System and method for threading heterogenous communications in collaborative process contexts
First Claim
1. A system for threading heterogeneous items of electronic communication into a post-response metaphor within context of a process, comprising:
- means for interfacing with a plurality of external communication systems of varying type;
a server, said server operative to create records that uniquely identify and link communication items created by a plurality of users within any of said external communication systems whereby a threaded trail of collaborative communication is created; and
means for associating said threaded trail with any of a process and a process step.
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Abstract
A system and method for threading heterogeneous communications in collaborative contexts organizes diverse communication items in their own diverse formats into communication threads resembling those of discussion groups. The invention allows participants to create and/or post items (e.g. chat rooms or documents) and respond to posts with related items (e.g. relevant files or comments). Additionally, a method and system for associating these communications threads with individual steps in a business or design/development process is provided. A common user interface allows use of a variety of communication mechanisms such as chat rooms, electronic whiteboards, notes and documents. A threading server maintains a complete list of items in all threads, along with the process steps that refer to each communication item. For each communication item, the server also maintains an index explicitly identifying each item in its native system, so that access to disparate systems is enabled without replicating functionality or data.
35 Citations
58 Claims
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1. A system for threading heterogeneous items of electronic communication into a post-response metaphor within context of a process, comprising:
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means for interfacing with a plurality of external communication systems of varying type;
a server, said server operative to create records that uniquely identify and link communication items created by a plurality of users within any of said external communication systems whereby a threaded trail of collaborative communication is created; and
means for associating said threaded trail with any of a process and a process step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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24. A method of threading heterogeneous items of electronic communication into a post-response metaphor within context of a process, comprising the steps of:
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providing means for interfacing with a plurality of external communication systems of varying type;
providing a server;
creating records on said server that uniquely identify and link communication items created by a plurality of users within any of said external communication systems;
creating a threaded trail of collaborative communication according to said links; and
associating said threaded trail with any of a process and a process step.
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47. A graphical user interface for displaying and accessing heterogeneous items of electronic communication threaded into a post-response metaphor comprising:
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a workspace;
an electronic form displayed within said workspace wherein said items of communication are presented in a threaded trail of collaborative communication;
means for displaying a process and its component steps, means for displaying said threaded trail in a context of said associated process or of a step, wherein said trail is associated with said process or step;
means for creating and accessing items of communication by a user; and
means for creating placeholders for future items.
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Specification