Method for displaying information contained in an electronic message

• US 6,424,995 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1998
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Shuman, Andrew W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pan, Daniel H.
• Application Number:
  US09/133,308
• Time in Patent Office: 1,440 Days
• Field of Search: 455/26.1, 340/825.31, 709/217, 709/226, 709/207, 709/203, 709/303, 709/304, 709/206, 709/219, 709/214, 707/500, 707/513, 707/534, 707/516, 707/526, 707/535, 707/103, 707/531, 707/530, 712/227, 712/228, 712/225
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display

Abstract

A form for displaying an electronic message item includes an information object that highlights important information about the message. Test properties are defined based on the message type. The information displayed in the information object is automatically derived by examining message properties corresponding to the defined test properties. The examination of the message properties includes applying a series of if-then statements to predetermined message properties. If the results of one or more of the if-then tests are true, the program composes one or more information items that reflect the state of the message item. The program will also examine data external to the message item. The information items are composed in a natural language format and are prioritized prior to being displayed in the information object.

Claims

1. In an electronic messaging system for displaying an electronic message item, a method for displaying an information object in conjunction with the electronic message item, comprising:

receiving the electronic message item, the electronic message item including a plurality of message properties;

defining a plurality of test properties and a plurality of information items corresponding to the test properties;

examining the message properties corresponding to the test properties;

in response to at least one of the examined message properties having a predetermined state, composing an information object including the information items corresponding to the test properties having predetermined states;

displaying at least a portion of the electronic message item; and

displaying the information object in conjunction with the electronic message,

whereby the displayed information object highlights information derived from the electronic message item.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information object comprises a plurality of information items;

and

further comprising prioritizing the plurality of information items in the information object.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of information items includes a predefined text string.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the information object includes at least one graphic object associated with at least one of the information items.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

evaluating external data which is external to the electronic message item, wherein the information object further comprises an information item describing a relationship between the external data and at least one message property.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a type of the electronic message, wherein the plurality of test properties and the corresponding plurality of information items are selected in response to the message type.

7. A method for displaying information associated with an electronic message item including message properties comprising:

(a) defining a plurality of test properties;

(b) determining a state of the electronic message item by examining message properties associated with selected test properties;

(c) composing an information item describing the state of the electronic message item;

(d) displaying the electronic message item; and

(e) displaying the information item in an information object in conjunction with the electronic message item.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the state of the electronic message item comprises examining a plurality of the message properties.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the state of the electronic message item comprises determining whether one of the plurality of message properties has a predetermined state;

and

wherein composing an information item comprises providing an indication that a message property has the predetermined state.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the state of the electronic message item comprises evaluating data external to the message item.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein composing an information item comprises selecting a predefined text string associated with at least one of the message properties.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein composing an information item comprises dynamically forming a text string in response to the state of the electronic message item.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein composing an information item comprises:

performing a calculation involving at least one of the message properties; and

incorporating a result of the calculation in the information item.

14. The method of claim 7, further comprising composing a second information item describing the state of the electronic message item;

and prioritizing the information item and the second information item.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein prioritizing the information item and the second information item comprises applying a series of conditional tests to the electronic message item in a predetermined order.

16. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining a type of the electronic message item;

and wherein determining the state of the electronic message item depends on the message type.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the test properties are selected based on the type of the electronic message item.

18. The method of claim 7, wherein computer-executable instructions for executing the method are stored on a computer readable medium.