Sun Microsystems, Inc.

James M A Begole

John C Tang

Nicole Y Mordecai

Janak R Bhalodia

Max G Van Kleek

Michael L Van De Vanter

Donald R Gentner

Francis C Li

Brian K Raymor

Mark A Bilezikjian

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accessing related computer objects. In one embodiment, computer objects related to a user's current task by a metric are listed. In another embodiment, other users related to a user's current task by a metric are listed. In one embodiment, the metric used to determine whether a user is related to a computer object determines whether the user accessed the computer object. In another embodiment, the metric used to determine whether a user is related to a computer object determines whether the user is referenced in the computer object. In other embodiments, the metric used to determine whether a user is related to a computer object involves other measures of relatedness. In one embodiment, the metric used to determine whether a computer object is related to another computer object determines whether the computer objects have a related user in common.

Method and apparatus for accessing related computer objects

A system and method for connecting pending and preset telephone calls to facilitate transitioning to a phone call. Embodiments of the present invention include a method for anticipating and connecting a telephone call comprising identifying a trigger action associated with an anticipated outgoing telephone call, retrieving a phone number associated with said trigger action, and automatically setting a programmable speed dial button wherein by selecting the speed dial button, said phone number associated with said trigger action is dialed. Embodiments of the present invention also include a system for anticipating and connecting outgoing telephone calls comprising a computer system comprising a processor coupled to a bus, a database coupled to said bus, a call engine coupled to said bus wherein said call engine identifies trigger actions associated with outgoing telephone calls and retrieves phone numbers associated with said trigger actions, and a telephone coupled to said computer system wherein said telephone is coupled to a telephone network.

System and method for connecting pending and preset telephone calls to facilitate transitioning to a phone call

One embodiment of the present invention provides a shared window into which a remote user can input commands from a remote computer system subject to access control. The system operates by receiving a command from the remote user on the remote computer system, wherein the command is directed toward the local computer system in order to operate the local computer system. If the command passes a filtering process, the system executes the command to a local operating system so that the command can operate on the local computer system. The system also displays the command on the shared window on the local computer system so that a local user can view the command. The system additionally allows the command to be displayed on a remote copy of the shared window on the remote computer system, so that the remote user can view the command. In one embodiment of the present invention, if the shared window is in an approval mode, the filtering process involves allowing the local user to approve the command. If the local user approves the command, the system allows the command to pass the filtering process.

Method and apparatus for providing multi-level access control in a shared computer window

In a plurality of electronic devices, a system and method is provided for providing interfaces on the plurality of electronic devices for interacting with at least one source of dynamically changing awareness information. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to update the at least one source with individual awareness information for the electronic device in communication with the at least one source. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to receive awareness information relating to others of the plurality of electronic devices. The awareness information can be a summary of electronic device statuses relating to a selected user. The awareness information can also include an indication of time since each of a plurality of electronic devices relating to a selected user has been in use. The awareness information can further include an indication of one or more of each of a plurality of electronic devices relating to a selected user being contemporaneously in use.

System and method for providing spatially distributed device interaction

The present invention provides methods and systems for providing distributed parties reciprocal information regarding each other's activities. For example, the method of the invention provides selected information regarding the availability of an intended recipient to engage in a communication session with an initiator, and reciprocally informs the intended recipient of the initiator's access to such information. Further, the method of the invention can provide a signal to an intended recipient to indicate an initiator's intention to establish a communication session. Further, the method of the invention provides a signal to each party to indicate whether a communication session has been established. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for informing the participants in a communication session of a party's intention to terminate its participation in the session.

Mechanism for reciprocal awareness of intent to initiate and end interaction among remote users

A lightweight indicator provides an indication of divergence of views for a collaboratively used user interface element. The lightweight indicator identifies the magnitude of the divergence of views. The user interface may be, for example, a graphical widget, such as a mouse cursor or a scrollbar. The indicator is &ldquo;lightweight&rdquo; in that the indicator only subtly modifies the appearance of the user interface element. The indicator is also &ldquo;lightweight&rdquo; in that it provides an indication without incurring significant computational or memory overhead.

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Mountain View, CA, United States of America

James M A Begole