Systems and Methods for Remote Access to a Display-Based Bulletin Board in a Shared User Environment

• US 20140214982A1
• Filed: 10/25/2013
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Koch, Robert A., Holt, Scott C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,294,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• 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 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes

Abstract

An electronic bulletin board for use in a shared always-on environment wherein a user may manipulate messages from a remote location. The electronic bulletin board may be implemented via database and programming logic on an application server accessible from any network node, including wireless devices. The always-on environment may be set up on a computer or broadband internet appliance or other communications device. Remote users may perform operations such as updating an existing message, posting a new message, download messages, and the like. The bulletin board also supports shared messages designed for special purposes, for example, an electronic grocery list that is accessible from remote locations,

Claims

1. A method of displaying a plurality of images on an electronic display system, each image associated with a representation of an electronic message item, comprising:

providing, by a processor, local access to a locally shared electronic message area of the electronic display system, wherein the electronic display system resides behind a client gateway and is openly available for viewing and interaction concurrently by a plurality of local users without a user log-in occurring and wherein the locally shared electronic message area includes designated separate areas for presenting for display local message items intended for specific recipients;

receiving, by the processor, a plurality of electronic message items at the electronic display system, wherein the electronic message items originate behind the client gateway and are maintained locally at the electronic display system;

presenting for display the plurality of images on the electronic display system within the locally shared electronic message area, wherein each of the images is selectable by a user;

receiving a selection of one of the images; and

presenting for display contents of an electronic message item corresponding to the one image that is selected.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic message items include a first message item addressed to a first recipient, a second message item addressed only to a second recipient and not to the first recipient, and a third message item not addressed to a specific recipient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the locally shared electronic message area includes a collective area for presenting for display images associated with electronic message items having no specified recipients.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of electronic message items is displayed within a designated area of the locally shared message area with an indicator of a party to the at least one electronic message.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an indicator that a local message item has been presented for display.