Method and computerized apparatus for distinguishing between read and unread messages listed in a graphical message window
US5835084A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 10, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 1, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q10/107
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer-implemented messaging application (e.g., e-mail, browser, paging) lists messages addressed to a user in a graphical message window of a graphical user interface. The message window lists both read and unread messages. The read messages are displayed visually differently than the unread messages to distinguish between the two types. A highlight bar identifies a particular message in the list. The message window has a preview pane in which the highlighted message can be previewed by a user without opening that message into a separate window. Heuristics are employed to determine whether the user is likely to be reading the message while it is displayed in the preview pane. For instance, scrolling the message in the preview pane is evidence that the user is likely to be reading the message. If any heuristic condition is met, the message is marked as read.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.