US6507351B1 — System for managing personal and group networked …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 187 words

A method of utilizing a personal computing device for managing personal and/or group networked information, the personal computing device having a central processing unit (CPU), a display, an I/O interface for inputting information and/or communicating with computer network information sources, and a memory for local storage of program instructions and data, comprising the steps performed by the personal computing device of: a) displaying one or more input settings menus, said menus displaying selection prompt and input windows for entering criteria for acquiring and displaying information in one or more screen-saving display modes; b) automatically acquiring data from one or more information sources based on criteria entered into to said settings menus; and c) sequentially displaying one or more screen-saving display images comprising data acquired from said information sources whenever the computer system is idle longer than a predetermined period, wherein the personal computing device automatically acquires data from local and/or network sources for presenting the data in one or more screen-saving display images and wherein images of data acquired from said information sources are sequentially displayed in a manner based on criteria entered to said settings menus.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 187 words

A method of utilizing a personal computing device for managing personal and/or group networked information, the personal computing device having a central processing unit (CPU), a display, an I/O interface for inputting information and/or communicating with computer network information sources, and a memory for local storage of program instructions and data, comprising the steps performed by the personal computing device of: a) displaying one or more input settings menus, said menus displaying selection prompt and input windows for entering criteria for acquiring and displaying information in one or more screen-saving display modes; b) automatically acquiring data from one or more information sources based on criteria entered into to said settings menus; and c) sequentially displaying one or more screen-saving display images comprising data acquired from said information sources whenever the computer system is idle longer than a predetermined period, wherein the personal computing device automatically acquires data from local and/or network sources for presenting the data in one or more screen-saving display images and wherein images of data acquired from said information sources are sequentially displayed in a manner based on criteria entered to said settings menus.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the step of automatically acquiring data includes acquiring email content that is stored or produced by an email application program and wherein acquired email content is displayed in at least one screen-saver screen image.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the step of automatically acquiring data includes acquiring personal appointment information content stored or produced by other program applications and wherein acquired appointment information content is displayed in at least one screen-saver screen image.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the step of automatically acquiring data includes acquiring “to-do list” information content stored or produced by other program applications an wherein acquired “to-do list” information content is displayed in at least one screen-saver screen image.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 81 words

The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the step of sequentially displaying images after the computing device is idle for a predetermined period provides a screen-saver mode of operation for said computing device and further comprises the step of activating a particular application program in response to a predetermined mouse and/or keyboard activity by a user while the system is operating in said screen-saver mode, wherein the user is provided with direct access to a specific selected application.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the step of sequentially displaying images after the computing device is idle for a predetermined period provides a screen-saver mode of operation and the step of automatically acquiring data includes acquiring data from information sources via LAN/WAN or an Internet communications link.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as set forth in claim 6 , further comprising the step of displaying information acquired from different information sources in separate individual screen-saver display views.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method as set forth in claim 6 , further comprising the step of periodically updating individual screen-saver views new information acquired from said information sources.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 184 words

A computer screen-saver program product, embodied on a computer-readable medium for distribution and/or storage on a computing system or like device having a display, for managing personal and computer network accessible information, comprising: a) instruction means for displaying one or more input settings menus, said menus displaying selection prompts and input windows for entering criteria to be used by the screen-saver program for acquiring data from one or more information sources and displaying the acquired data in one or more screen-saving display modes; b) instruction means for automatically acquiring data from one or more information sources based on criteria entered by a user into said settings menus; and c) instruction means for displaying one or more screen-saving display images comprising data acquired from said information sources whenever the computer system is idle longer than a predetermined period, wherein the computing system automatically acquires data from local and/or network sources for presenting the data in one or more screen-saving display images and wherein images of data acquired from said information sources are sequentially displayed in a manner based on criteria entered to said settings menus.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 184 words

A computer screen-saver program product, embodied on a computer-readable medium for distribution and/or storage on a computing system or like device having a display, for managing personal and computer network accessible information, comprising: a) instruction means for displaying one or more input settings menus, said menus displaying selection prompts and input windows for entering criteria to be used by the screen-saver program for acquiring data from one or more information sources and displaying the acquired data in one or more screen-saving display modes; b) instruction means for automatically acquiring data from one or more information sources based on criteria entered by a user into said settings menus; and c) instruction means for displaying one or more screen-saving display images comprising data acquired from said information sources whenever the computer system is idle longer than a predetermined period, wherein the computing system automatically acquires data from local and/or network sources for presenting the data in one or more screen-saving display images and wherein images of data acquired from said information sources are sequentially displayed in a manner based on criteria entered to said settings menus.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 55 words

A screen-saver program product as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the instruction means for automatically acquiring data from one or more information sources includes instruction means for automatically acquiring email content stored or produced by an email application program and wherein acquired email content is displayed in at least one screen-saver screen image.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 57 words

A screen-saver program product as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the instruction means for automatically acquiring data from one or more information sources includes instruction means for automatically acquiring personal appointment information content stored or produced by other program applications and wherein acquired appointment information content is displayed in at least one screen-saver screen image.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 58 words

A screen-saver program product as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the instruction means for automatically acquiring data from one or more information sources includes instruction means for automatically acquiring “to-do list” information content stored or produced by other program applications an wherein acquired “to-do list” information content is displayed in at least one screen-saver screen image.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 185 words

A computer system for managing personal and computer network accessible information, said system including a computer device having a central processing unit (CPU), a display, an I/O interface and a memory for local storage of program instructions and data, comprising: means for displaying one or more input settings menus, said menus displaying selection prompts and input windows for entering criteria to be used by the computer system for acquiring and displaying data acquired from one or more information sources; means for automatically acquiring data from a plurality of information sources and displaying the acquired data in one or more screen-saving display images based on criteria input by a user to said settings menus; and means for sequentially displaying images of data acquired from said plurality of information sources after the computer system is idle for a predetermined period, wherein the computer system automatically acquires data from local and/or network sources for presenting the data in one or more screen-saving display images and wherein images of data acquired from said information sources are sequentially displayed in a manner based on criteria entered to said settings menus.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 185 words

A computer system for managing personal and computer network accessible information, said system including a computer device having a central processing unit (CPU), a display, an I/O interface and a memory for local storage of program instructions and data, comprising: means for displaying one or more input settings menus, said menus displaying selection prompts and input windows for entering criteria to be used by the computer system for acquiring and displaying data acquired from one or more information sources; means for automatically acquiring data from a plurality of information sources and displaying the acquired data in one or more screen-saving display images based on criteria input by a user to said settings menus; and means for sequentially displaying images of data acquired from said plurality of information sources after the computer system is idle for a predetermined period, wherein the computer system automatically acquires data from local and/or network sources for presenting the data in one or more screen-saving display images and wherein images of data acquired from said information sources are sequentially displayed in a manner based on criteria entered to said settings menus.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 41 words

The computer system of claim 13 wherein the means for automatically acquiring data from a plurality of information sources includes data acquisition means for automatically accessing email from other applications and displaying said email in a screen-saver display mode of operation.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 38 words

The computer system of claim 13 further comprising data acquisition means for automatically acquiring personal appointment information stored or produced by other program applications, wherein acquired personal appointment information is displayed in at least one screen-saver screen image.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 40 words

The computer system of claim 13 further comprising data acquisition means for automatically acquiring “to-do list” information content stored or produced by other program applications, wherein acquired to-do list information content is displayed in at least one screen-saver screen image.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 37 words

The computer system of claim 13 further comprising data acquisition means for automatically acquiring email information content stored or produced by other program applications, wherein acquired email content is displayed in at least one screen-saver screen image.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 85 words

The computer system of claim 13 wherein the means for sequentially displaying images after the computer system is idle for a predetermined period provides a screen-saver mode of operation for said computer system and further comprises a display view control means for activating a particular application program in response to a predetermined mouse and/or keyboard activity by a user while the system is operating in said screen-saver mode, wherein the user is provided with direct access to a specific selected application from the screen-saver mode.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 49 words

The computer system of claim 13 wherein the means for sequentially displaying images after the computer system is idle for a predetermined period provides a screen-saver mode of operation for said computer system and further comprises a means for acquiring data from information sources accessible via LAN/WAN or Internet.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 65 words

The computer system of claim 13 wherein the means for sequentially displaying images after the computer system is idle for a predetermined period provides a screen-saver mode of operation for said computer system and further comprises a means for displaying data acquired from different information sources in individual screen-saver screen views and for automatically owing and displaying updated data for each screen-saver screen view displayed.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 51 words

The computer system of claim 13 wherein the means for sequentially displaying images after the computer system is idle for a predetermined period provides a screen-saver mode of operation for said computer system and further comprises a means for automatically displaying email information from multiple sources within a single screen view.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 79 words

The computer system of claim 13 wherein the means for sequentially displaying images afar the computer system is idle for a predetermined period provides a screen-saver mode of operation for said computer system and further comprises a means for providing an interactive tutorial/educational learning tool during said screen-saver mode of operation wherein displayed screen views comprise tutorial/educational material information content and are updated win new tutorial/educational material information content whenever a user provides or makes predetermined appropriate input selections.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 148 words

A computer implemented information management system for displaying and managing personal and/or group networked information, the system including a personal computing device connected to one or more external information sources through a digital communications link and having at least one display device, the computing device programmed to: accept information selection and set-up criteria input by a user; acquire data from one or more information sources based on said selection and set-up criteria; and sequentially provide one or more screen display views comprising data acquired from said information sources whenever the computer system is idle longer than a predetermined period, wherein the personal computing device automatically acquires data from local and/or digital communications network sources for presenting the data in said one or more screen views and wherein images of data acquired from said information sources are displayed in a manner based on criteria entered to said settings menus.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 148 words

A computer implemented information management system for displaying and managing personal and/or group networked information, the system including a personal computing device connected to one or more external information sources through a digital communications link and having at least one display device, the computing device programmed to: accept information selection and set-up criteria input by a user; acquire data from one or more information sources based on said selection and set-up criteria; and sequentially provide one or more screen display views comprising data acquired from said information sources whenever the computer system is idle longer than a predetermined period, wherein the personal computing device automatically acquires data from local and/or digital communications network sources for presenting the data in said one or more screen views and wherein images of data acquired from said information sources are displayed in a manner based on criteria entered to said settings menus.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-01-13	2006-07-15	2007-01-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-01-13	2010-07-15	2011-01-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-01-13	2014-07-15	2015-01-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System for managing personal and group networked information

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