Patent US7360174B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7360174B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact user interface
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 2002-12-19
•
Granted: 2008-04-15
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Expires: 2022-12-19
Abstract
Abstract An interface for enabling different contact information for a plurality of different contacts to be aggregated from numerous data stores into a single contact management system includes a window frame for displaying the contact information in a variety of rich views that graphically illustrate patterns existent within the contact information. Some of the available views include hierarchical, organizational, chronological, social, geographical and operational views of the contact information. The interface also enables a user to search through the aggregate contact information by search term and by filter. The interface also includes another window frame for displaying exploded, detailed, or additional information about selected directories and contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel K. Grossman
- 👤 Cornelis K. Van Dok
- 👤 Jonathan D. Perlow
- 👤 Vivien Park
- 👤 Sandra B. Barnat
- 👤 Debra L. Weissman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
319 words
In a computing system that is connected with a display device and that includes a user interface that is configured to display contact information at the display device, a method for displaying aggregate contact information from a plurality of separate and distinct contact information directories, the method comprising: an act of searching a plurality of separate and distinct contact information directories for contact information, wherein each of the separate and distinct contact information directories independently store contact information corresponding to one or more contacts; an act of mapping the contact information from the separate and distinct contact information directories according to a single unifying schema; an act of displaying, at the display device, a plurality of directory links, each directory link corresponding to a separate and distinct contact information directory, the directory links operably and correspondingly connecting the user interface with each of the plurality of separate and distinct contact information directories, the user interface being configured to display requested contact information for any contacts identified within a contact information directory corresponding to a selected directory link, the displayed contact information being organized in accordance with the single unifying schema used to map the contact information from the separate and distinct contact information directories for presentation at the user interface, and the contact information from the separate and distinct contact directories being aggregated for simultaneous presentation at the user interface and simultaneously made directly accessible from the separate and distinct contact information directories through the user-interface; and an act of providing a frame at the display device that is configured for simultaneously displaying the aggregated contact information from the separate and distinct contact information directories in one of a plurality of selectable views that each correspond to a different pattern that is identifiable within the displayed contact information, wherein at least one view of the selectable views graphically distinguishes different groupings of contacts within said at least one view.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
319 words
In a computing system that is connected with a display device and that includes a user interface that is configured to display contact information at the display device, a method for displaying aggregate contact information from a plurality of separate and distinct contact information directories, the method comprising: an act of searching a plurality of separate and distinct contact information directories for contact information, wherein each of the separate and distinct contact information directories independently store contact information corresponding to one or more contacts; an act of mapping the contact information from the separate and distinct contact information directories according to a single unifying schema; an act of displaying, at the display device, a plurality of directory links, each directory link corresponding to a separate and distinct contact information directory, the directory links operably and correspondingly connecting the user interface with each of the plurality of separate and distinct contact information directories, the user interface being configured to display requested contact information for any contacts identified within a contact information directory corresponding to a selected directory link, the displayed contact information being organized in accordance with the single unifying schema used to map the contact information from the separate and distinct contact information directories for presentation at the user interface, and the contact information from the separate and distinct contact directories being aggregated for simultaneous presentation at the user interface and simultaneously made directly accessible from the separate and distinct contact information directories through the user-interface; and an act of providing a frame at the display device that is configured for simultaneously displaying the aggregated contact information from the separate and distinct contact information directories in one of a plurality of selectable views that each correspond to a different pattern that is identifiable within the displayed contact information, wherein at least one view of the selectable views graphically distinguishes different groupings of contacts within said at least one view.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , further including an act of providing means for selectably changing the designated view of the displayed contact information to another one of a plurality of views, each view corresponding with a different pattern that characterizes at least two contacts identified by the displayed contact information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein means for selectably changing the designated view includes a menu that identifies the plurality of views that can be selected, wherein selection of a new view from the plurality of identified views causes the user interface to display the requested contact information in the new view within the frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the different patterns corresponding to the plurality of views include a organizational pattern that organizationally relates the at least two contacts, such that an organizational view corresponding with the organizational pattern displays an organizational relationship between the at least two contacts with at least one of an organizational hierarchal structure and an organizational grouping from which the contact information of the at least two contacts can be obtained.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the different patterns corresponding to the plurality of views include an event pattern that relates the at least two contacts, such that an event view corresponding with the event pattern displays event groups from which the contact information of the at least two contacts can be obtained, such that when an event group is selected, the user interface displays any contacts associated with the event.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 5 , wherein the event includes a date corresponding with birthdays, such that the event view displays birthdays of the at least two contacts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the different patterns corresponding to the plurality of views include a location pattern that relates the at least two contacts, such that a location view corresponding with the location pattern displays location groupings from which the contact information of the at least two contacts can be obtained, such that when a location grouping is selected, the user interface displays any contacts associated with the location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the location includes at least one of a geographic location, a time location, a virtual location, and a structural location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the different patterns corresponding to the plurality of views include an operability pattern that relates the at least two contacts, such that an operability view corresponding with the operability pattern displays operability groupings from which the contact information of the at least two contacts can be obtained, such that when an operability grouping is selected, the user interface displays any contacts associated with the corresponding operability.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the operability includes at least one of telephone, email, instant messaging, and gaming capabilities.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , further including an act of providing means for searching by key term for one or more individual contact entries within the aggregate contact information containing the key term.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as recited in claim 11 , wherein searching means includes an input field that is displayed at the display device and that is capable of receiving input comprising at least part of a name, a word, a term, a telephone number, an email address, and a location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , further including an act of providing means for filtering the aggregate contact information according to classifications assigned to the aggregate contact information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as recited in claim 13 , wherein filtering means includes at least one filter link displayed at the display device that is capable, when selected, of initiating a search for requested contact information from the aggregate contact information that is associated with a classification corresponding with the selected filter link and of displaying said requested contact information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 14 , wherein the classification includes at least one of a key word, an organization, a group, a location, an event, and a social description.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 14 , wherein the at least one filter is customizable and is configured to specifically correspond with one or more directories being searched for contact information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least some of the separate and distinct contact information directories are stored within a remote storage medium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein all of the separate and distinct contact information directories are stored within a local storage medium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein at least some of the separate and distinct contact information directories are stored in a storage medium remote from the local storage medium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the displayed contact information can be selected, and wherein the method further includes at least one of displaying the contact information and displaying additional related information about the contact in a new frame at the display device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
286 words
In a computing system that is connected with a display device and that includes a user interface that is configured to display contact information at the display device, a method for displaying aggregate contact information from a plurality of separate and distinct contact information directories, the method comprising: an act of displaying, at the display device, a plurality of directory links, the directory links operably and correspondingly connecting the user interface with each of a plurality of separate and distinct contact information directories; an act of providing a frame at the display device that is configured for simultaneously displaying aggregated contact information from separate and distinct contact information directories in a designated view, the aggregated contact information being mapped according to a single unifying schema into categories and classifications that can be recognized by the user interface for display; an act of providing means for selectably changing the designated view of the displayed contact information to another one of a plurality of views, each view corresponding to a different pattern that is identifiable within the displayed contact information, and wherein the plurality of views include at least two of the following views: (a) an event view that graphically associates a plurality of different contacts with one or more events and that graphically distinguishes different events within the event view, (b) a location view that graphically associates a plurality of different contacts with one or more locations and that graphically distinguishes different locations within the location view, or (c) an operability view that graphically associates a plurality of different contacts with one or more system capabilities associated with systems available to the plurality of different contacts and that graphically distinguishes different system capabilities within the operability view.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
286 words
In a computing system that is connected with a display device and that includes a user interface that is configured to display contact information at the display device, a method for displaying aggregate contact information from a plurality of separate and distinct contact information directories, the method comprising: an act of displaying, at the display device, a plurality of directory links, the directory links operably and correspondingly connecting the user interface with each of a plurality of separate and distinct contact information directories; an act of providing a frame at the display device that is configured for simultaneously displaying aggregated contact information from separate and distinct contact information directories in a designated view, the aggregated contact information being mapped according to a single unifying schema into categories and classifications that can be recognized by the user interface for display; an act of providing means for selectably changing the designated view of the displayed contact information to another one of a plurality of views, each view corresponding to a different pattern that is identifiable within the displayed contact information, and wherein the plurality of views include at least two of the following views: (a) an event view that graphically associates a plurality of different contacts with one or more events and that graphically distinguishes different events within the event view, (b) a location view that graphically associates a plurality of different contacts with one or more locations and that graphically distinguishes different locations within the location view, or (c) an operability view that graphically associates a plurality of different contacts with one or more system capabilities associated with systems available to the plurality of different contacts and that graphically distinguishes different system capabilities within the operability view.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein means for selectably changing the designated view includes a drop down menu that identifies the plurality of views that can be selected, wherein selection of a new view from the plurality of identified views causes the user interface to display the requested contact information in the new view within the frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein the different patterns corresponding to the plurality of views include a organizational pattern that organizationally relates the at least two contacts, and wherein the plurality of views include an organizational view that graphically identifies an organizational hierarchal structure for a particular organizational grouping of at least two contacts identified by the contact information.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein selection of any event identified within the event view causes the user interface to display contacts associated with the event.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein selection of any location identified within the location view causes the user interface to display contacts associated with the location.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein selection of any operability grouping within the operability view causes the user interface to display contacts associated with systems having the corresponding operability.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , further comprising an act of providing means for searching by key term for one or more individual contact entries within the aggregate contact information containing the key term and wherein the searching means includes an input field that is displayed at the display device and that is capable of receiving input comprising at least part of a name, a word, a term, a telephone number, and an email address.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , further comprising an act of providing means for filtering the aggregate contact information according to classifications assigned to the aggregate contact information and wherein the filtering means includes at least one filter displayed at the display device that is capable, when selected, of initiating a search for requested contact information from the aggregate contact information that is associated with a classification corresponding with the selected filter link and of displaying said requested contact information.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 28 , wherein the at least one filter is customizable and is configured to specifically correspond with one or more directories being searched for contact information.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein at least some of the separate and distinct contact information directories are stored within a local storage medium.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein at least some of the separate and distinct contact information directories are stored in a storage medium remote from the local storage medium.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
167 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein means for selectably changing the designated view includes a menu that identifies the plurality of views that can be selected, wherein selection of a new view from the plurality of identified views causes the user interface to display the requested contact information in the new view within the frame, and wherein the plurality of views includes all of the following: a social view that displays a social relationship of at least two contacts; an organizational view that displays an organizational relationship of at least two contacts; an event view that displays an event relationship of at least two contacts; a location view that displays a relationship of at least two contacts corresponding with at least one of a geographic location, time location, virtual location, and structural location; and an operability view that displays a relationship of at least two contacts corresponding with the operability of at least one of the contacts telephone, email, instant messaging, and gaming capabilities.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein the plurality of views includes a view that graphically distinguishes contacts according to a most frequently contacted order.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer program product comprising one or more computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions for implementing the method recited in claim 2 .
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
171 words
A computer program product as recited in claim 34 , wherein means for selectably changing the designated view includes a menu that identifies the plurality of views that can be selected, wherein selection of a new view from the plurality of identified views causes the user interface to display the requested contact information in the new view within the frame, and wherein the plurality of views includes at least one of the following: a social view that displays a social relationship of at least two contacts; an organizational view that displays an organizational relationship of at least two contacts; an event view that displays an event relationship of at least two contacts; a location view that displays a relationship of at least two contacts corresponding with at least one of a geographic location, time location, virtual location, and structural location; and an operability view that displays a relationship of at least two contacts corresponding with the operability of at least one of the contacts telephone, email, instant messaging, and gaming capabilities.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
49 words
A computer program product as recited in claim 34 , wherein searching means includes an input field that is displayed at the display device and that is capable of receiving input comprising at least part of a name, a word, a term, a telephone number, and an email address.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
61 words
A computer program product as recited in claim 34 , wherein filtering means includes at least one filter link displayed at the display device that is capable, when selected, of initiating a search for requested contact information from the aggregate contact information that is associated with a classification corresponding with the selected filter link and of displaying said requested contact information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer program product as recited in claim 34 , wherein at least some of the separate and distinct contact information directories are stored within a local storage medium.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer program product as recited in claim 34 , wherein at least some of the separate and distinct contact information directories are stored in a storage medium remote from the local storage medium.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer program product comprising one or more computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions for implementing the method recited in claim 21 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-04-15 | 2019-10-15 | 2020-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |