Interfaces for a messaging inbox

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for representing conversations in a messaging system, where content serves as the organizing feature or primitive of a messaging inbox. In the messaging inbox, a first level of organization allows for the selection of a user account associated with shared content. Upon selecting the user account, the account's content (e.g., photographs, videos, etc.) appear as a second level of organization. Thus, content may be aggregated in two hierarchical tiers: first, on a per-sender basis, and second on a per-content basis. In some embodiments, messages generated in response to the content may be displayed on the content. The content may be made progressively darker as more replies are received. Messages can be made temporary using a number of different ephemerality models. Messages may also be made permanent, with previously shared content shown in respective inbox drawers.

1 . A method, comprising:
 displaying, on a display, a first interface for a messaging inbox associated with a receiving user, the first interface displaying a selectable account element associated with a conversation involving the receiving user and a sending user;   receiving a selection of the selectable account element;   in direct response to receiving the selection of the selectable account element, replacing the first interface with a second interface configured to display a media item comprising an image or a video received from the sending user, wherein the second interface is configured to display the media item in a manner such that the media item substantially fills at least one of the dimensions of the display;   receiving a textual message responding to the media item;   transmitting the textual message to the sending user; and   displaying the textual message in a text display area in the second interface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the text area is superimposed on the media item. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a second textual message from the sending user; and   superimposing the second textual message on the media item as a response to the textual message.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising progressively dimming, blurring, or darkening the media item in response to each new textual message. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a navigation gesture in the second interface; and   advancing to a next media item received from the sending user.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sending user is associated with a plurality of media items, and further comprising displaying a preview of the plurality of media items in the first interface. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a second media item from the sending user; and   generating a new conversation associated with the second media item.   
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium including instructions that when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
 display, on a display, a first interface for a messaging inbox associated with a receiving user, the first interface displaying a selectable account element associated with a conversation involving the receiving user and a sending user;   receive a selection of the selectable account element;   in direct response to receiving the selection of the selectable account element, replace the first interface with a second interface configured to display a media item comprising an image or a video received from the sending user, wherein the second interface is configured to display the media item in a manner such that the media item substantially fills at least one of the dimensions of the display;   receive a textual message responding to the media item;   transmit the textual message to the sending user; and   display the textual message in a text display area in the second interface.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the text area is superimposed on the media item. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions further configure the computer to:
 receive a second textual message from the sending user; and   superimpose the second textual message on the media item as a response to the textual message.   
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 10 , wherein the instructions further configure the computer to progressively dim, blurring, or darkening the media item in response to each new textual message. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions further configure the computer to:
 receive a navigation gesture in the second interface; and   advance to a next media item received from the sending user.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the sending user is associated with a plurality of media items, and wherein the instructions further configure the computer to display a preview of the plurality of media items in the first interface. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions further configure the computer to:
 receive a second media item from the sending user; and   generate a new conversation associated with the second media item.   
     
     
         15 . A computing apparatus comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the apparatus to:
 display, on a display, a first interface for a messaging inbox associated with a receiving user, the first interface displaying a selectable account element associated with a conversation involving the receiving user and a sending user; 
 receive a selection of the selectable account element; 
 in direct response to receiving the selection of the selectable account element, replace the first interface with a second interface configured to display a media item comprising an image or a video received from the sending user, wherein the second interface is configured to display the media item in a manner such that the media item substantially fills at least one of the dimensions of the display; 
 receive a textual message responding to the media item; 
 transmit the textual message to the sending user; and 
 display the textual message in a text display area in the second interface. 
   
     
     
         16 . The computing apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the text area is superimposed on the media item. 
     
     
         17 . The computing apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions further configure the apparatus to:
 receive a second textual message from the sending user; and   superimpose the second textual message on the media item as a response to the textual message.   
     
     
         18 . The computing apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the instructions further configure the apparatus to progressively dim, blurring, or darkening the media item in response to each new textual message. 
     
     
         19 . The computing apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions further configure the apparatus to:
 receive a navigation gesture in the second interface; and   advance to a next media item received from the sending user.   
     
     
         20 . The computing apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the sending user is associated with a plurality of media items, and wherein the instructions further configure the apparatus to display a preview of the plurality of media items in the first interface.