US Patent 7292870 Instant messaging terminal adapted for Wi-Fi access points

An instant messaging terminal manages multiple conversation sessions across multiple instant messaging services. The terminal includes a display for conversation session windows, a data entry device, a communications module for wireless network communication, and a control module for coordinating network access and controlling conversation session management. The data entry device includes programmable keys for emoticons and the control module automates the generation of a key sequence for generation of a graphical symbol that is compatible with the service being used by a message recipient.