Collaboration centric document processing environment using an information centric visual user interface and information presentation method

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of h) storing said information created by said user, said stored information having a third icon associated therewith, said third icon representative of information relative to said stored information associated with said second icon.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of i) selecting said third icon; and j) moving said third icon to a desired one of said first plurality of icons to route information represented by said third icon to an address of an individual in a media independent format, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing with an Application Program Interface.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4 wherein said Application Program Interface further interfaces with an operating system program.

Claim 7

The method of claim 5 wherein said operating system program is a Unix operating system program.

Claim 8

The method of claim 5 wherein said operating system program is a DOS operating system program.

Claim 9

The method of claim 5 wherein said operating system program is a MacIntosh operating system program.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with an operating system program.

Claim 11

The method of claim 9 wherein said operating system program is a Windows 95 operating system program.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with the computer hardware.

Claim 13

The method of claim 11 wherein said computer program is implemented in the JAVA or JavaScript language.

Claim 14

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer for creating and routing media independent information, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on the display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display; said second icon being a graphical representation for creation of information of a first media type; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to respond to the user activating said second icon and to receive information created by said user; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to activate one of said first plurality of icons to route said information created to an individual in a media of a second media type defined by said individual, associated with a desired one of said first plurality of icons, wherein said information is automatically converted from said first media type to said second media type, if said first media type and said second media type are dissimilar.

Claim 15

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer for creating and routing media independent information, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on the display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display; said second icon being a graphical representation for creation of information of a first media type; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to respond to the user activating said second icon and to receive information created by said user; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to activate one of said first plurality of icons to route said information created to an individual in a media of a second media type defined by said individual, associated with a desired one of said first plurality of icons, wherein said information is automatically converted from said first media type to said second media type, if said first media type and said second media type are dissimilar.

Claim 16

The article of manufacture of claim 13 further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to store said information created by said user, and to generate and display a third icon associated therewith, said third icon representative of information relative to said stored information associated with said second icon.

Claim 17

The article of manufacture of claim 14 further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to move said third icon to a desired one of said first plurality of icons in response to user selection, and to route information represented by said third icon to an address of an individual in a media independent format, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

Claim 18

A computer system for generating a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer for creating and routing media independent information, said system comprising: a display; a computer; and a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on said display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on said display; said second icon being a graphical representation for creation of information of a first media type; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to respond to the user activating said second icon and to receive information created by said user; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to activate one of said first plurality of icons to route said information created to an individual in a media of a second media type defined by said individual, associated with a desired one of said first plurality of icons, wherein said information is automatically converted from said first media type to said second media type, if said first media type and said second media type are dissimilar.

Claim 19

A computer system for generating a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer for creating and routing media independent information, said system comprising: a display; a computer; and a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on said display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on said display; said second icon being a graphical representation for creation of information of a first media type; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to respond to the user activating said second icon and to receive information created by said user; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to activate one of said first plurality of icons to route said information created to an individual in a media of a second media type defined by said individual, associated with a desired one of said first plurality of icons, wherein said information is automatically converted from said first media type to said second media type, if said first media type and said second media type are dissimilar.

Claim 20

The computer system of claim 16 further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to store said information created by said user, and to generate and display a third icon associated therewith, said third icon representative of information relative to said stored information associated with said second icon.

Claim 21

The computer system of claim 17 further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to move said third icon to a desired one of said first plurality of icons in response to the user selection thereof, and to route information represented by said third icon to an address of an individual in a media independent format, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

Claim 24

The method of claim 19 wherein said format includes, text, HTML, facsimile, audio, and video.

Claim 25

The method of claim 19 wherein each of said first plurality of icons has an attribute defined by said individual.

Claim 26

The method of claim 21 wherein said attribute includes urgent and normal modes of delivery.

Claim 27

The method of claim 19 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing with an Application Program Interface.

Claim 28

The method of claim 23 wherein said Application Program Interface further interfaces with an operating system program.

Claim 29

The method of claim 24 wherein said operating system program is a Unix operating system program.

Claim 30

The method of claim 24 wherein said operating system program is a DOS operating system program.

Claim 31

The method of claim 24 wherein said operating system program is a MacIntosh operating system program.

Claim 32

The method of claim 19 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with an operating system program.

Claim 33

The method of claim 28 wherein said operating system program is a Windows 95 operating system program.

Claim 34

The method of claim 19 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with the computer hardware.

Claim 35

The method of claim 30 wherein said computer program is implemented in the JAVA or JavaScript language.

Claim 36

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer for communicating information with a select individual, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on the display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having a format defined by said individual; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second plurality of icons on the display; each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a desired one of said second plurality of icons in response to the user activating said desired one of said second plurality of icons; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by said desired one of said second plurality of icons to an address of said select individual, in a format defined by said select individual, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving the desired one of said second plurality of icons to said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

Claim 37

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer for communicating information with a select individual, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on the display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having a format defined by said individual; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second plurality of icons on the display; each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a desired one of said second plurality of icons in response to the user activating said desired one of said second plurality of icons; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by said desired one of said second plurality of icons to an address of said select individual, in a format defined by said select individual, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving the desired one of said second plurality of icons to said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

Claim 38

A computer system for generating a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer for communicating information with a select individual, said system comprising: a display; a computer; and a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on the display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having a format defined by said individual; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second plurality of icons on the display; each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a desired one of said second plurality of icons in response to the user activating said desired one of said second plurality of icons; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by said desired one of said second plurality of icons to an address of said select individual, in a format defined by said select individual, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving the desired one of said second plurality of icons to said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

Claim 39

A computer system for generating a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer for communicating information with a select individual, said system comprising: a display; a computer; and a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on the display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith, and having a format defined by said individual; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second plurality of icons on the display; each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a desired one of said second plurality of icons in response to the user activating said desired one of said second plurality of icons; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by said desired one of said second plurality of icons to an address of said select individual, in a format defined by said select individual, associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving the desired one of said second plurality of icons to said desired one of said first plurality of icons.

Claim 42

The method of claim 34 further comprising: h) whereupon 1) selecting a desired one of said second plurality of icons by the user; and 2) activating said third icon; causes 3) displaying information relative to the time of creation, reception or modification of information associated with said desired one of said second plurality of icons.

Claim 43

The method of claim 35 further comprising: i) whereupon 1) activating said third icon, without previously selecting one of said plurality of first icons, or one of said plurality of second icons; causes 2) displaying information relative to the time schedule of said user.

Claim 44

The method of claim 34 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing with an Application Program Interface.

Claim 45

The method of claim 37 wherein said Application Program Interface further interfaces with an operating system program.

Claim 46

The method of claim 38 wherein said operating system program is a Unix operating system program.

Claim 47

The method of claim 38 wherein said operating system program is a DOS operating system program.

Claim 48

The method of claim 38 wherein said operating system program is a MacIntosh operating system program.

Claim 49

The method of claim 34 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with an operating system program.

Claim 50

The method of claim 42 wherein said operating system program is a Windows 95 operating system program.

Claim 51

The method of claim 34 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with the computer hardware.

Claim 52

The method of claim 44 wherein said computer program is implemented in the JAVA or JavaScript language.

Claim 53

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second plurality of icons; each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time of last communication with the individual associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user selecting a desired one of said first plurality of icons and selecting said third icon.

Claim 54

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second plurality of icons; each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time of last communication with the individual associated with said desired one of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user selecting a desired one of said first plurality of icons and selecting said third icon.

Claim 55

The article of manufacture of claim 46 further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time of creation, reception or modification of information associated with said desired one of said second plurality of icons in response to the user selecting a desired one of said second plurality of icons and selecting said third icon.

Claim 56

The article of manufacture of claim 47 further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time schedule of said user, in response to the user activating said third icon, without previously selecting one of said plurality of first icons, or one of said plurality of second icons.

Claim 57

A computer system comprising: a display; a computer; and a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second plurality of icons; each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time of last communication with the individual associated with a desired one of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user selecting said desired one of said first plurality of icons, and selecting said third icon.

Claim 58

A computer system comprising: a display; a computer; and a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second plurality of icons; each of said second plurality of icons is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time of last communication with the individual associated with a desired one of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user selecting said desired one of said first plurality of icons, and selecting said third icon.

Claim 59

The system of claim 49 further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time of creation, reception or modification of information associated with a desired one of said second plurality of icons, in response to the user selecting said desired one of said second plurality of icons, and selecting said third icon.

Claim 60

The system of claim 50 further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to display information relative to the time schedule of said user, in response to the user activating said third icon, without previously selecting one of said plurality of first icons, or one of said plurality of second icons.

Claim 63

The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of: i) automatically and periodically notifying said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond.

Claim 66

The method of claim 52 wherein each of said first plurality of icons has a format defined by its associated individual.

Claim 67

The method of claim 55 wherein said format includes, text, HTML, facsimile, audio, and video.

Claim 68

The method of claim 56 wherein each of said first plurality of icons has an attribute defined by it associated individual.

Claim 69

The method of claim 57 wherein said attribute includes urgent and normal modes of delivery.

Claim 70

The method of claim 52 wherein said second icon is an agenda agent for setting time with said individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons.

Claim 71

The method of claim 52 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing with an Application Program Interface.

Claim 72

The method of claim 60 wherein said Application Program Interface further interfaces with an operating system program.

Claim 73

The method of claim 61 wherein said operating system program is a Unix operating system program.

Claim 74

The method of claim 61 wherein said operating system program is a DOS operating system program.

Claim 75

The method of claim 61 wherein said operating system program is a MacIntosh operating system program.

Claim 76

The method of claim 52 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with an operating system program.

Claim 77

The method of claim 65 wherein said operating system program is a Windows 95 operating system program.

Claim 78

The method of claim 52 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with the computer hardware.

Claim 79

The method of claim 67 wherein said computer program is implemented in the JAVA or JavaScript language.

Claim 80

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on a display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a plurality of said first plurality of icons on the display, in response to the user selecting said plurality of said first plurality of icons; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by a second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to said second icon.

Claim 81

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on a display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a plurality of said first plurality of icons on the display, in response to the user selecting said plurality of said first plurality of icons; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by a second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to said second icon.

Claim 82

The article of manufacture of claim 69 further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to automatically and periodically notify said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond.

Claim 83

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on a display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a plurality of said first plurality of icons on the display, in response to the user selecting said plurality of said first plurality of icons; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by a second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to said second icon; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to automatically and periodically notify said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to tabulate the received responses from said first plurality of icons and to notify the user of said tabulating result.

Claim 84

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on a display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a plurality of said first plurality of icons on the display, in response to the user selecting said plurality of said first plurality of icons; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by a second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to said second icon; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to automatically and periodically notify said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to tabulate the received responses from said first plurality of icons and to notify the user of said tabulating result.

Claim 85

A computer system comprising: a display; a computer; and a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on a display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a plurality of said first plurality of icons on the display, in response to the user selecting said plurality of said first plurality of icons; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by a second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to said second icon, wherein said routed information is automatically converted to a respective media type defined by each of said associated individuals.

Claim 86

A computer system comprising: a display; a computer; and a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on a display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a plurality of said first plurality of icons on the display, in response to the user selecting said plurality of said first plurality of icons; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by a second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to said second icon, wherein said routed information is automatically converted to a respective media type defined by each of said associated individuals.

Claim 87

The computer system of claim 72 further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to automatically and periodically notify said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond.

Claim 88

A computer system comprising: a display; a computer; and a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on a display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a plurality of said first plurality of icons on the display, in response to the user selecting said plurality of said first plurality of icons; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by a second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to said second icon; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to automatically and periodically notify said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to tabulate the received responses from said first plurality of icons and to notify the user of said tabulating result.

Claim 89

A computer system comprising: a display; a computer; and a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer to communicate with a plurality of individuals, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons on a display; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual having an address of said individual associated therewith; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a second icon on the display, wherein said second icon is a graphical representation of information; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a third icon on the display, wherein said third icon is a graphical representation of time; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to select a plurality of said first plurality of icons on the display, in response to the user selecting said plurality of said first plurality of icons; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route information represented by a second icon to addresses of individuals, associated with said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons, in response to the user moving said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to said second icon; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to automatically and periodically notify said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to remind said selected plurality of said first plurality of icons to respond; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to tabulate the received responses from said first plurality of icons and to notify the user of said tabulating result.

Claim 92

The method of claim 75 wherein said media includes, e-mail, phone and paging.

Claim 93

The method of claim 75 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing with an Application Program Interface.

Claim 94

The method of claim 77 wherein said Application Program Interface further interfaces with an operating system program.

Claim 95

The method of claim 78 wherein said operating system program is a Unix operating system program.

Claim 96

The method of claim 78 wherein said operating system program is a DOS operating system program.

Claim 97

The method of claim 78 wherein said operating system program is a MacIntosh operating system program.

Claim 98

The method of claim 75 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with an operating system program.

Claim 99

The method of claim 82 wherein said operating system program is a Windows 95 operating system program.

Claim 100

The method of claim 75 wherein said method is implemented by a computer program interfacing directly with the computer hardware.

Claim 101

The method of claim 84 wherein said computer program is implemented in the JAVA or JavaScript language.

Claim 102

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual, including said user; each of said first plurality of icons has an address associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to set the address and the media for routing information to one of said first plurality of icons, which is a graphical representation of the user; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to receive information by said computer; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route said received information to the user at the address set by the user and via the media set by the user, wherein said routed information is automatically converted to said media type set by the user.

Claim 103

An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on a display for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual, including said user; each of said first plurality of icons has an address associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to set the address and the media for routing information to one of said first plurality of icons, which is a graphical representation of the user; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to receive information by said computer; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route said received information to the user at the address set by the user and via the media set by the user, wherein said routed information is automatically converted to said media type set by the user.

Claim 104

A computer system comprising: a display; a computer; and a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on said display for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual, including said user; each of said first plurality of icons has an address associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to set the address and the media for routing information to one of said first plurality of icons, which is a graphical representation of the user; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to receive information by said computer; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route said received information to the user at the address set by the user and via the media set by the user, wherein said routed information is automatically converted to said media type set by the user.

Claim 105

A computer system comprising: a display; a computer; and a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein configured to generate a user interface on said display for interfacing a user with a computer, the computer readable program code in said article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to generate and display a first plurality of icons; each of said first plurality of icons is a graphical representation of an individual, including said user; each of said first plurality of icons has an address associated therewith, and having one or more media for routing information to said individual defined by said individual; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to set the address and the media for routing information to one of said first plurality of icons, which is a graphical representation of the user; computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to receive information by said computer; and computer readable program code configured to cause the computer to route said received information to the user at the address set by the user and via the media set by the user, wherein said routed information is automatically converted to said media type set by the user.