Automated electronic message filing system

• US 20050198153A1
• Filed: 02/12/2004
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Keohane, Susann Marie, McBrearty, Gerald Francis, Shieh, Johnny Meng-Han, Mullen, Shawn Patrick, Murillo, Jessica
• Granted Patent: US 8,266,218 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/13 File access structures, e.g. distributed indices arrangements of input from, or output to, record carriers G06F3/06
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes

Abstract

A system, system, and program for efficient filing of electronic messages in a filing system are provided. At least one filing folder is suggested for filing a particular electronic message. The suggested filing folder is graphically distinguished from the remainder of the folders in the filing system, such that selection of a folder for filing an electronic message is facilitated. In particular, a suggested folder name may be attached to an electronic message before it is sent. Then, when the electronic message is received and to be filed, the suggested folder is the one bearing the name of the suggested folder name attached to the electronic message.

Claims

1. A method for providing electronic message filing recommendations comprising:

filtering an electronic message to determine at least one suggested folder for filing said electronic message from among a plurality of filing folders in a messaging filing directory; and

distinguishing said at least one suggested folder from a remainder of said plurality of filing folders, such that a recommendation of relevant folders for filing said electronic message is provided.

2. The method according to claim 1 for providing electronic message filing recommendations, wherein filtering said electronic message to determine at least one suggested folder for filing said electronic message further comprises:

detecting a suggested folder name specified by a sender in said electronic message; and

specifying said at least one suggested folder to include a folder with said suggested folder name.

3. The method according to claim 1 for providing electronic message filing recommendations, wherein distinguishing said at least one suggested folder from a remainder of said plurality of filing folders further comprises:

graphically distinguishing said at least one suggested folder from said remainder of said plurality of filing folders.

4. The method according to claim 1 for providing electronic message filing recommendations, further comprising:

automatically expanding a display directory of said plurality of filing folders to display said at least one suggested folder.

5. The method according to claim 1 for providing electronic message filing recommendations, further comprising:

responsive to detecting an icon for said particular electronic message dragged into a display region for said plurality of filing folders, automatically positioning said icon over said at least one suggested folder.

6. A system for providing electronic message filing recommendations comprising:

a filtering controller for filtering an electronic message to determine at least one suggested folder for filing said electronic message from among a plurality of filing folders in a messaging filing directory; and

an output controller for distinguishing said at least one suggested folder from a remainder of said plurality of filing folders, such that a recommendation of relevant folders for filing said electronic message is provided.

7. The system according to claim 6 for providing electronic message filing recommendations, wherein filtering controller further comprises:

means for detecting a suggested folder name specified by a sender in said electronic message; and

means for specifying said at least one suggested folder to include a folder with said suggested folder name.

8. The system according to claim 6 for providing electronic message filing recommendations, wherein said output controller further comprises:

means for graphically distinguishing said at least one suggested folder from said remainder of said plurality of filing folders.

9. The system according to claim 6 for providing electronic message filing recommendations, further comprising:

means for automatically expanding a display directory of said plurality of filing folders to display said at least one suggested folder.

10. The system according to claim 6 for providing electronic message filing recommendations, further comprising:

means responsive to detecting an icon for said particular electronic message dragged into a display region for said plurality of filing folders, for automatically positioning said icon over said at least one suggested folder.

11. A computer program product for providing electronic message filing recommendations comprising:

a recording medium;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for filtering an electronic message to determine at least one suggested folder for filing said electronic message from among a plurality of filing folders in a messaging filing directory; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for distinguishing said at least one suggested folder from a remainder of said plurality of filing folders, such that a recommendation of relevant folders for filing said electronic message is provided.

12. The computer program product according to claim 11 for providing electronic message filing recommendations, wherein said means for filtering said electronic message to determine at least one suggested folder for filing said electronic message further comprise:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for detecting a suggested folder name specified by a sender in said electronic message; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for specifying said at least one suggested folder to include a folder with said suggested folder name.

13. The computer program product according to claim 111 for providing electronic message filing recommendations, wherein said means for distinguishing said at least one suggested folder from a remainder of said plurality of filing folders further comprise:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for graphically distinguishing said at least one suggested folder from said remainder of said plurality of filing folders.

14. A method for facilitating electronic message filing comprising:

detecting an electronic message created by a sender;

attaching a suggested filing folder name to said electronic message; and

sending said electronic message with said suggested filing folder name, such that efficient filing of said electronic message by a recipient of said electronic message in a folder with said suggested filing folder name is facilitated.

15. A system for facilitating electronic message filing comprising:

means for detecting an electronic message created by a sender;

means for attaching a suggested filing folder name to said electronic message; and

means for sending said electronic message with said suggested filing folder name, such that efficient filing of said electronic message by a recipient of said electronic message in a folder with said suggested filing folder name is facilitated.

16. A computer program product for facilitating electronic message filing comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for detecting an electronic message created by a sender;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for attaching a suggested filing folder name to said electronic message; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for sending said electronic message with said suggested filing folder name, such that efficient filing of said electronic message by a recipient of said electronic message in a folder with said suggested filing folder name is facilitated.

17. A method for efficient electronic message filing comprising:

receiving an electronic message with a suggested filing folder name; and

automatically filing said electronic message in a folder with said suggested filing folder name within a message filing directory, such that filing of said electronic message is efficiently controlled.

18. A system for efficient electronic message filing comprising:

means for receiving an electronic message with a suggested filing folder name; and

means for automatically filing said electronic message in a folder with said suggested filing folder name within a message filing directory, such that filing of said electronic message is efficiently controlled.

19. A computer program product, recorded on a computer readable medium, for efficient electronic message filing comprising:

means for receiving an electronic message with a suggested filing folder name; and

means for automatically filing said electronic message in a folder with said suggested filing folder name within a message filing directory.