United States Patent [19]
`Keller et a1.
`
`[54] SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY
`ESTABLISHING A LINK BETWEEN AN
`ELECTRONIC MAIL ITEM AND A
`REMOTELY STORED REFERENCE
`THROUGH A PLACE MARK INSERTED
`INTO THE ITEM
`[75] Inventors:
`
`[73]
`
`[21]
`[221
`151]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`[56]
`
`Assignee:
`
`Robert S. Keller, Grapevine; William
`R. Sterrett, Dallas, both of Tex.
`International Business Machines
`Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.
`Appl. No.: 963,309
`Filed:
`Oct. 15, 1992
`
`Int. Cl.6 ..................... .. G06F 13/00; G06F 13/14
`US. Cl. . ................................. .. 395/200; 395/325;
`395/725; 364/940.62; 364/242.95; 364/242.94;
`364/919.5
`Field of Search ........... .. 395/419, 200, 725, 325
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,970,678 11/1990 Sladowski et a1. ................ .. 364/900
`
`4,994,985 2/ 1991 Cree et a1. . . . . . .
`5,097,418 3/1992 Nurse et al.
`5,247,661 9/1993 Hager et a1.
`
`. . . . .. 364/514
`.... .. 364/419
`.... .. 395/600
`
`5,276,869 1/1994 Forrest et a1. . . . . .
`
`. . . . .. 395/600
`
`5,283,887 2/1994 Zachery . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . .. 395/500
`
`5,333,266 7/1994 Boaz et a1. . . . . .
`. . . . .. 395/200
`5,341,505 8/1994 Whitehouse ...................... .. 395/800
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0375145 6/1990 European Pat. Off. .
`
`llllllIlllllllllllllllllllllllllIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIIIIIllll
`5,418,908
`May 23, 1995
`
`US005418908A
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`[11]
`[45]
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Alison, “Microsoft Corp: Microsoft Mail for PC Net
`works 2.1”, May 27, 1991; PC Week, P87(1).
`DEC, “E-Mail: Paci?c Bell Connection Adds X400
`Directory Feature”, Edge, Nov. 4, 1991, P38(1).
`J. Nielsen “The Art of Navigating through Hypertext”
`Communications Of The Association For Computing
`Machinery, vol. 33, No. 3, Mar. 1990, New York US pp.
`296—3l0 XP000161627.
`M. Palaniappan & G. Fitzmaurice “InternetExpress: An
`Inter-Desktop Multimedia Data-Transfer Service”
`Computer, vol. 24, No. 10, Oct. 1991, Los Alamitos US
`pp. 58~67 XP000266116.
`
`' Primary Examiner—Thomas C. Lee
`Assistant Examiner-Rehana Krick
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—A. Bruce Clay
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`The present invention allows the inclusion of a place
`mark in an electronic mail item. The place mark serves
`to identify and link an on-line reference to the mail item.
`When a user sends the mail item to a recipient, the place
`mark but not the reference goes with the item. Upon
`receipt, the recipient may select the place mark during
`review of the mail item and the on-line reference will be
`automatically called and displayed. Upon completing
`review of the reference, the recipient may transfer con
`trol from the on-line reference to the mail item without
`having to back out of the reference and then initiate the
`electronic mail.
`
`2 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`azaosnomr
`
`~__——_1
`READ
`NOTE
`
`6
`
`12B
`
`W
`
`130
`
`~
`
`7
`
`Ex. 1005 - Page 1 of 8
`
`Groupon, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 23, 1995
`May 23, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`5,418,908
`5,418,908
`
`
`
`Ex. 1005 - Page 2 of 8
`
`Ex. 1005 - Page 2 of 8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 23, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`95
`
`418,908
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`
`Ex. 1005 - Page 3 of 8
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`Ex. 1005 - Page 3 of 8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 23, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`5,418,908
`
`SELECT MM /82 FIG. 3
`OBJECT
`L
`ESTABLISH
`LINKAGE
`T
`RUN MM
`
`/34
`
`96
`98
`CREATEI PLACE /
`MARK W
`
`ADD USER
`TITLE
`/
`94
`
`FIG. 4
`
`START V100
`(
`REQUEST mm /102
`NOTE
`
`‘
`
`\
`REQUEST LIST OF
`PLACE MARK
`
`DISPLAY \
`
`LIST
`
`T
`
`SELECT PM
`116/ FROM LIST
`
`118/
`
`INSERT PM
`IN NOTE
`L_______
`
`Ex. 1005 - Page 4 of 8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 23, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 0f 4
`
`5,418,908
`
`120
`
`122\ OPEN MAIL
`REPOSITORY
`
`124\ SELECT NOTE
`
`14
`
`READ NOTE
`
`146/
`
`ERROR
`MESSAGE
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Ex. 1005 - Page 5 of 8
`
`

`

`1
`
`5,418,908
`
`SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY ESTABLISHING
`A LINK BETWEEN AN ELECTRONIC MAIL ITEM
`AND A REMOTELY STORED REFERENCE
`THROUGH A PLACE MARK INSERTED INTO
`' THE ITEM
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates in general to computer soft
`ware, and in particular to a method and apparatus for
`inserting a place mark in an electronic mail item which
`allows a multi-media system to access a reference indi
`cated by the place mark.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The use of on-line publications systems and electronic
`mail systems is rapidly increasing. For individuals in an
`organization, the use of an electronic mall system is
`useful for sending notes, messages, letters, etc., within
`the same office or across the country. Simply by enter
`ing information into an electronic mail screen, one per
`son can electronically send that information to another
`person for immediate review or action.
`Additionally, with the access to many on-line data
`bases which provide information such as, for example,
`airline schedules, weather, stock reports, news articles,
`etc., users of a terminal have many references literally at
`. their ?ngertips. It is a simple matter for a user to call up
`an on-line service to obtain a copy of a reference con
`tained therein for review.
`If a ?rst user desires to send a message along with a
`reference from an on-line source to another person, it is
`currently necessary to either type the entire information
`from the reference into the note, or type in identifying
`information to allow the recipient to locate the refer
`ence in the on-line service. If the text of the reference is
`typed into the message, the system ends up storing mul
`tiple copies of the information which wastes disk, tape,
`or permanent storage space. If identifying information
`to locate the reference is entered into the message, the
`recipient must exit the processing of the mail to go to
`the on-line publications system to locate and view the
`reference. In either case, is wasteful effort for both the
`sender and the recipient.
`Thus, there is a need for a method and apparatus
`which allows a user to enter a place mark in a note or
`message which would refer to an on-line publications
`system reference and send the note to a recipient. The
`recipient would then be able to select the place mark
`during viewing of the electronic mail. After viewing the
`selected on-line reference, control is returned to the
`electronic mail facility.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention provides a method and appara
`tus for linking an on-line reference and an electronic
`mall item which eliminates or substantially reduces
`problems in the prior art. The present invention allows
`a recipient of an electronic mail item to automatically
`present an on-line reference identi?ed in the mail item
`without having to back out of the mail and enter the
`on-line service. In addition, sender effort is reduced by
`not requiring the manual typing of the reference into
`the mail item.
`In accordance with one aspect of the present inven
`tion, a method of providing an on-line reference with an
`electronic mail item is disclosed. An on-line reference is
`designated in the mail item with a place mark. The mail
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`item and the place mark, but not the reference, are then
`transmitted to a recipient. The recipient may then re
`view the reference while in the mail by selecting the
`place mark. The on-line service is then automatically
`called and the reference therein is presented for the
`recipient. Upon completion of the recipient review,
`control is transferred back to the mail system.
`It is a technical advantage of the present invention
`that a user does not have to manually type a reference
`into a mail item. It is a further technical advantage of
`the present invention in that storage space is saved by
`not having duplicate copies of a reference. It is a further
`technical advantage of the present invention that the
`recipient of a mail item with a cited reference is not
`required to back out of the mail service and enter the
`on-line service to review a cited reference.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`For a more complete understanding of the present
`invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now
`made to the Detailed Description taken in conjunction
`with the attached Drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a data processing
`system in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of the use of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a ?owchart depicting place mark creation;
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting place mark insertion;
`and
`FIG. 5 is a ?owchart depicting place mark usage.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Referring to FIG. 1, there is depicted a graphical
`representation of a data processing system 8 which may
`be utilized to implement the present invention. As may
`be seen, data processing system 8 may include a plural
`ity of networks, such as Local Area Networks (LAN)
`10 and 32, each of which preferably includes a plurality
`of individual computers 12 and 30, respectively. Those
`skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of Intel
`ligent Workstations (IWS) coupled to a host processor
`may be utilized for each such network. As is common in
`such data processing systems, each individual computer
`may be coupled to a storage device 14 and/ or a printer
`/ output device 16.
`The data processing system 8 may also include multi
`ple mainframe computers, such as mainframe computer
`18, which may be preferably coupled to LAN 10 by
`means of communications link 22. The mainframe com
`puter 18 may also be coupled to a storage device 20
`which may serve as remote storage for LAN 10. Simi
`larly, LAN 10 may be coupled via communications link
`24 through a subsystem control unit/communications
`controller 26 and communications link 34 to a gateway
`server 28. Gateway server 28 is preferably an individual
`computer or IWS which serves to link LAN 32 to LAN
`10.
`With respect to LAN 32 and LAN 10, a plurality of
`documents or resource objects may be stored within
`storage device 20 and controlled by mainframe com
`puter 18, as resource manager or library service for the
`resource objects thus stored. Of course, those skilled in
`the art will appreciate that mainframe computer 18 may
`be located a great geographic distance from LAN 10
`and similarly, LAN 10 may be located a substantial
`difference from LAN 32. For example, LAN 32 may be
`
`Ex. 1005 - Page 6 of 8
`
`

`

`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`5,418,908
`3
`4
`located in California, while LAN 10 may be located
`Referring to FIG. 4, a ?owchart illustrating the inser
`within Texas, and mainframe computer 18 may be lo
`tion of a place mark is shown. The present invention
`cated in New York.
`starts at 100 followed by a request to start creation of a
`Referring to FIG. 2, a computer screen 39 is shown
`note at block 102. At block 104, text is entered into the
`with an embodiment of the present invention repre
`note. At decision block 106, it is determined whether or
`sented thereon. As is typical, a plurality of graphical
`not a place mark is to be added. If the response to deci
`sion block 106 is no, it is determined at decision block
`objects 40, such as icons, are arranged on the screen 39.
`108 whether or not to end the note. If the response to
`A plurality of windows opened on the screen 39 for
`decision block 108 is yes, the present invention stops at
`implementation of the present invention are also shown.
`110. If the response to decision block 108 is no, the
`Represented by windows 42 and 44 are music audios
`present invention returns to block 104 to continue enter
`which have been started and subsequently stopped.
`ing text. Returning to decision block 106, if the response
`Similarly, windows 46 and 48 represent videos which
`thereto is yes, a list of place marks is requested at block
`have been started and subsequently stopped. In accor
`112. The list is displayed at 114 and a place mark is
`dance with the present invention, Whenever one of the
`selected from the list at 116. The place mark is then
`windows 42, 44, 46, or 48 are stopped, pop-up Windows
`inserted in the note at block 118 followed by a return to
`(as are known in the art) are presented to the user. The
`block 104 to continue entering text.
`user must answer appropriate information (such as, for
`Referring to FIG. 5, a ?owchart illustrating the use
`example, a user supplied description and start/stop
`of a place mark is shown. The present invention starts at
`points) into the pop-up window. The user then selects
`120 followed by an opening of the mail repository at
`the named reference as a place mark.
`block 122. At block 124, a note is selected for reading.
`After indicating that the named reference is to be
`At block 126, the note is read followed by decision
`used for a place mark, a place marks list window 50 is
`block 128 where it is determined whether or not to view
`created. The window 50 includes a place mark symbol
`a place mark. If the response to decision block 128 is no,
`such as, for example, musical note 52 and video symbol
`it is determined at decision block 130 whether or not to
`54, along with the user selected name for the place
`end the note. If the response to decision block 130 is yes,
`mark.
`the present invention stops at 132. If the response to
`In the implementation of the present invention, after
`decision block 130 is no, the present invention returns to
`the items have been inserted into the place mark list
`block 126 to continue reading the note. Returning to
`window 50, a user may then incorporate the multi
`decision block 128, if the response thereto is yes, a place
`media information into an electronic mail item. In the
`mark is selected at block 134. It is then determined at
`example shown in FIG. 2, a correspondence editor
`decision block 136 whether or not there is local access
`window 56 is shown. The user has typed an electronic
`to the multi-media object identi?ed in the place mark. If
`mail note to a recipient and has included therein two
`the response to decision block 136 is no, an attempt is
`place marks. During the entry of the text into window
`made to link to the multi-media object via the LAN at
`35
`56, the user may drag the place mark symbol and corre
`block 138. It is determined at decision block 140,
`sponding user name to the appropriate place in the text.
`whether or not an error is detected. If the response to
`For example, the user has dragged the symbol and name
`decision block 140 is yes, an error message is produced
`Hawaii Seascape, generally identi?ed by the reference
`at block 142 followed by a return to block 126 to allow
`numeral 58, and the symbol and user name Mozart
`continued reading of the note. If the response to deci
`Piano Number 4, generally identi?ed by the reference
`sion block 140 is no, it is determined at decision block
`numeral 60, to the text in the window 56. Upon comple
`144 whether or not the multi-media object is the same
`tion of the electronic mail note in the window 56, the
`version as in the place mark. Similarly, returning to
`user may then send the note to a recipient. Upon receiv
`decision block 136, if the response thereto is yes, the
`ing the note, the recipient may select (by any appropri
`decision block 144 is directly accessed therefrom. If the
`ate method such as clicking on the symbol with a
`response to decision block 144 is no, an error message is
`mouse) the place mark and the on-line referenced multi
`created at 142, as previously discussed above. If the
`media material identi?ed therein will be automatically
`response to decision block 144 is yes, the place mark
`called and presented to the recipient. Upon completion
`place in the multi-media object is located at block 146.
`of the review of the multi-media object by the recipient,
`The multi-media object is then played at block 148. At
`control will be transferred back to the electronic mail
`decision block 150, it is then determined whether or not
`item for continued use thereof.
`to pause. If the response to decision block 150 is no, the
`Referring to FIG. 3, a ?owchart illustrating the cre
`multi-media object continues to play at block 148. If the
`ation of a place mark is illustrated. The present inven
`response to decision block 150 is yes, it is determined at
`tion starts at 80 and a multi-media object is selected at
`decision block 152 whether or not to end the multi
`block 82. Linkage is established to the multi-media ob
`media presentation. If the response to decision block
`ject at block 84. The multi-media object is then run at
`152 is no, the multi-media object resumes play at block
`block 86. At decision block 88, it is determined whether
`148. If the response to decision block 152 is yes, the
`or not to pause. If the response to decision block 88 is
`present invention returns to decision block 128 where it
`no, it is determined whether or not to stop at decision
`is determined whether or not to view a place mark as
`block 90. If the response to decision block 90 is yes, the
`previously described above.
`present invention stops at 92. If the response to decision
`In summary, the present invention provides an im
`block 90 is no, the present invention returns to block 86
`provement over the prior art which saves both user
`to run the multi-media object. Returning to decision
`time and system storage. By utilizing the present inven
`block 88, if the response thereto is yes, a user title is
`tion, a user may insert place marks into an electronic
`added at block 94. A place mark is created at block 96
`mail item that do not require manual typing or sending
`and placed in storage 98, followed by a return to run the
`of the entire reference. Similarly, a recipient is not re
`multi-media object at block 86.
`quired to exit the electronic mail item and enter an
`
`60,
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
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`Ex. 1005 - Page 7 of 8
`
`

`

`5,418,908
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`10
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`15
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`6
`displaying the remotely stored reference on said at
`least a second terminal of the computer system; and
`returning control to the electronic mail item by clos
`ing said remotely stored reference-upon comple
`tion of review thereof.
`2‘ A system for electronically linking an electronic
`mail item in a computer system to a remotely stored
`reference available from a separate on-line publication
`service, comprising:
`means for inserting a symbol to represent a place
`mark into the electronic mail item on a first termi
`1121 of the computer system, said symbol indicating
`a desired location in the mail item for a user to view
`the remotely stored reference;
`means for entering prede?ned reference identi?cation
`information into said place mark in order to estab
`lish an electronic link from the electronic mail item
`to the separate on-line publication service and the
`remotely stored reference thereon through said
`place mark;
`means for transmitting said electronic mail item, said
`symbol, and said place mark but not the remotely
`stored reference from said ?rst terminal of the
`computer system to at least a second terminal of the
`computer system;
`means for selecting said symbol in the electronic mail
`item on said at least a second terminal of the com
`puter system;
`means for automatically connecting and searching
`the separate on-line publication service for the
`remotely stored reference based upon the prede
`?ned reference identi?cation information in said
`place mark;
`means for displaying the remotely stored reference
`on said at least a second terminal of the computer
`system; and
`means for returning control to the electronic mail
`item by closing said remotely stored reference
`upon completion of review thereof.
`is
`* * 1k
`*
`
`5
`on-line system to review a reference. A user now need
`only insert the place mark and the recipient may then
`call the referenced item by selecting the place mark.
`Although the present invention has been particularly
`shown and described with reference to a preferred em
`bodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
`art that various changes in form and detail may be made
`without departing from the spirit and the scope of the
`invention.
`What I claim Is:
`1. A method of electronically linking an electronic
`mail item in a computer system to a remotely stored
`reference available from a separate on-line publication
`service, comprising the steps of:
`inserting a symbol to represent a place mark into the
`electronic mail item on a ?rst terminal of the com
`puter system, said symbol indicating a desired loca
`tion in the mail item for a user to view the remotely
`stored reference;
`entering prede?ned reference identi?cation informa
`tion into said place mark in order to establish an
`electronic link from the electronic mail item to the
`separate on-line publication service and the re- 25
`motely stored reference thereon through said place
`mark;
`transmitting said electronic mail item, said symbol,
`and said place mark but not the remotely stored
`reference from said first terminal of the computer 30
`system to at least a second terminal of the computer
`system;
`selecting said symbol in the electronic mail item on
`said at least a second terminal of the computer 35
`system;
`automatically connecting and searching the separate
`on-line publication service for the remotely stored
`reference based upon the prede?ned reference
`identi?cation information in said place mark;
`
`40
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`45
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`Ex. 1005 - Page 8 of 8
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`