Systems and methods for clustering electronic messages

• US 9,654,432 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2015
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Cornwell, Jason Briggs, Coleman, Keith, Jillissen, Jeroen Danil, Gawley, Thompson Alexander-Ivor, Young, Rob, Toubassi, Garrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Chbouki, Tarek
• Application Number:
  US14/610,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20150180811A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/355 Class or cluster creation or modification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 Document management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking

Abstract

Systems and methods for clustering electronic messages are disclosed. In some implementations, a method includes, at a computing device, responsive to a determination that a message body of a first electronic message satisfies a set of content-based clustering rules associated with a first message cluster, assigning the electronic message to the message cluster. A cluster graphic is displayed for the message cluster. The cluster graphic is characterized by (a) a first state in which messages in the message cluster are individually depicted and (b) a second state, which replaces the first state upon user input and collectively represents a plurality of messages in the message cluster. Each message in the message cluster is either (i) addressed at least to a first recipient or (ii) originates from the first recipient.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

at a computing device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors;

displaying a messaging application for a first user;

responsive to a determination that a message body of a first electronic message satisfies a first set of content-based clustering rules associated with a first message cluster, assigning the first electronic message to the first message cluster, which has a first plurality of electronic messages, wherein each electronic message in the first message cluster is either addressed to the first user or originates from the first user;

displaying a first view of a first cluster graphic for the first message cluster, wherein the first view collectively represents the electronic messages in the first message cluster;

in response to a first predefined user action, displaying a second view of the first cluster graphic, wherein the second view replaces the first view and displays the first plurality of electronic messages individually within the first message cluster; and

in response to a second predefined user action, expanding one or more electronic messages of the first plurality of electronic messages inline within the first message cluster.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first plurality of electronic messages is formatted for display within an electronic message folder of the messaging application;

the first electronic message is assigned to the first message cluster and is thereby included in the first plurality of electronic messages;

the electronic message folder further includes a second plurality of electronic messages not associated with the first message cluster; and

displaying the second view of the first cluster graphic comprises expanding the first cluster graphic to display the first plurality of electronic messages individually

while maintaining display of information representing the second plurality of electronic messages.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of content-based clustering rules is specified without user intervention.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of content-based clustering rules is user specified.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of electronic messages includes the first electronic message;

and

the method further comprises;

responsive to a third predefined user action with respect to the first cluster graphic;

causing the third predefined user action to be applied to each electronic message in the first plurality of electronic messages.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first electronic message further satisfies a second set of content-based clustering rules associated with a second message cluster;

and

the method further comprises;

forgoing association of the first incoming electronic message with the second message cluster.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second set of content-based clustering rules are system-defined clustering rules.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first electronic message further satisfies a second set of content-based clustering rules associated with a second message cluster;

and

the method further comprises;

assigning the first electronic message to the second message cluster; and

formatting for display, in an electronic message folder of the messaging application, the electronic messages in the second message cluster as a second cluster graphic.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second sets of content-based clustering rules are user-defined clustering rules.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein

(i) the first set of content-based clustering rules comprises system-defined clustering rules;

and

(ii) the second set of content-based clustering rules comprises user-defined clustering rules.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first electronic message is formatted for display within an electronic message folder of the messaging application that includes one or more individual electronic messages that are not associated with the first message cluster;

and

the method further comprises;

responsive to a third predefined user action;

formatting for display the electronic message folder for the user, by;

concurrently displaying to the user;

(i) the first cluster graphic; and

(ii) the one or more individual electronic messages.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to a third predefined user action in connection with an electronic message included in the first message cluster;

disassociating the electronic message from the first cluster graphic.

13. A computing system, comprising:

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and are configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

displaying a messaging application for a first user;

responsive to a determination that a message body of a first electronic message satisfies a first set of content-based clustering rules associated with a first message cluster, assigning the first electronic message to the first message cluster, which has a first plurality of electronic messages, wherein each electronic message in the first message cluster is either addressed to the first user or originates from the first user;

displaying a first view of a first cluster graphic for the first message cluster, wherein the first view collectively represents the electronic messages in the first message cluster;

in response to a first predefined user action, displaying a second view of the first cluster graphic, wherein the second view replaces the first view and displays the first plurality of electronic messages individually within the first message cluster; and

in response to a second predefined user action, expanding one or more electronic messages of the first plurality of electronic messages inline within the first message cluster.

14. The computing system of claim 13, wherein the first plurality of electronic messages includes the first electronic message;

and

the one or more programs further include instructions for;

responsive to a third predefined user action with respect to the first cluster graphic;

causing the third predefined user action to be applied to each electronic message in the first plurality of electronic messages.

15. The computing system of claim 13, wherein the first electronic message further satisfies a second set of content-based clustering rules associated with a second message cluster;

and

the one or more programs further include instructions for;

forgoing association of the first incoming electronic message with the second message cluster.

16. The computing system of claim 15, wherein the first and second set of content-based clustering rules are system-defined clustering rules.

17. The computing system of claim 13, wherein the first electronic message further satisfies a second set of content-based clustering rules associated with a second message cluster;

and

the one or more programs further include instructions for;

assigning the first electronic message to the second message cluster; and

formatting for display, in an electronic message folder of the messaging application, the electronic messages in the second message cluster as a second cluster graphic.

18. The computing system of claim 17, wherein the first and second sets of content-based clustering rules are user-defined clustering rules.