System and method providing a computer user interface enabling access to distributed workgroup members
US5793365A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 2, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 2, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/1831
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method provides each networked computer user with a user interface displaying visual representations of selected other computer users, generally of those workers in the user's workgroup, and further provides communication mechanisms for efficiently and easily contacting any of the displayed workers. The visual representations of the other users are frequently updated to indicate the activity level of these users. These activity level cues help users predict if the other users are likely to be available for an interaction. The user interface also includes a display portion and mechanism for storing data files and the like so that all workgroup members may accumulate a set data files commonly used by the workgroup, and may transfer files in this manner to other workgroup members. The data files may be stored in association with specific interactive discussion windows, known as chat rooms, or directly in the user interface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.