Method and system for setting document-linked timed reminders

• US 20050102607A1
• Filed: 12/08/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Browne, Kevin, Rousselle, Allan
• Granted Patent: US 7,447,989 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/234
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

A method and system for creating timed reminders linked to computer-readable documents. The present invention permits a user to create a reminder for any date and time, and associate any data file with the reminder in such a manner that the file is automatically opened, executed, or read as applicable at the date and time specified in the reminder. A document-linked reminder may be created from any application program within an application suite through the use of a reminder creation dialog. The reminder creation dialog permits a user to specify a time and date on which the reminder will activate, and an associated file. The reminder is then stored in a database. The reminder creation dialog may be later accessed in order to create additional reminders, or to edit the time, date, or associated file for existing reminders. Periodically, the document reminder system will poll the database in order to determine whether any reminders need to be activated. This polling is carried out via the application suite, when active, or via a background program if the application suite is inactive. At the time and date specified, the reminder will be displayed, along with the name of the associated file and a variety of reminder options. In an exemplary embodiment, these options include the ability to reschedule, delete, or delay the reminder, as well as the ability to launch or otherwise execute the associated file.

Claims

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19. A method for enabling a timed reminder that is linked to an input document to manipulate the input document at a user-defined time so as to produce a result other than the opening of the input document, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a manipulation that the timed reminder is to initiate at the user-defined time, in a reminder editing dialog, the manipulation resulting in other than the opening of the input document to which the timed reminder is linked; and

(b) at the user-defined time, employing the timed reminder to initiate the manipulation of the input document.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the input document is one of:

(a) a word-processor compatible file;

(b) a spreadsheet file;

(c) a graphical file; and

(d) a computer-executable file.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of entering data in the reminder editing dialog, including at least one of the following:

(a) an input document filename;

(b) a data source document filename;

(c) an output document filename;

(d) the user-defined time; and

(e) an indication of the manipulation that is to be implemented.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of selecting comprises the step of indicating a manipulation to be initiated.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of employing the timed reminder to initiate the manipulation of the input document comprises the step of providing access to the input document at the user defined time.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the manipulation comprises at least one of the steps of:

(a) updating a content of the input document to reflect a different content;

(b) employing a data source document for modifying the input document; and

(c) publishing the different content of the input document to a Web page.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the manipulation results in at least one of the following:

(a) an updated content of the input document; and

(b) a Web page including the different content of the input document.

26. A memory medium having machine executable instructions for carrying out the steps of claim 19.

27. A system that enables a timed reminder linked to an input document to initiate a manipulation of the input document at a user-defined time, so as to produce a result other than the opening of the input document, comprising:

(a) a display for displaying a reminder editing dialog;

(b) a user input device;

(c) a processor coupled to the display and to the user input device; and

(d) a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing machine instructions causing the processor to;

(i) enable a user to employ the user input device to select a manipulation in the reminder editing dialog appearing on the display, to indicate the manipulation that the timed II reminder is to initiate at the user-defined time, the manipulation resulting in other than the opening of the input document to which the timed reminder is linked; and

(ii) at the user-defined time, employ the timed reminder to initiate the manipulation of the input document.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the input document is one of:

(a) a word-processor compatible file;

(b) a spreadsheet file;

(c) a graphical file; and

(d) a computer-executable file.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the machine instructions further cause the processor to enter data in the reminder editing dialog including at least one of the following:

(a) an input document filename;

(b) a data source document filename;

(c) an output document filename;

(d) the user-defined time; and

(e) an indication of the manipulation that is to be implemented.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the machine instructions further cause the processor to indicate on the display the manipulation selected by the user that is to be initiated.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the machine instructions further cause the processor to provide access to the input document at the user-defined time.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the machine instructions further cause the processor to perform at least one of the following during the manipulation:

(a) update a content of the input document to reflect a different content;

(b) employ a data source document for modifying the input document; and

(c) publish the different content of the input document to a Web page.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the manipulation results in at least one of the following:

(a) an updated content of the input document; and

(b) a Web page including the different content of the input document.