Method and Apparatus for Increasing Personability of Instant Messaging with User Images

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for handling instant messages. In response to receiving an instant message, a determination is made as to whether a picture of a sender of the instant message is associated with the instant message, wherein the picture is located in a preexisting database of pictures. The picture with the message is displayed on a display in the data processing system, if the picture is associated with the message.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . A method in a data processing system for handling instant messages, the method comprising:
 responsive to receiving an instant message, determining whether a picture image of a sender of the instant message is associated with the instant message; and   displaying the picture image of the sender with the instant message on a display in the data processing system if the picture image of the sender is associated with the instant message, wherein the picture image of the sender is embedded by an instant messaging process of the sender into the instant message prior to sending the instant message to the data processing system, and wherein the picture image of the sender is a selected picture that is selected from a plurality of different picture images of the sender, the selected picture being automatically selected by the instant messaging process of the sender based upon particular content in the instant message, wherein the picture image of the sender is a mug shot of the sender, wherein the instant messaging process facilitates a two-way, interactive, real-time exchange of the instant messages.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the particular content is an emoticon. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising:
 receiving the picture image of the sender with the instant message.   
   
   
       8 - 22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . A data processing system for sending an instant message by an instant messaging process executing on the data processing system, the data processing system comprising:
 selection means for selecting a picture image of a sender that is to be sent with the instant message, wherein the picture image of the sender is located in a preexisting database of different pictures of the sender and is automatically selected without user intervention by the selection means based upon particular content in the instant message; and   sending means for sending the picture image of the sender with the instant message, wherein the picture image of the sender is a mug shot of the sender.   
   
   
       24 . The data processing system of  claim 23 , wherein the particular content is an emoticon.