Actionable communication reminders

• US 20060208861A1
• Filed: 03/01/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Stroupe, Autumn L., Flynt, David W., Todd, Marc W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,233,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/309.700
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

Techniques and tools are described for providing actionable communication reminders. For example, an item representing an original communication is displayed and a command to set up a reminder to respond to the original communication is accepted. The reminder is set up and, at a later time, is displayed. An input mechanism that can be actuated to respond to the communication may be provided at the later time. As another example, a suggested time to display the reminder and suggested contact information for responding to the original communication are displayed while setting up a reminder.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a communication item in a computing environment;

accepting a user command to set up a reminder in the computing environment to respond to the communication item;

setting up the reminder in the computing environment, including setting up a reminder time;

at the reminder time, communicating the reminder to a user and providing an input mechanism that can be actuated to respond to the communication item; and

in response to actuation of the input mechanism, responding to the communication item.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein actuation of the input mechanism requires only a single action.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein responding to the communication item comprises dialing a telephone number.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein actuation of the input mechanism requires multiple actions.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein actuation of the input mechanism comprises providing input to compose a textual message.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the message is selected from the group consisting of SMS messages, e-mail messages, and instant messages.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein setting up the reminder time comprises communicating to the user a suggested time to display the reminder.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein setting up the reminder time comprises changing the reminder time from the suggested time to a new time in response to user input.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the reminder time is the suggested time.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein setting up the reminder comprises communicating to the user suggested contact information.

11. A communication device comprising:

a memory storing computer software;

a processor programmed to execute the software to;

display an item representing an original communication;

accept a user command to set up a reminder to respond to the original communication;

set up the reminder, including automatically displaying a suggested time to display the reminder and automatically displaying suggested contact information for responding to the original communication; and

at a later reminder time, display the reminder.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein setting up the reminder comprises accepting user input to change the suggested time to the reminder time.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the processor is programmed to further execute the software to:

at the later time, provide an input mechanism that can be actuated to respond to the communication; and

in response to actuation of the input mechanism, respond to the communication.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein actuation of the input mechanism requires only a single action and responding to the communication comprises dialing a telephone number.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein actuation of the input mechanism requires multiple actions and responding to the communication comprises sending a textual message.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein the communication device is a hand-held device.

17. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for causing a computer system to perform a method comprising:

displaying an item representing an original communication;

accepting a command to set up a reminder to respond to the original communication;

setting up the reminder, including populating the reminder with information associated with the original communication;

at a later reminder time, displaying the reminder and providing an input mechanism that can be actuated to respond to the communication; and

in response to actuation of the input mechanism, responding to the communication.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein actuation of the input mechanism requires only a single action and responding to the communication comprises dialing a telephone number.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein actuation of the input mechanism requires multiple actions and responding to the communication comprises sending a textual message.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the information associated with the original communication comprises contact information.