Multi-column user interface for managing on-line threaded conversations
First Claim
1. A multi-column user interface for managing threaded on-line conversations, comprising:
- a first column for chronologically displaying a set of messages in a conversation;
a second column for displaying a branch of messages corresponding to a message selected in the first column; and
a conversation map for illustrating relationships between messages in the conversation, wherein the conversation map changes according to the branch of messages displayed in the second column.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a user interface that includes a first column for chronologically displaying a set of messages (objects) in a conversation, and a second column for displaying a branch of messages (objects) corresponding to a message (object) selected in the first column. The user interface further includes, among other things, a list of participants to the conversation, a vertical index (time line), a list of related conversations and a conversation map that illustrates a hierarchy of the conversation. Each message (object) in the first column can have an associated indicator for indicating a quantity of predecessors and successors to the set of messages (objects), as well as an in-line reply button for replying to the set of messages. Each of the messages displayed of the second column can have one or more associated navigation buttons for navigating adjacent hierarchical levels.
158 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A multi-column user interface for managing threaded on-line conversations, comprising:
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a first column for chronologically displaying a set of messages in a conversation; a second column for displaying a branch of messages corresponding to a message selected in the first column; and a conversation map for illustrating relationships between messages in the conversation, wherein the conversation map changes according to the branch of messages displayed in the second column. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A multi-column user interface for managing threaded on-line conversations, comprising:
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a first column for chronologically displaying a set of messages in a conversation; a second column for displaying a branch of messages corresponding to a message selected in the first column, wherein each message in the branch of messages includes navigation buttons for navigating about adjacent hierarchical levels of the branch of messages; and a conversation map for illustrating relationships between messages in the conversation, wherein the conversation map changes according to the branch of messages displayed in the second column. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A program product stored on a recordable medium, which when executed, comprises program code for generating a multi-column user interface for managing threaded on-line conversations, wherein the multi-column user interface includes
a first column for chronologically displaying a set of messages in a conversation, a second column for displaying a branch of messages corresponding to a message selected in the first column and a conversation map for illustrating relationships between messages in the conversation, wherein the conversation map changes according to the branch of messages displayed in the second column.
Specification