US6714967B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integration of a computer-based message priority system with mobile electronic devices
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1999-07-30
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Granted: 2004-03-30
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Expires: 2019-07-30
Abstract
Abstract Methods for integrating mobile electronic devices with computational methods for assigning priorities to documents are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method first receives a new document such as an electronic mail message. The method assigns a priority to the document, based on a text classifier such as a Bayesian classifier or a support-vector machine classifier. The method then alerts a user on an electronic device, such as a pager or a cellular phone, based on an alert criteria that can be made sensitive to information about the location, inferred task, and focus of attention of the user. Such information can be inferred under uncertainty or can be accessed directly from online information sources. One embodiment makes use of information from an online calendar to control the criteria used to make decisions about relaying information to a mobile device.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Horvitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:09
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107; H; H04; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/21; H04L51/224; H04L51/226; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/02; H04W4/025; H04W4/12; H04L51/212; H04L51/234
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A computer-implemented method comprising; receiving a text, generating a priority of the text based on a text classifier; and, alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria, wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermined threshold; and, alerting the user upon determining that the priority of the text is greater than the predetermined threshold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A computer-implemented method comprising; receiving a text, generating a priority of the text based on a text classifier; and, alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria, wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermined threshold; and, alerting the user upon determining that the priority of the text is greater than the predetermined threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the alert criteria is sensitive to information about location, inferred task, and focus of attention of the user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the information is inferred under uncertainty.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the information is accessed directly from online information sources.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 , where the online information sources comprises an online calendar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving a text comprises receiving an email.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein alerting a user on an electronic device comprises alerting the user on the electronic device comprising a pager.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein alerting a user on an electronic device comprises alerting the user on the electronic device comprising a cellular phone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether a current time is within a predetermined range of times; and, upon determining that the current time is within the predetermined range of times, alerting the user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether the user is in a meeting; upon determining that the user is in a meeting, determining whether the priority is greater than a predetermined meeting threshold; and, upon determining that the priority is greater than the predetermined meeting threshold, alerting the user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising: training the text classifier, the text classifier comprising one of a Bayesian classifier and a support-vector machine classifier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein alerting a user on an electronic device comprises alerting the user on the electronic device comprising one of a pager and a cellular phone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermined threshold; determining whether the user has been away for more than a predetermined amount of time; and, upon determining that the priority of the text is greater than the predetermined threshold and that the user has been away for more than the predetermined amount of time, alerting the user.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermined threshold; determining whether the user has been away for more than a predetermined amount of time; determining whether a current time is within a predetermined range of times; and, upon determining that the priority of the text is greater than the predetermined threshold, that the user has been away for more than the predetermined amount of time, and that the current time is within the predetermined range of times, alerting the user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether the user is in a meeting; upon determining that the user is in a meeting, determining whether the priority is greater than a predetermined meeting threshold; and, upon determining that the priority is greater than the predetermined meeting threshold, alerting the user.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a text; generating a priority of the text based on a text classifier; and, alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria, wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermined threshold; determining whether tile user has been away for more than a predetermined amount of time; and, upon determining that the priority of the text is greater than the predetermnined threshold and that the user has been away for more than the predetermnined amount of time, alerting the user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a text; generating a priority of the text based on a text classifier; and, alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria, wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermined threshold; determining whether tile user has been away for more than a predetermined amount of time; and, upon determining that the priority of the text is greater than the predetermnined threshold and that the user has been away for more than the predetermnined amount of time, alerting the user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
89 words
A machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method comprising: receiving a text; generating a priority of the text based on a text classifier; and, alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria, wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises; determining whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermined threshold; and, alerting the user upon determining that the priority of the text is greater than the predetermined threshold.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
89 words
A machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method comprising: receiving a text; generating a priority of the text based on a text classifier; and, alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria, wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises; determining whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermined threshold; and, alerting the user upon determining that the priority of the text is greater than the predetermined threshold.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The medium of claim 17 , wherein receiving a text comprises receiving an email.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medium of claim 17 , wherein alerting a user on an electronic device comprises alerting the user on the electronic device comprising a pager.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The medium of claim 17 , wherein alerting a user on an electronic device comprises alerting the user on the electronic device comprising a cellular phone.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
The medium of claim 17 , wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether a current time is within a predetermined range of times; and, upon determining that the current time is within the predetermined range of times, alerting the user.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
64 words
The medium of claim 17 , wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether the user is in a meeting; upon determining that the user is in a meeting, determining whether the priority is greater than a predetermined meeting threshold; and, upon determining that the priority is greater than the predetermined meeting threshold, alerting the user.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
119 words
A machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method comprising: receiving a text; generating a priority of the text based on a text classifier; and, alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria, wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermnined threshold; determining whether the user has been away for more than a predetermined amount of time; and, upon determining that the priority of the text is greater than the predetermined threshold and that the user has been away for more than the predetermined amount of time, alerting the user.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
119 words
A machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method comprising: receiving a text; generating a priority of the text based on a text classifier; and, alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria, wherein alerting a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria comprises: determining whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermnined threshold; determining whether the user has been away for more than a predetermined amount of time; and, upon determining that the priority of the text is greater than the predetermined threshold and that the user has been away for more than the predetermined amount of time, alerting the user.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computerized system comprising: a program to generate a text; a text classifier to generate a priority of the text; and, an alert mechanism to alert a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria, wherein the alert criteria comprises a determination of whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermined threshold and whether the user has been away for more than a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computerized system comprising: a program to generate a text; a text classifier to generate a priority of the text; and, an alert mechanism to alert a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria, wherein the alert criteria comprises a determination of whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermined threshold and whether the user has been away for more than a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
57 words
A computerized system comprising: a program to generate a text; a text classifier to generate a priority of the text; and, an alert mechanism to alert a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria, wherein the alert criteria comprises a determination of whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermined threshold.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
57 words
A computerized system comprising: a program to generate a text; a text classifier to generate a priority of the text; and, an alert mechanism to alert a user on an electronic device based on an alert criteria, wherein the alert criteria comprises a determination of whether the priority of the text is greater than a predetermined threshold.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein the program comprises an electronic mail program to receive an electronic mail as the text.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein the text classifier comprises a Bayesian text classifier.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein the text classifier comprises a support-vector-machine classifier.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of a pager and a cellular phone.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein the alert criteria comprises determination of whether a current time is within a predetermined range of times.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein the alert criteria comprises a determination of whether the user is in a meeting and whether the priority is greater than a predetermnined meeting threshold.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein at least one of the alert mechanism, the program and the text classifier comprise a computer program executed by a processor from a computer-readable medium.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 25 , the text a classifier analyzes properties associated with a message, and generates a priority for the message; and the alert mechanism initiates a message alerting action upon determination that the priority is greater than a predetermined threshold.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 33 , the classifier comprising a Bayesian text classifier.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 33 , the classifier comprising a support-vector-machine classifier.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 33 , the properties relating to text.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 36 , the properties comprising date and/or time information.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33 , the properties relating to an urgency associated with the message.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 38 , the urgency being determined at least in part as a function of time.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 33 , the properties relating to identity of an individual.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 40 , the properties relating to hierarchical classification of the individual with respect to a group of individuals.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 41 , the hierarchical classification being based at least in part on an organization chart structure.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 33 , the properties comprising information regarding a relative relationship between a recipient and an individual sending the message.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 33 , the properties comprising information regarding a state relative to the message.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 44 , the state corresponding to a past event.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 44 , the state corresponding to a future event.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 44 , the properties comprising information relative to a likelihood that an event can occur.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 44 , the properties comprising information relative to time criticality.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 33 , the properties relating to indications of personal requests.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33 , the threshold dynamically changing as a function of extrinsic information.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 50 , the threshold dynamically changing as a function of information on a user's calendar.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 50 , the threshold dynamically changing as a function of a time of day.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 50 , the threshold dynamically changing as a function of sensed activity of a user.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 50 , the threshold dynamically changing as a function of a combination of at least two of: information on a user's calendar, a time of day, and sensed activity of a user.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 33 , the properties comprising a function of period of time until a date and/or time identified from a message is reached.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 33 , the priority interpreted as an urgency.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 56 , urgency interpreted as a cost of delayed review of the message.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 56 , urgency interpreted as an expected cost of delayed review under uncertainty of the message.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 33 , the priority being calculated at least in part based on a cost-benefit analysis.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 33 , the threshold being calculated at least in part based on a cost-benefit analysis.
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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) | 2007-03-30 | 2007-09-29 | 2008-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-30 | 2011-09-29 | 2012-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-30 | 2015-09-29 | 2016-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |