Messaging with drawn graphic input

Abstract

Messaging applications are enhanced with drawn images or words that appear on a communication device screen alongside messages. Users can express themselves more creatively as well as visually reference previously sent or received messages, such as by drawing an arrow to them or circling them. Graphic inputs are also operable to alter a sent message so as to convey additional or corrective meaning. By extending the drawing field outside the individual messages, this combination of messages and graphic inputs creates a third communication functionality not present in either messaging or drawing alone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of communicating between first and second user devices, comprising:
 receiving input of a first graphic in association with at least one message displayed on a scrollable environment at the first user device; and   transmitting, from the first user device toward the second user device, first graphic data representing the first graphic in association with the at least one message   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising displaying the first graphic input at the first user device at a position associated with the at least one message in the scrollable environment at the second user device. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said displaying displays each of the at least one message at the first and second user devices in a defined space within the scrollable environment, and displays the first graphic in association with, but without limitation to, the defined space of each of the at least one message. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 ,
 wherein said displaying displays each of the at least one message at the first and second user devices in a defined space within the scrollable environment,   wherein said the first graphic is received in association with only one message previously transmitted between the first and second user devices,   wherein said transmitting transmits the first graphic data and identification of the one message from the first user device to the second user device, whereby, after said transmitting is completed, said displaying displays the first graphic in the defined space of the one message within the scrollable environment at the first and second user devices.   
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said receiving, said transmitting and said displaying are performed concurrently, whereby the first graphic is displayed partially formed in the defined space of the one message within the scrollable environment at the second user device before said transmitting is completed and completely formed after said transmitting is completed. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving input of a second graphic in association with the at least one message displayed on the scrollable environment at the first user device;   transmitting, from the first user device toward the second user device, second graphic data representing the second graphic in association with the at least one message; and   displaying the first and second graphics input at the first user device at positions associated with the at least one message in the scrollable environment at the second user device.   
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a single message is associated with both the first and second graphics. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one message includes a plurality of messages,
 wherein the first graphic is associated with a first message among the messages, and   wherein the second graphic is associated with a second message among the messages.   
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the second message was transmitted between the first and second user devices prior to the first message. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 ,
 wherein said receiving further associates the first graphic with a prior message in addition to the at least one message, and   wherein said displaying displays the first graphic in association with the at least one message and the prior message, thereby forming a graphic relationship therebetween.   
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising indicating at the second user device a direction to scroll to view the first graphic after said transmitting is completed and before said displaying. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising
 receiving a request to redisplay at the second user device; and   redisplaying the first graphic at the second user device in response to the request.   
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 producing a revised message by interpreting at least some of the first graphic data by both the first and second user devices as editing of the at least one message;   displaying the revised message at a position associated with the at least one message in the scrollable environment at the second user device.   
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising displaying the revised message at the position associated with the at least one message in the scrollable environment at the first user device. 
     
     
         15 . A user device communicating with another user device, comprising:
 a system memory storing instructions and data;   a hardware processor, connected to said system memory, executing the instructions, including receiving input of a first graphic in association with at least a first message displayed on a scrollable environment; and   a transmitter, connected to at least one of said system memory and said hardware processor, transmitting first graphic data, representing the first graphic in association with at least the first message, to the other user device.   
     
     
         16 . The user device as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a receiver receiving second graphic data, representing a second graphic in association with at least a second message, from the other user device;   a display memory, connected to said hardware processor, storing at least the first and second messages, the first and second graphics and relationship data defining relationships between at least the first message and the first graphic, and between at least the second message and the second graphic; and   a display device, connected to said display memory, displaying the second graphic input at the other user device at a position associated with at least the second message in the scrollable environment.   
     
     
         17 . The user device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said display device displays each of the at least first and second messages in a defined space within the scrollable environment, and displays the first graphic in association with, but without limitation to, the defined space of each of the at least first and second messages. 
     
     
         18 . A system for transmitting drawn images between user devices, comprising:
 user devices, each executing a messaging application in a hardware processor, including
 receiving input of a first graphic in association with at least one message displayed on a scrollable environment, and 
 transmitting graphic data representing the first graphic; and 
   a communication network including at least one server forming a connection between at least two of the user devices and delivering the first graphic data therebetween.   
     
     
         19 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein each of said user devices further comprises:
 a system memory storing instructions and data;   a transmitter, connected to at least one of said system memory and said hardware processor, transmitting the first graphic data to another user device;   a receiver receiving second graphic data, representing a second graphic in association with at least a second message, from the other user device;   a display memory, connected to said hardware processor, storing at least the first and second messages, the first and second graphics and relationship data defining relationships between at least the first message and the first graphic, and between at least the second message and the second graphic; and   a display device, connected to said display memory, displaying the second graphic input at the other user device at a position associated with at least the second message in the scrollable environment.   
     
     
         20 . The system as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said display device displays each of the at least first and second messages in a defined space within the scrollable environment, and displays the first graphic in association with, but without limitation to, the defined space of each of the at least first and second messages.