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US5835084A
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US
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Method and computerized apparatus for distinguishing between read and unread messages listed in a graphical message window
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1996-05-01
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Granted: 1998-11-10
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Expires: 2016-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A computer-implemented messaging application (e.g., e-mail, browser, paging) lists messages addressed to a user in a graphical message window of a graphical user interface. The message window lists both read and unread messages. The read messages are displayed visually differently than the unread messages to distinguish between the two types. A highlight bar identifies a particular message in the list. The message window has a preview pane in which the highlighted message can be previewed by a user without opening that message into a separate window. Heuristics are employed to determine whether the user is likely to be reading the message while it is displayed in the preview pane. For instance, scrolling the message in the preview pane is evidence that the user is likely to be reading the message. If any heuristic condition is met, the message is marked as read.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven J. Bailey
- 👤 Eric Berman
- 👤 Coyle Brett Marl
- 👤 Luis Talavera
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for distinguishing messages to be read by a user from messages that have been read by the user, the messages being listed in a graphical message window, the message window having a preview pane which enables the user to view content of at least one listed message without opening the message into a separate graphical window, the method comprising the following steps: displaying an unread message in the preview pane; detecting whether the message is scrolled within the preview pane to determine whether the user is likely to be reading the message while the message is displayed in the preview pane without having opened the message in to the separate graphical window; and marking the message as read if the message is scrolled within the preview pane.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for distinguishing messages to be read by a user from messages that have been read by the user, the messages being listed in a graphical message window, the message window having a preview pane which enables the user to view content of at least one listed message without opening the message into a separate graphical window, the method comprising the following steps: displaying an unread message in the preview pane; detecting whether the message is scrolled within the preview pane to determine whether the user is likely to be reading the message while the message is displayed in the preview pane without having opened the message in to the separate graphical window; and marking the message as read if the message is scrolled within the preview pane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of marking the message as unread, regardless of satisfying the heuristic condition, in an event that the user expressly requests that the message be marked as unread.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer-readable memory which directs a computer to perform the steps in the method as recited in claim 1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A computer programmed to perform the steps in the method as recited in claim 1.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for distinguishing messages to be read by a user from messages that have been read by the user, the messages being listed in a graphical message window, the message window having a preview pane which enables the user to view content of at least one listed message without opening the message into a separate graphical window, the method comprising the following steps: displaying an unread message in the preview pane; and marking the message as read in an event that the user scrolls the message in the preview pane.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for distinguishing messages to be read by a user from messages that have been read by the user, the messages being listed in a graphical message window, the message window having a preview pane which enables the user to view content of at least one listed message without opening the message into a separate graphical window, the method comprising the following steps: displaying an unread message in the preview pane; and marking the message as read in an event that the user scrolls the message in the preview pane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of marking the message as unread, regardless of whether the user scrolls the message in the preview pane, in an event that the user expressly requests that the message be marked as unread.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of marking the message as read in an event that the user opens the message into the separate graphical window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer-readable memory which directs a computer to perform the steps in the method as recited in claim 5.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A computer programmed to perform the steps in the method as recited in claim 5.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a graphical message window for displaying a list of messages addressed to a user in which each message can be viewed in a preview pane of the graphical message window without opening the message into a separate graphical window, a method for distinguishing messages to be read by the user from messages that have been read by the user comprises the step of marking the message as read if the user scrolls the message in the preview pane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a graphical message window for displaying a list of messages addressed to a user in which each message can be viewed in a preview pane of the graphical message window without opening the message into a separate graphical window, a method for distinguishing messages to be read by the user from messages that have been read by the user comprises the step of marking the message as read if the user scrolls the message in the preview pane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer-readable memory which directs a computer to perform the step in the method as recited in claim 10.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A computer programmed to perform the step in the method as recited in claim 10.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
148 words
A computing apparatus comprising: a processor; a display; an operating system executing on the processor which provides a multitasking graphical user interface environment capable of presenting one or more graphical windows on the display; a messaging application running on the operating system to list messages within a message window of the graphical user interface, the graphical message window having a preview pane in which at least one listed message can be previewed by a user without opening the message into a separate graphical window; and the messaging application utilizing a heuristic condition to determine whether the user is likely to be reading the message while the message is displayed in the preview pane without having opened the message in to the separate graphical window and marking the message as read if the heuristic condition is satisfied, wherein the heuristic condition comprises scrolling the message in the preview pane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
148 words
A computing apparatus comprising: a processor; a display; an operating system executing on the processor which provides a multitasking graphical user interface environment capable of presenting one or more graphical windows on the display; a messaging application running on the operating system to list messages within a message window of the graphical user interface, the graphical message window having a preview pane in which at least one listed message can be previewed by a user without opening the message into a separate graphical window; and the messaging application utilizing a heuristic condition to determine whether the user is likely to be reading the message while the message is displayed in the preview pane without having opened the message in to the separate graphical window and marking the message as read if the heuristic condition is satisfied, wherein the heuristic condition comprises scrolling the message in the preview pane.
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) | 2001-11-09 | 2002-05-11 | 2002-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-09 | 2006-05-11 | 2006-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-09 | 2010-05-11 | 2010-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |