Methods and apparatus for enhanced communication in email applications
AssigneeZoho Corporation Private Limited
InventorsRadha Vembu, Jagan Ranganathan, Ravikumar Govindarajan, Sridhar Vembu, Rajendran Dandapani, Bharath Sridhar, Sudheer A Grandhi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for providing a communication stream for associating messages are described. A communication stream receives various message types including messages, posts, events, tasks, and comments, and presents them to users. Private messages relating to one or more messages may be sent between and among one or more users.
Claims22
A computer-implemented method for providing a communication stream for messages, the method comprising:
- receiving a request to create the communication stream, the request specifying users, including at least a first user;
- responsive to the request, creating the communication stream, the communication stream including posts and comments but not including email, the creating including assigning a stream identifier to the communication stream;
- receiving a request specifying a second user, and in response to the request, adding the second user to the communication stream;
- receiving a request specifying a third user, and in response to the request, adding the third user to the communication stream;
- receiving a non-private message from the first user, the non-private message referencing the stream identifier;
- associating the non-private message with the communication stream;
- providing a representation of the communication stream, including the non-private message, to the users;
- receiving a private message from the second user, the private message referencing the non-private message, referencing the stream identifier, and referencing the third user;
- associating the private message with the communication stream, and with the non-private message associated with the communication stream;
- providing a representation of the communication stream, including the non-private message and the private message, to the third user;
- and
- providing a representation of the communication stream, including the non-private message sans the private message, to the first user.
A computer-implemented method for providing a communication stream for messages, the method comprising:
- providing a presentation of an email message to a user, the presentation including a link for initiating a communication stream, the email message identifying one or more users including a first user and a second user, and including a body;
- in response to activating the link:
- creating the communication stream, the creating including assigning a stream identifier to the communication stream, wherein the communication stream does not include email;
- creating a post to the communication stream based on the body, wherein the post includes at least a part of the body;
- and
- notifying the users.
A computer-implemented system for providing a communication stream for messages, the communication stream including posts and comments but not including email, the computer-implemented system comprising:
- a processor;
- storage;
- a memory for holding processor instructions, the processor instructions comprising:
- a first service for providing a user interface for accessing the communication stream;
- a second service for creating and managing the communication stream;
- and
- a third service for identifying and managing a private message.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.