Processing messages

Abstract

An apparatus for processing messages input from a plurality of clients. The apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to obtain a first message input from a first client, a second message input from a second client, and a user selection input from the second client. The user selection is of a first portion of the first message and indicates that the second message is a comment on the first portion of the first message. The apparatus also includes a control unit in communication with the acquisition unit. The control unit is configured to perform a first control action in response to the acquisition unit obtaining the first message, the second message, and the user selection. The first control action results in the first message, the second message, and a first link connecting the first portion of the first message and the second message being displayed on the plurality of clients.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for processing messages input from a plurality of clients, comprising:
 obtaining a first message input from a first client;   obtaining a second message input from a second client, wherein the second message is a comment on a first portion of the first message;   displaying, to the plurality of clients, a link that connects the first message, the second message, at least one copy of the first message, and at least one copy of the second message; and   displaying, to the plurality of clients and in response to the second message being input, the first portion of the first message.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining a third message input from a third client;   obtaining a first user selection input from the third client, the first user selection being of a second portion of the first message and indicating that the third message is a comment on the second portion of the first message; and   performing, in response to the obtaining the first message, the second message, the third message, and the first user selection, a second control action resulting in the first message, the second message, the third message, the first link, and a second link connecting the second portion of the first message and the third message being displayed on the plurality of clients.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 obtaining a second user selection input from a fourth client, the second user selection being of the first portion of the first message and indicating that only the first portion of the first message and those messages that are responsive thereto should be displayed on the fourth client; and   performing, in response to the obtaining the first message, the second message, the third message, the first user selection, and the second user selection, a third control action resulting in the first message, the second message, and the first link being displayed on the fourth client and further resulting in the third message and the second link not being displayed on the fourth client.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 obtaining a fourth message input from the second client; and   obtaining a third user selection input from the second client, the third user selection being of a whole of the first message and indicating that the fourth message is a comment on the whole of the first message,   wherein, in response to the obtaining the fourth message and the fourth comment, the third control action further results in the fourth message and a fourth link being displayed on the fourth client, the fourth link connecting the whole of the first message and the fourth message.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 performing, in response to the obtaining the first message, the second message, the third message, and the first user selection, a first notification action resulting in the second client outputting a notice indicating that the third message has been input.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second message being input from the second client is in response to, on a display of the second client, a first end of the first link being moved by a user to the first portion of the first comment and a second end of the first link being moved by the user to the second message. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein an instant messenger server in communication with the plurality of clients performs the obtaining the first message, the second message, and the user selection, and further performs the performing the first control action.