Method and system for contextually placed chat-like annotations
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for annotating an electronic record based on input by a plurality of users, comprising:
- receiving, from a user of the plurality of users, a user selection of a portion of the electronic record, wherein the electronic record is a collaborative electronic record hosted by a sever, wherein content of the electronic record other than annotations is editable by the plurality of users via a network;
in response to receiving the user selection of the portion of the electronic record, providing, by a processor, a discussion window for presentation, to each of the plurality of users, in an expanded form at a location in a margin with respect to the electronic record;
receiving, by the processor, annotation input entered in the discussion window by each of the plurality of users;
updating, by the processor, the discussion window to present the annotation input of the plurality of users as a plurality of successive annotations, wherein the discussion window in the expanded form is scrollable to present the plurality of successive annotations; and
in response to a user selection of the discussion window to request the presentation of the discussion window to be collapsed, providing the discussion window for presentation in a collapsed form at the location in the margin with respect to the electronic record, wherein the discussion window in the collapsed form presents information related to the plurality of successive annotations without presenting the plurality of successive annotations and irrespective of a position of a cursor with respect to the electronic record or the discussion window in the collapsed form, wherein the information related to the plurality of successive annotations comprises an identifier of the user, a number of the plurality of successive annotations, and a date associated with the plurality of successive annotations.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Contextually placed chat-like annotations in an electronic record. Users can input successive time-stamped annotations at a selected location in an electronic record. The annotations are displayed chronologically in a discussion window, which is customizable by color, style, and location. The discussion window styles minimize clutter and distraction, thus providing for more effective review and collaboration. The discussion location is indicated by a discussion point icon, and can be displayed in a window of fixed sire with scrolling capability. A user can email the discussion window content to other users and request an alert, notifying the user of successive annotations. An annotation engine can reside on a server and receives user input and per functionality related to the annotations. The electronic record can reside on the server and is repeatedly updated to reflect current content relating to the electronic record and annotations.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for annotating an electronic record based on input by a plurality of users, comprising:
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receiving, from a user of the plurality of users, a user selection of a portion of the electronic record, wherein the electronic record is a collaborative electronic record hosted by a sever, wherein content of the electronic record other than annotations is editable by the plurality of users via a network; in response to receiving the user selection of the portion of the electronic record, providing, by a processor, a discussion window for presentation, to each of the plurality of users, in an expanded form at a location in a margin with respect to the electronic record; receiving, by the processor, annotation input entered in the discussion window by each of the plurality of users; updating, by the processor, the discussion window to present the annotation input of the plurality of users as a plurality of successive annotations, wherein the discussion window in the expanded form is scrollable to present the plurality of successive annotations; and in response to a user selection of the discussion window to request the presentation of the discussion window to be collapsed, providing the discussion window for presentation in a collapsed form at the location in the margin with respect to the electronic record, wherein the discussion window in the collapsed form presents information related to the plurality of successive annotations without presenting the plurality of successive annotations and irrespective of a position of a cursor with respect to the electronic record or the discussion window in the collapsed form, wherein the information related to the plurality of successive annotations comprises an identifier of the user, a number of the plurality of successive annotations, and a date associated with the plurality of successive annotations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for annotating an electronic record based on input by a plurality of users, the system comprising:
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a memory; and a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to; receive, from a user of the plurality of users, a user selection of a portion of the electronic record, wherein the electronic record is a collaborative electronic record hosted by a sever, wherein content of the electronic record other than annotations is editable by the plurality of users via a network; in response to receiving the user selection of the portion of the electronic record, provide a discussion window for presentation, to each of the plurality of users, in an expanded form at a location in a margin with respect to the electronic record; receive annotation input entered in the discussion window by each of the plurality of users; update the discussion window to present the annotation input of the plurality of users as a plurality of successive annotations, wherein the discussion window in the expanded form is scrollable to present the plurality of successive annotations; and in response to a user selection of the discussion window to request the discussion window to be collapsed, providing the discussion window for presentation in a collapsed form at the location in the margin with respect to the electronic record, wherein the discussion window in the collapsed form presents information related to the plurality of successive annotations without presenting the plurality of successive annotations and irrespective of a position of a cursor with respect to the electronic record or the discussion window in the collapsed form, wherein the information related to the plurality of successive annotations comprises an identifier of the user, a number of the plurality of successive annotations, and a date associated with the plurality of successive annotations. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, responsive to execution by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations comprising:
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receiving, from a user of a plurality of users, a user selection of a portion of an electronic record, wherein the electronic record is a collaborative electronic record hosted by a sever, wherein content of the electronic record other than annotations is editable by the plurality of user via a network; in response to receiving the user selection of the portion of the electronic record, providing, by a processor, a discussion window for presentation, to each of the plurality of users, in an expanded form at a location in a margin with respect to the electronic record; receiving, by the processor, annotation input entered in the discussion window by each of the plurality of users; updating, by the processor, the discussion window to present the annotation input of the plurality of users as a plurality of successive annotations, wherein the discussion window in the expanded form is scrollable to present the plurality of successive annotations; and in response to a user selection of the discussion window to request the presentation of the discussion window to be collapsed, providing the discussion window for presentation in a collapsed form at the location in the margin with respect to the electronic record, wherein the discussion window in the collapsed form presents information related to the plurality of successive annotations without presenting the plurality of successive annotations and irrespective of a position of a cursor with respect to the electronic record or the discussion window in the collapsed form, wherein the information related to the plurality of successive annotations comprises an identifier of the user, a number of the plurality of successive annotations, and a date associated with the plurality of successive annotations. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification