Conversation connected visualization of items based on a user created list

• US 10,432,700 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2016
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Soni, Shahil
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitaro, Ryan F
• Application Number:
  US15/349,000
• Publication Number:
  US 20180136791A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/206 Drawing of charts or graphs
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46

Abstract

Conversation connected visualization of items based on a user created list is provided. In some examples, a user may indicate the entry of a list of items to be visualized or user, intent may be inferred from an entered list in an email or similar communication. Connections between the items on the list may be determined and a connected node visualization generated. The visualization may be presented within a user interface in conjunction with the email and users allowed to define or characterize nodes or items in the visualization. Depending on a type of item, different prompts to provide definition/characterization input may be presented. The visualization may be associated with the communication and a conversation to winch the communication belongs. Users may access the visualization through a separate application or through the communication application.

Claims

1. A method to provide conversation connected visualization of items based on a user created list, the method comprising:

automatically extracting a list of items from a communication based on one of;

analysis of textual content entered into a body of the communication using natural language processing, and

receipt of one of a bulleted list and a numbered list entered into the body of the communication;

determining, with a processor of a computing device, a plurality of connections between the items on the list;

analyzing the items on the list to determine a type of each of the items on the list;

automatically generating, with the processor, a visualization of the items and the plurality of connections based on the type of each of the items on the list;

providing, with the processor, one or more prompts to allow a user to define or characterize the items;

associating the visualization with a conversation that includes the communication; and

providing the visualization to be displayed by a client application in conjunction with the conversation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically extracting a list of items from a communication comprises one of:

inferring an indication to generate the visualization from an entry of the list of items; and

detecting activation of a visualization control on a user interface of the communication.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting an option to add one or more sub-items to an item, wherein the sub-items are selected based on a type of the item.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

presenting a prompt to enter or select information to be included with each of the added sub-items.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication is one of an email, a text message, and an online meeting exchange.

6. A computing device to provide conversation connected visualization of items based on a user created list, the computing device comprising:

a communication interface configured to facilitate communication between the computing device and one or more servers;

a memory configured to store instructions; and

one or more processors coupled to the memory, wherein the one or more processors, in conjunction with the instructions stored in the memory, are configured to execute components of a communication service, the components of the communication service comprising;

an application configured to provide processing capability associated with a document;

a communication application configured to facilitate exchange of communications between users; and

a connected visualization module configured to;

automatically extract a list of items in a communication based on one of;

analysis of textual content entered into a body of the communication using natural language processing, and

receipt of one of a bulleted list and a numbered list entered into the body of the communication;

determine a plurality of connections between the items on the list;

analyze the items on the list to determine a type of each of the items on the list;

automatically generate a visualization of the items and the plurality of connections based on the type of each of the items on the list;

provide one or more prompts to be displayed to the communication application to allow a user to define or characterize the items; and

associate the visualization with a conversation that includes the communication.

7. The computing device of claim 6, wherein the connected visualization module is further configured to:

present an option to add one or more sub-items to an item, wherein the sub-items are selected based on a type of the item; and

present a prompt to enter or select information to be included with each of the added sub-items.

8. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the sub-items include one or more of people information, calendar items, tasks, notes, and attachments.

9. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the sub-items further include one or more of an interactive feature and a control to launch an application.

10. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the prompt is selected based on a type of a selected sub-item to be added to the item.

11. The computing device of claim 6, wherein the connected visualization module is further configured to:

select one or more of a shape, a format, and a layout of the items based on a type of the items; and

provide the visualization to be displayed to the communication application in conjunction with the conversation.

12. A system to provide conversation connected isolation of items based on a user created list, the system comprising:

a first server configured to execute a productivity services;

a second server configured to execute a communication service; and

a third server configured to execute a connected visualization service, wherein the connected visualization service is configured to;

automatically extract a list of items in a communication based on one of;

analysis of textual content entered into a body of the communication using natural language processing, and

receipt of one of a bulleted list and a numbered list entered into the body of the communication;

determine a plurality of connections between the items on the list;

analyze the items on the list to determine a type of each of the items on the list;

automatically generate a visualization of the items and the plurality of connections based on the type of each of the items on the list, wherein the items are represented as nodes;

provide one or more prompts to be displayed to the communication application to allow a user to define or characterize the items; and

associate the visualization with a conversation that includes the communication.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the visualization is stored in a separate data store and connected to the conversation.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the visualization is stored with the conversation.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the connected visualization service is further configured to provide an indication of availability of one or more visualizations associated with a communication on a communication user interface.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the connected visualization service is further configured to provide an indication of availability of one or more visualizations associated with one or more communications on a conversation user interface.