Patent US6421678B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6421678B2
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US
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Method and apparatus for group action processing between users of a collaboration system
Assignee: Actioneer Inc
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Filing: 1999-10-20
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Granted: 2002-07-16
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Expires: 2019-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A natural language-based information organization and collaboration tool for a computer system is disclosed. The present invention includes an apparatus and method for processing text expressions in a computer system, the apparatus including; 1) an object database defining an information object with an associated keyword; 2) a user input device for receiving an input text expression; 3) a parsing device for identifying the keyword in the input text expression, the parsing device including functions for linking the input text expression to the information object based on the keyword identified in the input text expression; and 4) a user output device for displaying to the user the identity of the information object to which the input text expression was linked. The apparatus of the present invention further includes supplemental information in the object database which is related to the information object, the user ouptut device further including functions for displaying the supplemental information when a corresponding keyword is identified in the input text expression. The apparatus of the present invention further includes a method and apparatus for collaboration between users of a time and project management system.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Smiga
- 👤 Dennis Buchheim
- 👤 Thomas Hagan
- 👤 David Wadhwani
- 👤 Norman Scott Storkel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/912; Y10S707/951; Y10S707/964; Y10S707/966; Y10S707/967; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99932; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943; Y10S707/99944
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of collaborating on projects, using a first instance of a messaging system and a second instance of the messaging system, the method comprising: permitting entry of a message in the first instance of the messaging system; parsing the message to identify a keyword; linking the message to an information object based on the keyword identified in the message; creating a header for the message based on the keyword; sending the message, using the header, to the second instance of the messaging system; and entering an entry to a first calendar based on the message in the first instance of the messaging system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of collaborating on projects, using a first instance of a messaging system and a second instance of the messaging system, the method comprising: permitting entry of a message in the first instance of the messaging system; parsing the message to identify a keyword; linking the message to an information object based on the keyword identified in the message; creating a header for the message based on the keyword; sending the message, using the header, to the second instance of the messaging system; and entering an entry to a first calendar based on the message in the first instance of the messaging system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: filing a copy of the message in the first instance of the messaging system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving the message at the second instance of the messaging system; displaying a selection of reply options; generating a reply, including an automatic reply content based on the selection; creating a reply header for the reply based on the message content; and sending the reply, using the reply header, to the first instance of the messaging system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising: filing a copy of the message and the reply in the second instance of the messaging system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein if the message is a proposal, the selection of reply options include an affirmative, a negative, and a counter-proposal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: entering an entry into a second calendar and a second list based on the message, in the second instance of the messaging system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said entry is entered in a pencil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 6 , further comprising: continuing a collaboration when the selection is the other, until the selection is the affirmative or the negative; completing the collaboration when the reply option is the affirmative; and aborting the collaboration when the reply option is the negative.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of aborting the collaboration comprises: deleting the entry in the first calendar and the first list in the first instance of the messaging system; and deleting the entry in the second calendar and the second list in the second instance of the messaging system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said step of completing the collaboration comprises: updating the entry in the first calendar and the first list based on the reply from the second instance of the messaging system; and updating the entry in the second calendar and the second list based on the reply.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein said step of updating comprises entering said entry using a pen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 wherein using the pen indicates using a different color from using the pencil.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said step of continuing the collaboration comprises continuing a negotiation cycle, the negotiation cycle comprising: receiving the reply with the reply option of the other; displaying the selection of the reply options; generating a new reply, including a new automatic reply content based on the selection; creating a new header; and sending the new reply, using the new header.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising: determining whether the new reply is the affirmative, the negative, or the other; executing another negotiation cycle if the reply is the other; and ending the collaboration if the reply is the affirmative or the negative.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said entry is entered in a pencil.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said first instance and said second instance of said messaging system are implemented on a peer-to-peer distributed system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein said peer-to-peer distributed system comprises using a network to connect a plurality of computer systems.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of group action processing in a peer-to-peer collaboration system comprising: enabling entry of a message content; parsing said message content; determining a delegate for the message based on the message content; retrieving data regarding an address of the delegate; sending the message to the delegate; and making an entry into personal information manager based on the message content.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of group action processing in a peer-to-peer collaboration system comprising: enabling entry of a message content; parsing said message content; determining a delegate for the message based on the message content; retrieving data regarding an address of the delegate; sending the message to the delegate; and making an entry into personal information manager based on the message content.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for collaborating on projects, using a first instance of a message system and a second instance of the messaging system, the system comprising: a first user interface portion configured to receive entry of a message in the first instance of the messaging system; a parser configured to parse the message to identify a keyword and to link the message to an information object based on the keyword identified in the message; a second user interface portion configured to create a header for the message based on the keyword, the second user interface portion further configured to send the message, using the header, to the second instance of the messaging system; and a calendar in the first instance of the messaging system, the second user interface portion generating an entry into the calendar based on the message.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for collaborating on projects, using a first instance of a message system and a second instance of the messaging system, the system comprising: a first user interface portion configured to receive entry of a message in the first instance of the messaging system; a parser configured to parse the message to identify a keyword and to link the message to an information object based on the keyword identified in the message; a second user interface portion configured to create a header for the message based on the keyword, the second user interface portion further configured to send the message, using the header, to the second instance of the messaging system; and a calendar in the first instance of the messaging system, the second user interface portion generating an entry into the calendar based on the message.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the first user interface portion is further configured to file a copy of the message in the first instance of the messaging system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the second user interface portion is further configured to display a selection of reply options, generate a reply, including an automatic reply content based on the selection, create a reply header for the reply based on the message content, and send the reply, using the reply header, to the first instance of the messaging system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein the first user interface portion is further configured to file a copy of the message and the reply in the second instance of the messaging system.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of collaborating on projects, the method comprising: receiving a message from an originator; parsing the message to identify a keyword indicating an intended recipient for the message; linking the message to an address of the intended recipient; sending the message to the intended recipient; and entering an entry into a calendar of the originator.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of collaborating on projects, the method comprising: receiving a message from an originator; parsing the message to identify a keyword indicating an intended recipient for the message; linking the message to an address of the intended recipient; sending the message to the intended recipient; and entering an entry into a calendar of the originator.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 23 , comprising: receiving the message at a system of the intended recipient; displaying a selection of reply options; generating a reply, including an automatic reply content based on the selection; sending the reply.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 24 , further comprising: determining if the intended recipient is responding to the originator or delegating to a third party based on the selection; and sending the reply to the originator if the recipient is responding to the originator; and if the intended recipient is delegating to the third party: parsing the message to identify a keyword indicating the third party for the message; linking the message to an address of the third party; and sending the message to the third party.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the selection of reply options include an affirmative, a negative, and an other.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the selection other includes delegating the message to the third party.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising: continuing a collaboration when the selection is the other, until the selection is the affirmative or the negative; completing the collaboration when the reply option is the affirmative; and aborting the collaboration when the reply option is the negative.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the step of aborting the collaboration comprises: deleting an entry in a calendar and a list generated based on the message.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said step of completing the collaboration comprises: updating entries in calendars and lists of the originator and the intended recipient based on the reply, such that the originator and the intended recipient have calendar entries and list entries based on the collaboration.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said step of completing the collaboration comprises: updating entries in calendars and lists any other parties involved in the collaboration.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 , further comprising: entering an entry into a calendar and a list of the intended recipient.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 24 , further comprising: modifying the entry in the calendar and the list based on a response from the intended recipient.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-15 | 2006-01-14 | 2006-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-15 | 2010-01-14 | 2010-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-15 | 2014-01-14 | 2014-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |