U.S. patent application number 12/861029 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-16 for method and system for improved electronic task flagging and management.
This patent application is currently assigned to Microsoft Corporation. Invention is credited to Glenn L. Frankel, Stephen D. Jensen, Richard H. Leukart, Melissa R. MacBeth, Hernan Savastano, Cheryl L. Williams.
Application Number | 20100318924 12/861029 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35840202 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100318924 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frankel; Glenn L. ; et
al. |
December 16, 2010 |
Method and System for Improved Electronic Task Flagging and
Management
Abstract
An improved method and system are provided for creating tasks
and for inputting information associated with created tasks
according to an electronic task management application or system.
Electronic correspondence items may be flagged as tasks. Upon
flagging an individual electronic correspondence item, a
corresponding task is created for the flagged item, and the created
task is then populated into and exposed by one or more applications
used for displaying tasks such as a tasks application, calendar
application, or electronic to-do list application. Properties such
as task start dates and task categories may be applied to the
created task, as desired.
Inventors: |
Frankel; Glenn L.; (Atlanta,
GA) ; Jensen; Stephen D.; (Monroe, WA) ;
Leukart; Richard H.; (Seattle, WA) ; Savastano;
Hernan; (Seattle, WA) ; Williams; Cheryl L.;
(Redmond, WA) ; MacBeth; Melissa R.; (Seattle,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD (MICROSOFT)
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
35840202 |
Appl. No.: |
12/861029 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10955232 |
Sep 30, 2004 |
7788589 |
|
|
12861029 |
|
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/752 ;
715/772 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/752 ;
715/772 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048; G06F 3/01 20060101 G06F003/01; G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A method for marking a mail item for recognition as a task item,
comprising: associating a task flagging control with a mail item;
receiving a selection of the task flagging control; and in response
to receiving a selection of the task flagging control,
automatically applying at least one property to the mail item,
wherein applying the at least one property to the mail item
comprises making the mail item available to at least one of the
following: a calendar application and a task application.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the task item
in a list of task items.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising displaying the list of
task items in a task list user interface.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically applying at least
one property to the mail item comprises applying a start date
property to the mail item.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein applying a start date property to
the task item includes applying the start date property from a
context menu at least one start date property.
6. The method of claim 4, further comprising populating the task
flagging control with a visual icon for identifying the start date
property applied to the task item.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically applying
a default start date property to the mail item.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically applying at least
one property to the mail item comprises applying a task category
property to the mail item.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein applying a task category property
to the mail item includes applying the task category property from
a context menu containing at least one task category property.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising populating the task
flagging control with a visual identifier for identifying the task
category property applied to the mail item.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein populating the task flagging
control with a visual identifier for identifying the task category
property applied to the mail item includes populating the task
flagging control with a unique color associated with the task
category property applied to the task item.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically applying at least
one property to the mail item comprises applying a default task
category property to the mail item.
13. A computer-readable medium having a set of instructions which
when executed by a computer perform a method for marking a mail
item for recognition as a task item, the method executed by the set
of instructions comprising: associating a task flagging control
with a mail item; receiving a selection of the task flagging
control, wherein receiving the selection of the task flagging
control comprises receiving the selection from the context menu
accessed via a quick flag box adjacent to the mail item; and in
response to receiving a selection of the task flagging control,
automatically applying at least one property to the mail.
14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein applying the
at least one property to the mail item comprises making the mail
item available to at least one of the following: a calendar
application and a task application.
15. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein applying the
at least one property to the mail item comprises applying at least
one user-customized property to the mail item.
16. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein automatically
applying the at least one property to the mail item comprises
applying at least one of the following: a default start date
property, a default task category, and a default due date to the
mail item.
17. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, further comprising
storing the task item in a list of task items.
18. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, further comprising
displaying the list of task items in a task list user
interface.
19. A system for marking a mail item for recognition as a task
item, the system comprising: a memory storage; and a processing
unit coupled to the memory storage, wherein the processing unit is
configured to: associate a task flagging control with the mail item
displayed in a user interface, wherein the task flagging control
comprises a context menu displaying selection options for
customizing the mail item as the task item; receive a selection of
the task flagging control from the context menu accessed via a
quick flag box adjacent to the mail item; and apply, in response to
receiving the selection of the task flagging control, at least one
property to the mail item, wherein applying the at least one
property to the mail item comprises: making the mail item available
to at least one of the following: a calendar application and a task
application, and adding the mail item to a tasks list.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processing unit being
configured to applying the at least one property to the mail item
comprises the processing unit being configured to configure the
mail item with at least one of the following: a calendar
application and a task application.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/955,232 entitled "Method and System for
Improved Electronic Task Flagging and Management" filed Sep. 30,
2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the advent of the computer age, computer and software
users have grown accustomed to user-friendly software applications
that help them write, calculate, organize, prepare presentations,
send and receive electronic mail, make music, and the like. For
example, electronic mail systems allow users to send, receive,
respond to and store a variety of mail messages and related
information. Electronic calendar systems allow users to store,
organize and view meeting dates, appointments and tasks. Electronic
task management applications allow users to store, organize and
view a variety of tasks that a use must complete or that a user
desires to complete according to various time schedules.
[0003] However, even with the available functionality of such
systems, many users of modern electronic calendar and task
management applications still resort to paper task or "to-do" lists
on which they write tasks they need to perform or upcoming events,
such as appointments or meetings. One reason users resort to such
manual systems is because of a real or perceived difficulty
associated with inputting tasks and related information into an
electronic task management application. For example, typical
electronic task management applications require users to launch a
task input user interface followed by input of information
associated with a task or upcoming event.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved task input and
management method and system that allows users to easily create
tasks and input information associated with created tasks. It is
with respect to these and other considerations that the present
invention has been made.
SUMMARY
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention solve the above and
other problems by providing an improved method and system for
identifying data items as task items and for inputting information
associated such task items according to an electronic task
management application or system. Generally described, according to
aspects of the invention, any data item may be annotated (flagged)
with information that causes the data item to be recognized as a
task item by applications that aggregate, display or otherwise use
task and task-like items. Upon flagging an individual data item,
the flagged data item is then populated into and exposed by one or
more applications used for displaying tasks such as a tasks
application, calendar application, or electronic to-do list
application.
[0006] According to aspects of the invention, a quick flag box is
displayed adjacent to every electronic correspondence item that may
be flagged as a task. Upon selection of the quick flag box for any
electronic correspondence item, a property is set for the item that
causes the item to be populated into and displayed by applications
that display tasks, such as calendar applications, tasks
applications, or electronic to-do lists applications. According to
other aspects, additional properties may be applied to a flagged
item including start dates and task categories. Additional
properties may be applied to a flagged item from a launched menu of
task properties that is contextually related to the selected
flagged item. In addition, properties may be applied to individual
task items from top-level actions menus and mail inspector
applications.
[0007] These and other features and advantages, which characterize
the present invention, will be apparent from a reading of the
following detailed description and a review of the associated
drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a
personal computer that provides an illustrative operating
environment for embodiments of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is illustrates a computer screen display showing an
electronic mail application user interface according to embodiments
of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a computer screen display showing a
context menu for applying one or more properties to individual data
items so that other applications will recognize the data items as
task items according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a context menu for applying one or more
properties to individual data items so that other applications will
recognize the data items as task items according to embodiments of
the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a computer screen display showing an
electronic mail viewer user interface and an associated context
menu for applying one or more properties to one or more data items
so that other applications will recognize the data items as task
items according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a computer screen display for setting a
specific date and time for a data item marked as a task according
to embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a computer screen display of a menu for
setting default behavior associated with data items marked as task
items according to embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] As briefly described above, embodiments of the present
invention are directed to an improved task input and management
method and system that allows users to easily mark data items as
tasks and input information associated with marked data items. In
the following detailed description, references are made to the
accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are
shown by way of illustrations specific embodiments or examples.
These embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be
utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from
the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following
detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting
sense and the scope of the present invention is defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
[0016] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals
represent like elements through the several figures, aspects of the
present invention and the exemplary operating environment will be
described. FIG. 1 and the following discussion are intended to
provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing
environment in which the invention may be implemented. While the
invention will be described in the general context of program
modules that execute in conjunction with an application program
that runs on an operating system on a personal computer, those
skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may also be
implemented in combination with other program modules.
[0017] Generally, program modules include routines, programs,
components, data structures, and other types of structures that
perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data
types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
invention may be practiced with other computer system
configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor
systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,
minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may
also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks
are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through
a communications network. In a distributed computing environment,
program modules may be located in both local and remote memory
storage devices.
[0018] Turning now to FIG. 1, an illustrative computer architecture
for a personal computer 2 for practicing the various embodiments of
the invention will be described. The computer architecture shown in
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional personal computer, including a
central processing unit 4 ("CPU"), a system memory 6, including a
random access memory 8 ("RAM") and a read-only memory ("ROM") 10,
and a system bus 12 that couples the memory to the CPU 4. A basic
input/output system containing the basic routines that help to
transfer information between elements within the computer, such as
during startup, is stored in the ROM 10. The personal computer 2
further includes a mass storage device 14 for storing an operating
system 16, application programs, such as the application program
205, and data.
[0019] The mass storage device 14 is connected to the CPU 4 through
a mass storage controller (not shown) connected to the bus 12. The
mass storage device 14 and its associated computer-readable media,
provide non-volatile storage for the personal computer 2. Although
the description of computer-readable media contained herein refers
to a mass storage device, such as a hard disk or CD-ROM drive, it
should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
computer-readable media can be any available media that can be
accessed by the personal computer 2.
[0020] By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable
media may comprise computer storage media and communication media.
Computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile,
removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or
technology for storage of information such as computer-readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.
Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,
EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology,
CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic
tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or
any other medium which can be used to store the desired information
and which can be accessed by the computer.
[0021] According to various embodiments of the invention, the
personal computer 2 may operate in a networked environment using
logical connections to remote computers through a TCP/IP network
18, such as the Internet. The personal computer 2 may connect to
the TCP/IP network 18 through a network interface unit 20 connected
to the bus 12. It should be appreciated that the network interface
unit 20 may also be utilized to connect to other types of networks
and remote computer systems. The personal computer 2 may also
include an input/output controller 22 for receiving and processing
input from a number of devices, including a keyboard or mouse (not
shown). Similarly, an input/output controller 22 may provide output
to a display screen, a printer, or other type of output device.
[0022] As mentioned briefly above, a number of program modules and
data files may be stored in the mass storage device 14 and RAM 8 of
the personal computer 2, including an operating system 16 suitable
for controlling the operation of a networked personal computer,
such as the WINDOWS operating systems from Microsoft Corporation of
Redmond, Wash. The mass storage device 14 and RAM 8 may also store
one or more application programs. In particular, the mass storage
device 14 and RAM 8 may store an application 105 for providing a
variety of functionalities to a user. For instance, the application
105 may comprise many types of programs such as a word processing
application program, a spreadsheet application, a desktop
publishing, and the like. According to an embodiment of the present
invention, the application 105 comprises a multiple functionality
software application for providing a user calendar functionality,
electronic tasks functionality, electronic mail functionality,
contacts information functionality, electronic notes functionality,
electronic journal functionality and the like. Some of the
individual program modules comprising the multiple functionality
application 105 include a calendar application 125, an electronic
mail application 130, a contacts application 135, a tasks
application 140, a notes application 145 and a journal application
(not shown). An example of such a multiple functionality
application 105 is OUTLOOK.RTM. manufactured by Microsoft
Corporation.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a computer screen display of an
electronic mail application user interface according to embodiments
of the present invention. The user interface 200 is illustrative of
an electronic mail application 130 user interface for displaying
electronic data items received, sent or stored in a variety of
storage folders. An example electronic mail application user
interface illustrated in FIG. 2 is provided by OUTLOOK.RTM.
manufactured and marketed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond,
Wash.
[0024] The user interface 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an
inbox 210 with which the user may view a listing of electronic data
items that have been received by the user, that have been sent by
the user, or which have been stored in one or more user-established
storage folders. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a number of electronic
data items are listed in the inbox pane 210. To the right of the
inbox 210, a view or preview pane 230 is illustrated for displaying
the contents of a selected data item. As is appreciated by those
skilled in the art, if the user has activated a preview, the user
may receive a preview of the contents of a selected data item by
focusing on the data item in the inbox 210.
[0025] Along the lower left-hand corner of the user interface 200
is an application selection pane 225 containing selectable
functionality controls for selecting other types of functionality
provided by the multiple functionality software application 105
(described above) through which the user's electronic mail
application is provided. For example, the display of the electronic
mail user interface 200 is in response to selection of the "Mail"
control. If the user wishes to launch a user interface associated
with a tasks application 140, the user may select the "Tasks"
control to launch the functionality of the tasks application 140
including presentation of a user interface 200 associated with the
tasks application. Likewise, the user may select the "Contacts"
control to launch the functionality of a contacts application 135
and an associated user interface 200 for displaying information and
functionality for a contacts application 135.
[0026] Referring still to FIG. 2, a To Do bar 240 is illustrated.
According to embodiments of the invention, functionality of the
To-Do bar 240 is provided by the multiple functionality application
105. As described below, according to one displayed embodiment of
the present invention, the To-Do bar 240 includes a date picker
control, an appointments/meetings view, a task input panel, and a
task list. According to embodiments of the present invention, the
To-Do bar 240 is always displayed in the user interface 200 so that
a user has a quick and easy view of upcoming meetings, appointments
and tasks without the need to launch specific applications, for
example, calendar applications and tasks applications, for
obtaining that information. For a detailed description of the To-Do
bar 240, see U.S. patent application having Ser. No. 10/955,928,
entitled "Improved User Interface For Providing Task Management and
Calendar Information," which is incorporated herein by reference as
if fully set out herein.
[0027] Referring still to FIG. 2, according to embodiments of the
present invention, data items may be marked for recognition by
other applications as tasks or task-like items. Marking such data
items for recognition as task items may include flagging the data
items with task properties such as task start dates and/or task
categories. Any number of data items may be marked for recognition
as task items, such as electronic correspondence items, including
electronic mail items, meeting requests, meeting responses, task
requests and task responses. Other data items that may be marked
for recognition as task items include text selections, spreadsheet
data, contacts information and the like. For purposes of example,
operation of embodiments of the present invention is described
herein in the context of marking or flagging electronic data items
for recognition as task items. But, as should be appreciated, the
functionality of the present invention is equally applicable to
other data items as set forth above.
[0028] A pop-up context menu 265 is illustrated for applying one or
more properties, for example, task start dates and task categories,
to a selected data item so that the flagged data item becomes a
task item bearing the applied properties. Once a data item is
flagged as a task, according to embodiments of the present
invention, the properties applied to the data item, for example,
start date and task category, will dictate the position of the
corresponding task item in a task list provided by a tasks
application 140 or provided by a task list contained in a To-Do bar
240. For example, if a given data item is flagged with a start date
property of "today" and a category of "work project," a
corresponding task may be displayed in a user's task list along
with other tasks having a start date of "today," and the task will
bear a category icon indicating that the task is associated with
the "work project" category. Thus, the user is able to
automatically mark a data item as a task without the need for
launching a user interface, completing a task entry form, and
submitting the form to a tasks application 140 for creation and
storage of the desired task item.
[0029] Individual data items are flagged as tasks using a task
flagging control (hereinafter referred to as a "quick flag box")
that is displayed to the right of every data item that may be
flagged according to embodiments of the present invention.
Referring still to FIG. 2, the quick flag box is comprised of two
components. The flag icon 255 represents whether an item has been
flagged as a task. If an item has a flag icon showing in the quick
flag box, the item has been flagged as a task and will appear in
any user interface that displays tasks such as is provided by the
tasks application 140, and as is displayed in the To-Do bar 240.
According to embodiments of the present invention, a triple-flag
icon indicates a start date that matches or precedes the current
date. Or, the triple-flag icon may be used to indicate a start date
of today. Referring to FIG. 2, a triple-flag icon 255 is
illustrated next to a data item in the inbox 210. A double-flag
icon, as illustrated in the context menu 265, indicates tasks
having a start date matching a next work-day, or a task item having
a start date within the current week other than today. A
single-flag icon 275 indicates tasks having a start date past the
current week. According to one embodiment of the present invention,
the flag icon for a given task changes at midnight, as necessary.
That is, if a task item bears a double-flag icon indicating a start
date of "Tomorrow," at midnight, the flag icon will be changed to a
triple-flag icon indicating that the task has a start date of
"Today." As should be appreciated, the flagging icons described
above are by way of example. A number of different icons may be
used to indicate different task start dates or due dates.
[0030] A second property that may be applied to a created task is a
category for the created task. A number of task categories that are
system-defined or user-defined may be applied to individual tasks.
For example, a user may define a first task category associated
with a given work project. A second task category may be assigned
to a second given work project. A third task category may be
assigned to a personal project. A fourth task category may be
assigned to a vacation project, and so on. As should be
appreciated, the example task categories described herein are not
limiting of the great variety of task categories that may be
designed by a user or that may be system designed. According to
embodiments of the present invention, a task color is assigned to
each task category to distinguish one category from another.
Accordingly, in addition to applying a timing property to a
selected data item, a category property may also be applied to the
selected data item to categorize the corresponding task item.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a variety of task flagging
combinations may be applied to a given data item. For example, the
flag icon 255 has been applied to an associated data item in the
inbox 210, but no category color has been applied to the quick flag
box containing the flag icon 255. Thus, the corresponding task item
has a selected start date associated with the flag icon 255, but
the task item has not been categorized by the user. The quick flag
box 275 illustrates the application of a single flag icon
indicating a start date past the current week, and the quick flag
box has been colored light green to indicate a particular task
category. For example, as shown in the context menu 265, the light
green coloring is associated with a task category of "IT upgrade."
Referring to the bottom portion of the inbox 210, the quick flag
box 250 is illustrated that has been colored blue according to an
associated task category. However, the quick flag box 250 does not
include a flag icon indicating that no start date or due date has
been set for the corresponding task item. Beneath the quick flag
box 250 is a quick flag box 270 that has not been selected for
creation of a task. That is, the quick flag box 270 has not been
colored according to a given task category, and no flag icon has
been applied to the corresponding data item. Thus, no task has been
created for the corresponding data item.
[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
tool-tip box may be provided that may deploy when a user hovers a
mouse cursor over a given quick flag box 250, 270, 275. The
tool-tip box may provide information to a user as to how to utilize
the quick flag box. For example, a tool tip may instruct a user to
right-click on a given quick flag box to launch a context menu 265
for applying one or more task flagging properties to a task created
from the associated data item. According to an embodiment of the
present invention, if a given data item bears other informational
icons, for example reminder icons, a corresponding task item will
also bear the additional informational icons.
[0033] As briefly described above, according to embodiments of the
present invention, any items that appear in a mail folder of an
electronic mail application 130 may be flagged for creation of a
task. Such data items include electronic mail messages, meeting
requests, meeting responses, task requests, and task responses.
Flagging a data item for creation of a task causes the multiple
functionality application 105 or the individual electronic mail
application 130 to set special properties on the flagged data item.
Setting properties on the flagged data item will cause a data item
to appear in a tasks application 140 user interface for showing
task items or in the To-Do bar 240 illustrated in FIG. 2.
Additionally, flagged data items may appear in a calendar user
interface provided by a calendar application 125 via a search
folder. Properties set on a selected data item include a task
subject to allow the task item to have a title without requiring
changes to the subject line of the corresponding data item. A due
date and time, a start date, a date completed and any selected menu
items applied to the flagged item are properties applied to a data
item according to embodiments of the present invention. Properties
may be set on data items for ordering corresponding task items
relative to other displayed task items. According to embodiments of
the present invention, when a user flags a task request contained
in a mail folder, properties of an embedded task contained in the
task request are not affected by properties set for the associated
data item for creating a task.
[0034] Having described the task flagging functionality according
to embodiments of the present invention with respect to FIG. 2
above, FIGS. 3 through 7 and the associated description below,
describe methods for applying a flag to an individual data item to
create a corresponding task item for use and display by a calendar
application 125, a tasks application 140, or for inclusion in a
task list in a To-Do bar 240. As briefly described above, data
items may be flagged as new tasks by selecting the quick flag boxes
associated with displayed data items and by applying task flagging
properties through a context menu 265, a radial menu (not shown), a
mail inspector application, or from a top-level actions menu.
[0035] Referring back to FIG. 2, when a user performs a single
selection action, such as a primary left mouse click, on a quick
flag box 250, 270, 275 associated with a given data item, the item
will automatically be identified or marked as a corresponding task
item that is scheduled with a default start date of today. The item
then appears below the current day on a calendar application user
interface and in the "Today" group of a task list such as the task
list illustrated in the To-Do bar 240, or in a task list provided
by the tasks application 140. By default, selecting the item's
quick flag box does not assign any task category to the item.
However, if desired, a default task category may be set, as
described below, which will be automatically applied to a flagged
data item for the corresponding task item.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when a user performs a secondary
selection action, for example, a right mouse click, on the quick
flag box 250, 270, 275 for a given data item, the context menu 265
is deployed. As described below, the context menu 265 may also be
deployed from the top-level actions menu selectable from a
top-level tool bar associated with the given software application
125, 130, 140. Once the context menu 265 is deployed, a user may
select specific timing properties (e.g., start date, due date,
etc.), task category properties, and other properties including
reminder properties and task complete properties. As set forth
above, basic selection of a given data item for marking a
corresponding task item sets a default start date of today and sets
no category for the created task.
[0037] With the context menu 265, a user may customize start date
or due date properties and category properties for the created
task. For example, if a user desires a start date of this week, the
user may select the "This Week" control 330 from the context menu
265 to apply the associated start date property to the new task.
Selection of the "This Week" control 330 also populates the quick
flag box with an associated single flag icon 320 as illustrated for
the quick flag box 275.
[0038] If the user desires to assign a particular task category to
the created task item, the user may select one of the category
controls, for example, the "Smith Project" control 340, the "London
Trip" control 345, or the "IT Upgrade" category. The bottom portion
of the context menu 265 shows the top five most frequently used
category names in order of frequency of use with the associated
color controls 340, 345. In addition, a user may assign multiple
categories to a selected item. For example, the category "Carson
project" illustrated in the context menu 265 is associated with
multiple categories, and accordingly, the color applied to the
quick flag box upon application of the "Carson project" category is
comprised of multiple colors associated with the multiple
categories assigned to the associated data item and new task item.
As should be understood, the example task categories illustrated in
the context menu 265 are for purposes of example only and are not
restrictive of the many different task categories that may be
system-defined or that may be defined by an individual user. In
order to review additional task categories, the "All Categories"
control 350 may be selected to cause a fly-out menu to be displayed
showing all additional task categories that may be applied to a
given task item.
[0039] Additional properties that may be applied to a task item
include the "Show Reminder" property 335 and a "Flag Complete"
property. Additionally, as set forth above, a "Set Defaults"
control 360 is provided in the context menu 265 to set certain
default properties that will be applied to a task item
automatically upon selection of the quick flag box associated with
a given data item. For example, a default task category may be set
which will then be automatically applied upon initial selection of
a quick flag box for creation of a task item. However, a user may
always change the default task category to a different task
category by selection of a desired task category from the context
menu 265. Similarly, a default start date or due date property may
be selected for all created task items, but may be modified if
desired. A "Clear Flag" property may also be set on a data item to
clear the data item of previously set task properties such that the
data item will no longer be recognized as a task item.
[0040] For application of two properties to a selected data item
and corresponding task item with a single user action (e.g., mouse
click), a radial context menu may be provided to allow the user to
select a desired start date or due date and task category
simultaneously by selecting a given location in the radial context
menu. For a detailed description of a radial context menu for use
in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, see U.S.
patent application, Attorney/Agent No. 60001.0418US01, Applicant
Matter No. 309465.01, entitled "Two-dimensional Radial User
Interface For Computer Software Applications," which is
incorporated herein by reference as if fully set out herein.
[0041] In addition to the foregoing, properties may also be applied
to a selected data item and corresponding new task item by
selecting a top-level actions menu associated with the software
application user interface in use by the user. For example, the
user interface 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is a user interface
associated with an electronic mail application 130. According to
embodiments of the present invention, upon selection of a given
data item for flagging the data item as a new task, the user may
select a top level actions control to deploy an actions menu 400
illustrated in FIG. 4. The user may then deploy one or more fly-out
menus 410 for applying particular properties to the selected new
task item. For example, selection of the "Follow-Up" control 405
causes deployment of the fly-out menu 410 with which the user may
apply a start date property to the selected item. For example, a
start date property of "Today" and a corresponding triple flag icon
310 may be applied to a selected data item for application to the
corresponding new task item. Additional controls, such as the "Show
Reminder" control 335 may be selected for applying other properties
to the selected item. As described above for the context menu 265,
a "Set Defaults" control 360 is provided for setting certain
default properties to any selected item. According to one
embodiment, the properties contained in the fly-out menu 410 of the
actions menu 400 comprise a subset of the properties available in
the context menu 265, illustrated and described above. In order to
apply a task category to the selected data item, the "Categories"
control may be selected to deploy a different fly-out menu 410
containing category selection controls. As described above for the
context menu 265, selection of a given category control from the
fly-out menu 410 causes the selected category property to be
applied to the data item and corresponding new task item.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, a mail inspector application user
interface 500 is illustrated. If an electronic data item contained
in the mail inspector application is flagged for follow-up, the
flagged data item automatically creates a task item, as described
herein. In order to apply particular properties to the flagged data
item, a drop-down menu 410 is deployed from which the user may
select one or more properties for application to the flagged data
item and corresponding task item. For example, as illustrated in
FIG. 5, selection of the flag icon in the tool bar of the user
interface 500 causes a deployment of the menu 410 from which the
user may select start date properties and other timing and default
properties, as described above for FIG. 4.
[0043] Referring still to FIG. 5, a task category may be applied to
the flagged data item and corresponding task item by selecting the
category icon from the tool bar illustrated in the user interface
500. In response, a menu 410 will be deployed similar to the menu
410 illustrated in FIG. 5, but containing one or more
system-defined or user-defined task categories. Selection of one of
the available task categories causes application of the selected
task category property to the selected data item and corresponding
new task item.
[0044] According to an embodiment of the invention, a given data
item may also be flagged as a new task item by dragging the data
item to the task list or date picker control contained in the To-Do
bar 240, illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, if a given data item
is dragged from the inbox 210 to the "Today" section of the task
list in the To-Do bar 240, the user action will cause the creation
of a new task item in the "Today" section of the task list 240. If
the user desires to add a category property to the task list, the
user may select the created task item and deploy the context menu
265 for application of a desired category. In addition, an
electronic data item may be dragged to a particular date in the
date picker control at the top of the To-Do bar 240 to cause the
data item to be flagged as a task item with a start date associated
with the date in the date picker control on which the data item is
dropped. Again, if the user desires to add additional properties to
the created task item, the user may launch a context menu 265 for
application of additional properties.
[0045] According to embodiments of the present invention, a user
may re-flag an item previously flagged as a task item. If the user
applies a flag to an item and then flags the item again, all
relevant properties, for example, start date and task category, are
reset according to the second flagging of the item unless the user
has selected a "Specific Date And Time" option. If the user has
selected a "Specific Date And Time" option, then re-flagging a
previously flagged item only changes the start date of the flagged
item according to the date on which the item is re-flagged.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 6, if the user selects a "Specific Date
And Time" option from the context menu 265, a dialog box 600 may be
displayed. With the dialog box 600, the user may complete the date
field 610 to set a specific start date for a task. By default, the
start date field 610 will show the start date that is presently set
for the item. If the item has no start date, the field will show
"No Date." The deadline box 620 is unchecked by default. If
desired, a due date may be set for the task by clicking the
deadline box and populating the deadline fields with a specific
deadline date. In addition, a specific deadline time may also be
selected for a given task item. The reminder box 630 is unchecked
by default. The reminder control allows a user to set a date and
time when the user wishes a reminder to be made to the user
regarding the associated task item. A "Clear Flag" button is
provided to allow all previously set flag properties to be cleared
as described above.
[0047] As described above, with reference to FIG. 3, default task
item start dates and default task item categories may be set by a
user for automatic application to all selected data items. For
example, if a user desires to automatically apply a start date of
"Tomorrow" and a category of "Work Project" to all selected data
items by default, the user may establish such a default setting by
selecting the "Set Defaults" control 360 from the context menu 265.
In response to selecting the "Set Defaults" control, a dialog box
or menu 700, illustrated in FIG. 7, is displayed to allow the
setting of default behavior applied to selected data items. As
illustrated in FIG. 7, a default flag, such as the "Today" flag 710
or the "Tomorrow" flag 720 may be selected. If the "No Flag"
control is selected, then no start date flag is applied to the
associated task item, but a default category may nonetheless be
selected for application to selected data items and associated task
items. In the bottom portion of the dialog box 700, a default
category may be selected. Selection of the combination box 730
provides a listing of all available categories for application to
selected items as default categories.
[0048] As described herein, methods and systems provide for
automatically marking data items as for recognition as task items
by selection of a quick flag box associated with individual data
items. By applying one or more task properties to individual data
items according to embodiments of the present invention, a user is
able to create a task item by "touching" on a selected data item.
Thus, the user avoids the potentially cumbersome and time-consuming
process of launching a task item creation user interface to
complete information associated with a desired task item. Through
the use of quickly and efficiently deployed context menus
associated with selected data items, a user may apply important
information such as start times and task categories to selected
data items and corresponding task item. It will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that various modifications or variations
may be made in the present invention without departing from the
scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the present
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
consideration of the specification and practice of the invention
disclosed herein.
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