| Methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for providing persisting and continuously updating search folders -> Monitor Keywords |
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Methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for providing persisting and continuously updating search foldersRelated Patent Categories: Data Processing: Database And File Management Or Data Structures, Database Or File Accessing, Query Processing (i.e., Searching), Query Augmenting And Refining (e.g., Inexact Access)Methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for providing persisting and continuously updating search folders description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080077571, Methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for providing persisting and continuously updating search folders. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/741,407 entitled "Methods, Systems, and Computer-Readable Mediums for Providing Persisting and Continuously Updating Search Folders" filed Dec. 19, 2003, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/484,437 entitled "Combined Outlook Bar and Folder List; Automatic Grouping; Adaptive Multi-Line View; Threaded View with Easier Access to All New Email; Search Folders" filed on Jul. 1, 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the field of routing electronic messages. More particularly the present invention relates to the storage and retrieval of electronic messages through links stored in search folders. BACKGROUND [0003] Among the most useful developments in modern times is the use of electronic mail or messages (email) for efficient correspondence around the world. As numerous email items accumulate in the inbox or data store for a user, attempts are made to sort the items by priority, follow-up, alphabetically, or by filing the emails in folders for future reference or follow-up. Manually filing emails in folders can be an undesirable and costly activity yielding fruitless results. Frequently emails sought for retrieval cannot be found easily or at all because a user may not remember where the email is filed or located. [0004] Previous email applications have the capability to auto-file and search for email items meeting user specified search criteria, however auto-file rules scatter a user's messages to different folders before they have been viewed. Furthermore, the search filters have complicated dialogs and the searches are time consuming and costly when run repeatedly. This process of sorting, filing, and retrieving emails is labor intensive and time consuming thereby hindering the utility of existing email applications. This problem is further complicated by the incapability of email items to exist in more than one folder without copying the item to multiple folders. When email items are copied to multiple folders and one copy is updated or deleted the other copies are stored in their original form thereby leading to confusion and a waste of memory. [0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a method, system, and computer-readable medium for providing persisting and continuously updating search folders that allow for efficient, consistent, and user-friendly organization and reorganization of email items. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present invention has been made. SUMMARY [0006] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for providing a persisting search folder within a computer that continuously identifies data items that have metadata matching a query of search criteria. The data items may include emails, computer program files, electronic journal entries, electronic task lists, meeting requests, appointments, electronic contacts, and electronic notes. A search folder is created by applying a query of search criteria, selected or formulated via a graphical user interface, to a search filter. Once the search folder has been created, the search folder is made live by default or by a user requesting access by clicking on a search folder icon. When the search folder is made live, the search filter is used to populate the search folder by searching one more data stores for data items having metadata matching the query of search criteria. When these data items are identified, a link to each data item having matching metadata is stored in the search folder to populate the search folder. Links to the same data item may coexist in multiple search folders as long as the data item has metadata matching the queries of search criteria for each search folder. [0007] According to other aspects of the present invention, upon detecting new data items added to a data store or a change to the metadata of data items previously stored in the data store, the search folder continuously applies the search filter to the new or changed data items. Upon identifying new or changed data items having metadata matching the query of search criteria for the search folder, the search folder is updated by storing links to these data items in the search folder. Also, upon identifying a previously stored data item having changed metadata that no longer matches the query of search criteria, the search filter removes the link to these data items from the search folder. This persistent application of a search filter allows for a continuous update to the contents of a live search folder. [0008] According to still other aspects of the present invention when a user requests access to the search folder, each link stored in the search folder is displayed via the graphical user interface. The user may then select links from the display by clicking on a link to retrieve the data item matching the query of search criteria populating the search folder. Also, each search folder is represented by a search folder icon and a search folder title in the graphical user interface displayed on the computer. When a search folder is made live, the text of the search folder title is changed from italic, representing that the search folder is dead, to non-italic representing that the search folder is live. Search folders that are created but remain dead are not populated and are thus, prevented from utilizing computer processor cycles to search and populate until being made live. Search filters of dead search folders are also prevented from being continuously applied to new electronic messages arriving and previously stored electronic messages having changed metadata. [0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, queries of search criteria may be ready-made and selected by the user selecting a template via a graphical user interface listing templates. Each template represents a query of search criteria for a search folder that may be a ready-made query of search criteria or a ready-made query of search criteria having specified inputs. In the case of email data items, a specialized input may be the names of email senders or the memory size of an email. It should be appreciated that when multiple specified inputs are received in the query of search criteria, the multiple specified inputs may be queried in an `or` format or an `and` format. Furthermore in the email context, in addition to having a link stored in the search folder, new emails having metadata matching a query of search criteria are also identified and delivered to an inbox of the user. It should also be appreciated that a search folder created on one client computer may roam with a profile of the user when the user logs on to a different client computer. [0010] According to still other aspects a search may be conducted within the search folder. When the search within the search folder is stored as a new search folder, the new search folder contains links to emails having metadata matching the search criteria of at least two queries. The queries are combined in the new search folder thereby presenting at least two views of the data store via the new search folder. Additionally, emails may be moved from a current search folder to a hard folder in the data store. When emails are moved, the search filter still detects whether the email continues to have metadata matching the query of search criteria for the current search folder. In response to the email continuing to have metadata matching the query of search criteria, the current search folder retains a link to the email. It should also be appreciated that in response to the deletion of a link to an email from the search folder, the email and any links to the email are deleted from the data store by which the search folder was populated. [0011] 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 [0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a personal or server computer that provides an illustrative environment for an embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram showing interaction between a local computer and a remote server computer in an embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 3 is a computer screen display showing an illustrative folder tree in an email navigation pane including a persisting list of search folders available to a user for viewing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 4 is a computer screen display showing an illustrative user interface menu for initiating the creation of a search folder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 5 is a computer screen display showing an illustrative graphical user interface for selecting search folder templates that aid in the creation of search folders according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 6 is a computer screen display showing another view of the illustrative user interface of FIG. 5 for a different user selecting search folder templates that aid in the creation of search folders according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 7 is a computer screen display showing an illustrative user interface for selecting or inputting one or more names, email addresses, or distribution lists in a `Mail from specific people and lists` search filter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 8 is a computer screen display showing illustrative user interface for selecting or inputting one or more names, email addresses, or distribution lists in a `Mail sent to a distribution list or person` search folder according to an embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading about Methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for providing persisting and continuously updating search folders... Full patent description for Methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for providing persisting and continuously updating search folders Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for providing persisting and continuously updating search folders patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for providing persisting and continuously updating search folders or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method for deferred deletion of entries for a directory service backing store Next Patent Application: Research and monitoring tool to determine the likelihood of the public finding information using a keyword search Industry Class: Data processing: database and file management or data structures ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for providing persisting and continuously updating search folders patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.04793 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers 174 |
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