Abstract: A visual mapping system and method facilitate communication and collaboration among users sharing visual maps or topics in visual maps. The visual mapping system tracks user presence in individual topics in the visual mapping system. User presence is tracked for users that are online. If an online user is present in a topic, the system displays an indication of such presence in the topic to other online users currently sharing the same topic. The visual mapping system also provides an interface in the visual map through which an online user can initiate communications with other online users that are present in a shared topic. Types of communications that can be initiated through the visual map include chat sessions, instant meetings, telephone calls, and email messages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mind mapping system that supports at least two types of topics: (1) topics that primarily provide a blank space in which text and graphic elements can be inserted by the user and (2) topics that operate as components with predefined behavior for the display of a certain kind of content. The first type of topic is well-known in the art, but the second type is novel. The second type of topic enables users to easily display, view and/or manipulate certain kinds of content within a topic. Examples of the second type of topic include topics that operate as video players for the display of video data, topics that operate as spreadsheet applications for the display of spreadsheet data, topics that operate as calculators for performing mathematical functions, and topics that act as interfaces to external systems, such as email systems, CAD systems, inventory/purchase order systems, and contact-management systems.

Abstract: A visual mapping system and method facilitate communication and collaboration among users sharing visual maps or topics in visual maps. The visual mapping system tracks user presence in individual topics in the visual mapping system. User presence is tracked for users that are online. If an online user is present in a topic, the system displays an indication of such presence in the topic to other online users currently sharing the same topic. The visual mapping system also provides an interface in the visual map through which an online user can initiate communications with other online users that are present in a shared topic. Types of communications that can be initiated through the visual map include chat sessions, instant meetings, telephone calls, and email messages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for storing, searching, and retrieving topics in a visual map. The visual mapping system of the present invention is based on a client-server architecture. Client visual mapping applications on users' computers enable users to create, edit, and view visual maps. The storage and retrieval of data associated with such visual maps is managed by a server in the visual mapping system. The server stores the topics in the visual map in a database. The topics are stored individually and not as part of a visual map file. The topics are indexed to enable the system to quickly perform searches for the topic. The client visual mapping application includes an interface through which a user can enter search criteria for a topic search. Because topics are stored individually in the database and indexed, user can search for topics individually and separately from the visual map file associated with the topics. Topics can be shared across users and across maps.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system and method for integrating external system data into a visual map. The visual mapping system of the present invention is based on a client-server architecture. A server in the visual mapping system communicates with one or more external systems to import data from such external systems. The server organizes the data into topics for a visual map and stores the topics individually in a database. The server provides the topics to a client visual mapping application to enable users to view external system data through a visual map. The client visual mapping application need not be running for the server to obtain the external system data, and, thus, the present invention provides “backend” integration of external system data. The server can also export data in topics to external systems.