Method and system for forming groups in collaborative communication system

• US 9,396,456 B1
• Filed: 02/21/2011
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BCS Software LLC (d/b/a Bluebonnet Consulting Services & Software)
• Original Assignee: Gula Consulting Limited Liability Company (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Wang, Jinsheng, Wang, Lu
• Primary Examiner(s): Shin, Kyung H
• Application Number:
  US13/031,246
• Time in Patent Office: 1,975 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204, 715/758
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• 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 61/2521 Translation architectures other than single NAT servers

Abstract

A group communication system is disclosed. The group communication system integrates a number of electronic communication tools to meet various communications among registered users. The group communication system allows groups of users to be formed, where members of each of the groups can participate in various communications with other members. Communications within a group are considered private to all members in the group.

Claims

1. A method for forming groups in a collaborative communication system, comprising:

maintaining a database of a plurality of users registered with a collaborative communication system,

wherein each of the plurality of users is assigned a respective identifier that is used for communications within the collaborative communication system,

wherein each of the plurality of users is associated with a respective client machine, and

wherein the respective identifier is unique to a corresponding domain;

creating a group including members selected from the database by one member of the group;

expanding the group with a new member invited by one member of the group, wherein each member of the group uses the respective identifier to send internal mail, exchange messages and share files within the group;

automatically notifying the plurality of users via the respective identifier of an availability of a shared file for downloading when one of the plurality of users uploads the shared file to a file store;

providing a set of rules that includes at least one of;

a level of access to the shared file for other users, or

a duration of how long the shared file may be retained for downloading; and

establishing the level of access to the shared file in the file store, wherein the file store is independent of a file path and unnavigable to by the plurality of users, establishing a secured channel to download the shared file.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a first electronic mail interface on an associated client machine, the first electronic mail interface configured to send an internal mail within the group,

the first electronic mail interface including at least a recipient area, a subject area and a message area,

wherein the recipient area is configured to allow a selection of a member of the group to receive the internal mail,

wherein the subject area includes a subject matter descriptor of the message area, and

wherein the internal email is delivered when the recipient accesses the internal email with a second electronic mail interface on an associated client machine.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising displaying a message exchange interface, wherein the message exchange interface is configured to send a message that is accessible by the group without intrusion from the plurality of users outside the group.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising

notifying each member of the group of an availability of a file for downloading when the one member of the group uploads the file in the collaborative communication system, and

wherein access to the server is limited to the group.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the file is retained in a store managed by the server, the store being remotely located with respect to the client machine and accessed by a member of the group to download the file.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising displaying a file list for each member of the group, the file list showing all files accessible the group.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising retaining an archive of uploaded files accessed by the group, wherein the archive is accessible by a late-joining user.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising displaying a user directory on a client machine being used by one of the plurality of users, the user directory showing at least one group the one of the plurality of users is affiliated with.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of users is associated with a first icon, and an activation of the first icon displays an enlarged version of the first icon.

10. A method for forming groups in a collaborative communication system, comprising:

maintaining a database of a plurality of users registered with a collaborative communication system,

wherein each of the plurality of users is assigned a respective identifier that is used for communications within the collaborative communication system,

wherein each of the plurality of users is associated with a respective client machine, and

wherein the respective identifier is unique to a corresponding domain;

creating a first group including members selected from the database by one member of the first group;

expanding the first group with a new member invited by one member of the first group, wherein each member of the first group is able to exchange messages and share files within the first group;

creating a second group including members selected from the database by one member of the second group;

expanding the second group with a new member invited by one member of the second group,

wherein each member of the second group is able to exchange messages and share files within the second group,

wherein at least two members of the first group are also members of the second group, and

wherein the at least two members are able to send an internal mail to each other;

updating the database to include the new member of the first group and the new member of the second group;

automatically notifying the plurality of users via the respective identifier of an availability of a shared file for downloading when one of the plurality of users uploads the shared file to a file store;

providing a set of rules that includes at least one of;

a level of access to the shared file for other users, or

a duration of how long the shared file may be retained for downloading; and

establishing the level of access to the shared file in the file store, wherein the file store is independent of a file path and unnavigable to by the plurality of users, establishing a secured channel to download the shared file.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising displaying an electronic mail interface on a respective client machine, the electronic mail interface configured to send an internal mail within the group,

the electronic mail interface including at least a recipient area, a subject area and a message area,

wherein the recipient area is configured to allow one member to select another member within the group to receive the internal mail,

wherein the subject area includes a subject matter descriptor of the message area, and

wherein the internal email is delivered to the another member one of the at least two members without using an email address which includes an @ sign, and a user name or a domain name in the email address.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

displaying a message exchange interface, wherein the message exchange interface is configured to send a message sent by one member of the first group that is accessible by the first group, or

displaying a message exchange interface, wherein the message exchange interface is configured to send a message sent by one member of the second group accessible by the second group.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the message exchange interface is configured to view instant messages sent by members of their respective group.

14. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations for forming groups in a collaborative communication system, comprising:

maintaining a database of a plurality of users registered with a collaborative communication system,

wherein each of the plurality of users is assigned a respective identifier that is used for communications within the collaborative communication system,

wherein each of the plurality of users is associated with a respective client machine, and

wherein the respective identifier is unique to a corresponding domain;

creating a first group including members selected from the database by one member of the first group;

expanding the first group with a new member invited by one member of the first group, wherein each member of the first group is able to exchange messages and share files within the first group;

creating a second group including members selected from the database by one member of the second group;

expanding the second group with a new member invited by one member of the second group,

wherein each member of the second group is able to exchange messages and share files within the second group,

wherein at least two members of the first group are also members of the second group, and

wherein the at least two members are able to send an internal mail to each other;

updating the database to include the new member of the first group and the new member of the second group;

automatically notifying the plurality of users via the respective identifier of an availability of a shared file for downloading when one of the plurality of users uploads the shared file to a file store;

providing a set of rules that includes at least one of;

a level of access to the shared file for other users, or

a duration of how long the shared file may be retained for downloading; and

establishing the level of access to the shared file in the file store, wherein the file store is independent of a file path and unnavigable to by the plurality of users, establishing a secured channel to download the shared file.