends, family,
work, etc. An inbox generally refers to an electronic folder
with which incoming messages may initially be associated.
For example, a data set representing a group or set of
received e-mail messages stored in a memory 300 on or off a
device 102 can comprise a number of different e-mail records.
Each e-mail record can comprise a number of data items.
Some of these items will include, for example, flags, or tags,
or filters, which, as set at any given time, indicate whether an

diagram illustrating a memory 300 of wireless device 102
Suitable for use in implementing systems and methods in 55 e-mail is to be associated with an inbox datasetor with some
accordance with the disclosure. Memory 300 has various other virtual folder(s), so that when a user executes a com
software components for controlling wireless device 102 and mand which will cause the contents of an e-mail database to
may include, for example, any numbers of flash memory 144, be searched for suitable flags in order that an inbox or other
RAM 146, ROM 148, memory module 130 and/or other folder may be displayed, data records representing eligible
device subsystems 164. In accordance with some embodi 60 e-mail communications will be noted, and data items identi
ments, wireless device 102 is intended to be a multi-tasking fying those communications (which are often a Subset of the
wireless communications device configured for sending and complete e-mail data set) will be included within a displayed
receiving data items and for making and receiving Voice calls folder data set, using a display 142, etc.
that also includes various applications enabling users to, for
Thus, in Some aspects an inbox or other virtual folder may
example, listen to music, watch video files, play games, view 65 be viewed as a flagged data set usable, for example, for
picture files, surf the internet wirelessly, etc. To provide a writing to a display or other buffer, produced by reading all of
user-friendly environment to control the operation of wireless the data within a given data set, such as a database, and
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US 9,349,120 B2
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writing selected data records, or data items useful for identi
fying data records, to a designated display or other buffer or

10
Reference is next made to FIG.4, which shows a schematic

front view of wireless device 102 suitable for use in imple
menting various aspects of the systems and processes dis

memory.

Memory 300 can also include notification module(s) 310
for providing notifications to user(s) of a wireless device 102.
Such notifications could include, for example, auditory user
alerts such as ring tones, visual alerts Such as flashing lights or
pop-ups, and/or physical alerts such as vibrations. Notifica
tions may be initiated upon the happening of certain events,
Such as when a new message is received by communication
Subsystem 112. When a new message is received by commu
nication Subsystem 112, microprocessor 140 may store the
message in memory 300 and signal notification module 310
to indicate the arrival of the new message in any one or more
of a very wide variety of ways. Notification module 310 may
comprise one or more notification settings which may indi

closed herein. As mentioned above, a wireless device 102

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cate how and when notifications should be activated. For

example, a user of wireless device 102 may enable a notifi
cation setting which will cause a sound to be emitted each
time a new communication is received. Other notification

settings may indicate that a user only wishes to receive audi
tory notifications for specific types of communications. Such
as telephony communications. In other circumstances, a user
may enable a notification setting which may prevent any
auditory notifications from being emitted for any type of
communication while the setting is enabled. Those of skill in
the art will recognize that there may be many different types
of notification settings, including visual alarms (including,
for example, pop-up messages, blinking lights of one or more
colors, frequencies, etc.) and/or physical alarms such as

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vibrators or shakers.

Memory 300 can also include a silencing module 312.
Silencing module 312 provides the user of wireless device
102 with an option to silence a message thread determined by
the message module 308. Message threads which have been
silenced may be marked or flagged as silenced in memory 300
by, for example, setting a flag or other indicator in a data
record associated with the message thread. When a new elec
tronic message associated with a message thread which has
been flagged as silenced is received, any previously-enabled
notification setting(s) may be overridden and notification
module 310 may be prevented from producing notifications
for new messages added to the corresponding thread(s). In
some embodiments, each ofcomponents 308, 310 and 312
may be part of the software modules 306. Alternatively, com
ponents 308, 310, 312, and 314 may be separate software
components, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
Thus, wireless device 102 may include computer-execut
able programmed instructions for directing wireless device
102, and specifically, for example, microprocessor(s) 140, to
implement various applications. Such programmed instruc
tions may beembodied in one or more software modules 306
resident in memory 300 of wireless device 102. Alternatively,
the programmed instructions may be tangibly embodied on a
computer readable medium (such as a DVD, CD, floppy disk
or other storage media) which may be used for transporting
the programmed instructions to memory 300 of wireless
device 102. Alternatively, the programmed instructions may
be embedded in a computer-readable, signal-bearing medium
that is uploaded to wireless network 104 by a vendor or
Supplier of the programmed instructions, and this signal
bearing medium may be downloaded through one or more of

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may include systems, devices, and executable instruction sets
configured to enable the device 102 to act as both a data and
voice communications device. Wireless device 102 may
include a casing, data or serial port(s) 152, display screen(s)
142, graphical user interface(s) (GUI) 304, keypad(s) 154,
clickable thumb wheel(s) or scroll button(s) 160a, or other
device(s), for navigation such as a trackball(s) 160b, one or
more input buttons 404 (e.g., select, cancel, talk, play, stop,
fast forward, rewind, next, previous buttons), signal inputs/
outputs 407 (e.g., direct wire connection or inductive cou
pling power connector input, microphone, speaker, data inter
face input, etc.), and audio port(s) 406. Additionally, wireless
device 102 may have a number of navigation control buttons
represented by numerals 409a and 409b. Navigation control
buttons 409 may provide a number of functions such as a send
and/or end key for a mobile telephone application of wireless
device 102, a menu key, an escape key, etc. The functions of
navigation control buttons 409 may be user-configurable.
Internally, wireless device 102 can include one or more circuit
boards (not shown), microprocessors 140 (FIG. 1),
memory(ies)300 (FIG.3), battery(ies) 138 (FIG. 1), antennae
118, 120 (FIG. 1), etc., which may all be coupled to the signal
inputs/outputs 407, keypad(s) 154, display screen(s) 142,
clickable thumb wheel(s) 160, etc.
Microprocessor(S) 140 are typically coupled to one or
more input devices (e.g., buttons 404, keypad 154, clickable
thumbwheel160) for receiving user commands or queries and
display 142 for displaying the results of these commands or
queries. Forexample, user queries may be transformed into a
combination of commands for producing one or more tables
of output data which may be incorporated in one or more
display pages for presentation to the user. Microprocessor
140 is also coupled to memory 300.
A user may interact with wireless device 102 and its soft
ware modules 306 using, for example, GUI(s) 304. GUI(s)
304 can be controlled by microprocessor(s) 140 executing,
for example, an operating system 302 (FIG. 3), and can pro
vide a display format enabling the user to choose commands,
execute application programs, manage computer files, and
perform other functions by selecting pictorial representations
(i.e., icons), or selecting items froma menu through the use of
an input or pointing device such as clickable thumbwheel 160
and/or keypad 154. Generally, a GUI 304 is used to convey
information and receive commands from users and generally
includes a variety of GUI objects or controls including icons,
toolbars, drop-down menus, pop-up menus, text, dialog
boxes, buttons, etc. A user typically interacts with a GUI 304
presented on display 142 by using an input or pointing device
to position a pointer or cursor 408 over an object 410 (i.e.,
"pointing at the object) and by "clicking on the object 410
(e.g., by depressing the thumbwheel 160 or a button on the
keyboard 154, etc.). This is often referred to as a point-and
click or selection operation. Typically, an object 410 may be
highlighted (e.g., shaded) when it is selected or pointed at by
the pointer or cursor 408 to indicate that object 410 is select
able.

Typically, a GUI-based system presents application, status,
and other information to the user in windows appearing on
display a 142. A window 412 is a display area shown within a
the interfaces 112, 150, 152, 162 to wireless device 102 from,
for example, wireless network 104 by end users. Alterna display 142, typically rectangular, in which a user may view
tively, specifically-configured special purpose circuitry, 65 an application or document. A window 412 may be open,
including for example dedicated integrated circuit boards or closed, displayed full-screen, reduced to an icon, increased or
chips, can be provided.
reduced in size, or moved to different areas of display 142.
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US 9,349,120 B2
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Multiple windows 412 may be displayed simultaneously. For
example, windows 412 may be displayed within other win
dows, overlapped with other windows, or tiled within the
display area.
Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which shows a flow

diagram representing an example of a method 500 of silenc
ing and reactivating a message thread according to one
embodiment. Method 500 is suitable for use in, for example,
a wireless device 102 of FIG. 1 in implementing various
aspects of the disclosure herein.
A method 500 can begin at 502 where a user can, using
Suitably-configured GUI(s) and input device, select a mes
sage inbox. As explained above, an inbox generally refers to
a virtual folder with which incoming messages are initially
associated. Although the term “inbox’ is used, it should be
understood that the incoming messages are not necessarily
email messages, and an inbox is not necessarily an email
inbox. In general, it should be understood that incoming
messages may be organized or flagged as belonging to or
being associated with a certain defined group; or as satisfying
certain criteria (e.g., is sent by a member of a defined group or
contact list); and that such association with a group may be
referred to as being associated with an inboxor virtual folder.
When a user selects a folder, such as an inbox, for viewing, all
of the messages associated with that folder may be displayed,
as for example through use of data processing filtering tech
niques based on the use of flags orotheridentifying data items

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within relevant data records, on auser interface such as a GUI

304 on a display 142. Electronic messages received by, for
example, communication Subsystem 112 may be stored in
memory 300 along with some indication of the electronic
folder(s) with which the message is currently associated, i.e.,
a memory 300 may comprise a data set comprising one or
more data records representing electronic messages which
may comprise data items representing, for example, Suitably
configured flags identifying record for inclusion within, for
example, an inbox data set, such that incoming messages may
be presented as part of a displayed inbox’ data set. It should
be understood that the current application is not limited to any
particular messaging application nor to any particular imple
mentation as to how electronic messages may be stored in

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memory.

In various embodiments, some incoming messages may be
routed to electronic folder(s) other than an inbox. Such as a
junk mail folder or other default folder based on content
and/or various flags or tags associated with the message(s), or
may be otherwise handled or disposed of. Electronic folders
containing only messages which meet Some automatically
applied predetermined screening or filtering criteria for
unwanted messages, such as predetermined criteria
employed by a spam or junk mail filter, are generally not
considered to be inboxes.

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12
ongoing discussion. For example, in various embodiments a
filter algorithm may be applied to a subject line of an elec
tronic message and/or the body ofan electronic message in
order to determine to which message thread it relates. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be many
different methods of associating a particular electronic mes
sage with a message thread.
In some embodiments, a message inbox may be imple
mented as a group inbox associated with a pre-determined
group of users. For example, as explained above, a user/
device may be authorized to access a definable group com
munications functionality which provides, for example, the
capability of group discussions, or communications, such as
a BlackBerryTM Group. Such group functionality (also
referred to as a group “site') may allow data to be shared
between and updated by any or all members of a defined user
group, and may allow electronic messages to be sent to the
group “site' by any or all group members. As with other
messaging applications, a group site may comprise one or
more virtual folders, or other group-accessible databases,
with which electronic messages generated by group members
may be associated and accessed. When, for example, a group
discussion is initiated regarding a particular matteror topic of
conversation, electronic messages received in association
with that discussion may be associated with a particular elec
tronic folder associated with and accessible by members of
the group. Such virtual group folders can be referred to as
group inboxes. Alternatively, each message received may be
associated with a single inbox, regardless of the topic to
which they relate. When messages in Such a single inbox are
displayed on, for example, display 142, some indication of
the group discussion to which they relate may also be dis
played.
Messages pertaining to, or otherwise previously associated
with, a particular group discussion or matter are an example
of messages which may be considered to form a message
thread. Some message threads may relate to a particular topic
of conversation. For example, if the group site is a site for use
by a book club, the topic of conversation could relate to a
discussion of the location for the next meeting. Alternatively,
the message thread could relate to an activity occurring in the
group site. For example, BlackberryTM Groups allows photos
to be uploaded to the site and allows lists (such as grocery
lists) to be posted and updated. A member of the group can
Submit a comment regarding a photo or a list. Similarly,
members of a group can view the location of other group
members on a map. A group discussion can be started in
relation to the location of one or more group members at a
given time. Each message posted by a group member regard
ing a particular photo or list or the location of one or more
group members may be identified as belonging to one of one
or more message threads. Threads may be defined in a very
wide variety ofways, and may include communications gen
erated by any of a very wide variety of users, devices, and/or

Some or all of the electronic messages associated with an
inbox may be grouped into, or otherwise associated with, one
or more message threads. For example, in Some embodi 55 other sources.
Thus, the inbox selected at 502 could relate to, for example,
ments, a data record stored in memory 300 which is associ
ated with an electronic message may be modified to include an instant messaging group discussion. Such group conver
an indication of the message thread to which the message sations can be considered message threads.
belongs. Messages in a message thread may, for example,
At 504, the user selects a message thread using, for
relate to a particular subject matter, Such as a topic of conver 60 example, a user interface Such as a GUI304, displaying one or
sation or activity. For example, if an ongoing discussion more selectable options such as a list of one or more message
occurs between a number of users using, for example, the threads. A message thread may be selected by the userby, for
“reply' or “reply to all features of many email applications, example, selecting a displayed, selectable option associated
all the messages relating to that conversation could be iden with the message thread using point-and-click functionality
tified as belonging to a particular message thread. Messaging 65 as described above.
applications, such as electronic mail applications, may have
At 506, a user can silence a message thread or reactivate a
various ways of determining which messages belong to an message thread that had previously been silenced with respect
EXHIBIT G
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US 9,349,120 B2
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to a device the user is using. This can, for example, be accom
plished using a user interface such as a GUI 304, with one or
more selectable options displayed, for example, on display
142. AS is known in the art, user interfaces may provide
various types of selectable options such as, for example,
checkboxes, radio boxes, lists and drop down menus, such as
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The selectable options may be
selected by the user as explained above in relation to FIG. 4.
A message thread which has been silenced may be marked or
flagged as silenced in memory 300 by, for example, setting a
flag or other indicator in a data record associated with the
message thread.
As explained above, one or more notification settings may

14
to one embodiment. Such a method 600 is suitable for use in,

for example, a wireless device 102 such as that shown in FIG.
1, using processing procedures andcomponents as described
above.

A method 600 can begin at 602 where a message is received
which is addressed or otherwise identified in such away as to
be associated with an inbox. As mentioned above, the mes

10

be enabled for wireless device 102. When a new electronic

message associated with a message thread which has been
flagged as silenced is received, any currently enabled notifi
cation settings may be overridden and notification module
310 may be prevented from producing notifications for the
new message. Thus, when a user silences a thread, the user
will no longer receive notifications (e.g. ring tones, flashing
lights or vibrations) when a new message arrives belonging to
the silenced message thread. If the inbox is shared, such as in
the case of a group inbox of a group site or an instant mes
saging group discussion, only the member(s) of the group
who have silenced the thread may cease to receive notifica
tions for new messages in the thread. Notifications to mem

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bers who have not silenced the thread will be unaffected.

New messages in a silenced message thread may still be
associated with an inbox and displayed with the inbox con
tents. In some embodiments, new messages received for a
silenced message thread may appear to be greyed out or
otherwise diminished in appearance when displayed with an
inbox contents. That is, when the messages in an inbox are
displayed, for example on display 142, new messages in a
silenced message thread may be displayed in a different man
ner, Such as, for example, using a differently-colored or styled
font. If the inbox is shared, such as in the caseof a group inbox
of a group site oran instant messaging group discussion, only
the member(s) of the group who have silenced the thread may
see the messages as greyed out. The display of messages to

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members who have not silenced the thread will be unaffected.

When a user who has silenced a message thread reactivates
that thread, that user may again receive notifications (e.g. ring
tones, flashing lights or vibrations) when a new message is
received belonging to the message thread. Messages associ
ated with Such a reactivated message thread may no longer
appear to be greyed out or otherwise diminished in appear
ance when displayed with the inbox contents on, for example,
display 142. If the inbox is a group inbox of a group site oran
instant messaging group discussion, only the member of the
group who has reactivated the thread will be affected. When a
message thread has been reactivated the mark or flag which
indicated the thread as silenced in memory 300 by may be
removed by, for example, unsetting a flag or other indicator in
a data record associated with the message thread.
In some embodiments, when a user joins a group discus
Sion, such as an instant messaging discussion, or a new mem
berjoins a group site. Such as described above, they may only
receive notifications for those messages which were posted
after they joined the group discussion or group site. For
example, when a new member joins a group site, any mes
sages with a timestamp older than when the group was created
locally (i.e. when the member joined the group) may be
automatically silenced.

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sage can be a message posted to a group inbox by a member
of a group site or it can be an individual message received, for
example, in a user's email inbox. In some embodiments, the
message could also be an instant message Submitted as part of
an instant messaging group discussion. In some embodi
ments, the inbox with which a message is associated may be
inherent in the message itself. Such as where a message is
posted to a particular group inbox, or it may be determined
based on protocols or settings of an application managing the
messages, such as the electronic mail or instant messaging
application.
At 604, it may be determined whether or not the message
relates to a new matter, Such as a new topic of conversation or
a new activity. If the message relates to a topic of conversa
tion, determining whether or not the message relates to a new
matter may involve determining if the message is a reply to a
previous message sent or received by the user. In some
embodiments, a subject line of a message may be compared to
the Subject line of other messages to determine if the message
relates to a new matter. If the message relates to an activity,
Such as a list, posted photograph or member location, deter
mining whether or not the message relates to a new matter
may involve determining whether the list, photograph or loca
tion had previously been commented on.
If the message does relate to a new matter, at 606, a new
message thread is started. At 608, the user is notified of the
message according to any currently-enabled notification set
tings, as described above.
If the message does not relate to a new matter, at 610, a
thread to which the message belongs may be determined. This
may be done, for example, by determining that the new mes
sage is in reply to a previous message, by matching key words
included in content portions of the message data set, or by
using Suitably-configured and processed data records or items
to determine a list, photograph or other image, or location,
etc., to which a message relates.
At 612, it is may determined whether or not the message
thread to which the message belongs has been silenced by the
user. For example, a data record in memory 300 which is
associated with the message thread may be checked to deter
mine whether a flag has been set indicating that thethread has
been silenced. If the message thread has been silenced by the
user then no notification may be activated and at 614 the
message may appear 'greyed out' or other diminished fash
ion when displayed with the inbox contents. If the message
thread has not been silenced by the user, then at 616 the user
may be notified of the incoming message according to any
currently-enabled notification settings.
While the embodiments of methods 500and600 comprise
actions or steps shown as occurring in a particular order, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many of the
blocks are interchangeable and may occur in different orders
than that shown without materially affecting the end results of
the methods 500 and 600.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a display 700 is shown displaying
a main page of a group site according to one embodiment. The
display 700 could, for example, be displayed on display 142
Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which shows a flow 65 of wireless device of FIG. 1 through the implementation of
diagram representing an example of a method 600 of handling processes and components described above. Reference will
a message contained in or to be routed to an inbox according be made to FIG. 1 where appropriate.
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A title bar 702 of the display 700 shows the name of the
group site. An activity bar 704 of the display 700 may display
various interactive icons which can be used to navigate to
areas of the group site, by, for example, use of one or more
input devices 154, 158, 160 as described above. Activity bar
704 includes a letter icon 706 used to open the group inbox
(i.e. display the group inbox on display 142). A member of the
group can open the group inbox by selecting letter icon 706
using, for example, one or more input devices 154, 158, 160
as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a display 800 is shown displaying
a group inbox ofa group site according to one embodiment.
This could, for example, be displayed on display 142 of
wireless device of FIG. 1 by implementing processes and
using components described above. Reference will be made
to FIG. 1 where appropriate.
A title bar 802 of the display 800 shows the current location
of the display within the group site. For example, the title bar
802 may indicate the electronic folder which is currently
being displayed. An activity bar 804 of the display 800 con
tains a “compose' icon 806 which can be used to invoke
functionality which will allow a user to compose a new text
based message. The activity bar 804 also contains a record
icon 814 which can be used to invoke functionality which will
allow a user to record a new Voice message.
In FIG. 8, data identifying two message threads 810 and
812 are displayed. Data identifying the first message thread
810 indicate that the thread relates to a picture which has been
uploaded to the group site. A message thread 810, 812 can be
selected by a group member using, for example, keyboard
154 or thumbwheel 160 of wireless device 102 as explained
above in relation to FIG. 4. When a message thread 810, 812
has been selected, corresponding messages in the selected
message thread may be displayed as shown in FIG. 9.
Referring now to FIG.9, a display 900 is shown displaying
messages in a message thread according to one embodiment.
This could, for example, be displayed on display 142 of
wireless device of FIG. 1 through the use of processes and
components described above. Reference will be made to FIG.
1 where appropriate.
In the example shown in FIG. 9, the selected message
thread relates to aphotograph posted by one of the members
of the group site. An activity bar 904 displays an icon 906
which can be used to invoke functionality which will allow a
user to open the picture associated with the message thread
for display. Two messages 908 and 910 in the currently
selected message thread are displayed.
Referring now to FIG. 10, a display 1000 is shown display
ing messages in a message thread and a drop down menu
according to one embodiment. This could, for example, be
displayed on display 142 of wireless device of FIG. 1 through
the application of processes and components described
above. Reference will be made to FIG.1 where appropriate. A
drop down menu 1002 for initiating actions related to a
selected message thread is displayed on display 1000. A drop
down menu is an interactive component ofa graphical user
interface which allows a user to select one or more options,
for example using one of the techniques described above,
which may initiate one or more commands or applications.
Menu 1002 includes an option 1004 for silencing the current
message thread. The option 1004 can be selected by a group
member using, for example, keyboard 154 or thumb wheel

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16
Once a message thread has been silenced, the messages in
the message thread may appear 'greyed out or in otherwise
visually diminished form (e.g., through the use of less promi
nent or eye-catching colors, reduced or less-discreet font
sizes, etc.) to the member of the group site who has silenced
the thread and that member will no longer receive notifica
tions of new messages added to the thread, as explained
above. Other members who have not silenced the thread may
still receive notifications of new messages added to the
thread.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a display 1100 is shown display
ing messages in a message thread and a drop down menu
according to one embodiment. This could, for example, be
displayed on display 142 of wireless device of FIG. 1 includ
ing processes and components described above. Reference
will be made to FIG. 1 where appropriate.
A drop down menu 1102 for initiating actions related to the
message thread is displayed on display 1100. In this case, the
message thread had been silenced by the member currently
viewing the thread and hence, menu 1102 includes an option
1104 for reactivating the current message thread. The option
1104 can be selected by a group member using, for example,
keyboard 154 or thumbwheel 160 of wireless device 102 as
described above. Once the message thread has been reacti
vated, the member who has reactivated the thread may again
receive notifications of new messages added to the thread and
the messages in the thread may no longer appear to be greyed
out. The message thread may only be reactivated for the
member who selected the option 1104 to reactivate the thread.
While the invention has been described and illustrated in

connection with specific, presently-preferred embodiments,
many variations and modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The
invention is therefore not to be limited to the exact compo
nents or details of methodology or construction set forth
above. Except to the extent necessary or inherent in the pro
cesses themselves, no particular order to steps or stages of
methods or processes described in this disclosure, including
the Figures, is intended or implied. In many cases the order of
process steps may be varied without changing the purpose,
effect, or import of the methods described. The scope of the
claims is to be defined solely by the appended claims, giving
due consideration to the doctrine of equivalents and related
doctrines.
The invention claimed is:

1. A communication system configured to silence notifica
tions for incoming electronic messages, the system compris
ing a data processor, non-transitory media readable by the
data processor and a communications Subsystem:
the communication Subsystem adapted for receiving the
incoming electronic messages; and
the non-transitory media readable by the data processor
comprising coded program instructions adapted to cause
the processor to:
receive a selected message thread for silencing;
in response to receiving the selected message thread,
activate a flag stored in the non-transitory media in
association with theselected message thread, wherein
the flag indicates that the selected message thread has
been silenced;

determine that a new incoming electronic message is
associated with the selected message thread;
160 of wireless device 102 as described above. When the
determine that the selected message thread has been
silencing option is selected, the current message thread may
flagged as silenced using the flag stored in the non
transitory media;
be marked or flagged as silenced. For example, in some 65
override a currently-enabled notification setting to pre
embodiments, a data record in memory 300 associated with
the message thread may be flagged.
vent a receipt notification pertaining to new incoming
EXHIBIT G
Page 249

US 9,349,120 B2
17
electronic messages associated with the selected mes
Sage thread from being activated; and
display the new incoming electronic message in an
inbox together with anymessage thread not flagged as
silenced, while silencing any further notifications per
taining to receipt of the new incoming electronic mes
sage, wherein the new incoming message thread
flagged as silenced is displayed in the inbox in a
different manner than any message thread not flagged
as silenced.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the new incoming elec
tronic message is part of a group discussion.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein a receipt notification for
a new incoming electronic message is prevented only for a
user who has flagged the message thread as silenced.

10

15

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the inbox is one ofa
group inbox or an email inbox.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one
display for displaying the incoming electronic messages.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein, if the message thread
has been flagged as silenced, electronic messages in the mes
Sage thread appear diminished in appearance.
7. The system of claim 1, further adapted to allow the
message thread to be unflagged deactivating the flag.
8. The system of claim 7, further adapted to, after deter
mining that the message thread has been unflagged, retain the
new incoming message associated with the inbox while
allowing notifications pertaining to receipt of any subsequent
new incoming message forthe message thread, and associate
any Subsequent new incoming message with the inbox.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a

25

the inbox.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the notifications
30

wireless device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the notifications
include one or more ofan auditory alert, a visual alert or a
physical alert.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the new incoming
message is displayed in a default view of the inbox.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the coded program
instructions further cause the processor to store the new
incoming message in theinbox.
13. A method for silencing notifications for incoming elec
tronic messages to a communication system, the communi
cation system comprising a data processor, media readable by
the data processor and a communications subsystem, the
communications subsystem adapted to receive the incoming
electronic messages, the method comprising:
receiving one or more selected message threads for silenc
ing:
in response to receiving the one or more selected message
threads, activating one or more flags, each flag in asso
ciation with a selected message thread of the one or more
Selected message threads, wherein the one or more flags

35

40

45

sage threads have been silenced;

include one or more of an auditory alert, a visual alert or a
physical alert.
22. The method of claim 13, wherein the new incoming
message is displayed in a default view of the inbox.
23. The method of claim 13, further comprising storing the
new incoming message in the inbox.
24. A non-transitory computer readable medium compris
ing processing instructions which when executed by a data
processor cause the data processor to perform a method for
silencing notifications for incoming electronic messages to a
communication system, the method comprising:
receiving one or more selected message threads for silenc
ing:
in response to receiving the one or more selected message
threads, activating one or more flags, each flag in asso
ciation with a selected message thread of the one or more
Selected message threads, wherein the one or more flags
indicate that the associated one or more selected mes

sage threads have been silenced;

50

indicate that the associated one or more selected mes

receiving a new incoming electronic message;
identifying the new incoming message as associated with
the selected one or more message threads:
determining that a message thread associated with the new
incoming message has been flagged as silenced using
the one or more flags;
overriding at least one currently-enabled notification set
ting to prevent a notification pertaining to receipt of the
new incoming message from being activated; and
displaying the new incoming electronic message in an
inbox together with any message thread not flagged as

18
silenced, while silencing any further notifications per
taining to receipt of the new incoming electronic mes
Sage;
wherein the new incoming message thread flagged as
silenced is displayed in the inbox in a different manner
than any message thread not flagged as silenced.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the new incoming
electronic message is part of a group discussion.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein a receipt notification
for a new incoming electronic message is prevented only for
a user who has flagged the message thread as silenced.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the inbox is one of a
group inbox or an email inbox.
17. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying
the incoming electronic messages.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein, if the message thread
has been flagged as silenced, electronic messages in the mes
Sage thread appear diminished in appearance.
19. The method of claim 13, further adapted to allow the
message thread to be unflagged by deactivating the flag.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising, after
determining that the message thread has been unflagged,
retaining the new incoming message associated with the
inbox while allowing notifications pertaining to receipt of any
Subsequent new incoming message for the message thread,
and associating any subsequent new incoming message with

55

60

receiving a new incoming electronic message;
identifying the new incoming message as associated with
the selected one or more message threads:
determining that a message threadassociated with the new
incoming message has been flagged as silenced using
the one or more flags;
overriding at least one currently-enabled notification set
ting to preventa notification pertaining to receipt of the
new incoming message from being activated; and
displaying the new incoming electronic message in an
inbox together with any message thread not flagged as
silenced, while silencing any further notifications per
taining to receipt of the new incoming electronic mes
Sage;

wherein the new incoming message thread flagged as
silenced is displayed in the inbox in a different manner
than any message thread not flagged as silenced.

EXHIBIT G
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