Granted Patent B1

US 6,839,411 · App. 09/259,985 · Granted Jan 4, 2005

Abstract

Claims (15)

1. In a messaging system of the type supporting computer access to user messages, the improvement comprising a graphical user interface displaying messages to a user accessing said messaging system via a computer and deconstructing messages to provide a visual indication of all multi-generation embedded messages and attachments therein simultaneously in a form.

2. The messaging system of claim 1 wherein said graphical user interface deconstructs messages when said messages are selected by said user.

3. The messaging system of claim 2 wherein said graphical user interface presents said embedded messages and attachments in a list.

4. The messaging system of claim 3 wherein said graphical user interface allows said user to select embedded messages and attachments in said list to invoke applications associated therewith.

5. A graphical user interface to display a selected message to a user in a form on a computer screen comprising:

a first display area within said form presenting said selected message; and

a second display area within said form simultaneously presenting all multi-generation components of said selected message separately to allow said user to select directly individual components of said message for display.

6. A graphical user interface as defined in claim 5 wherein said second display area presents said components in a list.

7. A messaging system comprising:

a messaging server executing a messaging application and including memory to store user messages; and

at least one user computer connected to said messaging server via a network, said user computer executing messaging software to allow a user to compose messages and to retrieve messages stored by said messaging server, said messaging software being responsive to user input and including a graphical user interface to display user messages stored by said messaging server, said graphical user interface presenting a form to display a selected user message in response to user input, said form providing a visual indication of all multi-generation components within said selected message simultaneously.

8. A messaging system as defined in claim 7 wherein said components include attachments and embedded messages within said selected message.

9. A messaging system as defined in claim 8 wherein said form presents said components in a list.

10. A messaging system as defined in claim 9 wherein said messaging software is responsive to selection of any component in said list to invoke the application associated with said selected component.

11. The graphical user interface of claim 5 , wherein said first display area presents accompanying attachments and embedded messages as selectable icons.

Assignments (26)