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A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which
is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection
to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the
patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent
file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for computer-based
communications systems that enhance and simplify a subscriber's
interactions with a variety of communications media. The present invention
has particular application for subscribers who communicate with a select
group of individuals on an ongoing basis, by enabling the subscriber to
specify a preferred group of individuals for simplified communications
interactions.
In previously known information messaging systems, it is typical for the
communications to be stored in a "mailbox," i.e., a data storage location,
chronologically in the sequence in which the messages are received. For
example, in voice mail systems, the recipient is typically notified when
he or she logs onto the voice mail system that a number of voice messages
have arrived. The user then progresses through the messages in a serial
manner, and typically has little information concerning the origin of any
particular message until playback of that message has begun.
Likewise, in e-mail systems, received messages are kept in an incoming
message queue, while outgoing messages are stored in a second separate
queue. As in voice mail, an e-mail subscriber can determine which messages
have been received from or sent to a particular sender or addressee only
by examining the header information for all of the messages in the
incoming or outgoing queue.
While the above-noted drawbacks associated with previously known voice mail
systems and e-mail systems are not insurmountable for a subscriber who
only occasionally uses such systems for communicating with others, these
methods can become excessively cumbersome for a subscriber who interacts
with a select group of individuals, among numerous other individuals, on a
routine basis.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a system and method having a
communications user interface that displays queue and message information
particular not only to a specific communications medium, but that actually
segregates and displays the information for individual members within a
select group.
It also would be desirable to provide a system and method having a
communications user interface and methods for use on personal computers
for processing communications received over a variety of media in an
efficient, ergonomic and intuitive manner.
It further would be desirable to provide a communications user interface
for use on personal computers that enables a subscriber to interact with a
variety of communications media, including for example, wireline
(facsimile and modem) communications and wireless communications (pager
and wireless e-mail).
It still further would be desirable to provide a communications user
interface for use on personal computers that provides the ability to
designate communications to and from a select group of individuals (from
among a larger group of individuals) for special treatment, including the
display of directional indication and status indicators for those
communications.
It would also be desirable to provide enhancements to a communications user
interface as suggested above to make the interface intuitive and
user-friendly, for example, such as by providing a self-documenting
feature and a feature that enables streamlined communication with the
interface manufacturer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a communications user interface system and method that not only
displays queue and message information particular to a specific
communications medium, but that segregates and displays the information
for individual members of a selected group.
It is another object of this system to provide a communications user
interface and method for use on personal computers for processing
communications received over a variety of media in an efficient, ergonomic
and intuitive manner.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
communications user interface system and method for use on personal
computers that enable a subscriber to interact with a variety of
communications media including for example, wireline and wireless
communications.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a communications
user interface system and method for use on personal computers that
provides the ability to designate communications to and from a select
group of individuals for special treatment, including the display of
directional indication and status indicators for those communications.
It is still another object of this invention to provide enhancements to a
communications user interface as suggested above that make the interface
intuitive and user-friendly, including the provision of a self-documenting
feature and a feature that enables streamlined communication with the
interface manufacturer.
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished in accordance
with the principles of the invention by providing a communications user
interface system and methods of displaying a gallery of icons, with each
icon representative of a member of a select group of individuals. Each
icon representative of a member of the select group is associated with
directional icons showing the number of messages received from or sent to
that member of the group. The current status of these messages (for
example, whether successfully or delivered or played back) is also
displayed.
In accordance with the present invention, the gallery displayed by a
subscriber may be particular to that subscriber and may be individually
configured by that subscriber. For example, if a subscriber routinely
communicates by fax, e-mail or voice mail with a small group of colleagues
or co-workers, the subscriber may choose to designate those colleagues or
co-workers as members of a "VIP gallery" on his or her computer display.
Communications to or from members of that group are then separately
displayed in a portion of the main screen display, so that the subscriber
is provided with the real-time status of communications with members of
the group on a real-time basis.
Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will
be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary apparatus suitable for
implementing the methods of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing illustrative interrelations of the user
interface displays employed in the system of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an illustrative main display produced by a system in accordance
with the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an exemplary display, produced by the system of the present
invention, for adding a new member to the VIP gallery;
FIG. 5 is an exemplary display, produced by the system of the present
invention, for accessing and editing communications parameters for a
selected member of the VIP gallery;
FIGS. 6-9 are exemplary displays, produced by the system of the present
invention, for accessing communications to and from members of the VIP
gallery via status indicators associated with the directional icons for
gallery members;
FIGS. 10-14 are exemplary displays, produced by the system of the present
invention, for accessing all communications received by the subscriber,
whether or not the originator was selected for inclusion in the VIP
gallery;
FIGS. 15-19 are flow diagrams illustrating the methods of segregating
incoming communications in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, exemplary apparatus 20 suitable for use in
implementing the present invention and methods is described. Apparatus 20
includes main processor 21 and data storage device 22, and may comprise a
personal computer, either portable or desktop, or a personal digital
assistant such as the Newton.TM. made by Apple Computers, Cupertino,
Calif. Apparatus 20 further includes keyboard 23, pointing device 24
(e.g., mouse or track ball) and display screen 25. As is conventional,
pointing device 24 has means for positioning the cursor of display 25, and
one or more command keys for operating upon icons targeted by the cursor.
Communications device 26, which may be, for example, a modem, external
facsimile card, or telephone line interface, is coupled to computer 20
through a communications port, such as an RS232 port or PCMCIA port.
Communications device 26, which may also comprise a combination fax/modem
and wireless receiver as described in copending and commonly assigned U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/174,797, filed Dec. 29, 1993, connects to
telephone line 27 using a conventional connector.
Data storage unit 22 (e.g., a hard disk drive) stores software that enables
main processor 21 to send and receive facsimile messages and e-mail
messages, and optionally, to serve as a digital telephone answering
machine, as explained herein below. If communications device 26 comprises
a combination fax/modem and wireless receiver as described in the
above-mentioned application, then data storage unit 22 may also store
software that enables main processor 21 to receive wireless pager or
e-mail messages. For the purposes of explaining the present invention,
computer 20 operates using a DOS operating environment and software such
as Windows Version 3.1 or higher, available from Microsoft Corporation,
Redmond, Wash.
In accordance with the present invention, data storage unit 22 includes
software that enables the computer user, hereinafter referred to as the
subscriber, to designate a select group of individuals from among those
with whom he or she routinely communicates, for inclusion in a "VIP
gallery." Individuals selected for inclusion in the VIP gallery will have
communications to and from the subscriber handled in a preferred manner,
as described below. The present invention may be implemented in apparatus
20 using Visual Basic or C++ programming languages, as is conventional for
Windows-based graphical interfaces, and as would be readily understood by
one skilled in the art of Windows-based programming.
Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrative diagram 30 showing the functional
interrelation of the displays employed in accordance with the present
invention are described. The basic components of the system are described
with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, and the operation of the system is then
described in greater detail below in conjunction with the individual
functional blocks of FIG. 2.
Central to the apparatus and methods of the present invention is VIP
gallery, block 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the information contained in VIP
gallery block 31 is presented in upper portion 50 of main display 45. VIP
gallery includes in this illustrative embodiment six individuals, with
each individual member of the VIP gallery having a specific image 50a
representative of that person and associated title 50b. In one preferred
embodiment, the image may include a digitized likeness of that
individual's face.
As shown in portion 50 of FIG. 3, each member of the VIP gallery also has
associated with it two directional icons, represented in the preferred
embodiment by downward facing arrow 50c and upward facing arrow 50d.
Directional icons 50c, 50d may include one or more status indicator boxes
50e. Messages sent by, or received by, the subscriber are stored in data
storage device 22 and are monitored by processor 21. Status indicator
boxes 50e are updated from time to time, as appropriate, by processor 21
to alert the subscriber concerning the current status of messages of the
type represented by that directional icon.
In the preferred implementation of the present invention, the display for
indicator boxes 50e employs color coding to alert the subscriber, at a
glance, of the current status of incoming and outgoing messages. Thus, for
example, the number of new incoming messages from a given member of the
VIP gallery may be displayed before the word "NEW" in a box having a pink
background under the incoming directional icon, while the number of old
messages from that person might appear before the word "OLD" in a box
having a light blue background. The number of messages successfully sent
to that person may appear in a box having a green background, while the
number of those unsuccessfully sent might be displayed in a box having a
red background. Also, pending messages to be sent to a member of the VIP
gallery may be displayed in a box having a yellow background.
Functional gallery, shown as block 32 in diagram 30 of FIG. 2, comprises
the informational display shown as lower portion 51 of display 45 of FIG.
3, and may include images representative of the various communications
modes that can be accessed via the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3,
functional gallery 51 includes a new message box 51a that displays the
total number of new messages received by the subscriber's system,
including the new messages otherwise indicated in the VIP gallery.
Functional gallery 51 also displays image boxes 51b, 51c, and 51d
representative of various modes of communication. For example, an antenna
represents wireless communications in box 51b, a facsimile machine
represents facsimile communications in box 51c, and a telephone represents
voice mail in box 51d. The number of each type of new messages is
displayed before the word "NEW" in the image boxes 51b-51d for each of the
communications modes.
Still referring to FIG. 3, functional gallery 51 also includes display box
51e, entitled ANSWER PHONE, which enables the subscriber to put the system
into a telephone answering/voice mail mode of operation. In telephone
answering/voice mail mode, processor 21 and data storage device 22, in
conjunction with communications device 26 (for example, as described in
the above-mentioned U.S. application Ser. No. 08/174,797), answers an
incoming call, plays out a prerecorded greeting to the caller, and records
a message from the caller. In addition, EXIT box 52 provides for exiting
the implementation of the present invention, for example, to return to
Windows, DOS, or another program operating on apparatus 20.
Referring again to FIG. 3, diagram 45 illustrates the other functions and
displays that may be accessed through VIP gallery 50 and functional
gallery 51 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In the
described implementation of the present invention, processor 21 is
commanded to execute programmed instructions stored in data storage device
22 in response to inputs received from pointing device 24. Those inputs
comprise signals generated by pointing device 24 while operating upon
icons and command boxes in VIP gallery 50, as is well known to those
skilled in the art of Windows-based computer programming.
From VIP gallery 31, a subscriber may access the functions of: display 33
for editing communications parameters for a member of the VIP gallery;
display 34 for reading or listening to messages from a member of the VIP
gallery; display 35 for reading or listening to messages sent to a member
of the VIP gallery; and display 36 for adding a member to the VIP gallery.
For example, with reference to FIG. 3, the subscriber may move from main
display 45 by operating the pointing device upon the icon for a selected
member of the VIP gallery. Processor 21 in response executes programmed
instructions stored in data storage device 22 to cause display of block
34, "Inbox From VIP," thereby making the information and functions
pertaining to that display available to the subscriber.
Likewise, as shown in diagram 45 of FIG. 2, the subscriber may access
through functional gallery 32 the functions of: display 37 for reading
wireless messages; display 38 for reading or otherwise disposing of
facsimile messages (referred to as "Fax Mail"); display 39 for listening
to voice mail messages; command box 40 for activating the telephone
answering/voice mail mode of system operation; and display 41 for
reviewing new messages.
Operation of the features of VIP gallery 50 of the present invention are
described with reference to FIGS. 4-9 in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3. A
subscriber activates the "ADD VIP" function of VIP gallery 50 by moving
the cursor to the box labelled "ADD VIP" (FIG. 3, box 50f) and operating
the command key of pointing device 24. Processor 21 interprets this
command as a request to load and execute the programmed instructions
associated with the "Add A New VIP" display 70, FIG. 4.
Once display 70 of FIG. 4 is made available to the subscriber, the
subscriber moves the cursor to command box 71 and operates the pointing
device command key to select an image representative of the intended new
member of the VIP gallery from a stored library of facial images. The
stored library of facial images or portraits may include, for example,
several dozen generic pictures of people of various sex, age, and race.
Alternatively, the subscriber may choose to scan in an actual picture of a
person to be added to the VIP group, using conventional image scanning
software. The subscriber may also append a title or nickname to the image
which is displayed along with the selected image in VIP gallery 50 by
typing in the name at command line 71a.
While still in Add A New VIP display 70, the subscriber may also enter the
VIP member's full name at command line 72. The subscriber may then input
the communications parameters for that person's pager, facsimile and
telephone by moving the cursor to, and operating upon, command boxes 73,
74, and 75, respectively. When the subscriber actuates the command key of
the pointing device while positioned on the command boxes 73-75, a display
is obtained such as shown in FIG. 5. While in the display of FIG. 5,
processor 21 and data storage device 22 accept entry of telephone numbers,
passwords and identification numbers into predefined data entry fields
83-85.
Referring still to FIG. 4, command box 76 enables the subscriber to set up
a mailbox (i.e., create a data structure on data storage device 22) in
which messages received from the VIP member are deposited and in which the
subscriber may record a message or greeting for that VIP member. Thus, for
example, MAILBOX CONFIG command box 76 permits the subscriber to set up a
specific mailbox for that VIP member, and to specify the configuration of
that person's mailbox, for example, maximum disk space to be allocated to
that mailbox, message retention limits, passwords, etc.
Moving the cursor to, and operating upon, command box 77, labelled "DELETE
VIP," deletes information stored for that member of the VIP gallery and
removes the title and image for that person from VIP gallery 50. EXIT
command box 78 enables the subscriber to exit display 70 and return to
main display 45.
FIG. 5 illustrates the "Access/Edit VIP Information" display 80 that is
loaded and displayed by apparatus 20 in response to the subscriber's
positioning the computer cursor on, and actuating the pointing device
command key upon, image 50a of a VIP member in VIP gallery 50. Display 80
presents the same types of information as display 70, except that the
information in command boxes 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85 is already present from
having been previously entered via display 70, and permits this
information to be edited as desired by the subscriber. This display also
provides command boxes 86, 87 and 88 having the same functionality as
described hereinabove with respect to FIG. 4. Directional icons 89 and
status indicators 89a are also provided in command box 81 to apprise the
subscriber of the current status of messages to and from that VIP member.
The subscriber may move to messages from a given member of the VIP gallery
by positioning the cursor on, and actuating the pointing device command
key upon, the status indicator boxes beneath the directional icons in VIP
gallery 50 of main display 45. If the subscriber operates upon the status
indicator boxes beneath the downward facing directional icon, processor 21
loads and executes programmed instructions for block 34 of diagram 30,
thereby presenting display 90, labelled "Inbox From VIP", described with
respect to FIGS. 6-8. If the subscriber operates upon the status boxes
located under the upward facing directional icon, processor 21 moves to
block 35 of diagram 30 by loading and executing the programmed
instructions for display 100, labelled "Outbox For VIP", described with
respect to FIG. 9.
Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, display 90 includes an image of a VIP member
91, his or her associated title or nickname 92, and directional icons 93
and status indicators 93a. Of most utility to the subscriber, display 90
presents queue 94 comprising messages received solely from the VIP member
whose image 91 is displayed. Each message is assigned its own line of
information fields which include whether the message has previously been
read or heard by the subscriber (i.e., OLD) or just received (i.e., NEW);
the type of message; the message number in the queue; the date and time of
receipt of the message; the length of the message; and the status of the
message (i.e., whether it experienced any transmission errors). The type
of message is indicated, for example, by display in the type information
field of an image of an antenna for a wireless message, a telephone
console to represent a voice mail message, and a facsimile machine to
represent a facsimile message. Messages preferably are displayed in queue
94 with all new messages in reverse chronological order followed by all
old messages in reverse chronological order.
Beneath queue 94 appears information window 95 which displays the text of a
message, or the path name of a voice mail file, if that file is selected
using pointing device 24 of computer 20. As shown in FIG. 6, if the
message is a wireless e-mail message, the contents of the message will be
displayed in information window 95 when the cursor is positioned upon and
selects that message (shown in reverse video for that entry in queue 94).
Controls 96 are provided for scrolling through the text of the message.
As shown in FIG. 7, if the cursor is positioned upon and selects a voice
mail message, the voice file path and name are displayed in information
window 95. If the pointing device is actuated again while positioned upon
the voice mail message, information box 95 is replaced with audio control
command boxes 97 and 98, and message duration counter 99, as illustrated
in FIG. 8. Audio command boxes 97 enable the subscriber to play, rewind,
pause and stop playback of the voice message, while message duration
counter 99 provides both analog and digital readouts of the message length
and the subscriber's present location in the message.
Command box 98 enables the subscriber to select either a speaker built into
apparatus 20, or an optionally added commercially available sound card.
For example, recent portable computers manufactured by Compaq Corporation
include built-in speakers. Alternatively, external speakers such as the
ACS50 sold by Altec Lansing Corporation, Milford, Pa., may be used in
conjunction with an add-on sound card, such as the Pro Audio Studio 16
card available from Media Vision, Fremont, Calif.
If, as described above, the subscriber operates upon the status indicator
boxes corresponding to the upwardly facing directional icon, processor 21
loads and executes programmed instructions to move to block 35,
represented by display 100, labelled "Outbox For VIP", shown in FIG. 9
Display 100 includes an image of the VIP member 101, his or her associated
title or nickname 102, and directional icons 103 and status indicators
103a. Display 100 also includes outgoing message queue 104 and information
window 105. Outgoing message queue 104 lists, preferably in chronological
order, only those messages that are directed to the VIP member whose image
101 is displayed.
Each message has its own line of information fields which include whether
or not the message has been delivered; the type of message; the message
number in the queue; and the date and time the message was sent. The type
of message is indicated as for incoming messages (for example, by an
antenna for a wireless message, a telephone console to represent a voice
mail message, and a facsimile machine to represent a facsimile message).
Information window 105 displays the text of a message if that file is
selected using pointing device 24 of apparatus 20. If, for example, the
message is a wireless e-mail message, the contents of message will be
displayed in information window 105 when the cursor is positioned upon and
selects that message (shown as reverse video for that entry in queue 104).
Controls also are provided for scrolling through the text of the message.
Referring once again to FIGS. 2 and 3, operation of the features of
Functional gallery 32 and lower portion 51 of main display 45 of the
present invention are described with reference to FIGS. 10-14. A
subscriber activates the features of the Functional gallery 51 by
positioning the cursor on one of command boxes 51a-e using pointing device
24 and actuating the command key or by typing the underscored letter
command for command boxes 51a-e using keyboard 23.
The subscriber moves to the "New Messages" display by either operating on
command box 51a or typing the letter "N". Processor 21 then moves to block
41 by loading and executing programmed instructions to display "New
Messages" display 110, illustrated in FIG. 10. Display 110 presents
incoming message queue 111 and information window 112. Each message in
incoming message queue 111 has its own line of information fields which
include the type of message; the message number in the queue; the
originator of the message; the date and time the message was received; the
length of the message; and the status of the message (i.e., whether it
experienced any transmission errors). The type of message is indicated
using icons as described hereinabove. Information window 112 displays
either the text of the message or the path and filename for the message as
described hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 6-8. Messages in queue 111
include not only those messages received from members of the VIP gallery,
but also all other individuals sending messages to the subscriber.
The subscriber likewise accesses the functions available from blocks 37-39
of diagram 30 in a similar fashion as described above for block 41. In
particular, the subscriber may operate upon command boxes 51b, 51c or 51d
to command processor 21 to bring up either "Wireless Mail" display 120,
"Voice Mail" display 130, or "Fax Mail" display 140.
As shown in FIG. 11, if the subscriber brings up "Wireless Mail" display
120, incoming message queue 121 and information window 122 are presented.
Incoming message queue displays all wirelessly received messages,
preferably in reverse chronological order (for both new and old messages)
and irrespective of the message originator. In particular, for each
message in incoming message queue 121, information fields are provided
which include the status of the message (i.e., whether NEW or OLD); the
message number in the queue; when the message was received; when the
message was uploaded; the originator of the message; and the length of the
message. The text of the messages may be selected for display in
information window 122 as described above with respect to FIGS. 6 and 10.
"Voice Mail" display 130, shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, displays queue 131 of
incoming voice mail messages, preferably in reverse chronological order,
and command boxes 132 and 133. Incoming voice mail queue 131 presents for
each message information fields that include: the status of the message
(i.e., whether NEW or OLD); the message number in the queue; the date and
time received; the mailbox in which the message is stored; and the length
of the message. Command box 132 enables the subscriber to select the
output for the audio message, either the internal speaker or an optionally
added sound card. Command box 133 permits the subscriber to commence
playing a message by highlighting a message in queue 131 and then
actuating pointing device 24.
Once the play command box is activated, it is replaced by audio command
boxes 134 and duration counter 135 as shown in FIG. 13. Audio command
boxes 134 enable the subscriber to play, rewind, pause and stop playback
of the voice message, while message duration counter 135 provides both
analog and digital readouts of the message length and the subscriber's
present location in the message.
"Fax Mail" display 140, shown in FIG. 14, displays queue 141 of incoming
facsimile messages, preferably in reverse chronological order, and command
boxes 142 and 143. Incoming facsimile message queue 141 presents for each
message information fields that include: the status of the message (i.e.,
whether NEW or OLD); the message number in the queue; the date and time
received; the number of pages in the message; the sender's identification;
and the status of the message with respect to transmission errors. Command
box 142 enables the subscriber to select a facsimile message for viewing
by highlighting that message (in reverse video) in the queue and then
actuating the VIEW command box, 142. Command box 143 provides the
subscriber with a window (not shown) within which to compose and send a
reply facsimile.
Command box 51e of portion 51 of Functional gallery 51 (see FIG. 3) permits
the subscriber to set apparatus 20 to operate in a telephone
answering/voice mail mode, as described hereinabove. Main display 45 of
the present invention may be readily extended to include a command box
enabling the subscriber to record a greeting for use in telephone
answering.
Referring now to FIGS. 15-19, methods of discriminating between the types
and originators of incoming messages are described. In particular, VIP
gallery 31 and functional gallery 32 in accordance with the present
invention require that apparatus 20 be able to discriminate the type of
communications medium employed for each message received and the
originator of the communication (i.e., either a member of the VIP gallery
or someone else). FIG. 15 presents a flow chart of a method of
discriminating and classifying an incoming wireless message according to | | |
