Collaboration centric document processing environment using an information centric visual user interface and information presentation method

• US 6,014,135 A
• Filed: 04/04/1997
• Issued: 01/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Netscape Communications Corporation (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fernandes, Antonio M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thai, Cuong T.
• Application Number:
  US08/833,300
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 345/331, 345/335, 345/329, 345/971, 345/973, 395/682, 395/200.33, 395/200.57
• US Class Current: 715/744
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/971 Cooperative decision support systems for group of users

Abstract

A new computer interface displays a plurality of icons representative of people, documents and time. Various functions, including media independent functions, for interacting between these three elements, including composing, routing (collaborative or otherwise), are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of interfacing with a computer to create and route media independent information by a user, said method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a first plurality of icons;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual;

b) displaying said first plurality of icons on a display;

c) generating a second icon;

said second icon being a graphical representation for creation of information;

d) displaying said second icon on the display;

e) moving a cursor means on the display, by the user through the use of a pointing device, to activate said second icon;

f) creating information of a first media type by said user; and

g) activating one of said first plurality of icons to route said information created to an individual in a media of a second media type defined by said individual, associated with a desired one of said first plurality of icons, wherein said information is automatically converted from said first media type to said second media type, if said first media type and said second media type are dissimilar.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of

h) storing said information created by said user, said stored information having a third icon associated therewith, said third icon representative of information relative to said stored information associated with said second icon.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of

i) selecting said third icon;

and

j) moving said third icon to a desired one of said first plurality of icons to route information represented by said third icon to an address of an individual in a media independent format, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing with an Application Program Interface.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said Application Program Interface further interfaces with an operating system program.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said operating system program is a Unix operating system program.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said operating system program is a DOS operating system program.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein said operating system program is a MacIntosh operating system program.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with an operating system program.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said operating system program is a Windows 95 operating system program.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with the computer hardware.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said computer program is implemented in the JAVA or JavaScript language.

13. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer for creating and routing media independent information, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on the display;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display;

said second icon being a graphical representation for creation of information of a first media type;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to respond to the user activating said second icon and to receive information created by said user; and

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to activate one of said first plurality of icons to route said information created to an individual in a media of a second media type defined by said individual, associated with a desired one of said first plurality of icons, wherein said information is automatically converted from said first media type to said second media type, if said first media type and said second media type are dissimilar.

14. The article of manufacture of claim 13 further comprising:

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to store said information created by said user, and to generate and display a third icon associated therewith, said third icon representative of information relative to said stored information associated with said second icon.

15. The article of manufacture of claim 14 further comprising:

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to move said third icon to a desired one of said first plurality of icons in response to user selection, and to route information represented by said third icon to an address of an individual in a media independent format, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

16. A computer system for generating a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer for creating and routing media independent information, said system comprising:

a display;

a computer; and

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on said display;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on said display;

said second icon being a graphical representation for creation of information of a first media type;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to respond to the user activating said second icon and to receive information created by said user; and

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to activate one of said first plurality of icons to route said information created to an individual in a media of a second media type defined by said individual, associated with a desired one of said first plurality of icons, wherein said information is automatically converted from said first media type to said second media type, if said first media type and said second media type are dissimilar.

17. The computer system of claim 16 further comprising:

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to store said information created by said user, and to generate and display a third icon associated therewith, said third icon representative of information relative to said stored information associated with said second icon.

18. The computer system of claim 17 further comprising:

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to move said third icon to a desired one of said first plurality of icons in response to the user selection thereof, and to route information represented by said third icon to an address of an individual in a media independent format, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

19. A method of interfacing a user with a computer for communicating information with a select individual, said method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a first plurality of icons;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having a format defined by said individual;

b) displaying said first plurality of icons on a display;

c) generating a second plurality of icons;

each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information;

d) displaying said second plurality of icons on the display;

e) generating a third icon, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time;

f) displaying said third icon on the display;

g) selecting by the user one of said second plurality of icons; and

h) moving said desired one of said second plurality of icons to a desired one of said first plurality of icons to route information represented by said desired one of said second plurality of icons to an address of said select individual, in a format defined by said select individual, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said format includes, text, HTML, facsimile, audio, and video.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein each of said first plurality of icons has an attribute defined by said individual.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said attribute includes urgent and normal modes of delivery.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing with an Application Program Interface.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said Application Program Interface further interfaces with an operating system program.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said operating system program is a Unix operating system program.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein said operating system program is a DOS operating system program.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein said operating system program is a MacIntosh operating system program.

28. The method of claim 19 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with an operating system program.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said operating system program is a Windows 95 operating system program.

30. The method of claim 19 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with the computer hardware.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said computer program is implemented in the JAVA or JavaScript language.

32. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer for communicating information with a select individual, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on the display;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having a format defined by said individual;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second plurality of icons on the display;

each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a desired one of said second plurality of icons in response to the user activating said desired one of said second plurality of icons; and

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by said desired one of said second plurality of icons to an address of said select individual, in a format defined by said select individual, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving the desired one of said second plurality of icons to said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

33. A computer system for generating a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer for communicating information with a select individual, said system comprising:

a display;

a computer; and

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on the display;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having a format defined by said individual;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second plurality of icons on the display;

each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a desired one of said second plurality of icons in response to the user activating said desired one of said second plurality of icons; and

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by said desired one of said second plurality of icons to an address of said select individual, in a format defined by said select individual, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving the desired one of said second plurality of icons to said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

34. A method of interfacing a user with a computer, said method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a first plurality of icons;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith;

b) displaying said first plurality of icons on a display;

c) generating a second plurality of icons;

each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information;

d) displaying said second plurality of icons on the display;

e) generating a third icon, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time;

f) displaying said third icon on the display;

g) whereupon

1) selecting a desired one of said first plurality of icons by the user; and

2) activating said third icon;

causes

3) displaying information relative to the time of last communication with the individual associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

h) whereupon

1) selecting a desired one of said second plurality of icons by the user; and

2) activating said third icon;

causes

3) displaying information relative to the time of creation, reception or modification of information associated with said desired one of said second plurality of icons.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

i) whereupon

1) activating said third icon, without previously selecting one of said plurality of first icons, or one of said plurality of second icons;

causes

2) displaying information relative to the time schedule of said user.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing with an Application Program Interface.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said Application Program Interface further interfaces with an operating system program.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein said operating system program is a Unix operating system program.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein said operating system program is a DOS operating system program.

41. The method of claim 38 wherein said operating system program is a MacIntosh operating system program.

42. The method of claim 34 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with an operating system program.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein said operating system program is a Windows 95 operating system program.

44. The method of claim 34 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with the computer hardware.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein said computer program is implemented in the JAVA or JavaScript language.

46. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second plurality of icons;

each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; and

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time of last communication with the individual associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user selecting a desired one of said first plurality of icons and selecting said third icon.

47. The article of manufacture of claim 46 further comprising:

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time of creation, reception or modification of information associated with said desired one of said second plurality of icons in response to the user selecting a desired one of said second plurality of icons and selecting said third icon.

48. The article of manufacture of claim 47 further comprising:

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time schedule of said user, in response to the user activating said third icon, without previously selecting one of said plurality of first icons, or one of said plurality of second icons.

49. A computer system comprising:

a display;

a computer; and

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second plurality of icons;

each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time of last communication with the individual associated with a desired one of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user selecting said desired one of said first plurality of icons, and selecting said third icon.

50. The system of claim 49 further comprising:

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time of creation, reception or modification of information associated with a desired one of said second plurality of icons, in response to the user selecting said desired one of said second plurality of icons, and selecting said third icon.

51. The system of claim 50 further comprising:

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time schedule of said user, in response to the user activating said third icon, without previously selecting one of said plurality of first icons, or one of said plurality of second icons.

52. A method of interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, said method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a first plurality of icons;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith;

b) displaying said first plurality of icons on a display;

c) generating a second icon, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information;

d) displaying said second icon on the display;

e) generating a third icon, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time;

f) displaying said third icon on the display;

g) selecting a plurality of said first plurality of icons by the user;

h) moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to a said second icon to route information represented by said second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons.

53. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of:

i) automatically and periodically notifying said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond.

55. The method of claim 52 wherein each of said first plurality of icons has a format defined by its associated individual.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein said format includes, text, HTML, facsimile, audio, and video.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein each of said first plurality of icons has an attribute defined by it associated individual.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein said attribute includes urgent and normal modes of delivery.

59. The method of claim 52 wherein said second icon is an agenda agent for setting time with said individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons.

60. The method of claim 52 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing with an Application Program Interface.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein said Application Program Interface further interfaces with an operating system program.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein said operating system program is a Unix operating system program.

63. The method of claim 61 wherein said operating system program is a DOS operating system program.

64. The method of claim 61 wherein said operating system program is a MacIntosh operating system program.

65. The method of claim 52 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with an operating system program.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein said operating system program is a Windows 95 operating system program.

67. The method of claim 52 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with the computer hardware.

68. The method of claim 67 wherein said computer program is implemented in the JAVA or JavaScript language.

54. A method of interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, said method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a first plurality of icons;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith;

b) displaying said first plurality of icons on a display;

c) generating a second icon, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information;

d) displaying said second icon on the display;

e) generating a third icon, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time;

f) displaying said third icon on the display;

g) selecting a plurality of said first plurality of icons by the user;

h) moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to a said second icon to route information represented by said second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons;

i) automatically and periodically notifying said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond;

j) tabulating the received responses from said first plurality of icons; and

k) notifying the user of said tabulating result.

69. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on a display;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a plurality of said first plurality of icons on the display, in response to the user selecting said plurality of said first plurality of icons; and

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by a second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to said second icon.

70. The article of manufacture of claim 69 further comprising:

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to automatically and periodically notify said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond.

71. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on a display;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a plurality of said first plurality of icons on the display, in response to the user selecting said plurality of said first plurality of icons;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by a second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to said second icon;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to automatically and periodically notify said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond; and

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to tabulate the received responses from said first plurality of icons and to notify the user of said tabulating result.

72. A computer system comprising:

a display;

a computer; and

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on a display;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a plurality of said first plurality of icons on the display, in response to the user selecting said plurality of said first plurality of icons; and

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by a second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to said second icon, wherein said routed information is automatically converted to a respective media type defined by each of said associated individuals.

73. The computer system of claim 72 further comprising:

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to automatically and periodically notify said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond.

74. A computer system comprising:

a display;

a computer; and

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on a display;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a plurality of said first plurality of icons on the display, in response to the user selecting said plurality of said first plurality of icons; and

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by a second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to said second icon;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to automatically and periodically notify said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond; and

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to tabulate the received responses from said first plurality of icons and to notify the user of said tabulating result.

75. A method of interfacing a user with a computer, said method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a first plurality of icons;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual, including said user;

each of said first plurality of icons has an address associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual;

b) displaying said first plurality of icons on a display;

c) setting the address and the media for routing information to one of said first plurality of icons, which is a graphical representation of the user;

d) receiving information by said computer; and

e) routing said received information to the user at the address set by the user and via the media set by the user, wherein said routed information is automatically converted to said media type set by the user.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein said media includes, e-mail, phone and paging.

77. The method of claim 75 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing with an Application Program Interface.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein said Application Program Interface further interfaces with an operating system program.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein said operating system program is a Unix operating system program.

80. The method of claim 78 wherein said operating system program is a DOS operating system program.

81. The method of claim 78 wherein said operating system program is a MacIntosh operating system program.

82. The method of claim 75 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with an operating system program.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein said operating system program is a Windows 95 operating system program.

84. The method of claim 75 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with the computer hardware.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein said computer program is implemented in the JAVA or JavaScript language.

86. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual, including said user;

each of said first plurality of icons has an address associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to set the address and the media for routing information to one of said first plurality of icons, which is a graphical representation of the user;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to receive information by said computer; and

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route said received information to the user at the address set by the user and via the media set by the user, wherein said routed information is automatically converted to said media type set by the user.

87. A computer system comprising:

a display;

a computer; and

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on said display for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons;

each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual, including said user;

each of said first plurality of icons has an address associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to set the address and the media for routing information to one of said first plurality of icons, which is a graphical representation of the user;

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to receive information by said computer; and

computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route said received information to the user at the address set by the user and via the media set by the user, wherein said routed information is automatically converted to said media type set by the user.