The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 08, 2008
Filed:
Nov. 25, 2003
Elizabeth A. Brownholtz, Andover, MA (US);
Werner Geyer, Boston, MA (US);
Bernard J. Kerr, Boston, MA (US);
David R. Millen, Boxford, MA (US);
Michael Muller, Medford, MA (US);
Eric M. Wilcox, Winchester, MA (US);
Andrew J. Witt, Somerville, MA (US);
Elizabeth A. Brownholtz, Andover, MA (US);
Werner Geyer, Boston, MA (US);
Bernard J. Kerr, Boston, MA (US);
David R. Millen, Boxford, MA (US);
Michael Muller, Medford, MA (US);
Eric M. Wilcox, Winchester, MA (US);
Andrew J. Witt, Somerville, MA (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a user interface that includes a first column for chronologically displaying a set of messages (objects) in a conversation, and a second column for displaying a branch of messages (objects) corresponding to a message (object) selected in the first column. The user interface further includes, among other things, a list of participants to the conversation, a vertical index (time line), a list of related conversations and a conversation map that illustrates a hierarchy of the conversation. Each message (object) in the first column can have an associated indicator for indicating a quantity of predecessors and successors to the set of messages (objects), as well as an in-line reply button for replying to the set of messages. Each of the messages displayed of the second column can have one or more associated navigation buttons for navigating adjacent hierarchical levels.