Automated electronic message filing system

• US 8,266,218 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2004
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Keohane, Susann Marie, McBrearty, Gerald Francis, Mullen, Shawn Patrick, Murillo, Jessica, Shieh, Johnny Meng-Han
• Primary Examiner(s): JAKOVAC, RYAN J
• Application Number:
  US10/777,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20050198153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,134 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709/207
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/13 File access structures, e.g. distributed indices arrangements of input from, or output to, record carriers G06F3/06
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes

Abstract

At least one filing folder is suggested for filing a particular electronic message. The suggested filing folder is graphically distinguished from the remainder of the folders in the filing system, such that selection of a folder for filing an electronic message is facilitated. A suggested folder name is attached to an electronic message before it is sent. When the electronic message is received and to be filed, the suggested folder is the one bearing the name of the suggested folder name attached to the electronic message.

Claims

1. A method for providing electronic message filing recommendations comprising:

detecting, at a sender computer system, a sender selection within a user interface of at least one suggested folder name for a composed electronic message for a recipient receiving said electronic message to select as a folder name for filing said electronic message;

attaching said at least one suggested folder name to said electronic message at said sender computer system for distribution to said recipient;

sending said electronic message with said suggested filing folder name from said sender computer system to a recipient computer system for said recipient;

responsive to receiving said electronic message at said recipient computer system for said recipient, filtering said electronic message to detect said at least one suggested folder name specified by said sender in said electronic message for filing said electronic message from among a plurality of filing folders in a messaging filing directory; and

responsive to said recipient selecting to file said electronic message, automatically expanding a display directory of said plurality of filing folders to display said at least one suggested folder in a graphically distinguishable format from said display of other folders of said plurality of filing folders, such that a recommendation of relevant folders for filing said electronic message is provided.

2. The method according to claim 1 for providing electronic message filing recommendations, further comprising:

responsive to detecting an icon for said particular electronic message dragged into a display region for said plurality of filing folders, automatically positioning said icon over said at least one suggested folder.

3. A system for providing electronic message filing recommendations comprising:

a suggestion attachment controller at a sender system for detecting a sender selection within a user interface of at least one suggested folder name for a composed electronic message for a recipient receiving said electronic message to select as a folder name for filing said electronic message and for attaching said at least one suggested folder name to said electronic message for distribution to said recipient;

a communication controller for sending said electronic message from a sender system to a recipient system for said recipient;

a filtering controller at said recipient system, responsive to receiving said electronic message for said recipient, for filtering said electronic message to detect said at least one suggested folder name specified by said sender in said electronic message for filing said electronic message from among a plurality of filing folders in a messaging filing directory;

an

an output controller at said recipient system, responsive to said recipient selecting to file said electronic message, for distinguishing said at least one suggested folder from a remainder of said plurality of filing folders, such that a recommendation of relevant folders for filing said electronic message is provided.

4. The system according to claim 3 for providing electronic message filing recommendations, further comprising:

means responsive to detecting an icon for said particular electronic message dragged into a display region for said plurality of filing folders, for automatically positioning said icon over said at least one suggested folder.

5. A computer program product for providing electronic message filing recommendations, said computer program product comprising:

one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices;

program instructions, stored on at least one of said one or more storage devices, to detect a sender selection within a user interface of at least one suggested folder name for a composed electronic message for a recipient receiving said electronic message to select as a folder name for filing said electronic message;

program instructions, stored on at least one of said one or more storage devices, to attach said at least one suggested folder name to said electronic message for distribution to said recipient;

program instructions, stored on at least one of said one or more storage devices, responsive to receiving said electronic message for said recipient, to filter said electronic message to detect said at least one suggested folder name specified by said sender in said electronic message for filing said electronic message from among a plurality of filing folders in a messaging filing directory; and

program instructions, stored on at least one of said one or more storage devices, responsive to said recipient selecting to file said electronic message, to automatically expand a display directory of said plurality of filing folders to display said at least one suggested folder in a graphically distinguishable format from said display of other folders of said plurality of filing folders, such that a recommendation of relevant folders for filing said electronic message is provided.

6. The computer program product according to claim 5 further comprising:

program instructions, stored on at least one of said one or more storage devices, responsive to detecting an icon for said particular electronic message dragged into a display region for said plurality of filing folders, to automatically position said icon over said at least one suggested folder.