US20230208792A1 - Group-based communication interface with subsidiary channel-based thread communications - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a group-based communication interface configured to allow members of the interface to communicate within group-based communication channels. The group-based communication interface is configured to relegate selected group-based messaging communications to a separate display pane, where additional messaging communications can be received, thereby maintaining a focused selected group-based communication channel. The selected group-based communication channel is updated to indicate that the selected group-based messaging communications was relegated to a separate display pane, informing the channel members while also allowing the channel members to access the separate display pane if desired. Accordingly, the selected group-based communication interface provides for efficient and focused group-based communications.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/547,605, entitled “Group-Based Communication Interface With Subsidiary Channel-Based Thread Communications” and filed on Aug. 18, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
• Various messaging systems are available that allow users to have continuous conversations electronically between each other. In such systems, one or more users may send messages back and forth discussing various topics. In certain systems, the string of messages may be saved and later accessible to the participants of the conversation. Applicant has identified a number of deficiencies and problems associated with conventional messaging systems. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified problems have been solved by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present invention, many examples of which are described in detail herein. communication
BRIEF SUMMARY
• In general, embodiments of the present invention provided herein include methods, apparatus, and computer program products for facilitating a group-based communication interface.
• In some embodiments, a method may be provided including generating a group-based communication interface that is configured to efficiently arrange an array of messaging communications within a defined display window, the group-based communication interface defining a channel list pane comprising a plurality of group-based communication channels and a channel messaging pane, the method including receiving a first messaging communication associated with a selected group-based communication channel of the plurality of group-based communication channels; displaying the first messaging communication to the channel messaging pane; receiving a thread request to create a subsidiary channel-based thread communication associated with the first messaging communication in the selected group-based communication channel; and in response to receiving the thread request, generating and displaying a thread summary indicator within the channel messaging pane proximate the first messaging communication. In some embodiments, the method may further include generating a thread communication pane in response to receiving the thread request; receiving a thread communication message; and displaying the thread communication message to the thread communication pane. The method may also include in response to receiving the thread communication message, updating the thread summary indicator within the channel messaging pane to indicate that the thread communication message was received. The thread summary indicator may include a thread count and a latency indicator, and the channel list pane, channel messaging pane, and thread communication pane may be configured to be viewable simultaneously. In some embodiments, the thread summary indicator within the channel messaging pane may be configured to be selectable by any user of the selected group-based communication channel.
• In some embodiments, the method may further include displaying messaging communication information associated with the subsidiary channel-based thread communication in the thread communication pane. In some embodiments, the method may further include generating a thread communication pane in response to receiving the thread request; receiving a thread communication message; receiving a profile identifier with the thread communication message, wherein the profile identifier is configured to associate the thread communication message with a user of the selected group-based communication channel; displaying the thread communication message to the thread communication pane; and in response to receiving the profile identifier in the thread communication message, updating a thread indication in the channel list pane, the thread indication configured to indicate that the profile identifier was received in the thread communication message.
• In some embodiments, the method may further include receiving a thread summary view request and, in response to receiving the thread summary view request, presenting at least a portion of the subsidiary channel-based thread communication and at least a portion of one or more thread communication messages in a thread summary communication pane. The method may further include in response to receiving the thread summary view request, presenting a notification in the thread summary communication pane, wherein the notification is configured to indicate the receipt of new thread communication messages, the new thread communication messages being thread communication messages that a thread-associated user profile has not yet viewed.
• Further, in some embodiments, the method may include receiving a selected thread view request and, in response to receiving the selected thread view request, presenting each thread communication message of the selected thread view request in a thread communication pane. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a follow request that is configured to activate notifications corresponding to a thread and in response to receiving the follow request, updating a thread indication in the channel list pane, the thread indication configured to indicate that the follow request was received.
• Some embodiments of the present method include receiving a subsequent thread communication message in the thread communication pane and receiving a share request, the share request configured to reproduce the thread communication message in the selected group-based communication channel; and in response to receiving the share request, reproducing the first messaging communication and the subsequent thread communication message in the selected group-based communication channel. The method may further include receiving a selected thread view request configured to view the thread communication message in the thread communication pane and in response to receiving the selected thread view request, presenting the thread communication message in the thread communication pane.
• Another embodiment of the present invention provided is an apparatus including at least a processor, and a memory associated with the processor having computer coded instructions therein, with the computer coded instructions configured to, when executed by the processor, efficiently arrange an array of messaging communications within a defined display window, the group-based communication interface defining a channel list pane comprising a plurality of group-based communication channels and a channel messaging pane by causing the apparatus to receive a first messaging communication associated with a selected group-based communication channel of the plurality of group-based communication channels; display the first messaging communication to the channel messaging pane; receive a thread request to create a subsidiary channel-based thread communication associated with the first messaging communication in the selected group-based communication channel; and in response to receiving the thread request, generate and display a thread summary indicator within the channel messaging pane proximate the first messaging communication. In some embodiments, the thread summary indicator may include a thread count and a latency indicator, and in some embodiments, the channel list pane, channel messaging pane, and thread communication pane may be configured to be viewable simultaneously. The thread summary indicator within the channel messaging pane may be configured to be selectable by any user of the selected group-based communication channel.
• In some embodiments, the computer coded instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to generate a thread communication pane in response to receiving the thread request; receive a thread communication message; and display the thread communication message to the thread communication pane. The computer coded instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to in response to receiving the thread communication message, update the thread summary indicator within the channel messaging pane to indicate that the thread communication message was received.
• In some embodiments, the computer coded instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to display messaging communication information associated with the subsidiary channel-based thread communication in the thread communication pane.
• Further, in some embodiments, the computer coded instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to generate a thread communication pane in response to receiving the thread request; receive a thread communication message; receive a profile identifier with the thread communication message, wherein the profile identifier is configured to associate the thread communication message with a user of the selected group-based communication channel; display the thread communication message to the thread communication pane; and in response to receiving the profile identifier in the thread communication message, update a thread indication in the channel list pane, the thread indication configured to indicate that the profile identifier was received in the thread communication message.
• In some embodiments, the computer coded instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to receive a thread summary view request and, in response to receiving the thread summary view request, present at least a portion of the subsidiary channel-based thread communication and at least a portion of one or more thread communication messages in a thread summary communication pane. The computer coded instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to receiving the thread summary view request, present a notification in the thread summary communication pane, wherein the notification is configured to indicate the receipt of new thread communication messages, the new thread communication messages being thread communication messages that a thread-associated user profile has not yet viewed.
• Further, in some embodiments, the computer coded instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to receive a selected thread view request and, in response to receiving the selected thread view request, present each thread communication message of the selected thread view request in a thread communication pane.
• In some embodiments, the computer coded instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to receive a follow request that is configured to activate notifications corresponding to a thread and in response to receiving the follow request, update a thread indication in the channel list pane, the thread indication configured to indicate that the follow request was received.
• Still further, in some embodiments, the computer coded instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to receive a subsequent thread communication message in the thread communication pane and receiving a share request, the share request configured to reproduce the thread communication message in the selected group-based communication channel; and in response to receiving the share request, reproduce the first messaging communication and the subsequent thread communication message in the selected group-based communication channel. The computer coded instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to receive a selected thread view request configured to view the thread communication message in the thread communication pane and in response to receiving the selected thread view request, present the thread communication message in the thread communication pane.
• In yet another example embodiment, a computer program product may be provided that may include a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer program instructions stored therein, said computer program instructions when executed by a processor efficiently arrange an array of messaging communications within a defined display window, the group-based communication interface defining a channel list pane comprising a plurality of group-based communication channels and a channel messaging pane by causing the computer program product to receive a first messaging communication associated with a selected group-based communication channel of the plurality of group-based communication channels; display the first messaging communication to the channel messaging pane; receive a thread request to create a subsidiary channel-based thread communication associated with the first messaging communication in the selected group-based communication channel; and in response to receiving the thread request, generate and display a thread summary indicator within the channel messaging pane proximate the first messaging communication.
• In some embodiments, the computer program instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the computer program product to generate a thread communication pane in response to receiving the thread request; receive a thread communication message; and display the thread communication message to the thread communication pane. In some embodiments, the computer program instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the computer program product to in response to receiving the thread communication message, update the thread summary indicator within the channel messaging pane to indicate that the thread communication message was received. The thread summary indicator may include a thread count and a latency indicator, and the channel list pane, channel messaging pane, and thread communication pane may be configured to be viewable simultaneously.
• In some embodiments, the thread summary indicator within the channel messaging pane may be configured to be selectable by any user of the selected group-based communication channel. In some embodiments, the computer program instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the computer program product to display messaging communication information associated with the subsidiary channel-based thread communication in the thread communication pane.
• Further, in some embodiments, the computer program instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the computer program product to: generate a thread communication pane in response to receiving the thread request; receive a thread communication message; receive a profile identifier with the thread communication message, wherein the profile identifier is configured to associate the thread communication message with a user of the selected group-based communication channel; display the thread communication message to the thread communication pane; and in response to receiving the profile identifier in the thread communication message, update a thread indication in the channel list pane, the thread indication configured to indicate that the profile identifier was received in the thread communication message. In some embodiments, the computer program instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the computer program product to receive a thread summary view request and, in response to receiving the thread summary view request, present at least a portion of the subsidiary channel-based thread communication and at least a portion of one or more thread communication messages in a thread summary communication pane.
• In some embodiments, the computer program instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the computer program product to, in response to receiving the thread summary view request, present a notification in the thread summary communication pane, wherein the notification is configured to indicate the receipt of new thread communication messages, the new thread communication messages being thread communication messages that a thread-associated user profile has not yet viewed. Further, in some embodiments, the computer program instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the computer program product to receive a selected thread view request and, in response to receiving the selected thread view request, present each thread communication message of the selected thread view request in a thread communication pane.
• In some embodiments, the computer program instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the computer program product to receive a follow request that is configured to activate notifications corresponding to a thread and in response to receiving the follow request, update a thread indication in the channel list pane, the thread indication configured to indicate that the follow request was received.
• Further, in some embodiments, the computer program instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the computer program product to receive a subsequent thread communication message in the thread communication pane and receive a share request, the share request configured to reproduce the thread communication message in the selected group-based communication channel; and in response to receiving the share request, reproduce the first messaging communication and the subsequent thread communication message in the selected group-based communication channel. The computer program instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor, further cause the computer program product to receive a selected thread view request configured to view the thread communication message in the thread communication pane and in response to receiving the selected thread view request, present the thread communication message in the thread communication pane.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
• FIG.1 illustrates an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of circuitry that can be included in a computing device in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.3A illustrates an example communications database in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.3B illustrates an example thread and channel exchange system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.4 illustrates an example group-based communication interface having a channel list pane, channel messaging pane, and thread communication pane in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.5 illustrates an example group-based communication interface having a channel list pane and a thread summary communication pane in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.6 illustrates an example group-based communication interface having a channel list pane and a thread summary communication pane in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.7 illustrates an example group-based communication interface having a channel list pane, a thread summary communication pane, and a thread communication pane in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.8 illustrates an example group-based communication interface having a channel list pane, a channel messaging pane, and a thread communication pane in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.9 illustrates a flow diagram of an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.10 illustrates a flow diagram of an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.11 illustrates a flow diagram of an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.12 illustrates a flow diagram of an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;
• FIG.13 illustrates a flow diagram of an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; and
• FIG.14 illustrates a flow diagram of an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Terms
• As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “digital content,” “digital content object,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received, and/or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention. Further, where a computing device is described herein to receive data from another computing device, it will be appreciated that the data may be received directly from the another computing device or may be received indirectly via one or more intermediary computing devices, such as, for example, one or more servers, relays, routers, network access points, base stations, hosts, and/or the like, sometimes referred to herein as a “network.” Similarly, where a computing device is described herein to send data to another computing device, it will be appreciated that the data may be sent directly to the another computing device or may be sent indirectly via one or more intermediary computing devices, such as, for example, one or more servers, relays, routers, network access points, base stations, hosts, and/or the like.
• The term “client device” refers to computer hardware and/or software that is configured to access a service made available by a server. The server is often (but not always) on another computer system, in which case the client device accesses the service by way of a network. Client devices may include, without limitation, smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, wearables, personal computers, enterprise computers, and the like.
• “Group-based” is used herein to refer to a system, channel, message, or virtual environment that has security sufficient such that it is accessible only to a defined group of users. The group may be defined by common access credentials such as those of an organization or commercial enterprise. Access may further be facilitated by a validated request to join or an invitation to join transmitted by one group member user to another non-member user. Group identifiers (defined below) are used to associate data, information, messages, etc., with specific groups.
• As used herein, the term “group-based communication channel” refers to a virtual communications environment or feed that is configured to display messaging communications posted by channel members (e.g., validated users accessing the environment using client devices) that are viewable only to the members of the group. The format of the group-based communication channel may appear differently to different members of the group-based communication channel; however, the content of the group-based communication channel (i.e., messaging communications) may be displayed to each member of the group-based communication channel. For instance, in one embodiment, a common set of group-based messaging communications will be displayed to each member of the respective group-based communication channel such that the content of the group-based communication channel (i.e., messaging communications) will not vary per member of the channel. However, in another embodiment, a member may join a group-based communication channel and only be able to view subsequent group-based messaging communications (as opposed to historical group-based messaging communications). The group-based communication channels are generally topic-oriented, long-lasting channels as opposed to ad hoc ephemeral conversations in conventional messaging apps.
• The term “user” should be understood to refer to an individual, group of individuals, business, organization, and the like; the users referred to herein are accessing a group-based communication or messaging system using client devices.
• The terms “user profile,” “user account,” and “user account details” refer to information associated with a user, including, for example, a user identifier, one or more group-based communication channel identifiers associated with group-based communication channels that the user has been granted access to, one or more group identifiers for groups with which the user is associated, an indication as to whether the user is an owner of any group-based communication channels, an indication as to whether the user has any group-based communication channel restrictions, a plurality of messages, a plurality of emojis, a plurality of conversations, a plurality of conversation topics, an avatar, an email address, a real name (e.g., John Doe), a username (e.g., jdoe), a password, a real name, a time zone, a status, and the like. The user account details can include a subset designation of user credentials, such as, for example, login information for the user including the user's username and password.
• As used herein, the term “profile identifier” refers to any data that identifies a user. For example, and without limitation, a profile identifier may include a unique identifier, an IP address, a MAC address, and the like. In some embodiments, the profile identifier may be “highlight words” which are words/terms that a member requests to follow. For instance, when a highlight word is used in a thread communication message, the associated member may be notified of such communication (e.g., by displaying a thread indication as discussed herein).
• As used herein, a “thread-associated user profile” refers to a user profile that is associated with the respective thread. A “channel-associated user profile” refers to a user profile that is associated with the respective channel. For instance, if a member follows a thread, then the member will be considered a thread-associated user profile.
• As used herein, the term “profile data” refers to any data associated with a profile identifier, such as, but not limited to, biographical data or any other data that may serve to distinguish one or more profiles from each other.
• As used herein, the term “biographical data” refers to information associated with a person(s) identified in a profile, such as, for example, birth dates, allergies, socio-economic data, interests, place of residence, login credential information, and/or any other identifying information about a profile.
• The terms “group-based communication channel identifier” or “channel identifier” refer to one or more items of data by which a group-based communication channel may be identified. For example, a group-based communication channel identifier may comprise ASCII text, a pointer, a memory address, and the like.
• The terms “group identifier” or “team identifier” refer to one or more items of data by which a group within a group-based communication system may be identified. For example, a group identifier may comprise ASCII text, a pointer, a memory address, and the like.
• As used herein, the terms “messaging communication,” “communication message,” and “message” refer to any electronically generated digital content object provided by a user using a client device and that is configured for display within a group-based communication channel. Message communications may include any text, image, video, audio, or combination thereof provided by a user (using a client device). For instance, the user may provide a messaging communication that includes text as well as an image and a video within the messaging communication as message contents. In such a case, the text, image, and video would comprise the messaging communication or digital content object. Each message sent or posted to a group-based communication channel of the group-based communication system includes metadata comprising the following: a sending user identifier, a message identifier, message contents, a group identifier, and a group-based communication channel identifier. Each of the foregoing identifiers may comprise ASCII text, a pointer, a memory address, and the like.
• Thread communication messages are communications received in threads. Otherwise, the group-based messaging communications are generally initiated in channels. A “thread” is a collection of communication messages displayed to a subsidiary feed arising from or otherwise associated with a selected group-based messaging communication displayed in a selected group-based communication channel. A thread may include one or more “threaded messages” or “thread communication messages” that are linked together in the subsidiary feed, wherein each is associated with the selected group-based messaging communication.
• A “new messaging communication” or a new communication message is a communication that the selected group-based communication interface has not yet presented to a particular member (that is, the member viewing the interface).
• Because a thread is linked to a selected group-based messaging communication it arises in the context of a particular group-based communication channel. However, the thread is presented separately from the group-based messaging communications displayed within the selected group-based communication channel. Thread communication messages received in the thread are not automatically displayed in the selected group-based communication channel. Instead, the selected group-based communication channel is updated with a thread summary indicator that is configured to indicate that the thread was established and to indicate the receipt of subsequent thread communication messages in the thread. In some embodiments, a member can choose to override this such that the thread communication message also appears in the selected group-based communication channel.
• As used herein, “thread summary indicator” refers to a visual identifier that indicates that an action has been taken with regards to a thread (e.g., a thread has been created, a thread communication message has been received in the thread, and/or that a profile identifier was received in the thread). A “notification” is a specific indication configured to indicate the number of new messaging communications (e.g., new thread communication message) and new threads that the selected group-based communication interface has not yet presented to a particular member (that is, the member viewing the interface).
• As used herein, “defined display window” is a defined area in the selected group-based communication interface where information is displayed. A “channel list pane” is a display pane configured to display lists of group-based communication channels and/or threads that are configured to indicate when new messaging communications are received in the respective threads and/or group-based communication channels. The channel list pane may include actuators for initiating requests to view selected group-based communication channels and/or a summary of selected threads. The channel list pane may include additional information, such as messaging communication information, notifications, the name of the group, name of the particular member viewing the interface, etc. A “thread communication pane” is a display pane that is configured to display a selected thread. The thread communication pane may include a variety of information, such as messaging communication information, and may include a variety of actuators for initiating requests. A “thread summary communication pane” is a display pane that is configured to display a summary of threads that the particular member follows. The summary typically includes at least a portion of one or more thread communication messages as well as at least a portion of the selected group-based messaging communications from which the thread was created. The thread summary communication pane may also display various notifications, actuators, and indicators/indications. A channel messaging pane is a display pane configured to display a selected group-based communication channel and may display a variety of information and a variety of notifications, actuators, and indicators/indications.
• As used herein, “messaging communication information” refers to any information associated with the messaging communication, such as information related to the user who created the messaging communication, the group-based communication channel on which the messaging communication was first provided or is associated with (e.g., the name of the group-based communication channel), the time and date that the messaging communication was first provided, threads stemming from the messaging communication (e.g., date and time the thread was made or last received a messaging communication, etc.), and any other identifying information related to the messaging communication.
• As used herein, “request” refers to an instruction or direction, generally initiated by a user, for an action to take place. For instance, a user may request to view a specific group-based communication channel (e.g., selected channel view request), create a thread (e.g., thread request), view a selected thread (e.g., selected thread view request), view a summary of threads the user follows (e.g., thread summary view request), view profile data of another user, view certain messaging communication information, share a select thread communication message from a thread to the selected group-based communication channel from which the thread was created (e.g., share request), receive notifications regarding a thread (e.g., follow request), notify a selected member of a thread communication message (e.g., follow request), etc.
• A “sending user identifier” is associated with a collection of messages that are sent by a particular user (i.e., a client device associated with the particular user). These messages may be analyzed to determine context regarding the user (e.g., the user's expertise or interest in a topic may be determined based on the frequency of mention of the topic or key words associated with the topic within such messages).
• Group-based communication system users are organized into organization groups (e.g., employees of each company may be a separate organization group) and each organization group may have one or more group-based communication channels (explained below) to which users may be assigned or which the users may join (e.g., group-based communication channels may represent departments, geographic locations such as offices, product lines, user interests, topics, issues, and/or the like). A group identifier may be used to facilitate access control for a message (e.g., access to the message, such as having the message return as part of search results in response to a search query, may be restricted to those users having the group identifier associated with their user profile). The group identifier may be used to determine context for the message (e.g., a description of the group, such as the name of an organization and/or a brief description of the organization, may be associated with the group identifier).
• Group-based communication system users may join group-based communication channels. Some group-based communication channels may be globally accessible to those users having a particular organizational group identifier associated with their user profile (i.e., users who are members of the organization). Access to some group-based communication channels may be restricted to members of specified groups, whereby the group-based communication channels are accessible to those users having a particular group identifier associated with their user profile. The group-based communication channel identifier may be used to facilitate access control for a message (e.g., access to the message, such as having the message return as part of search results in response to a search query, may be restricted to those users having the group-based communication channel identifier associated with their user profile, or who have the ability to join the group-based communication channel). The group-based communication channel identifier may be used to determine context for the message (e.g., a description of the group-based communication channel, such as a description of a project discussed in the group-based communication channel, may be associated with the group-based communication channel identifier).
• The term “private group-based communication channel” refers to a group-based communication channel with restricted access such that it is not generally accessible and/or searchable by other members of the group-based communication system. For example, only those users or administrators who have knowledge of and permission to access (e.g., a group-based communication channel identifier for the private group-based communication channel is associated with their user profile after the user has been validated/authenticated) the private group-based communication channel may view content of the private group-based communication channel.
Overview
• Various embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and devices that are configured to efficiently arrange an array of messaging communications within a defined display window for a selected group-based communication interface (e.g., a user interface that is configured for messaging communications for a given enterprise such as ACME Corp) from a plurality of group-based communication interfaces (e.g., user interfaces that are configured for messaging communications of other enterprises such as Beta Corp or Charlie Corp). The selected group-based communication interface includes a plurality of group-based communication channels (e.g., a marketing channel, sales channel, accounting channel, etc.). The selected group-based communication interface is accessible and viewable to a select group of users, such as a group of employees of a business or organization (e.g., the ACME Corp interface would be accessible and viewable to ACME Corp employees but not to Beta Corp employees).
• The selected group-based communication interface is updated and arranged per the actions of the members of that group-based communication interface and is separate and distinct from other group-based communication interfaces. Each of the plurality of group-based communication channels in the selected group-based communication interface may include one or more group-based messaging communications, or may be empty (in that the selected group-based communication channel may not contain a group-based messaging communication at a certain point in time).
• The selected group-based communication interface is configured to receive requests to create threads or subsidiary communication messages stemming from selected group-based messaging communications in group-based communication channels. The selected group-based communication interface is configured to display the thread in a separate feed from the selected group-based communication channel. Thread communication messages can be received in the thread allowing the conversation to continue. The selected group-based communication interface can thereby allow for relegating of conversations, such as those that relate to a minor issue or to an issue particular to certain members of the group-based communication channel, to a separate display pane, where the conversations can continue, while also maintaining a focused conversation in the selected group-based communication channel.
• At the same time, the selected group-based communication channel is updated to indicate that the thread was created and to present a count of how many communications have been received in the thread, allowing channel members to access the thread if desired. The selected group-based communication interface thereby is configured to allow for the selected group-based communication channel (and all interested members thereof) to be informed of the relegated conversation (i.e., the thread). Accordingly, the selected group-based communication interface provides for efficient and focused group-based communications.
• The selected group-based communication interface is also configured to receive a share request and reproduce the desired thread communication in the selected group-based communication channel. Members of the selected group-based communication channels are thereby informed when important or relevant information is received in the thread (e.g., information regarding a decision or activity relevant to other members of the selected group-based communication channel). A member of the selected group-based communication channel can access the full thread at any time by selecting a thread summary indicator presented in the selected group-based communication channel. A member of the selected group-based communication channel can also access the full thread at any time by selecting a thread communication message that has been shared back to the selected group-based communication channel.
• The selected group-based communication interface thereby efficiently and effectively provides an interface for group-based communications. Group-based messaging communications within the plurality of group-based communication channels can be relegated to threads to continue conversations without congesting the selected group-based communication channel with side conversations, while also informing the members of the selected group-based communication channel that the side conversation is or has taken place and allowing those members to access and view the side conversations.
• Pertinent information in the thread can be shared to the selected group-based communication channel further keeping all members “in the loop” with relevant information. This allows members of the group-based communication interface to spend less time reading and reviewing irrelevant information and allows a member to quickly access relevant information, thereby increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of group-based messaging communications. Further, members of the group-based communication interface will only be notified of threads under certain circumstances. Thus, members of group-based communication channels will not receive notifications for irrelevant information. With more focused monitoring by the members of the group-based communication channels and a reduced amount of notifications to the members of the group-based communication channels, there will be less strain on the system itself leading to increased lifetime and efficiency. The group-based communication interface also provides reduced network traffic and data processing by moving communication messages to a thread rather than including in the group-based communication channel, and provides reduced client data storage as thread communication messages in the thread are not necessarily downloaded from the server for viewing in the group-based communication channel.
• The selected group-based communication interface is configured to allow members of the interface to communicate within group-based communication channels to provide relevant information to other members efficiently and effectively. The selected group-based communication interface thereby efficiently and effectively provides an interface for group-based communications rooted in computer technology in order to overcome a problem specifically arising in the realm of computer networks. The selected group-based communication interface may be used as part of a standalone service, application, or device or it may be applied as a layer atop an existing service application or device.
• As will be discussed in greater detail below, the selected group-based communication interface is not limited to displaying group-based messaging communications and can also be configured to display a wide variety of messaging communications for any purpose that might be of interest to a member (e.g., direct messaging communications). The selected group-based communication interface may be used to visualize any set of group-based communication channels and messaging communications for any purpose and it may be used in connection with numerous exemplary system architectures as explained in further detail herein.
• In some embodiments, the selected group-based communication interface may be configured to be used by a business, organization, team, or other group of individuals and may be tailored to suit the respective group's interests or specific data needs. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the concepts discussed herein may be applied to better visualize group-based messaging communications on a selected group-based communication interface.
Example System Architecture
• Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products of the present invention may be embodied by any of a variety of devices. For example, the method, apparatus, and computer program product of an example embodiment may be embodied by a networked device (e.g., an enterprise platform), such as a server or other network entity, configured to communicate with one or more devices, such as one or more client devices. Additionally or alternatively, the computing device may include fixed computing devices, such as a personal computer or a computer workstation. Still further, example embodiments may be embodied by any of a variety of mobile devices, such as a portable digital assistant (PDA), mobile telephone, smartphone, laptop computer, tablet computer, wearable, or any combination of the aforementioned devices.
• FIG.1 showssystem100 including an example network architecture for a system, which may include one or more devices and sub-systems that are configured to implement some embodiments discussed herein. For example,system100 may includeserver140, which can include, for example, the circuitry disclosed inFIGS.2-3B, a server, or database, among other things (not shown). Theserver140 may include any suitable network server and/or other type of processing device. In some embodiments, theserver140 may determine and transmit commands and instructions for rendering one or more group-based communication channels toclient devices110A-110N using data from thecommunications database300. Thecommunications database300 may be embodied as a data storage device such as a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device or devices, or as a separate database server or servers. Thecommunications database300 includes information accessed and stored by theserver140 to facilitate the operations of the group-basedcommunication system100. For example, thecommunications database300 may include, without limitation, a plurality of messaging communications organized among a plurality of group-based communication channels, and/or the like.
• Server140 can communicate with one ormore client devices110A-110N vianetwork120. In this regard,network120 may include any wired or wireless communication network including, for example, a wired or wireless local area network (LAN), personal area network (PAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), or the like, as well as any hardware, software and/or firmware required to implement it (such as, e.g., network routers, etc.). For example,communications network120 may include a cellular telephone, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, and/or WiMax network. Further, thecommunications network120 may include a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols. For instance, the networking protocol may be customized to suit the needs of the group-based communication interface. In some embodiments, the protocol is a custom protocol of JSON objects sent via a Websocket channel. In some embodiments, the protocol is JSON over RPC, JSON over REST/HTTP, and the like.
• Theserver140 may provide for receiving of electronic data from various sources, including but not necessarily limited to theclient devices110A-110N. For example, theserver140 may be operable to receive and post or transmit group-based messaging communications provided by theclient devices110A-110N.
• Client devices110A-110N and/orserver140 may each be implemented as a personal computer and/or other networked device, such as a cellular phone, tablet computer, mobile device, point of sale terminal, inventory management terminal etc., that may be used for any suitable purpose in addition to presenting the interface to facilitate buying items and/or offering items for sale. The depiction inFIG.1 of “N” users is merely for illustration purposes. Any number of users may be included in thesystem100 so long as the users have the proper credentials for accessing the selected group-based communication interface. In one embodiment, theclient devices110A-110N may be configured to display an interface on a display of the client device for viewing, creating, editing, and/or otherwise interacting with at least one group-based communication channel, which may be provided by theserver140. According to some embodiments, theserver140 may be configured to display the interface on a display of theserver140 for viewing, creating, editing, and/or otherwise interacting with a group-based communication channel. In some embodiments, an interface of aclient device110A-110N may be different from an interface of aserver140. Theclient devices110A-110N may be used in addition to or instead of theserver140.System100 may also include additional client devices and/or servers, among other things. Additionally or alternatively, theclient device110A-110N may interact with the group-basedcommunication system100 via a web browser. As yet another example, theclient device110A-110N may include various hardware or firmware designed to interface with the group-basedcommunication system100.
• Theclient devices110A-110N may be any computing device as defined above. Electronic data received by the group-based communication server106 from theclient devices110A-110N may be provided in various forms and via various methods. For example, theclient devices110A-110N may include desktop computers, laptop computers, smartphones, netbooks, tablet computers, wearables, and the like.
• In embodiments where aclient device110A-110N is a mobile device, such as a smart phone or tablet, theclient device110A-110N may execute an “app” to interact with the group-basedcommunication system100. Such apps are typically designed to execute on mobile devices, such as tablets or smartphones. For example, an app may be provided that executes on mobile device operating systems such as iOS®, Android®, or Windows®. These platforms typically provide frameworks that allow apps to communicate with one another and with particular hardware and software components of mobile devices. For example, the mobile operating systems named above each provide frameworks for interacting with location services circuitry, wired and wireless network interfaces, user contacts, and other applications. Communication with hardware and software modules executing outside of the app is typically provided via application programming interfaces (APIs) provided by the mobile device operating system.
• Additionally or alternatively, theclient device110A-110N may interact with the group-basedcommunication system100 via a web browser. As yet another example, theclient device110A-110N may include various hardware or firmware designed to interface with the group-basedcommunication system100.
• In some embodiments of an exemplary group-based communication system, a message or messaging communication may be sent from aclient device110A-110N to aserver140. In various implementations, the message may be sent to the group-basedcommunication system100 overcommunications network120 directly by aclient device110A-110N, the message may be sent to the group-basedcommunication system100 via an intermediary such as a message server, and/or the like. For example, theclient device110A-110N may be a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, and/or the like that is executing a client application (e.g., a group-based communication app). In one implementation, the message may include data such as a message identifier, sending user identifier, a group identifier, a group-based communication channel identifier, message contents (e.g., text, emojis, images, links), attachments (e.g., files), message hierarchy data (e.g., the message may be a reply to another message), third party metadata, and/or the like. In one embodiment, theclient device110A-110N may provide the following example message, substantially in the form of a (Secure) Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP(S)”) POST message including eXtensible Markup Language (“XML”) formatted data, as provided below:

• POST /authrequest.php HTTP/1.1
  Host: www.server.com
  Content-Type: Application/XML
  Content-Length: 667
  <?XML version = “1.0” encoding = “UTF-8”?>
  <auth_request>
  <timestamp>2020-12-31 23:59:59</timestamp>
  <user_accounts_details>
  <user_account_credentials>
  <user_name>ID_user_1</user_name>
  <password>abc123</password>
  //OPTIONAL <cookie>cookieID</cookie>
  //OPTIONAL <digital_cert_link>www.mydigitalcertificate.com/
  JohnDoeDaDoeDoe@gmail.com/mycertifcate.dc</digital_cert_link>
  //OPTIONAL <digital_certificate>_DATA_</digital_certificate>
  </user_account_credentials>
  </user_accounts_details>
  <client_details> //iOS Client with App and Webkit
  //it should be noted that although several client details
  //sections are provided to show example variants of client
  //sources, further messages will include only on to save
  //space
  <client_IP>10.0.0.123</client_IP>
  <user_agent_string>Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 7_1_1 like Mac OS X)
  AppleWebKit/537.51.2 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.0 Mobile/11D201
  Safari/9537.53</user_agent_string>
  <client_product_type>iPhone6,1</client_product_type>
  <client_serial_number>DNXXX1X1XXXX</client_serial_number>
  <client_UDID>3XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXD</client_UDID>
  <client_OS>iOS</client_OS>
  <client_OS_version>7.1.1</client_OS_version>
  <client_app_type>app with webkit</client_app_type>
  <app_installed_flag>true</app_installed_flag>
  <app_name>Error! Reference source not found..app </app_name>
  <app_version>1.0 </app_version>
  <app_webkit_name>Mobile Safari</client_webkit_name>
  <client_version>537.51.2</client_version>
  </client_details>
  <client_details> //iOS Client with Webbrowser
  <client_IP>10.0.0.123</client_IP>
  <user_agent_string>Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 7_1_1 like Mac OS X)
  AppleWebKit/537.51.2 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.0 Mobile/11D201
  Safari/9537.53</user_agent_string>
  <client_product_type>iPhone6,1</client_product_type>
  <client_serial_number>DNXXX1X1XXXX</client_serial_number>
  <client_UDID>3XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXD</client_UDID>
  <client_OS>iOS</client_OS>
  <client_OS_version>7.1.1</client_OS_version>
  <client_app_type>web browser</client_app_type>
  <client_name>Mobile Safari</client_name>
  <client_version>9537.53</client_version>
  </client_details>
  <client_details> //Android Client with Webbrowser
  <client_IP>10.0.0.123</client_IP>
  <user_agent_string>Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.0.4; en-us; Nexus S
  Build/IMM76D) AppleWebKit/534.30 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile
  Safari/534.30</user_agent_string>
  <client_product_type>Nexus S</client_product_type>
  <client_serial_number>YXXXXXXXXZ</client_serial_number>
  <client_UDID>FXXXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-
  XXXXXXXXXXXXX</client_UDID>
  <client_OS>Android</client_OS>
  <client_OS_version>4.0.4</client_OS_version>
  <client_app_type>web browser</client_app_type>
  <client_name>Mobile Safari</client_name>
  <client_version>534.30</client_version>
  </client_details>
  <client_details> //Mac Desktop with Webbrowser
  <client_IP>10.0.0.123</client_IP>
  <user_agent_string>Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_3)
  AppleWebKit/537.75.14 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.0.3
  Safari/537.75.14</user_agent_string>
  <client_product_type>MacPro5,1</client_product_type>
  <client_serial_number>YXXXXXXXXZ</client_serial_number>
  <client_UDID>FXXXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-
  XXXXXXXXXXXXX</client_UDID>
  <client_OS>Mac OS X</client_OS>
  <client_OS_version>10.9.3</client_OS_version>
  <client_app_type>web browser</client_app_type>
  <client_name>Mobile Safari</client_name>
  <client_version>537.75.14</client_version>
  </client_details>
  <message>
  <message_identifier>ID_message_10</message_identifier>
  <team_identifier>ID_team_1</team_identifier>
  <channel_identifier>ID_channel_1</channel_identifier>
  <contents>That is an interesting invention. I have attached a copy our patent
  policy.</contents>
  <attachments>patent_policy.pdf</attachments>
  </message>
  </auth_request>

• The group-basedcommunication system100 comprises at least oneserver140 that may create a storage message based upon the received message to facilitate message indexing and storage in a communication database, as will be described further below. In one implementation, the storage message may include data such as a message identifier, a group identifier, a group-based communication channel identifier, a sending user identifier, topics, responses, message contents, attachments, message hierarchy data, third party metadata, conversation primitive data, and/or the like. For example, theserver140 may provide the following example storage message, substantially in the form of a HTTP(S) POST message including XML-formatted data, as provided below:

• POST /storage_message.php HTTP/1.1
  Host: www.server.com
  Content-Type: Application/XML
  Content-Length: 667
  <?XML version = “1.0” encoding = “UTF-8”?>
  <storage_message>
  <message_identifier>ID_message_10</message_identifier>
  <team_identifier>ID_team_1</team_identifier>
  <channel_identifier>ID_channel_1</channel_identifier>
  <sending_user_identifier>ID_user_1</sending_user_identifier>
  <topics>
  <topic>inventions</topic>
  <topic>patents</topic>
  <topic>policies</topic>
  </topics>
  <responses>
  <response>liked by ID_user_2</response>
  <response>starred by ID_user_3</response>
  </responses>
  <contents>That is an interesting invention. I have attached a copy our
  patent policy.</contents>
  <attachments>patent_policy.pdf</attachments>
  <conversation_primitive>
  conversation includes messages: ID_message_8, ID_message_9,
  ID_message_10, ID_message_11, ID_message_12
  </conversation_primitive>
  </storage_message>

• In embodiments, a group identifier as defined above may be associated with the message.
• In embodiments, a group-based communication channel identifier as defined above may be associated with the message.
• In embodiments, a sending user identifier as defined above may be associated with the message. In one implementation, the message may be parsed (e.g., using PHP commands) to determine a sending user identifier of the user who sent the message.
• In embodiments, topics may be associated with the message. In one implementation, the message contents may be parsed (e.g., using PHP commands) to determine topics discussed in the message. For example, hashtags in the message may indicate topics associated with the message. In another example, the message may be analyzed (e.g., by itself, with other messages in a conversation primitive) or parsed using a machine learning technique, such as topic modeling, to determine topics associated with the message.
• In embodiments, data indicating responses may be associated with the message. For example, responses to the message by other users may include reactions (e.g., selection of an emoji associated with the message, selection of a “like” button associated with the message), clicking on a hyperlink embedded in the message, replying to the message (e.g., posting a message to the group-based communication channel in response to the message), downloading a file associated with the message, sharing the message from one group-based communication channel to another group-based communication channel, pinning the message, starring the message, and/or the like. In one implementation, data regarding responses to the message by other users may be included with the message, and the message may be parsed (e.g., using PHP commands) to determine the responses. In another implementation, data regarding responses to the message may be retrieved from a database. For example, data regarding responses to the message may be retrieved via a MySQL database command similar to the following:
• SELECT messageResponses
• FROM MSM_Message
• WHERE messageID=ID_message_10.
• For example, data regarding responses to the message may be used to determine context for the message (e.g., a social score for the message from the perspective of some user). In another example, data regarding responses to the message may be analyzed to determine context regarding the user (e.g., the user's expertise in a topic may be determined based on the responses to the user's message regarding the topic).
• In embodiments, attachments may be included with the message. If there are attachments, files may be associated with the message. In one implementation, the message may be parsed (e.g., using PHP commands) to determine file names of the attachments. For example, file contents may be analyzed to determine context for the message (e.g., a patent policy document may indicate that the message is associated with the topic “patents”).
• In embodiments, third party metadata may be associated with the message. For example, third party metadata may provide additional context regarding the message or the user that is specific to a company, group, group-based communication channel, and/or the like. In one implementation, the message may be parsed (e.g., using PHP commands) to determine third party metadata. For example, third party metadata may indicate whether the user who sent the message is an authorized representative of the group-based communication channel (e.g., an authorized representative may be authorized by the company to respond to questions in the group-based communication channel).
• In embodiments, a conversation primitive may be associated with the message. In one implementation, a conversation primitive is an element used to analyze, index, store, and/or the like messages. For example, the message may be analyzed by itself, and may form its own conversation primitive. In another example, the message may be analyzed along with other messages that make up a conversation, and the messages that make up the conversation may form a conversation primitive. In one implementation, the conversation primitive may be determined as the message, a specified number (e.g., two) of preceding messages and a specified number (e.g., two) of following messages. In another implementation, the conversation primitive may be determined based on analysis of topics discussed in the message and other messages (e.g., in the channel) and/or proximity (e.g., message send order proximity, message send time proximity) of these messages.
• In embodiments, various metadata, determined as described above, and/or the contents of the message may be used to index the message (e.g., using the conversation primitive) to facilitate various facets of searching (i.e., search queries that return results from communication database). In one implementation, a storage message may be sent from group-basedcommunication server140 to facilitate indexing in the communication database. In another implementation, metadata associated with the message may be determined and the message may be indexed in the communication database. In one embodiment, the message may be indexed such that a company's or a group's messages are indexed separately (e.g., in a separate index associated with the group and/or company that is not shared with other groups and/or companies). In one implementation, messages may be indexed at a separate distributed database (e.g., to facilitate data isolation for security purposes).
• If there are attachments associated with the message, file contents of the associated files may be used to index such files in the communication database to facilitate searching. In one embodiment, the files may be indexed such that a company's or a group's files are indexed at a separate distributed database.
• FIG.2 shows a schematic block diagram ofcircuitry200, some or all of which may be included in, for example,server140 and/orclient devices110A-110N. Any of the aforementioned systems or devices may include thecircuitry200 and may be configured to, either independently or jointly with other devices in anetwork120 perform the functions of thecircuitry200 described herein. As illustrated inFIG.2, in accordance with some example embodiments,circuitry200 can includes various means, such asprocessor210,memory220, communications module230, and/or input/output module240. In some embodiments,communications database300 may also or instead be included. As referred to herein, “module” includes hardware, software and/or firmware configured to perform one or more particular functions. In this regard, the means ofcircuitry200 as described herein may be embodied as, for example, circuitry, hardware elements (e.g., a suitably programmed processor, combinational logic circuit, and/or the like), a computer program product comprising computer-readable program instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory220) that is executable by a suitably configured processing device (e.g., processor210), or some combination thereof.
• Processor210 may, for example, be embodied as various means including one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated inFIG.2 as a single processor, in someembodiments processor210 comprises a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors may be embodied on a single computing device or may be distributed across a plurality of computing devices collectively configured to function ascircuitry200. The plurality of processors may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities ofcircuitry200 as described herein. In an example embodiment,processor210 is configured to execute instructions stored inmemory220 or otherwise accessible toprocessor210. These instructions, when executed byprocessor210, may causecircuitry200 to perform one or more of the functionalities ofcircuitry200 as described herein.
• Whether configured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or by a combination thereof,processor210 may comprise an entity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, whenprocessor210 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like,processor210 may comprise specifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, whenprocessor210 is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored inmemory220, the instructions may specifically configureprocessor210 to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein, such as those discussed in connection withFIGS.1-14.
• Memory220 may comprise, for example, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or some combination thereof. Although illustrated inFIG.2 as a single memory,memory220 may comprise a plurality of memory components. The plurality of memory components may be embodied on a single computing device or distributed across a plurality of computing devices. In various embodiments,memory220 may comprise, for example, a hard disk, random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof.Memory220 may be configured to store information, data (including item data and/or profile data), applications, instructions, or the like for enablingcircuitry200 to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. For example, in at least some embodiments,memory220 is configured to buffer input data for processing byprocessor210. Additionally or alternatively, in at least some embodiments,memory220 is configured to store program instructions for execution byprocessor210.Memory220 may store information in the form of static and/or dynamic information. This stored information may be stored and/or used bycircuitry200 during the course of performing its functionalities.
• Communications module230 may be embodied as any device or means embodied in circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising computer readable program instructions stored on a computer readable medium (e.g., memory220) and executed by a processing device (e.g., processor210), or a combination thereof that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to another device and/or network, such as, for example, asecond circuitry200 and/or the like. In some embodiments, communications module230 (like other components discussed herein) can be at least partially embodied as or otherwise controlled byprocessor210. In this regard, communications module230 may be in communication withprocessor210, such as via a bus. Communications module230 may include, for example, an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, network interface card and/or supporting hardware and/or firmware/software for enabling communications with another computing device. Communications module230 may be configured to receive and/or transmit any data that may be stored bymemory220 using any protocol that may be used for communications between computing devices. Communications module230 may additionally or alternatively be in communication with thememory220, input/output module240 and/or any other component ofcircuitry200, such as via a bus.
• Input/output module240 may be in communication withprocessor210 to receive an indication of a user input and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical, or other output to a user (e.g., provider and/or consumer). Some example visual outputs that may be provided to a user bycircuitry200 are discussed in connection withFIGS.1-14. As such, input/output module240 may include support, for example, for a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen display, a microphone, a speaker, a RFID reader, barcode reader, biometric scanner, and/or other input/output mechanisms. In embodiments whereincircuitry200 is embodied as a server or database, aspects of input/output module240 may be reduced as compared to embodiments wherecircuitry200 is implemented as an end-user machine (e.g., consumer device and/or provider device) or other type of device designed for complex user interactions. In some embodiments (like other components discussed herein), input/output module240 may even be eliminated fromcircuitry200. Alternatively, such as in embodiments whereincircuitry200 is embodied as a server or database, at least some aspects of input/output module240 may be embodied on an apparatus used by a user that is in communication withcircuitry200. Input/output module240 may be in communication with thememory220, communications module230, and/or any other component(s), such as via a bus. One or more than one input/output module and/or other component can be included incircuitry200.
• Communications database300 and thread andchannel exchange system310 may also or instead be included and configured to perform the functionality discussed herein related to storing, generating, and/or editing communications data. In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality of generating and/or editing group-based communication channels and/or profile data may be performed byprocessor210. In this regard, the example processes and algorithms discussed herein can be performed by at least oneprocessor210,communications database300, and/or thread andchannel exchange system310. For example, non-transitory computer readable media can be configured to store firmware, one or more application programs, and/or other software, which include instructions and other computer-readable program code portions that can be executed to control each processor (e.g.,processor210,communications database300, and thread and channel exchange system310) of the components ofcircuitry200 to implement various operations, including the examples shown above. As such, a series of computer-readable program code portions are embodied in one or more computer program goods and can be used, with a computing device, server, and/or other programmable apparatus, to produce machine-implemented processes.
• In some embodiments, acommunications database300 may be provided that includeschannel communications data306,profile data304,thread communications data308, and/oranalytical engine data302.Channel communications data306 may include various information, such as messaging communication information, related to group-based communication channels.Thread communications data308 may include various information, such as messaging communication information, related to threads.Profile data304, in some embodiments, may include biographical data and/or preference data associated with individual profiles or group profiles. Additionally or alternatively, thecommunications database300 may includeanalytical engine data302 which provides any additional information needed by theprocessor210 in computing messaging communications, indications, and requests.
• Thread andchannel exchange system310 can be configured to analyze multiple sets of requests, indications, group-based messaging communications, and thread communication messages, such as the data in thecommunications database300. In this way, thread andchannel exchange system310 may support multiple algorithms, including those discussed below with respect to group-based communication channels, group-based messaging communications, threads, and thread communication messages, etc., so that the selected algorithm may be chosen at runtime. Further, the present configuration can enable flexibility in terms of configuring additional contexts.
• In some embodiments, with reference toFIG.3B, the thread andchannel exchange system310 may include acontext determination module314, ananalytical engine316, andcommunications interface318, all of which may be in communication with thecommunications database300. The thread andchannel exchange system310 may receive one or more group-based messaging communications, thread communication messages, requests, and indications and may generate the appropriate notifications, indications, messaging communications (channel-based and/or thread-based), and/or display panes with the appropriate communication channels or threads in response. The thread andchannel exchange system310 may use any of the algorithms or processes disclosed herein for receiving a request, messaging communications, and indications, and generating the appropriate notifications, indications, messaging communications (channel-based and/or thread-based), and/or display panes with the appropriate communication channels or threads in response. In some other embodiments, such as when thecircuitry200 is embodied in aserver140 and/orclient devices110A-110N, the thread andchannel exchange system310 may be located in anothercircuitry200 or another device, such as anotherserver140 and/orclient devices110A-110N.
• The thread andchannel exchange system310 can be configured to access data corresponding to multiple group-based communication channels and threads, and generate one or more appropriate notifications, indications, messaging communications (channel-based and/or thread-based), and/or display panes with the appropriate communication channels or threads in response.
• The system may receive a plurality ofinputs312,315 from thecircuitry200 and process the inputs within the thread andchannel exchange system310 to produce anoutput320, which may include appropriate notifications, indications, messaging communications (channel-based and/or thread-based), and/or display panes with the appropriate communication channels or threads in response. In some embodiments, the thread andchannel exchange system310 may execute context determination using thecontext determination module314, process the data in ananalytical engine316, and output the results via acommunications interface318. Each of these steps may pull data from a plurality of sources including thecommunications database300.
• Wheninputs312,315 are received by the thread andchannel exchange system310, a context determination using thecontext determination module314 may be made. A context determination includes such information as a user or group preference data, when and what user initiated receipt of the input (e.g., when and who selected the actuator that initiated the request), what type of input was provided (e.g., was a share request initiated or a thread request initiated) and under what circumstances was receipt of the input initiated (e.g., in what display pane was the input initiated). This information may give context to the thread andchannel exchange system310 analysis to determine the output. For example, thecontext determination module314 may inform the thread andchannel exchange system310 as to the messaging communication information to output with a thread communication message or group-based messaging communication.
• The thread andchannel exchange system310 may then compute the output using theanalytical engine316. Theanalytical engine316 draws information about the applicable channel communication data, profile data, and thread communication data, etc. from thecommunications database300 and then, in light of the context determination module's314 determination, computes an output, which varies based on the input. Thecommunications interface318 then outputs320 the output to thecircuitry200 for displaying on the selected group-based communication interface. For instance, thecontext determination module314 may determine that a share request was received within a thread associated with a selected group-based communication channel by a certain user. Based on this information as well as the applicable channel communication data, profile data, and thread communication data, etc., theanalytical engine316 may determine an appropriate output, such as presenting the thread communication message along with the subsidiary channel-based thread communication in the associated channel messaging pane. Theanalytical engine316 may also determine that certain thread indications should be updated to reflect the new thread communication message and present the thread communication message in the thread communication pane. Similarly, thecontext determination module314 may determine that a follow request, an unfollow request, profile identifier, selected channel view request, search request, thread summary view request, etc. was received as well as any additional contextual information and theanalytical engine316 would determine the appropriate output based on this information as well as additional information from thecommunications database300 as further described herein.
• As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions and/or other type of code may be loaded onto a computer, processor or other programmable apparatus's circuitry to produce a machine, such that the computer, processor other programmable circuitry that execute the code on the machine create the means for implementing various functions, including those described herein.
• It is also noted that all or some of the information presented by the example displays discussed herein can be based on data that is received, generated and/or maintained by one or more components of a local or networked system and/orcircuitry200. In some embodiments, one or more external systems (such as a remote cloud computing and/or data storage system) may also be leveraged to provide at least some of the functionality discussed herein.
• As described above and as will be appreciated based on this disclosure, embodiments of the present invention may be configured as methods, personal computers, servers, mobile devices, backend network devices, and the like. Accordingly, embodiments may comprise various means including entirely of hardware or any combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, embodiments may take the form of a computer program product on at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software) embodied in the storage medium. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including non-transitory hard disks, CD-ROMs, flash memory, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.
• Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatuses, systems and computer program goods. It will be understood that each block of the circuit diagrams and process flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the circuit diagrams and process flowcharts, respectively, can be implemented by various means including computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such asprocessor210,communications database300, and/or thread andchannel exchange system310 discussed above with reference toFIG.2, to produce a machine, such that the computer program product includes the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create a means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.
• These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage device (e.g., memory220) that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage device produce an article of manufacture including computer-readable instructions for implementing the function discussed herein. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions discussed herein. Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the circuit diagrams and process flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the circuit diagrams and process flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
Dynamic UI
• FIG.4 illustrates an example group-based communication interface having a channel list pane, channel messaging pane, and thread communication pane in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. The depicted group-based communication interface presentschannel list pane400,channel messaging pane410, andthread communication pane420. Thechannel list pane400 includes athread indication402, communication channel indications403 (e.g., identifying channels that the member follows), the name of thegroup401A (“ACME Corp”), and the name of theparticular member401B (“Matt”) viewing the interface. As shown inFIG.4, the selected group-based communication interface may be configured to display the channel list pane, channel messaging pane, and thread communication pane simultaneously.
• Thechannel messaging pane410 includes a selected group-based communication channel411 (“announcements”) which includes a feed of group-basedmessaging communications412A-412B. Each group-basedmessaging communication412A-412B includesmessaging communication information416A-416B. Themessaging communication information416A-416B includes a profile identifier and the time and date of receipt of the respective group-based messaging communication. Thechannel messaging pane410 may include other identifying information for the group-based communication channel (e.g., date of creation, time of last messaging communication, members of communication channel, etc.).
• As shown inFIG.4, thechannel messaging pane410 also includes a channelcommunication input register413 and achannel messaging actuator415. The channelcommunication input register413 is configured to receive group-based messaging communications from a member to be displayed in the selected group-based communication channel displayed in thechannel messaging pane410. The channel messaging actuator415 (e.g., a button) can be selected by a member and initiates transmission of the group-based messaging communication inserted into the channelcommunication input register413 to thecircuitry200 for processing. The group-based messaging communication is then displayed in thechannel messaging pane410.
• As also shown inFIG.4, thechannel messaging pane410 includes athread actuator414. Thethread actuator414 is configured to initiate a thread request to create a thread in thethread communication pane420. Thethread actuator414 shown inFIG.4 is associated with the selected group-based messaging communication412C; however, each group-based messaging communication of a group-based communication channel may have a thread actuator associated with the communication. Thus, threads can be created from any group-based messaging communication of a group-based communication channel in a channel messaging pane. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.4, thethread actuator414 is displayed when a member touches or moves a cursor over the selected group-based messaging communication412C. Thethread actuator414 can be selected to create a thread that will be presented in thethread communication pane420. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.4, a thread has been created from the selected group-based messaging communication412C (as shown for instance by thethread summary indicator417C) that is displayed in thethread communication pane420. The thread was initiated by a member selecting thethread actuator414, which initiated a thread request. Should the member select the thread actuator414 a second time, the thread would simply appear in thethread communication pane420. Subsequent group-based messaging communications may include respective thread actuators, which upon selection create another thread. For instance, a second thread could be created from a second selected group-based messaging communication by selecting the respective thread actuator, initiating a thread request. In response to a second thread request, the second thread would be displayed in thethread communication pane420 instead of the thread shown inFIG.4. The second thread would only include the selected group-based messaging communication as a subsidiary channel-based thread communication until a thread communication message was received using the respective thread communication input register and thread messaging actuator.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.4, thethread summary indicator417C includes the number of thread communication messages received in the respective thread (“2 Replies”) (i.e., the thread count), a profile identifier (e.g., avatar) associated with the member who submitted the thread communication message(s), and include a latency indicator (“10:35 AM”) that indicates the time of receipt for the latest thread communication message in the thread. Such information can be beneficial to members of the group-based communication channel in determining whether to access and view the thread. A variety of information can be displayed in the thread summary indicators.
• Thethread summary indicator417C can be configured as a selected thread view actuator to initiate a selected thread view request. The selected group-based communication interface is configured to receive selected thread view requests and in response to receipt of selected thread view requests, present a thread communication pane (e.g., thread communication pane420) displaying the selected thread associated with the selected thread view request. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.4,thread summary indicator417C is configured as a selected thread view actuator to initiate a selected thread view request upon selection by a member to view the full thread stemming from the selected group-based messaging communication412C associated with thethread summary indicator417C, as is shown in thethread communication pane420.
• For instance,FIG.12 illustrates a flow diagram of an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. In particular, themethod1200 ofFIG.12 involves the receipt of a selected thread view request. Themethod1200 includes receiving a selectedthread view request1202 and in response to receipt of the selectedthread view request1202, presenting each thread communication message of the selected thread view request in thethread communication pane1204.
• Thethread communication pane420 includes a subsidiary channel-basedthread communication421 associated with the selected group-based messaging communication412C of the group-based communication channel from which the displayed thread was created. Thethread communication pane420 also includesthread communication messages422A-422B. Each of thethread communication messages422A-422B and the subsidiary channel-basedthread communication421 includesmessaging communication information427 and428A-428B. Themessaging communication information427 and428A-428B includes a profile identifier and the time and/or date of receipt of the respective messaging communication. Themessaging communication information427 also includes the name of the group-based communication channel from which the thread was created (e.g., “announcements”). In some embodiments, the name of the group-based communication channel can be configured as a selected channel view actuator to initiate a selected channel view request. The selected group-based communication interface is configured to receive selected channel view requests and in response to receipt of selected channel view requests, present a channel messaging pane displaying the selected group-based communication channel associated with the selected channel view request. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.4, selection of the name of the group-based communication channel (i.e., “announcements”) from which the thread was created can be configured as a selected channel view actuator to initiate a selected channel view request to view the “announcements” channel, as is shown in thechannel messaging pane410. Various configurations of selected channel view actuator can be used to initiate selected channel view requests from thethread communication pane420.
• Thethread communication pane420 also includes a threadcommunication input register423, ashare actuator424, athread messaging actuator425, and a follow/unfollow actuator426. The threadcommunication input register423 is configured to receive thread communication messages from a member. The thread messaging actuator425 (e.g., a button) can be selected by a member and initiates transmission of the thread communication message inserted into the threadcommunication input register423 to thecircuitry200 for processing. In some embodiments, thethread messaging actuator425 may be hidden until a member enters information in the threadcommunication input register423. Thethread messaging actuator425 may then be displayed and selected by a member. The thread communication message is then displayed in thethread communication pane420.
• FIG.9 illustrates a flow diagram of an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. The method illustrated inFIG.9 involves the receipt of a thread request, the generation of the thread communication pane, and the generation of a thread summary indicator in the channel messaging pane indicating that the thread was created. In particular, themethod900 includes receiving a first messaging communication associated with a selected group-basedcommunication channel902; displaying the first messaging communication to thechannel messaging pane904; receiving a thread request to create a subsidiary channel-based thread communication associated with the first messaging communication in the selected group-basedcommunication channel906; generating and displaying a thread summary indicator within the channel messaging pane proximate thefirst messaging communication908; and generating a thread communication pane in response to receiving thethread request910. Themethod900 may also include receiving athread communication message912; displaying the thread communication message to thethread communication pane914; and updating the thread summary indicator within the change messaging pane to indicate that the thread communication message was received916.
• The follow/unfollow actuator426 in thethread communication pane420 is selectable by a member of the group-based communication channel from which the thread was created and initiates a request to either follow the respective thread or unfollow the respective thread. The selected group-based communication interface is configured such that a thread request (i.e., requesting the creation of a thread) initiates a follow request associated with the member who created the selected group-based messaging communication from which the thread was created and the member who initiated the thread request. Other members of the selected group-based communication channel from which the thread was created can follow the thread by selecting the follow/unfollow actuator426. In other embodiments, as will be discussed in relation toFIG.5 for instance, a profile identifier can be configured to initiate a follow request for the member associated with the profile identifier.
• The group-based communication interface will present a thread indication (e.g., thread indication402) in the channel list pane. In response to a follow request, thethread indication402 is configured to indicate that the follow request was received. The group-based communication interface will update the thread summary communication pane to include the respective thread. The group-based communication interface will highlight the thread indication if new thread communication messages are received in the followed thread. The follow/unfollow actuator426 may also be modified to display “unfollow” (e.g., as shown inFIG.8) in response to receiving the follow request. In response to an unfollow request, the group-based communication interface will modify the thread indication in the channel list pane by updating the thread summary communication pane to remove the respective thread. The group-based communication interface will no longer highlight the thread indication if new thread communication messages are received in the unfollowed thread. The follow/unfollow actuator426 may also be modified to display “follow” in response to receiving the follow request (e.g., as shown inFIG.4).
• FIG.13 illustrates a flow diagram of an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. In particular,FIG.13 illustrates amethod1300 involving receipt of a follow request. Themethod1300 includes receiving afollow request1302 and updating a thread indication in the channel list pane, the thread indication configured to indicate that the follow request was received.
• While not illustrated, the group-based communication interface is configured to allow a member to search for specific group-based communication channels and threads using a search actuator initiating a search request. In response to a search request, the group-based communication interface will display applicable group-based communication channels and/or threads. The group-based communication channels and/or threads can then be viewed in full by selecting a selected channel view actuator or selected channel view actuator, imitating the respective view request. The selected group-based communication channel may be displayed in a channel communication pane while a thread may be displayed in a thread communication pane.
• In some embodiments, the selected group-based communication interface is configured to receive thread summary view requests in a thread summary communication pane. The member of the selected group-based communication interface can thereby view a summary of the threads that the member follows. For instance,FIG.5 illustrates an example group-based communication interface having a channel list pane and a thread summary communication pane in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. Thechannel list pane500 includes athread indication502, communication channel indications503 (e.g., identifying channels that the member follows), the name of thegroup501A (“ACME Corp”), and the name of the particular member501B (“Matt”) viewing the interface.
• In some embodiments, thethread indication502 may be configured as a thread summary view actuator to initiate a thread summary view request. The selected group-based communication interface is configured to receive a thread summary view request and in response to receipt of the thread summary view request, present a threadsummary communication pane530 displaying a summary of each thread that the member follows. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, selection of the thread indication502 (i.e., “Threads (1)”) can be configured as a thread summary view actuator to initiate a thread summary view request to view a summary of each thread that the member (“Matt”) follows, as is shown in the threadsummary communication pane530. Various configurations of thread summary view actuators can be used to initiate thread summary view requests from thechannel list pane500.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, thethread indication502 is bolded and includes “(1)” to indicate that a new thread communication message for the member's attention has been received. Thethread indication502 can be highlighted or marked in various ways to draw the member's attention to the thread. Once the new thread communication message is displayed by the selected group-based communication interface to the member, the bolded font or “(1)” may be removed.
• The threadsummary communication pane530 displays a summary of the threads that the member follows. As shown inFIG.5, for each thread summary, the threadsummary communication pane530 includes the name of the group-based communication channel from which the thread was created531A-531B, the selected group-based messaging communication from which the thread was created532A-532B, and thread communication messages received in thethread532C-532E. For each thread summary, the threadsummary communication pane530 also includes a thread communication input register533A-533B, a share actuator534A-534B, and a thread messaging actuator535A-535B. The thread communication input registers533A-533B are configured to receive thread communication messages from a member. The thread messaging actuators535A-535B (e.g., buttons) can be selected by a member and initiate transmission of the respective thread communication message inserted into the thread communication input register533A-533B to thecircuitry200 for processing. The thread communication message is then displayed in the threadsummary communication pane530.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, the threadsummary communication pane530 displays a summary of a thread from the “announcements” group-based communication channel and a summary of a thread from the “things-to-know” group-based communication channel. Each of the selected group-based messaging communications from which the respective thread was created532A-532B and the thread communication messages received in thethread532C-532E includemessaging communication information536A-536E. Themessaging communication information536A-536E includes a profile identifier and the time and/or date of receipt of the respective group-based messaging communication or thread communication message. The threadsummary communication pane530 may include other identifying information for each thread (e.g., members of communication channel, etc.). Each of the selected group-based messaging communications from which the respective thread was created532A-532B includes athread summary indicator537A and537B. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, thethread summary indicators537A and537B include the number of thread communication messages received in the thread (e.g., “2 Replies” or “1 Reply”) (i.e., the thread count), a profile identifier (e.g., avatar) for each member who submitted thread communication message(s), and includes a latency indicator (e.g., “10:35 AM” or “9:35 AM”) that indicates the time of receipt for the latest thread communication message in the respective thread. In this embodiment, the threads are ordered in reverse chronological order, displaying the thread with the most recent thread communication message first. The threads may be organized in a variety of manners in the threadsummary communication pane530. A variety of information can be displayed in the thread summary indicators.
• As new thread communication messages are received, the selected group-based communication interface may present notifications regarding the receipt of thread communication messages. The notifications may appear in a specified display pane, which may appear when necessary or may always be present. For instance, a display pane may be presented to notify a user that a new thread communication message was received and may then be removed after a specified period of time. The notification in the display pane may be selected to initiate a request (e.g., to view the specific thread (selected thread view request) or view a summary of the new threads (thread summary view request)). Various forms of notifications may be presented to notify the user (via the client device) of the new thread communication message and may be configured as actuators to allow the user to initiate desired requests.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, notification538 is displayed in the threadsummary communication pane530. The notification538 includes the number of new thread communication messages (“1 New Reply”) and is associated with the thread in which the new thread communication message was received. The notification538 can include any desired information regarding the receipt of new thread communication messages (e.g., date and time of new thread communication messages, profile identifier of member who submitted thread communication message, etc.). The notification538 in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5 is configured as a thread reply view actuator that is configured to initiate a thread reply view request. The selected group-based communication interface is configured to receive thread reply view requests and in response, display the selected thread communication message associated with the thread reply view request. For instance, if a member were to select the notification538 inFIG.5, the selected group-based communication interface would, in response, display the selected thread communication message associated with the notification in place of the notification538. The member could thereby view the selected thread communication message in the threadsummary communication pane530.
• Additional notifications may be displayed in the threadsummary communication pane530, such as banners configured to indicate a variety of information (e.g., number of new thread communication messages received, time of last receipt, time of last display of thread summary communication pane). Further, in some embodiments, the selected group-based communication interface may be configured to display a banner separating new threads from already displayed threads. The threadsummary communication pane530 can also be refreshed by a member (e.g., by selecting a thread summary view actuator to initiate a thread summary view request) initiating the display of different notifications updated to indicate the latest information.
• As noted above, the threadsummary communication pane530 includes the name of the group-based communication channel from which each thread was created (e.g., “announcements” and “things-to-know”). In some embodiments, the name of the group-based communication channel can be configured as a selected channel view actuator to initiate a selected channel view request. The selected group-based communication interface is configured to receive selected channel view requests and in response to receipt of selected channel view requests, present a channel messaging pane displaying the selected group-based communication channel associated with the selected channel view request. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, selection of the name of the group-based communication channel (e.g., “announcements”) from which the first thread was created can be configured as a selected channel view actuator to initiate a selected channel view request to view the “announcements” channel (e.g., as shown inFIG.4 in the channel messaging pane410). Various configurations of selected channel view actuators can be used to initiate selected channel view requests from the threadsummary communication pane530.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, aprofile identifier539 is received in thethread communication message532E (“@matt”). Theprofile identifier539 is configured to initiate a follow request for the member associated with theprofile identifier539 if the member is a member of the selected group-based communication channel from which the thread was created. If the profile identifier is associated with a user that is not a member of the selected group-based communication, then a join request may be initiated to present an invitation to join the channel to the user.
• In response to the follow request, the selected group-based communication interface generates and/or modifies a thread indication to indicate that a new thread communication message has been received for the member's attention. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, theprofile identifier539 was received in thethread communication message532E, which initiated a follow request for the member (“Matt”) associated with the profile identifier539 (“@matt”). Thethread indication502 was highlighted to indicate that a new thread communication message (thethread communication message532E) was received for the member's attention. Once the selected group-based communication interface displays the new thread communication message to the member, the highlight will be removed. However, the member is now following the thread. The member can unfollow the thread by selecting a follow/unfollow actuator as discussed with regards toFIG.4 and for example shown in the thread communication pane420 (see follow/unfollow actuator426). The thread communication pane can be accessed from the threadsummary communication pane530 by selecting a selected thread view actuator, which initiates a selected thread view request. In response to the selected thread view request, the thread communication pane is displayed with the selected thread. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5,thread summary indicators537A and537B can be configured to be selectable by a member, initiating a selected thread view request.
• FIG.10 illustrates a flow diagram of an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. In particular,FIG.10 illustrates amethod1000 involving the receipt of a profile identifier. Themethod1000 includes receiving athread communication message1002, receiving a profile identifier with thethread communication message1004, displaying the thread communication message to thethread communication pane1006, and updating a thread indication in the channel list pane, the thread indication configured to indicate that the profile identifier was received in the thread communication message.
• FIG.6 illustrates an example group-based communication interface having achannel list pane600 and a threadsummary communication pane630 in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. Thechannel list pane600 includes athread indication602, communication channel indications603 (e.g., identifying channels that the member follows), the name of thegroup601A (“ACME Corp”), and the name of theparticular member601B (“Matt”) viewing the interface.
• In some embodiments, thethread indication602 may be configured as a thread summary view actuator to initiate a thread summary view request. The selected group-based communication interface is configured to receive a thread summary view request and in response to receipt of the thread summary view request, present a threadsummary communication pane630 displaying a summary of each thread that the member follows. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.6, selection of the thread indication602 (i.e., “Threads”) can be configured to initiate a thread summary view request to view a summary of each thread that the member (“Matt”) follows, as is shown in the threadsummary communication pane630. Various configurations of thread summary view actuators can be used to initiate thread summary view requests from thechannel list pane600.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.6, thethread indication602 is bolded to indicate that one or more new thread communication messages for the member's attention have been received. Thethread indication602 can be highlighted or marked in various ways to draw the member's attention to the thread. Once the new thread communication message is displayed by the selected group-based communication interface to the member, the bolded font may be removed.
• The threadsummary communication pane630 displays a summary of the threads that the member follows. As shown inFIG.6, for each thread summary, the threadsummary communication pane630 includes the name of the group-based communication channel from which the thread was created631A-631B, the selected group-based messaging communication from which the thread was created632A-632B, and thread communication messages received in the thread632C-632D. For each thread summary, the threadsummary communication pane630 also includes a thread communication input register633A-633B, a share actuator634A-634B, and athread messaging actuator635A-635B. The thread communication input registers633A-633B are configured to receive thread communication messages from a member. Thethread messaging actuators635A-635B (e.g., buttons) can be selected by a member and initiate transmission of the respective thread communication message inserted into the thread communication input register633A-633B to thecircuitry200 for processing. The thread communication message is then displayed in the threadsummary communication pane630.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.6, the threadsummary communication pane630 displays a summary of a thread from the “announcements” group-based communication channel and a summary of a thread from the “things-to-know” group-based communication channel. Each of the selected group-based messaging communication from which the respective thread was created632A-632B and the thread communication messages received in the thread632C-632D includemessaging communication information636A-636D. Themessaging communication information636A-636D includes a profile identifier and the time and/or date of receipt of the respective group-based messaging communication or thread communication message. The threadsummary communication pane630 may include other identifying information for each thread (e.g., members of communication channel, etc.). Each of the selected group-based messaging communications from which the respective thread was created632A-632B includes athread summary indicator637A and637B. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.6, thethread summary indicators637A and637B include the number of thread communication messages received in the thread (e.g., “3 Replies” or “2 Replies”) (i.e., the thread count), a profile identifier (e.g., avatar) for each member who submitted a thread communication message(s), and include a latency indicator (e.g., “11:38 AM” or “10:56 AM”) that indicates the time of receipt for the latest thread communication message in the respective thread. A variety of information can be displayed in the thread summary indicators.
• As noted above, the threadsummary communication pane630 includes the name of the group-based communication channel from which each thread was created (e.g., “announcements” and “things-to-know”). In some embodiments, the name of the group-based communication channel can be configured as a selected channel view actuator to initiate a selected channel view request. The selected group-based communication interface is configured to receive selected channel view requests and in response to receipt of selected channel view requests, present a channel messaging pane displaying the selected group-based communication channel associated with the selected channel view request. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.6, selection of the name of the group-based communication channel (e.g., “announcements”) from which the first thread was created can be configured to initiate a selected channel view request to view the “announcements” channel (e.g., as shown inFIG.4 in the channel messaging pane410). Various configurations of selected channel view actuators can be used to initiate selected channel view requests from the threadsummary communication pane630.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.6, aprofile identifier639 is received in the thread communication message632C (“@julie”). Theprofile identifier639 is configured to initiate a follow request for the member associated with theprofile identifier639. In response to the follow request, the selected group-based communication interface generates and/or modifies a thread indication to indicate that a new thread communication message has been received for the member's attention. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.6, theprofile identifier639 was received in the thread communication message632C, which initiated a follow request for the member (“Julie”) associated with the profile identifier639 (“@julie”). The thread indication for the member would then be highlighted to indicate that a new thread communication message (the thread communication message632C) was received for the member's attention.
• As explained with regards toFIG.5, the thread communication pane can be accessed from the thread summary communication pane by selecting a selected thread view actuator, which initiates a selected thread view request. In response to the selected thread view request, the thread communication pane is displayed with the selected thread. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.6,thread summary indicators637A and637B can be configured to be selectable by a member, initiating a selected thread view request.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.6,notification636 is displayed in the threadsummary communication pane630. Thenotification636 includes the number of new thread communication messages (“2 replies”) and may also include the number of new threads (e.g., “2 new threads”). Thenotification636 can include any desired information regarding the receipt of new thread communication messages (e.g., date and time of new thread communication messages, names of group-based communication channels from which the threads were created, etc.). The new threads can refer to threads in which the member has been associated with through a profile identifier and/or threads created from selected group-based messaging communications that the member authored (that is, the member authored the selected group-based messaging communication). The new thread communication messages can similarly refer to thread communication messages received in threads the member follows and/or thread communication messages in which the member has been associated with through a profile identifier. Referring back toFIG.5, the particular member “Matt” was associated with thethread communication message532E with the receipt of theprofile identifier539. Accordingly, a notification would notify the member of a new thread and a new thread communication message.
• FIG.7 illustrates an example group-based communication interface having a channel list pane, a thread summary communication pane, and a thread communication pane in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. Thechannel list pane700 includes athread indication702, communication channel indications703 (e.g., identifying channels that the member follows), the name of thegroup701A (“ACME Corp”), and the name of the particular member701B (“Matt”) viewing the interface.
• In some embodiments, thethread indication702 may be configured as a thread summary view actuator to initiate a thread summary view request. The selected group-based communication interface is configured to receive a thread summary view request and in response to receipt of the thread summary view request, present a threadsummary communication pane730 displaying a summary of each thread that the member follows. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.7, selection of the thread indication702 (i.e., “Threads”) can be configured as a thread summary view actuator to initiate a thread summary view request to view a summary of each thread that the member (“Matt”) follows, as is shown in the threadsummary communication pane730. Various configurations of thread summary view actuators can be used to initiate thread summary view requests from thechannel list pane700.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.7, thethread indication702 is not bolded since the new thread communication messages have been displayed by the selected group-based communication interface to the member.
• The threadsummary communication pane730 displays a summary of the threads that the member follows. As shown inFIG.7, for each thread summary, the threadsummary communication pane730 includes the name of the group-based communication channel from which the thread was created731A-731B, the selected group-based messaging communication from which the thread was created732A-732B, and thread communication messages received in the thread732C-732D. For each thread summary, the threadsummary communication pane730 also includes a thread communication input register733A-733B, ashare actuator734A-734B, and athread messaging actuator735A-735B. The thread communication input registers733A-733B are configured to receive thread communication messages from a member. Thethread messaging actuators735A-735B (e.g., buttons) can be selected by a member and initiate transmission of the respective thread communication message inserted into the thread communication input register733A-733B to thecircuitry200 for processing. The thread communication message is then displayed in the threadsummary communication pane630.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.7, the threadsummary communication pane730 displays a summary of a thread from the “announcements” group-based communication channel and a summary of a thread from the “things-to-know” group-based communication channel. Each of the selected group-based messaging communication from which the respective thread was created732A-732B and the thread communication messages received in the thread732C-732D includemessaging communication information736A-736D. Themessaging communication information736A-736D includes a profile identifier and the time and/or date of receipt of the respective group-based messaging communication or thread communication message. The threadsummary communication pane730 may include other identifying information for each thread (e.g., members of communication channel, etc.). Each of the selected group-based messaging communications from which the respective thread was created732A-732B includes athread summary indicator737A and737B. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.7, thethread summary indicators737A and737B include the number of thread communication messages received in the thread (e.g., “3 Replies” or “2 Replies”) (i.e., the thread count), a profile identifier (e.g., avatar) for each member who submitted a thread communication message(s), and include a latency indicator (e.g., “11:38 AM” or “10:56 AM”) that indicates the time of receipt for the latest thread communication message in the respective thread. A variety of information can be displayed in the thread summary indicators.
• As noted above, the threadsummary communication pane730 includes the name of the group-based communication channel from which each thread was created (e.g., “announcements” and “things-to-know”). In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.7 the name of the group-based communication channel can be configured as a selected channel view actuator to initiate a selected channel view request. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.7, selection of the name of the group-based communication channel (e.g., “announcements”) from which the first thread was created can be configured as a selected channel view actuator to initiate a selected channel view request to view the “announcements” channel (e.g., as shown inFIG.4 in the channel messaging pane410). Various configurations of selected channel view actuators can be used to initiate selected channel view requests from the threadsummary communication pane730.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.7, aprofile identifier739 is received in the thread communication message732C (“@julie”). Similar to the embodiment illustrated inFIG.6, theprofile identifier739 is configured to initiate a follow request for the member associated with theprofile identifier739. In response to the follow request, the selected group-based communication interface generates and/or modifies a thread indication to indicate that a new thread communication message has been received for the member's attention.
• As explained with regards toFIG.5, the thread communication pane can be accessed from the thread summary communication pane by selecting a selected thread view actuator, which initiates a selected thread view request. In response to the selected thread view request, the thread communication pane is displayed with the selected thread. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.7,thread summary indicators737A has been selected, initiating a selected thread view request. In response to receipt of the selected thread view request, the selected thread is displayed in thethread communication pane720.
• Thethread communication pane720 includes a subsidiary channel-basedthread communication721 associated with the selected group-basedmessaging communication732A displayed in the threadsummary communication pane730. Thethread communication pane720 also includesthread communication messages722A-722C. Each of thethread communication messages722A-722C and the subsidiary channel-basedthread communication721 includesmessaging communication information727 and728A-728C. Themessaging communication information727 and728A-728C includes a profile identifier and the time and/or date of receipt of the respective messaging communication. Themessaging communication information727 also includes the name of the group-based communication channel from which the thread was created (e.g., “announcements”). In some embodiments, the name of the group-based communication channel can be configured as a selected channel view actuator to initiate a selected channel view request to view a channel messaging pane displaying the selected group-based communication channel associated with the selected channel view request.
• Thethread communication pane720 also includes a threadcommunication input register723, ashare actuator724, athread messaging actuator725, and a follow/unfollow actuator726. The threadcommunication input register723 is configured to receive thread communication messages from a member. The thread messaging actuator725 (e.g., a button) can be selected by a member and initiates transmission of the thread communication message inserted into the threadcommunication input register723 to thecircuitry200 for processing. The thread communication message is then displayed in thethread communication pane720.
• Similar to the embodiment illustrated inFIG.4, the follow/unfollow actuator426 is selectable by a member of the group-based communication channel from which the thread was created and initiates a request to either follow the respective thread or unfollow the respective thread. In response to a follow request, the thread indication (e.g., thread indication702) in the channel list pane is configured to indicate that the follow request was received. The group-based communication interface will update the thread summary communication pane to include the respective thread. The group-based communication interface will highlight the thread indication if new thread communication messages are received in the followed thread. The follow/unfollow actuator726 may also be modified to display “unfollow” (e.g., as shown inFIG.7) in response to receiving the follow request. In response to an unfollow request, the group-based communication interface will modify the thread indication in the channel list pane by updating the thread summary communication pane to remove the respective thread. The group-based communication interface will no longer highlight the thread indication if new thread communication messages are received in the unfollowed thread. The follow/unfollow actuator726 may also be modified to display “follow” in response to receiving the follow request (e.g., as shown inFIG.4).
• FIG.11 illustrates a flow diagram of an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. Themethod1100 illustrated inFIG.11 involves the receipt of a thread summary view request and the subsequent display of a summary of the threads and/or notifications regarding the threads. In particular, themethod1100 includes receiving a threadsummary view request1102 and presenting at least a portion of the subsidiary channel-based thread communication and at least a portion of one or more thread communication messages in a thread summary communication pane1104. Themethod1100 may also include presenting a notification in the threadsummary communication pane1106, though this is optional and may depend on whether a new thread communication message has been received for the member's attention.
• In some embodiments, it may be beneficial to notify the members of a selected group-based communication channel of certain communications in a thread stemming from that selected group-based communication channel. For instance, members of a selected group-based communication channel may reach a decision on a topic in a thread that is relevant to other members of the selected group-based communication channel. The members participating in the thread can share the relevant communications to the selected group-based communication channel to quickly identify information that the other members of the selected group-based communication channel need to be made aware. For instance,FIG.8 illustrates an example group-based communication interface having a channel list pane, a channel messaging pane, and a thread communication pane in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. In particular,FIG.8 illustrates a group-based communication interface having achannel list pane800,channel messaging pane810, andthread communication pane820. Thechannel list pane800 includes athread indication802, communication channel indications803 (e.g., identifying channels that the member follows), the name of thegroup801A (“ACME Corp”), and the name of the particular member801B (“Matt”).
• Thechannel messaging pane810 includes a selected group-based communication channel811 (“announcements”) which includes a feed of group-basedmessaging communications812A-812B. Each group-basedmessaging communication812A-812B includesmessaging communication information816A-816B. Themessaging communication information816A-816B includes a profile identifier and the time and date of receipt of the respective group-based messaging communication. Thechannel messaging pane810 also shows the name of the selected group-basedcommunication channel811 and may include other identifying information for the group-based communication channel (e.g., date of creation, time of last messaging communication, members of communication channel, etc.). Both group-basedmessaging communications812A-812B have had threads stem from the communications.
• Accordingly, each group-basedmessaging communication812A-812B has athread summary indicator817A-817B, respectively, attached to the communications. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.8, thethread summary indicators817A and817B include the number of thread communication messages received in the thread (e.g., “3 Replies” or “5 Replies”) (i.e., the thread count), a profile identifier (e.g., avatar) for each member who submitted a thread communication message(s), and include a latency indicator (e.g., “11:38 AM” or “11:56 AM”) that indicates the time of receipt for the latest thread communication message in the respective thread. Thethread summary indicators817A-817B can be configured as selected thread view actuators to initiate a selected thread view request. As noted previously, the selected group-based communication interface is configured to receive selected thread view requests and in response to receipt of selected thread view requests, present a thread communication pane displaying the selected thread associated with the selected thread view request. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.8, selection of either of thethread summary indicators817A-817B can be configured as a selected thread view actuator to initiate a selected thread view request to view the full thread stemming from the selected group-based messaging communication associated with the respective thread summary indicator.
• Thethread communication pane820 includes a subsidiary channel-based thread communication821 associated with the respective group-based messaging communication of the group-based communication channel from which the displayed thread was created. Thethread communication pane820 also includesthread communication messages822A-822B. Each of thethread communication messages822A-822B and the subsidiary channel-based thread communication821 includesmessaging communication information827 and828A-828B. Themessaging communication information827 and828A-828B includes a profile identifier and the time of receipt of the respective group-based messaging communication. Themessaging communication information827 also includes the name of the group-based communication channel from which the thread was created. In some embodiments, the name of the group-based communication channel can be configured as a selected channel view actuator to initiate a selected channel view request. As noted previously, the selected group-based communication interface is configured to receive selected channel view requests and in response to receipt of selected channel view requests, present a channel messaging pane displaying the selected group-based communication channel associated with the selected channel view request. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.8, selection of the name of the group-based communication channel from which the thread was created can be configured as a selected channel view actuator to initiate a selected channel view request to view the “announcements” channel. Various configurations of selected channel view actuators can be used to initiate selected channel view requests from thethread communication pane820.
• Thethread communication pane820 also includes a threadcommunication input register823, ashare actuator824, athread messaging actuator825, and an follow/unfollow actuator826. The threadcommunication input register823 is configured to receive thread communication messages from a member. The thread messaging actuator825 (e.g., a button) can be selected by a member and initiates transmission of the thread communication message inserted into the threadcommunication input register823 to thecircuitry200 for processing. The thread communication message is then displayed in thethread communication pane820.
• The follow/unfollow actuator826 is also selectable by a member of the group-based communication channel from which the thread was created and initiates a request to either follow the respective thread or unfollow the respective thread. In response to a follow request, the group-based communication interface will update a thread indication (e.g., thread indication802) in the channel list pane, where the thread indication is configured to indicate that the follow request was received. The group-based communication interface will highlight the thread indication if new thread communication messages are received in the followed thread. The follow/unfollow actuator826 may also be modified to display “unfollow” (as shown inFIG.8) in response to receiving the follow request. In response to an unfollow request, the group-based communication interface will modify the thread indication in the channel list pane by updating the thread summary communication pane to remove the respective thread. The group-based communication interface will no longer highlight the thread indication if new thread communication messages are received in the unfollowed thread. The follow/unfollow actuator826 may also be modified to display “follow” in response to receiving the follow request.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.8, thread communication message822B has been shared (or “broadcasted”) to the group-based communication channel from which the thread was created. Theshare actuator824 was selected by a member of the group-based communication channel, which initiated a share request. In response to the share request, the selected thread communication message822B was reproduced in thechannel messaging pane810 displaying the selected group-based communication channel as shared thread communication message818B. The subsidiary channel-based thread communication821 was also reproduced as sharedthread communication message818A to provide context to the shared communication. The two sharedthread communication messages818A and818B may be distinguished in thechannel messaging pane810 by ashare indicator818 and/or by changes in format (e.g., by off-setting the communications such as shown inFIG.8 or other ways of distinguishing the communications). The sharedthread communication messages818A and818B include messaging communication information819A and819B. The messaging communication information819A-819B include a profile identifier and the time and/or date of receipt of the respective communication. Athread summary indicator817C is also included with the sharedthread communication message818A. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.8, thethread summary indicator817C includes the number of thread communication messages received in the thread (e.g., “2 Replies”) (i.e., the thread count), a profile identifier (e.g., avatar) for each member who submitted a thread communication message(s), and includes a latency indicator (e.g., “1:34 PM”) that indicates the time of receipt for the latest thread communication message in the respective thread. Thethread summary indicator817C can be configured as a selected thread view actuator to initiate a selected thread view request to view the full thread.
• While not illustrated inFIG.8, thechannel messaging pane810 may also include a channel communication input register and a channel messaging actuator, as described herein. Thechannel list pane800,channel messaging pane810, andthread communication pane820 may also include other actuators, indicators, and messaging communication information without deviating from the intent of the present invention.
• FIG.14 illustrates a flow diagram of an example system in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. In particular,FIG.14 illustrates a method of sharing thread communication messages back to the selected group-based communication channel from which the thread was created. Themethod1400 includes receiving a subsequent thread communication message in thethread communication pane1402, receiving ashare request1404, and in response to receiving the share request, reproducing the first messaging communication and the subsequent thread communication message in the selected group-basedcommunication channel1406. Other members of the selected group-based communication channel can then access the thread by selecting a thread summary indicator, initiating a selected thread view request to view the full thread. In response to the selected thread view request, the selected group-based communication interface then presents each thread communication message of the selected thread in the thread communication pane (see e.g.,FIG.12).
• Some embodiments of the present invention also use a second screen, as discussed herein. For instance, a first screen may be presented to a first member while a second screen may be presented to a second member of the selected group-based communication interface. The format of a display pane, group-based communication channel, or thread may appear differently to different members of the interface; however, the content of a selected group-based communication channel (i.e., messaging communications) and thread stemming from that selected group-based communication channel will be displayed to each member of the channel. For instance, members or groups may have particular preference for layouts or text fonts. The particular preferences may be considered when generating the group-based communication channels and threads. The system may utilize any number of screens necessary to present the group-based communication interface in a meaningful way to each member of the interface.
• Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these embodiments of the invention pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (21)

1.-42. (canceled)

43. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions executable by one or more processors that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform acts comprising:

receiving a message in a channel of a communication platform;

causing the message to be rendered in a communication interface of the communication platform;

receiving a first request to create a first reply associated with the message;

responsive at least in part to receiving the first request, causing the first reply to be rendered proximate the message;

receiving a second request to create a second reply associated with the message;

responsive at least in part to receiving the second request, causing the second reply to be rendered proximate to at least one of the message or the first reply; and

causing an indicator indicating an existence of at least the first reply and the second reply to be rendered proximate the message, wherein the indicator is configured to be selectable by a user with access to the message.

44. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media ofclaim 43, the acts further comprising:

receiving a first input causing display of the first reply and the second reply to cease;

receiving a second input to the indicator; and

responsive at least in part to receiving the second input, causing rendering of the first reply and the second reply.

45. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media ofclaim 43, wherein causing the message to be rendered in the communication interface comprises causing the message to be rendered in a messaging pane of the communication interface.

46. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media ofclaim 45, wherein causing the indicator to be rendered proximate the message comprises causing the indicator to be rendered in the messaging pane.

47. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media ofclaim 43, wherein the message is rendered in a first format and at least one of the first reply or the second reply is rendered in a second format that is different than the first format.

48. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media ofclaim 43, wherein the first reply is rendered in a first format and the second reply is rendered in a second format that is different than the first format.

49. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media ofclaim 43, wherein at least one of the first reply or the second reply is rendered offset from the message.

50. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media ofclaim 43, wherein the indicator indicates a number of replies to the message.

51. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a message in a channel of a communication platform;

causing the message to be rendered in a communication interface of the communication platform;

receiving a first request to create a first reply associated with the message;

responsive at least in part to receiving the first request, causing the first reply to be rendered proximate the message;

receiving a second request to create a second reply associated with the message;

responsive at least in part to receiving the second request, causing the second reply to be rendered proximate to at least one of the message or the first reply; and

causing an indicator indicating an existence of at least the first reply and the second reply to be rendered proximate the message, wherein the indicator is configured to be selectable by a user with access to the message.

52. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 51, further comprising:

receiving a first input causing display of the first reply and the second reply to cease;

receiving a second input to the indicator; and

responsive at least in part to receiving the second input, causing rendering of the first reply and the second reply.

53. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 51, wherein causing the message to be rendered in the communication interface comprises causing the message to be rendered in a messaging pane of the communication interface.

54. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 53, wherein causing the indicator to be rendered proximate the message comprises causing the indicator to be rendered in the messaging pane.

55. A system comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions executable by the one or more processors, wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to perform acts comprising:

receiving a message in a channel of a communication platform;

causing the message to be rendered in a communication interface of the communication platform;

receiving a first request to create a first reply associated with the message;

responsive at least in part to receiving the first request, causing the first reply to be rendered proximate the message;

receiving a second request to create a second reply associated with the message;

responsive at least in part to receiving the second request, causing the second reply to be rendered proximate to at least one of the message or the first reply; and

causing an indicator indicating an existence of at least the first reply and the second reply to be rendered proximate the message, wherein the indicator is configured to be selectable by a user with access to the message.

56. The system ofclaim 55, the acts further comprising:

receiving a first input causing display of the first reply and the second reply to cease;

receiving a second input to the indicator; and

responsive at least in part to receiving the second input, causing rendering of the first reply and the second reply.

57. The system ofclaim 55, wherein causing the message to be rendered in the communication interface comprises causing the message to be rendered in a messaging pane of the communication interface.

58. The system ofclaim 57, wherein causing the indicator to be rendered proximate the message comprises causing the indicator to be rendered in the messaging pane.

59. The system ofclaim 55, wherein the message is rendered in a first format and at least one of the first reply or the second reply is rendered in a second format that is different than the first format.

60. The system ofclaim 55, wherein the first reply is rendered in a first format and the second reply is rendered in a second format that is different than the first format.

61. The system ofclaim 55, wherein at least one of the first reply or the second reply is rendered offset from the message.

62. The system ofclaim 55, wherein the indicator indicates a number of replies to the message.

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