US 6,216,122 B1 · Electronic mail indexing folder having a search scope and interval

Abstract

An electronic mail (e-mail) search folder device utilizing an easily configurable search system that allows the user to associate attributes to a folder and will automatically search and organize the user's e-mail messages. Search attributes that are specified by the user are associated with a file folder by the invention. Search strings and properties, the frequency of the search, and the scope of the search are designated by the user. The invention waits for the specified interval or event condition to become true and performs the search across the folders and objects specified by the user. The invention inserts pointers to the e-mail messages that were found to match the search criteria into the search folder which is always available to the user. The invention thereby provides a flexible, automatic tool for e-mail message organization that does not require users to remember the absolute paths, or locations of messages and provides an e-mail search folder device that is active either upon receipt or after receipt of the user's e-mail.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A process for organizing and retrieving electronic mail in a computer environment, comprising the steps of:

creating a search folder;
attaching search attributes to said folder;
searching for files according to said search attributes;
inserting file pointers into said folder;
wherein said attaching step attaches a search interval/event to said folder;
wherein said search interval/event indicates how often and/or when a search should be performed;
wherein said search interval/event includes but is not limited to:
any time the folder is opened, at a timed interval, any time new mail is received, any time a message is sent, upon demand, or a combination of the above;
wherein said searching step waits for said search internal/event to occur;
wherein upon occurrence of said search interval/event, said searching step begins a search;
wherein said attaching step attaches a search scope to said folder;
said search scope specifies the folders and/or objects to search;
wherein said search scope includes, but is not limited to:
all folders, local folders, remote folders, newsgroups, and calendar events;
and
wherein said searching step searches the folders and/or objects specified in said search scope.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electronic mail indexing folder having a search scope and interval

Life of this patent

Electronic mail indexing folder having a search scope and interval

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16