Conversation grouping of electronic mail records

US7716593B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Microsoft Corporation · US

Inventors

• Jose H. Durazo · Seattle, US
• Jensen M. Harris · Kirkland, US
• Jesse Clay Satterfield · Seattle, US
• Martijn E. Van Tilburg · Kirkland, US
• William A. Avery · Redmond, US
• Bruce D. Wiedemann · Redmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 2004
• Grant date: May 11, 2010
• Expiry date: Aug 19, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/107
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Improved conversation grouping methods and systems are provided for electronic mail records. Electronic mail messages that are unread or flagged for follow-up are automatically displayed under an associated conversation grouping heading. If a conversation grouping contains only a single unread or flagged electronic mail message, the single electronic mail message is automatically displayed under the conversation grouping heading for review by a user. For a conversation grouping having no unread or flagged electronic mail messages, the latest electronic mail message in the grouping is automatically displayed under the conversation grouping heading.