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Method and apparatus for identifying the cause of an event occurring within a computer system

  • US 7,568,044 B1
  • Filed: 09/22/2003
  • Issued: 07/28/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2003
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for identifying to a user a cause of an event occurring within a personal information manager, the method comprising:

  • maintaining at the personal information manager a plurality of rules comprising at least one condition and at least one action that is performed when the at least one condition is satisfied, wherein the at least one condition comprises receiving at least one electronic mail message and wherein the at least one action comprises displaying a first user interface dialog box indicating that the at least one electronic mail message has been received, wherein the plurality of rules comprise at least one default rule provided with the personal information manager;

    performing an evaluation to determine whether the at least one condition is satisfied, wherein performing the evaluation comprises performing the evaluation when the at least one electronic mail message has been received;

    performing the at least one action in response to determining that the at least one condition is satisfied;

    receiving a request to identify a cause of the performance of the at least one action; and

    in response to receiving the request, identifying at least one rule of the plurality of rules to the user, wherein identifying the at least one rule of the plurality of rules to the user comprises;

    receiving a selection in the first dialog box identifying the at least one rule of the plurality of rules, wherein the received selection is operative to indicate the user has selected the identified at least one rule of the plurality of rules for editing, wherein the at least one rule of the plurality of rules the user has selected for editing is highlighted, andin response to receiving the selection in the first dialog box, displaying a second user interface dialog box comprising;

    a listing of the at least one electronic message indicating the at least one condition that has been satisfied, the listing of the at least one electronic message identifying at least one of the following;

    a sender of the at least one electronic message, a time the at least one electronic message was received, and a subject of the at least one electronic mail message, anda text box containing the listing, the text box configured to allow the user to edit the at least one rule of the plurality of rules.

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