Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080244398 | Direct Preview of Wizards, Dialogs, and Secondary Dialogs - A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for previewing the user interaction steps of a wizard within a graphical user interface (GUI). User gestures are performed on the wizard's associated menu item or graphical icon to display a non-executable replica of the wizard in a variant visual style. The non-executable replica of the wizard is displayed in a variant visual style to signify that the wizard is in preview mode and that it cannot be executed as an active wizard. Predetermined GUI widgets (e.g., buttons, text boxes, checkmarks, etc.) are disabled and do not respond to user gestures. However, predetermined GUI navigational widgets (e.g., tabs, previous/next buttons, drop-down boxes) are enabled to allow the user to navigate from one wizard user interaction to another. | 10-02-2008 |
20080295020 | Appropriating User Interface Real Estate - A computer-implementable method, system and computer media for allocating and managing insignificant areas of Graphical User Interface (GUI) real estate are presented. In a preferred embodiment, the computer-implementable method includes identifying an insignificant area of GUI real estate in a GUI that is used by a first application. The identified insignificant area of GUI real estate is then populated with a graphical element of a second application. | 11-27-2008 |
20080301661 | INDICATION OF NEW FEATURES IN A SOFTWARE USER INTERFACE - A method, system and computer-readable medium for indicating new features in a software user interface are presented. In one embodiment, the method detects a version identifier corresponding to an element of a software user interface. The version identifier associates the element with a particular version of the software user interface. The method detects a preference setting for the software user interface. The preference setting designates one or more version identifiers for which corresponding elements are displayed with a visual coding. The method displays one or more user interface elements with said visual coding to a user. The visual coding indicates the elements that correspond to the version identifiers designated by the preference setting. | 12-04-2008 |
20090049383 | TOOL-TIP FOR MULTIMEDIA FILES - A tool-tip presentation system for multimedia files. The tool-tip presentation system can be configured to respond to proximity events associated with a selected entry in a list of multimedia files such as screen captured images or complete audio files. Based upon the selected entry, a corresponding multimedia sample such as a thumbnail image of a screen captured image or an audio sample of the audio file can be retrieved and presented as a tool-tip. In particular, the tool-tip can be displayed in a position which is proximate to the selected entry. In this way, one who interacts with the list of multimedia files need not load each complete multimedia file in the list in order to determine the contents of the multimedia file. Rather, the multimedia sample in the tool-tip can suffice. | 02-19-2009 |
20090055500 | Method of and System for Providing Enhanced User Control of Computer Chat - A method of and system for providing enhanced user control of computer chat minimize a chat window in response to user input and then restore the chat window in response to receipt of a message from a sender, in which the message has a predetermined characteristic. The user input may include activation of an intelligent or smart minimize function. An example of a predetermined characteristic that may cause the chat window to be restored in the intelligent minimized mode is the presence of the user's name in a chat message. Other examples of predetermined characteristics that may cause the chat window to be restored include the text of the message being in a bold font or otherwise marked as being urgent, the sender of the message being on an exception list or occupying a management position with respect to the recipient. Embodiments may include a shout function by which a sender can override the intelligent mode. Embodiments include informing the other chat participants when a participant is in intelligent minimize mode. | 02-26-2009 |
20090077486 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED DROPDOWN SELECTION LISTS AND COMBINATION BOXES - The present invention provides enhanced dropdown selection lists and combination boxes. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes: providing a graphical user interface (GUI) control that displays a dropdown list when actuated, and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating a number of entries in the dropdown list, wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia the number of entries in the dropdown list prior to display of the dropdown list. A method in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes: providing a GUI control having an entry field; and displaying indicia in the GUI control indicating whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable, wherein a user can visually determine from the indicia whether the entry field of the GUI control is writable before placing a cursor in the entry field. | 03-19-2009 |
20090083213 | Method and System for Fast Navigation in a Hierarchical Tree Control - A method, system, and computer program product for fast navigation in a hierarchical tree control. A user is able to navigate more efficiently to a target file, folder or other artifact by eliminating the need to individually expand on any intervening folders that are above in hierarchy to the target file or folder. Under a fast navigation mode, a fast navigation utility displays a hierarchical tree control based on one or more fast navigation display formats. The fast navigation display formats control (i) the type of content that is displayed in the hierarchical tree control and (ii) how the hierarchical tree control is visually displayed to a user. | 03-26-2009 |
20090100171 | PROVIDING A USER OF AN INSTANT MESSAGE CLIENT WITH AN OVER-SHOULDER STATUS - In an instant message (IM) method and system, a user of an IM client is provided with an over-shoulder status indicating the user has a visitor. The method and system further include receiving a preference setting for an over-shoulder status for defining an over-shoulder status toggle input. Mouse and keyboard strokes entered into the IM client by the user are then monitored in real-time. In response to any of the mouse and keyboard strokes matching the toggle input, the over-shoulder status is automatically toggled, whereby the over-shoulder status is updated in a contact list of at least one other IM client, such that activation of the over-shoulder status serves as a warning that the user has a visitor. | 04-16-2009 |
20090106365 | CONDITIONAL REMINDERS FOR CONVEYED ELECTRONIC MESSAGES - The present invention discloses a solution for providing conditional reminders for electronic messages. The solution can identify an electronic message conveyed from a sender to a recipient, wherein the electronic message is an email message or text exchange message. A software program can determine a response time and a response condition for the electronic message. When the response time expires and when the response condition is unsatisfied, a software program can present a reminder to the sender and/or the recipient, where the reminder indicates that a response is due. When a software program detects a recipient action that satisfies the response condition before the response time expires, no reminder will be presented to either the sender or the recipient. | 04-23-2009 |
20090106650 | CUSTOMIZING EMAIL SUBJECTS FOR SUBSCRIPTION GENERATED EMAIL MESSAGES - The present invention discloses a solution for permitting users to customize subject headings of email subscriptions. The customizations can be applied on a per subscription basis and/or on a per sender basis. Further, the customizations can be performed by a software program that changes an original email heading established by a subscription providing source. Specifically, the solution recognizes that most, if not all, subscription emails are automatically generated in consistent fashion and inherently have a repeating structure. The disclosed solution permits a user to identity portions of these repeating structures, which are to be used to generate replacement subject headings designed to be meaningful to the user. The solution can optionally maintain the original subject heading, which can be used in many situations, such as for use when replying or forwarding an email. | 04-23-2009 |
20090113342 | User-Configured Management of IM Availability Status - Communicating an Instant Messaging (IM) user's availability status message is managed by a user-defined shortcut command, which is used to generate a user-drafted status response. When the user receives an instant message at an inopportune time, the user inputs the user-defined shortcut command, which results in the user-drafted status response being automatically transmitted to a sender of the instant message that was received at the inopportune time. | 04-30-2009 |
20090282138 | System, method, and apparatus for electronic communication initiation contingent on busyness - An apparatus, system, and method for electronic communication initiation contingent on busyness. The method includes receiving a request from a requester to contact a user. The requested contact includes a request to engage in electronic communication. The method also includes determining a busyness of the user. The busyness is determined by accessing a quantity of active contact related tasks for the user. The method also includes comparing the busyness of the user to a condition. The condition is a complex condition having threshold levels for a plurality of contact related tasks. The method also includes contacting the user in response to satisfaction of the condition. | 11-12-2009 |
20090287779 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO SELECTIVELY MARK EMAIL AS PARTIALLY REVIEWED - Methods, systems, and computer readable media for selectively marking email as partially reviewed are described. An extent to which a user has reviewed an email is estimated, and a review value is assigned to the email based upon the estimated extent of review. A visual indicator associated with the email is displayed, wherein the appearance of the visual indicator is determined at least by the review value. In an exemplary embodiment, the email contains one or more recipient email addresses, wherein each recipient email address is associated with a recipient review value. In the exemplary embodiment, a visual indicator is displayed corresponding to the recipient review value associated with each recipient email address. | 11-19-2009 |
20090300522 | INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION ELEMENT ACCESS FOR UNOPENED OBJECTS - A copy request is received that individually identifies an information element associated with a first unopened object to copy from the first unopened object. The individually identified information element is copied from the first unopened object. The information element copied from the first unopened object is stored to a memory. | 12-03-2009 |
20090313336 | TRANSMISSION OF INSTANT MESSAGES ACCORDING TO AVAILABILITY - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to presence awareness for instant messaging and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for adaptive instant messaging awareness. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for adaptive instant messaging awareness can be provided. The method can include receiving an instant message for transmission to a user of an instant messaging system and determining that the user is not currently available to receive an instant message. The method can further include delaying transmission of the instant message to the user until a later determination that the user is available to receive an instant message. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313554 | EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS THAT INCLUDE A THREAD STATUS INDICATOR - A solution for interacting using electronic mail (email) is disclosed. An email thread can be identified, wherein the email thread includes at least a thread initiating email message and at least one response to the thread initiating email message. A thread status indicator can be established for the email thread. The thread status indictor can have a multitude of values. One of the values can reflect that a response has completed the email thread so that additional responses to the thread initiating email message are unnecessary. Another of the values can reflect that no response has completed the email thread so that additional responses to the thread initiating email message are necessary. The thread status indicator can be conveyed to a set of parties participating in the email thread. | 12-17-2009 |
20100077332 | TRANSIENT INDICATION OF RECENTLY-CHANGED OBJECT ELEMENTS - An addition of an object or a change to an object is detected within a document. At least one of a time date-stamp or an embellishment of the object is provided, indicative of a relative time at which the change was made to the object. When an embellishment is associated with the object, the object is displayed the object with the embellishment, where the embellishment provides a visual indication of both a location and a change status of the object that was recently changed within the document, relative to a remainder of the document. When a time date-stamp is associated with the object, the object is displayed along with the time date-stamp within the document to provide a visual indication of the time and date at which the change was made to the object relative to a remainder of information within the document. | 03-25-2010 |
20100241483 | METHOD FOR IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF USER EVENTS SCHEDULED DURING A USER ABSENCE PERIOD - A solution for improved management of user events scheduled during a user absence period a determination module configured to determine a user absence period having a start date and an end date. A detection module configured to detect a new user event scheduled during the user absence period. A reporting module configured to report statistics on the new user events. A response module configured to automatically respond to the new user event scheduled during the user absence period, the new user event scheduled after the user absence period is defined. A definition module configured to define the user absence period having a start date and an end date. A search module configured to search two or more calendaring repositories for a scheduled user event having a start/end date during the user absence period, and a presentation module configured to present to the user the scheduled user event. | 09-23-2010 |
20110072091 | AUTOMATED CALENDAR-BASED INSTANT MESSAGING CONTROLS - An instant message addressed to a recipient associated with an instant messaging device is received at the instant messaging device. A configured calendar event for the recipient associated with a time period during which the instant message is received is determined. Authorization information associated with a sender of the instant message is received. The instant message is processed based upon the configured calendar event for the recipient and the authorization information associated with the sender of the instant message. | 03-24-2011 |
20110145744 | ABBREVIATED USER INTERFACE FOR INSTANT MESSAGING TO MINIMIZE ACTIVE WINDOW FOCUS CHANGES - An abbreviated user interface for instant messaging (or other type of communications occurring in a graphical user interface environment permitting concurrent running of multiple application) is provided. The abbreviated user interface is different from a related primary user interface and is presented when the primary user interface is instantiated, yet is not on top of a z-order of a graphical environment. The abbreviated user interface can be a light-weight one that permits a user to quickly read messages. In one embodiment, a user can create outgoing messages using the abbreviated user interface. Presentation of the abbreviated user interface can require a user action, such as hovering a pointer over a task bar element for a duration or pressing a hot-key combination. In one embodiment, presentation of an otherwise unread message within the abbreviated interface for a designated time can cause the message to be marked as read. | 06-16-2011 |
20110246591 | MARKING EMAIL AS PARTIALLY REVIEWED BASED ON SCROLLING EXTENT - An extent to which a user has reviewed an email is estimated, and a review value is assigned to the email based upon the estimated extent of review. A visual indicator associated with the email is displayed, wherein the appearance of the visual indicator is determined at least by the review value. In an exemplary embodiment, the email contains one or more recipient email addresses, wherein each recipient email address is associated with a recipient review value. In the exemplary embodiment, a visual indicator is displayed corresponding to the recipient review value associated with each recipient email address. | 10-06-2011 |
20120084645 | CUSTOMIZING EMAIL SUBJECTS FOR SUBSCRIPTION GENERATED EMAIL MESSAGES - A solution for permitting users to customize subject headings of email subscriptions is disclosed. The customizations can be applied on a per subscription basis and/or on a per sender basis. Further, the customizations can be performed by a software program that changes an original email heading established by a subscription providing source. Specifically, the solution recognizes that most, if not all, subscription emails are automatically generated in consistent fashion and inherently have a repeating structure. The disclosed solution permits a user to identity portions of these repeating structures, which are to be used to generate replacement subject headings designed to be meaningful to the user. The solution can optionally maintain the original subject heading, which can be used in many situations, such as for use when replying or forwarding an email. | 04-05-2012 |
20120117489 | USER-CONFIGURED MANAGEMENT OF IM AVAILABILITY STATUS - A method includes associating a user-defined shortcut command with at least two different user-drafted status responses. In response to a user receiving a first instant message from a first sender at an inopportune time and the user then inputting the user-defined shortcut command, the method includes automatically transmitting a first user-draft status response to the first sender of the first instant message that was received at the inopportune time. In response to the user receiving a second message from a second sender at the inopportune time and the user then inputting the user-defined shortcut command, the method includes automatically transmitting a second user-draft status response to the second sender of the instant message that was received at the inopportune time. A relationship between the first sender and the user is different than a relationship between the second sender and the user. | 05-10-2012 |
20120296859 | MANAGEMENT OF USER EVENTS SCHEDULED DURING A USER ABSENCE PERIOD - User events scheduled during a user absence period are managed by identifying a user absence period and a buffer period on a user calendar. At least one calendaring repository is searched to determine whether there are user events with a due date coming due during the user absence period that were scheduled prior to a user defining the user absence period and a response is made to each located user event. Moreover, at least one calendaring repository is searched to determine whether there are user events with a due date coming due during the buffer period that were scheduled prior to the user defining the buffer period and a response is made to each located user event in a manner differently from responding to user events coming due during the user absence period. | 11-22-2012 |
20130007704 | CODE REVIEWER SELECTION IN A DISTRIBUTED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT - Embodiments of the present provide a method, system and computer program product for reviewer selection during distributed software development. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for reviewer selection during distributed software development can include receiving a request to review a module of source code stored in a source code repository and managed by an IDE executing in memory of a computer. The method also can include retrieving meta-data for the module of source code referencing different collaborators previously accessing the module of source code in the IDE. The method yet further can include ranking the collaborators according to at least one user centric characteristic of the module of source code. Finally, the method can include selecting a highest ranked one of the collaborators to review the module of source code. | 01-03-2013 |
20130144947 | Using Text Summaries of Images to Conduct Bandwidth Sensitive Status Updates - Systems and methods of conducting status updates may incorporating a text summary of an image into a status update message, and determining whether to incorporate the image into the status update message based on a network condition associated with a network. In addition, the status update message can be sent via the network wherein, in one example, the status message is sent only to remote parties having a status that satisfies a relevance condition with respect to the content of the text summary. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144959 | Using Text Summaries of Images to Conduct Bandwidth Sensitive Status Updates - Systems and methods of conducting status updates may incorporating a text summary of an image into a status update message, and determining whether to incorporate the image into the status update message based on a network condition associated with a network. In addition, the status update message can be sent via the network wherein, in one example, the status message is sent only to remote parties having a status that satisfies a relevance condition with respect to the content of the text summary. | 06-06-2013 |