US7512654B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for facilitating user input by providing dynamically generated completion information
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 2004-11-15
•
Granted: 2009-03-31
•
Expires: 2024-11-15
Abstract
Abstract The system and method of the present invention automatically provides dynamically generated completion information for facilitating user input of email addresses or contact information. This completion information is developed from a “data store” comprised of multiple data sources such as previously sent or received email, and other types of electronic files such as word processor or spreadsheet files. The present invention monitors and uses the information in the data store to automatically store, track, maintain, and organize data entries in a dynamic “resolution list”. As a user begins to input an email address or contact, the present invention can either automatically complete the entry using a most probable result from the resolution list, or can display a list of likely matches from which the user may select the desired email address or contact.
Inventors
- 👤 John Tafoya
- 👤 David Cortright
- 👤 Daniel Crevier
- 👤 James O'Connor
- 👤 Michael Fullerton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/166; G06F40/177; G06F40/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99932; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99936; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/965; Y10S715/966; Y10S715/968
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A method in a computer system for providing automatically generated completion information from entries in a dynamic list via a user interface, comprising using a computer to perform the following steps: a step for dynamically tracking a data store of items comprising a plurality of electronic documents including one or more of word processor files, spreadsheet files, and presentation files; a step for analyzing and extracting contact information from the contents of items within the data store; a step for adding the contact information to the dynamic list; a step for dynamically generating suggested entries from the contact information and related to user entry data; and a step for providing the suggested entries in the dynamic list via the user interface in real time as the user enters the data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A method in a computer system for providing automatically generated completion information from entries in a dynamic list via a user interface, comprising using a computer to perform the following steps: a step for dynamically tracking a data store of items comprising a plurality of electronic documents including one or more of word processor files, spreadsheet files, and presentation files; a step for analyzing and extracting contact information from the contents of items within the data store; a step for adding the contact information to the dynamic list; a step for dynamically generating suggested entries from the contact information and related to user entry data; and a step for providing the suggested entries in the dynamic list via the user interface in real time as the user enters the data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data store further includes: at least one of previously sent and received email; email addresses and contacts that exist within previous systems; email stores located on at least one of local and public servers; current and previous contact databases; and data embedded within other electronic application files.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step for providing automatically generated completion information comprises a step for providing a most probable match from the list to a portion of the user entry data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step for dynamically tracking a data store further comprises a step for scanning electronic files of at least one of particular types and in specific locations to locate contact information within the files.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising a step for scanning the electronic files as they enter the data store.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising a step for excluding particular electronic files within the data store from scanning.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising a step for excluding email received from at least one of specific email addresses and Internet domains from scanning.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step for analyzing and extracting contact information from items within data store further comprises steps for: locating at least one of email addresses and contact information in the items; copying the information to a temporary storage; formatting the information; and providing the information for possible inclusion in the list.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step for adding the contact information to the dynamic list further comprises a step for adding the contact information to the list if the information has a weight of at least one of equal and greater than contact information already in the list.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising a step for not adding information to the list if it is already stored in the list.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising a step for not adding information to the list if it is already stored in an address book.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising a step for updating contact information already in the list by matching contact information extracted from the data store.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step for adding new contact information to the list as new information enters the data store.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step for dynamically weighting entries based on the number of times that the entries have been used, and how recently the entries have been used.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step for constraining the size of the list.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step for varying the size of the list.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising a step for weighting entries wherein entries having greater weights replace entries having equal or lower weights if the list is full.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step for automatically adding new entries to the list after those entries are first used.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step for automatically removing entries-from the list if they are added to an address book.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step for providing a capability to browse the list via the user interface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step for selectively adding entries from the list to an address book via the user interface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step for automatically suggesting to a user that specific entries from the list be added to at least one of an address book and contact database via the user interface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
99 words
A computer-readable medium having computer readable instructions for performing steps, comprising: deriving a set of entries by dynamically tracking a data store and analyzing and extracting contact information from the contents of items within the data store the items within the data store comprising a plurality of electronic documents including one or more of word processor files, spreadsheet files, and presentation files; dynamically generating a set of results from the contact information and related to user data entry; and providing the results in real time as a dynamic output of a display device as the user enters the data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
99 words
A computer-readable medium having computer readable instructions for performing steps, comprising: deriving a set of entries by dynamically tracking a data store and analyzing and extracting contact information from the contents of items within the data store the items within the data store comprising a plurality of electronic documents including one or more of word processor files, spreadsheet files, and presentation files; dynamically generating a set of results from the contact information and related to user data entry; and providing the results in real time as a dynamic output of a display device as the user enters the data.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 23 , further comprising at least one selectable interface option displayed on the dynamic output of the display device to enable selection of a result in the resolution list in real time.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein the data store further includes at least one of: previously sent and received email; email addresses and contacts that exist within previous systems; email stores located on at least one of local and public servers; current and previous contact databases; and data embedded within other electronic application files.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein the dynamically the set of results comprises providing a most probable match from the entries to a portion of the user entry data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein analyzing and extracting contact information from items within data store comprises: locating at least one of email addresses and contact information in the items; copying the information to a temporary storage; formatting the information; and providing the information for possible inclusion in the list.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 23 further comprising an interface option that automatically suggests to a user that specific entries be added to at least one of an address book and contact database.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a user interface selection device, a method for providing automatically generated completion information from entries in a dynamic list to a user, comprising the steps of: analyzing and extracting contact information from the contents of items within a data store to dynamically track entries, said items within the data store comprising a plurality of electronic documents including one or more of word processor files, spreadsheet files, and presentation files; generating suggested entries from the contact information that is related to entry data of the user; and a user interface menu that displays the suggested entries in the dynamic list in real time as the user enters the data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a user interface selection device, a method for providing automatically generated completion information from entries in a dynamic list to a user, comprising the steps of: analyzing and extracting contact information from the contents of items within a data store to dynamically track entries, said items within the data store comprising a plurality of electronic documents including one or more of word processor files, spreadsheet files, and presentation files; generating suggested entries from the contact information that is related to entry data of the user; and a user interface menu that displays the suggested entries in the dynamic list in real time as the user enters the data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer system of claim 29 wherein the data store further includes at least one of: previously sent and received email; email addresses and contacts that exist within previous systems; email stores located on at least one of local and public servers; current and previous contact databases; and data embedded within other electronic application files.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer system of claim 29 wherein providing the automatically generated completion information comprises providing a most probable match from the list to a portion of the user entry data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer system of claim 29 , wherein the menu is a pop-up menu that appears in close proximity to an area where the user enters the data.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US6405060B1
Cited
US6377965B1
Cited
US5896321A
Cited
US6438608B2
Cited
US6208339B1
Cited
US6539421B1
Cited
US7181497B1
Cited
US6564264B1
Cited
US6766069B1
Cited
US6564213B1
Cited
US6829607B1
Cited
US6952805B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2012-03-30 | 2012-09-29 | 2013-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-03-30 | 2016-09-29 | 2017-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-03-30 | 2020-09-29 | 2021-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |