Graphical user interface and method for displaying messages

• US 6,839,411 B1
• Filed: 03/01/1999
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitel Incorporated (MLN TopCo Ltd.)
• Inventors: Saltanov, Alexey, Tang, Benjamin B., Brown, Sharon, Hill, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSTER, ROLAND G
• Application Number:
  US09/259,985
• Time in Patent Office: 2,136 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379 8811- 17, 379/93.01, 379/93.17, 379/93.24, 709/206, 345/752, 345/763, 345/700, 345/764, 345/816, 345/835, 345/837, 345/846, 345/847, 715/500, 715/514, 715/515, 715/526, 715/500.1
• US Class Current: 379/88.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 Graphical user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components

Abstract

A graphical user interface is disclosed that displays messages to a user in a manner such that attached or embedded message (as well as attachments to the embedded messages) within a message can be easily viewed with reduced user effort. The graphical user interface can be implemented in a variety of messaging systems, including electronic mail systems, unified messaging systems, voice mail systems, etc.

Claims

1. In a messaging system of the type supporting computer access to user messages, the improvement comprising a graphical user interface displaying messages to a user accessing said messaging system via a computer and deconstructing messages to provide a visual indication of all multi-generation embedded messages and attachments therein simultaneously in a form.

2. The messaging system of claim 1 wherein said graphical user interface deconstructs messages when said messages are selected by said user.

3. The messaging system of claim 2 wherein said graphical user interface presents said embedded messages and attachments in a list.

4. The messaging system of claim 3 wherein said graphical user interface allows said user to select embedded messages and attachments in said list to invoke applications associated therewith.

5. A graphical user interface to display a selected message to a user in a form on a computer screen comprising:

a first display area within said form presenting said selected message; and

a second display area within said form simultaneously presenting all multi-generation components of said selected message separately to allow said user to select directly individual components of said message for display.

6. A graphical user interface as defined in claim 5 wherein said second display area presents said components in a list.

11. The graphical user interface of claim 5, wherein said first display area presents accompanying attachments and embedded messages as selectable icons.

7. A messaging system comprising:

a messaging server executing a messaging application and including memory to store user messages; and

at least one user computer connected to said messaging server via a network, said user computer executing messaging software to allow a user to compose messages and to retrieve messages stored by said messaging server, said messaging software being responsive to user input and including a graphical user interface to display user messages stored by said messaging server, said graphical user interface presenting a form to display a selected user message in response to user input, said form providing a visual indication of all multi-generation components within said selected message simultaneously.

8. A messaging system as defined in claim 7 wherein said components include attachments and embedded messages within said selected message.

9. A messaging system as defined in claim 8 wherein said form presents said components in a list.

10. A messaging system as defined in claim 9 wherein said messaging software is responsive to selection of any component in said list to invoke the application associated with said selected component.