ORGANIZING A USER INTERFACE USING DIFFERENT PERSONAE

• US 20020080192A1
• Filed: 04/14/1997
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unify Inc. (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: KING, NEAL J., JACOBI, ELI, SASSIN, MICHAEL, DEAN, MATTHEW T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,452,614 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/811
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A user interface is organized using different personae. When in a master persona mode, a user is provided access to a full list of contacts and to a full set of data files. When in a first alternate persona mode, user access is provided to only a first subset of the full list of contacts and to only a first subset of the full set of data files.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing access to a communication interface to a user comprising the following steps:

(a) when in a master persona mode, performing the following substep;

(a.1) providing user access to a full list of contacts and to a full set of data files; and

,

(b) when in a first alternate persona mode, performing the following substep;

(b.1) providing user access to only a first subset of the full list of contacts and to only a first subset of the full set of data files.

2. A computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein:

step (a) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the master persona mode;

(a.2) providing user access to a full range of communication capabilities; and

,

step (b) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the first alternate persona mode;

(b.2) providing user access to only a first subset of the full range of communication capabilities.

3. A computer-implemented method as in claim 2 wherein in substep (a.1) the full range of communications capabilities includes communication channels over a telephone network for voice, fax, pager, modem and video, and includes a communication channel for electronic mail.

4. A computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein step (a) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the master persona mode:

(a.1) switching to the first alternate persona mode when a corresponding menu item is selected.

5. A computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein step (a) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the master persona mode:

(a.1) switching to the first alternate persona mode when the user initiates communication to an individual within the first subset of the full list of contacts.

6. A computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein step (a) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the master persona mode:

(a.1) switching to the first alternate persona mode when the user receives a communication from an individual within the first subset of the full list of contacts.

7. A computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein step (a) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the master persona mode:

(a.1) switching to the first alternate persona mode when the user accesses a data file within the first subset of the full set of data files.

8. A computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein step (a) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the master persona mode:

(a.1) switching to the first alternate persona mode in response to a user voice command.

9. A computer-implemented method as in claim 1, additionally comprising the following step:

(c) when in a second alternate persona mode, performing the following substep;

(c.1)providing user access to only a second subset of the full list of contacts and to only a second subset of the full set of data files.

10. A computer-implemented method as in claim 9 wherein step (b) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the first alternate persona mode:

(b.1) switching to the second alternate persona mode when the user receives a communication from an individual who is not within the first subset of the full list of contacts but is within the second subset of the full list of contacts.

11. A computer-implemented method as in claim 10 wherein in substep (b.1) files and contact information pertinent to the individual is displayed.

12. A computer-implemented method as in claim 9 wherein step (b) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the first alternate persona mode:

(b.1) switching to the second alternate persona mode when the user receives a communication from an individual and content of the communication includes subject matter pertaining to the second alternate persona mode.

13. A computer-implemented method as in claim 9 wherein step (b) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the first alternate persona mode:

(b.1) remaining in the first alternate persona mode when the user receives a communication from an individual who is not within the first subset of the full list of contacts but is within the second subset of the full list of contacts.

14. A computer-implemented method as in claim 9 wherein step (b) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the first alternate persona mode:

(b.1) switching to the second alternate persona mode in response to a user voice command.

15. A computer-implemented method as in claim 9 wherein step (b) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the first alternate persona mode:

(b.1) switching to the second alternate persona mode when a corresponding menu item is selected.

17. Storage media as in claim 16 wherein:

step (a) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the master persona mode;

(a.2) providing user access to a full range of communication capabilities; and

,

step (b) additionally includes the following substep performed when in the first alternate persona mode;

(b.2) providing user access to only a first subset of the full range of communication capabilities.

18. Storage media as in claim 16, wherein the computer-implemented method additionally comprises the following step:

(c) when in a second alternate persona mode, performing the following substep;

(c.1)providing user access to only a second subset of the full list of contacts and to only a second subset of the full set of data files.

20. A computing system as in claim 19 wherein:

the master persona mode means provides user access to a full range of communication capabilities when the computing system is in the master persona mode; and

,

the first alternate persona mode means provides user access to only a first subset of the full range of communication capabilities when the computing system is in the first alternate persona mode.

21. A computing system as in claim 20 wherein the first alternate persona mode includes a data structure, the data structure including:

first identification of the first subset of the full list of contacts;

second identification of the first subset of the full set of data files; and

,

third identification of the first subset of the full range of communication capabilities.

22. A computing system as in claim 19 wherein the first alternate persona mode includes a data structure, the data structure including:

first identification of the first subset of the full list of contacts; and

,

second identification of the first subset of the full set of data files.

23. A computing system as in claim 19 additionally comprising:

second alternate persona mode means for limiting user access to only a second subset of the full list of contacts and to only a second subset of the full set of data files when in a second alternate persona mode.

16. Storage media which stores a computer program which, when executed on a computer system, performs a computer-implemented method for providing access to a communication interface to a user comprising the following steps:

(a) when in a master persona mode, performing the following substep;

(a.1) providing user access to a full list of contacts and to a full set of data files; and

,

(b) when in a first alternate persona mode, performing the following substep;

(b.1)providing user access to only a first subset of the full list of contacts and to only a first subset of the full set of data files.

19. A computing system comprising:

master persona mode means for providing user access to a full list of contacts and to a full set of data files when the computing system is in a master persona mode; and

,

first alternate persona mode means for providing user access to only a first subset of the full list of contacts and to only a first subset of the full set of data files when in a first alternate persona mode.