Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Richard J McAniff

Anoop Gupta

Raymond Edward Ozzie

Pavel Curtis

Mary P Czerwinski

Paul J Hough

Roger Shane Barga

Bruce Alan Johnson

Rebecca Ann Norlander

Katherine J Drakos

A single device that receives communications, resources, data, and/or other information intended for a user having multiple contact addresses is provided. The single device can receive various information intended for multiple telephone numbers, email aliases, screen names, aliases, other means of contact, or combinations thereof. The device can selectively forward the information to the user based on a current user role, user preferences, contact information, or based on other criteria. If information is to be forwarded to the user at substantially the same time as receipt, automatic means of notifying the user of the role for which the communication is intended are provided.

Single device with multiple personas

A single device that receives communications intended for a user having multiple contact addresses associated with different user roles is provided. The single device can receive communications intended for multiple telephone numbers, email aliases, screen names, aliases, other means of contact, or combinations thereof. Since a user engaged in a particular role might not desire to be interrupted with communications intended for a different role, the communications for the other roles can be maintained until the user is actively engaged in the role for which the communication was intended. In situations where there is an important communication sent to a non-active role, selective convergence between roles is initiated and the important communication is presented to the user.

Break-through mechanism for personas associated with a single device

A user entering information in an application might desire functionality not supported by that application. Based on an input or a subset of the input, a functionality associated with a different application can be automatically applied within a current application. Sometimes, a particular application or mode of communication can be used to send information and reply information can be sent in a different mode of communication. The communications can be automatically associated or related to each other. A user can be presented with information relating to both communications, upon request, although the communications might be associated with different modes of communication. Constraints or parameters can be placed on a subsequent communication by either a sender or a recipient.

Search tool that aggregates disparate tools unifying communication

Members working on the same project can access similar resources at substantially the same time to facilitate active participation in the project. A meeting associated with the project can be given a unique identifier that can allow the project members to access a meeting or other content and view similar documents or other content as it is discussed in the meeting. As information is edited, modified, created, etc. the members can selectively be presented with the information. A common repository can provide the members with an area or platform in which the project material can be accessed, discussed or other functions performed by the project members, allowing for collaboration of the project details.

Collaborative generation of meeting minutes and agenda confirmation

A user can receive content relating to a common topic, such as a project, through a radio-type interface. A frequency or other indicator associated with the project can be selected on a user device. The common topic can be presented to the user, based on the selected frequency and/or an authentication. Presented information can also be provided in a common format requested by the user or as a function of the rendering device. The common format can be facilitated by a conversion component that can change information from a first format to at least a second format. The information can also be presented in more than one format.

Radio-type interface for tuning into content associated with projects

As incoming communications are received, a priority or significance level can be assigned to each communication. A communication determined to have a high priority can be presented to a user at substantially the same time as receiving the communication. A communication having a low priority can be placed in a low priority folder or flagged differently from a high priority communication (e.g., different color-coding). Behavior of a user as it relates to a received communication can be observed for learning purposes or to modify one or more classifications or priority levels.

Automatically managing incoming communications between sender and recipient, analyzing factors, selectively applying observed behavior, performing designated action

Communications, such as emails or other information, in a work setting can be retained in a shared database that operates similar to an Internet social network. As work activities are performed, the content of the work activities can be associated with one or more shared databases based on the individual performing the activities, a common topic or theme associated with the activity and/or a manual entry. As various individuals review information contained in the shared database, notifications relating to who reviewed the content and a time of review can be sent to a contributor of the content to provide for accountability issues.

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Richard J McAniff