Patent US5675820A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5675820A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Guided outlining method
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1993-02-26
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Granted: 1997-10-07
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Expires: 2013-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A guided outlining system to assist the user in developing strategy-specific outlines for business communications. The user is prompted to enter the target audience, purpose and specific content entries for the business communication. One strategy choice from a predefined list of strategy options is also selected by the user. Strategy guidelines are displayed for the user to assist in the organization of the content entries based on the selected strategy. The user is then prompted to assign type attributes and ordering criteria to each content entry. The content entries are then sorted and displayed to the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Raachel N. Jurovics
- 👤 Harriet H. Rosen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/166; G06F40/174
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A guided outlining method for a computer system having input means for entering data, data storage means for storing data, and a display means, said outlining method comprising: (a) presenting a first prompting screen on said display means for entering content entries representing ideas to be included in a document; (b) entering with said input means a plurality of content entries; (c) storing the content entries in said data storage means of said computer; (d) displaying a second prompting screen on said display means for selecting an organizational strategy from a predefined list of organizational strategies, wherein said organizational strategies include a set of organizational rules for ordering the content entries; (e) selecting with said input means an organizational strategy from said predefined list of organizational strategies; (f) presenting on said display means organizational rules stored in said data storage means of said computer which correspond to the selected organizational strategy; (g) presenting a third prompting screen on said display means for assigning ordering criteria to said content entries; (h) assigning ordering criteria to said content entries by entering said criteria with said input means following the organizational rules for the selected organizational strategy; (i) sorting the content entries in said computer based on the assigned ordering criteria to produce a sorted outline; and (j) outputting the sorted outline to an output device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A guided outlining method for a computer system having input means for entering data, data storage means for storing data, and a display means, said outlining method comprising: (a) presenting a first prompting screen on said display means for entering content entries representing ideas to be included in a document; (b) entering with said input means a plurality of content entries; (c) storing the content entries in said data storage means of said computer; (d) displaying a second prompting screen on said display means for selecting an organizational strategy from a predefined list of organizational strategies, wherein said organizational strategies include a set of organizational rules for ordering the content entries; (e) selecting with said input means an organizational strategy from said predefined list of organizational strategies; (f) presenting on said display means organizational rules stored in said data storage means of said computer which correspond to the selected organizational strategy; (g) presenting a third prompting screen on said display means for assigning ordering criteria to said content entries; (h) assigning ordering criteria to said content entries by entering said criteria with said input means following the organizational rules for the selected organizational strategy; (i) sorting the content entries in said computer based on the assigned ordering criteria to produce a sorted outline; and (j) outputting the sorted outline to an output device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The outlining method of claim 1 wherein the step of sorting the content entries includes classifying the main ideas and subordinate ideas among said content entries by entering priority codes into said computer corresponding to said content entries.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The outlining method according to claim 2 further including the step of associating each of the subordinate ideas among said content entries with one of the main ideas among said content entries.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The outlining method of claim 3 wherein the step of sorting the content entries includes entering a first set of ordering criteria for sorting the main ideas among said content entries in relation to each other and, for each main idea, entering a second set of ordering criteria for ordering the subordinate ideas in relation to one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The outlining method of claim 1 further including the steps of assigning a type attribute to the content entries, and grouping the content entries by type attribute before assigning ordering criteria to the content entries.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-10-06 | 2001-04-07 | 2001-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-06 | 2005-04-07 | 2005-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-06 | 2009-04-07 | 2009-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |