IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,140,291
Granted Patent B2
US 10,140,291 · App. 15/197,873 · Granted Nov 27, 2018

Task-oriented messaging system

Inventors: Jonathan F. Brunn (Logan, UT); Jonathan T. Coffey (Brockton, MA); Mark A. DuFresne (New Ipswich, NH); Marit L. Imsdahl (Cary, NC); Christopher D. Johnson (Ayer, MA); Asima Silva (Holden, MA); James J. Stadtmiller (Hudson, NH); Razeyah Stephen (Marlboro, MA); Yuriy B. Veytsman (Newton, MA)
Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
G06F17/2809G06F3/0482G06F3/0484G06F3/04847G06F17/2765G06Q10/1097H04L51/046H04L51/22H04L51/34
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,140,291
App. No.
15/197,873
Granted
Nov 27, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

Task-oriented messages are presented to a user in an interactive format for disposition. Natural language processing techniques parse task-oriented messages for individual tasks, such as assignments, information requests, and requests for approval or authorization. A user interface provides a recipient of a task-oriented message with selectable tasks for individual, or group, disposition, such as respond, defer, delegate, mark answered, and ignore. Recipients are notified if an incomplete response is generated, such as when an identified task is not dispositioned.

Claims (78)

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

identifying an electronic message generated by a first user with an electronic communication tool and directed to a first recipient;

intercepting the electronic message before the electronic message is available to the first recipient;

analyzing the electronic message to identify a set of requests to perform a corresponding set of tasks;

responsive to identifying the set of requests, composing a task statement that summarizes each request to perform a corresponding task;

sending; to the first recipient, the electronic message using the electronic communication tool;

receiving a reply message from the first recipient;

determining that one or more tasks of the corresponding set of tasks are not addressed in the reply message;

responsive to a determination that the one or more tasks are not addressed in the reply message, generating an interactive interface including the task statement and a corresponding set of selectable disposition actions for each of the one or more tasks that is not addressed including respond later, respond now, ignore, delegate, open the electronic message in a native messaging application, and already answered;

displaying, to the first recipient, the electronic message and the interactive interface including the task statement and the corresponding set of selectable disposition actions;

responsive to selection, by the first recipient, of a disposition action from the corresponding set of selectable disposition actions, taking the disposition action; and

responsive to selection of the disposition action to ignore a first task of the corresponding set of tasks, recording the first task as addressed to prevent generation of the first task in a subsequent interactive interface corresponding to the electronic message.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein analyzing the electronic message and composing the task statement are performed by natural language processing software.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein taking the disposition action includes:

displaying a text entry field having a process indicator; and

responsive to an indication of completion by the process indicator, preparing a responsive communication via the electronic communication tool that includes text entered into the text entry field.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the disposition action further includes:

selecting pre-defined text associated with the task statement in a database; and

entering the pre-defined text into the text entry field.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein taking the disposition action includes:

responsive to selection of the disposition action to respond later to a first task of the corresponding set of tasks, requesting from the first recipient a specified date and time for responding to the first task;

retrieving a user credential for access by the first recipient to a calendaring program;

logging into the calendaring program using the user credential; and

recording on a calendar, for the specified date and time, the first task, and a link to the electronic message on the electronic communication tool.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic communication tool is an email program.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

monitoring, according to a pre-defined schedule, the electronic communication tool for the electronic message directed to the first recipient.

8. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having a set of instructions stored therein which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to process task-oriented electronic messages by:

identifying an electronic message generated by a first user with an electronic communication tool and directed to a first recipient;

intercepting the electronic message before the electronic message is available to the first recipient;

analyzing the electronic message to identity a set of requests to perform a corresponding set of tasks;

responsive to identifying the set of requests, composing a task statement that summarizes each request to perform a corresponding task;

sending, to the first recipient, the electronic message using the electronic communication tool;

receiving a reply message from the first recipient;

determining that one or more tasks of the corresponding set of tasks are not addressed in the reply message;

responsive to a determination that the one or more tasks are not addressed in the reply message, generating an interactive interface including the task statement and a corresponding set of selectable disposition actions for each of the one or more tasks that is not addressed including respond later, respond now, ignore, delegate, open the electronic message in a native messaging application, and already answered;

displaying, to the first recipient, the electronic message and the interactive interlace including the task statement and the corresponding set of selectable disposition actions;

responsive to selection, by the first recipient, of a disposition action from the corresponding set of selectable disposition actions, taking the disposition action; and

responsive to selection of the disposition action to ignore a first task of the corresponding set of tasks, recording the first task as addressed to prevent generation of the first task in a subsequent interactive interface corresponding to the electronic message.

9. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein analyzing the electronic message and composing the task statement are performed by natural language processing software.

10. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein taking the disposition action includes:

displaying a text entry field having a process indicator; and

responsive to an indication of completion by the process indicator, preparing a responsive communication via the electronic communication tool that includes text entered into the text entry field.

11. The computer program product of claim 10 , wherein the disposition action further includes:

selecting pre-defined text associated with the task statement in a database; and

entering the pre-defined text into the text entry field.

12. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein taking the disposition action includes:

responsive to selection of the disposition action to respond later to a first task of the corresponding set of tasks, requesting from the first recipient a specified date and time for responding to the first task;

retrieving a user credential for access by the first recipient to a calendaring program;

logging into the calendaring program using the user credential; and

recording on a calendar, for the specified date and time, the task statement and a link to the electronic message on the electronic communication tool.

13. The computer program product of claim 8 , further comprising:

monitoring, according to a pre-defined schedule, the electronic communication tool for the electronic message directed to the first recipient.

14. A computer system comprising:

a processor set; and

a computer readable storage medium;

wherein:

the processor set is structured, located, connected, and/or programmed to run program instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium; and

the program instructions which, when executed by the processor set, cause the processor set to process task-oriented electronic messages by;

identifying an electronic message generated by a first user with an electronic communication tool and directed to a first recipient;

intercepting the electronic message before the electronic message is available to the first recipient;

analyzing the electronic message to identify a set of requests to perform a corresponding set of tasks;

responsive to identifying the set of requests, composing a task statement that summarizes each request to perform a corresponding task;

sending, to the first recipient, the electronic message using the electronic communication tool;

receiving a reply message from the first recipient;

determining that one or more tasks of the corresponding set of tasks are not addressed in the reply message;

responsive to a determination that the one or more tasks are not addressed in the reply message, generating an interactive interface including the task statement and a corresponding set of selectable disposition actions for each of the one or more tasks that is not addressed including respond later, respond now, ignore, delegate, open the electronic message in a native messaging application, and already answered;

displaying, to the first recipient, the electronic message and the interactive interface, including the task statement and the corresponding set of selectable disposition actions;

responsive to selection, by the first recipient, of a disposition action from the corresponding set of selectable disposition actions, taking the disposition action; and

responsive to selection of the disposition action to ignore a first task of the corresponding set of tasks, recording the first task as addressed to prevent generation of the first task in a subsequent interactive interface corresponding to the electronic message.

15. The computer system of claim 14 , wherein analyzing the electronic message and composing the task statement are performed by natural language processing software.

16. The computer system of claim 14 , wherein taking the disposition action includes:

displaying a text entry field having a process indicator; and

responsive to an indication of completion by the process indicator, preparing a responsive communication via the electronic communication tool that includes text entered into the text entry field.

17. The computer system of claim 14 , wherein taking the disposition action includes:

responsive to selection of the disposition action to respond later to a first task of the corresponding set of tasks, requesting from the first recipient a specified date and time for responding to the first task; retrieving a user credential for access by the first recipient to a calendaring program;

logging into the calendaring program using the user credential; and

recording on a calendar, for the specified date and time, the first task and a link to the electronic message on the electronic communication tool.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2016
From: BRUNN, JONATHAN F.; COFFEY, JONATHAN T.; DUFRESNE, MARK A.; IMSDAHL, MARIT L.; JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER D.; SILVA, ASIMA; STADTMILLER, JAMES J.; STEPHEN, RAZEYAH; VEYTSMAN, YURIY B.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 039217/0280 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180004731A1 · Jan 4, 2018
Cited By (2)
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