Abstract: A computer system models human memory by deriving associations between objects, events, and the context of the computer user or users. These associations can be dynamically generated, changing depending on the behavior of the user and context. Examples of areas in which this system can be used include time management (e.g., a calendar that presents time-based groupings of objects), people management (e.g., use analysis of user communications to rank importance of people to the user, groupings, and associations between people/groups and other objects such as documents, email), and general computer management (e.g., use analysis of user behavior to identify important objects and objects that are related to a current focus and context of the computer user).

Abstract: The subject invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates contact- or people-based organization of messages. A list of contacts can be generated based on the people or groups who have communicated with the user (mailbox owner) via email or otherwise. To view desired messages, a user can select one or more contacts that participated in the desired messages as either a recipient or sender. Following the selection, messages between the selected contacts and the user can be displayed in a window. Any items or information shared in the messages can be viewed in a separate window. A link can be maintained between any shared item and its message of origin. The user can also view messages that include third parties. The contact list is dynamic and due to limited display space, contacts communicating the most frequently with the user can be listed on a top level.

Abstract: Computerized methods and systems for dynamically rendering visual representations of data sets are provided. Upon receiving a request for a particular data set (for instance, in response to receiving a search request), a data set is identified and a minimum portion thereof is retrieved that is necessary to render a visual representation of the data set. In this regard, items sharing a common characteristic may be grouped with one another so that only a single visual identifier of a group of data items may be displayed. In this way, a larger portion of the entire data set may be represented in a single view.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology to facilitate automatic display and management of data items associated with a hierarchical tree arrangement of folders and subfolders. A computerized interface for data presentation is provided having a sorting component to determine categories relating to one or more items for display. A cluster component groups the categories according to discretized states in order to control visible output to the display. Such states can include packed and unpacked states, wherein packed states can cluster a plurality of items together and across several nodes, whereas unpacked items are controlled and displayed under a grouped heading in one context and as individual data items or entities in another context.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically organizing electronic messages is described herein. Social groups of a particular user that may be representative of topics, people, projects, and the like can be automatically learned based at least in part upon historical correspondence of the user. Moreover, messages can be automatically prioritized based at least in part upon historical correspondence patterns. Electronic messages may be presented to the user in accordance with group information and how important the messages are to the user.

Abstract: A unique system, user interface, and method that facilitate sharing objects in a query-based storage environment are provided. A query can be generated using metadata and the results therefrom can be obtained and shared with one or more recipients. The query and/or query results can be represented as an icon. Sharing of the query and/or query results can be accomplished in part by dragging the icon to the desired recipient. Queries can be shared as a standing query or a snapshot of the query. For standing queries, recipients can be notified when a set of query results changes. In general, queries can be saved by the user and accessed again at a later time. The user interface provides a plurality of navigation tools to facilitate the viewing of objects based on their metadata and the generation of queries.

Abstract: Described is a collection of search-related references authored from a set of search results, in which the collection may be persisted. Search results may be obtained via a federated search of multiple data sources (e.g., local files, the Internet, a corporate network/database). Search results may be presented as individual reference items or grouped into dynamic collection query reference sets, which may be added to the collection. A collection may also embed one or more other collections. Upon opening a collection, search results may be automatically updated by re-running any dynamic collection queries. The user authors the collection by selecting items from a search results interface and dropping or pasting the item reference into a collection interface, and/or by activating an item collection affordance associated with the item. Manual or automatic layout of collection item references is provided, such as to provide a tabular layout or a two-dimensional layout.

Abstract: Social information, including computer communication information, is modeled according to a network approach, and users are provided with representations of patterns within their social spaces and graphical interface tools for navigating through the spaces. This can enhance the user's ability to seek out social information and manage their online social relationships. The social mapping includes automatically collecting computer communication information relating to multiple contacts who are in computer communication with each other, one of the multiple contacts being a selected user. The computer communication information is filtered according to one or more preselected criteria to maintain the number of contacts associated with the selected user at or below a selected threshold. The computer communication information is analyzed to determine extents of similarity between the multiple contacts.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a schema for a database is provided. The schema is based, at least in part, upon three main tables: object types, objects, and, associations. Through these three base tables, the system facilitates rapid prototyping of schema associated with database(s). The schema is extensible since associations between objects, objects and object types are not hard-coded and can be dynamically updated by modifying the appropriate entry(ies) in one or more of these three base tables. Thus, through these three tables, an extensible, flexible framework for generating and/or dynamically modifying the schema is provided. The system includes an input component that receives information associated with a requested database prototype. The system further includes a schema generation component that generates a schema based, at least in part, upon the information received by the input component.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and graphical user interfaces for presenting an interactive profile of a second entity to a first entity in an electronic communication (e.g., email, instant messaging, chat-room, etc.) application are disclosed herein. Data associated with a second entity is extracted from one or more non-dedicated sources external to the electronic communication. The extracted data is presented to a first entity as the interactive profile of the second entity in the electronic communication application. The interactive profile is also capable of acting as an electronic communication channel through which the first and second entities may communicate.

Abstract: A novel system that facilitates monitoring and/or updating data contained within a plurality of network devices. The system includes a file system user interface (UI) that can render a unified representation of the content across multiple stores corresponding to a plurality of disparate network devices. The UI facilitates searching and/or browsing content of a plurality of disparate devices via a single unified experience. Another feature of the invention is that it allows for sharing and/or synchronizing without the use of conventional folders. The invention provides for a metadata-centric view of user content (e.g., files) wherein files can be grouped by type, date, author, etc., without regard to the physical location of the content. Additionally, the invention separates or distinguishes (e.g., decouples) the synchronization of metadata (e.g., author, modification date) from the synchronization of the corresponding data files.

Abstract: Web browsing environments are commonly used to facilitate user interaction with data over the Internet. A web browser is a tool used to view and interact with a webpage. A webpage may interface with a web service to provide remote functionality that the webpage does not locally provide. An effective method for specifying and consuming remote functionality that an application invokes outside of the web browser is disclosed herein. A webpage exposes remote functionality (e.g., web service) that a web browser and/or browser extensions may discover through browsing the webpage. A browser extension associated with an application determines whether the application is compatible with the remote functionality. Once a compatible application is determined, it may be executed so as to connect to and invoke the remote functionality outside of the web browser. The application may provide a more robust experience with the remote functionality compared to the web browsing environment.

Abstract: A computer object access control graphical user interface allows a user to set computer locations where a computer object may be accessed and other users who may access the computer object. The computer object may be a computer file, a computer message, person contact information, etc. The access control user interface may operate, for example, to save a computer object to one or more computer locations, and also to specify sharing of the computer object with one or more other users so that they can access the object. Saving a computer object and setting the sharing of it are together referred to as controlling access to the object, the former referring to where the object may be accessed from and the latter referring to who may access the object. This provides, therefore, a unified interface for selecting and displaying destinations that can be either a file store or a person, thereby unifying the control of access to a computer object.

Abstract: A technique for adding a search control by a user to a file, webpage, desktop, or mobile device, for example. The control lets the end user create documents, webpages, or dashboards with static and/or dynamic content as easily as inserting pictures. The technique also facilitates the imbedding of control access to the search information via this control. When a document is created, the control allows for adding a search into the document, authoring the default view of the query (e.g., thumbnail, details, extended view, slideshow, timeline, etc.), setting the scope (e.g., local computer, website, company human resources database, etc.), and “publishing” states (e.g., dynamically update, static-fixed, query run on local machine, etc). The technique also facilitates the adding of views such as via a user interface control for “adding a search” and standard “search list view control.

Abstract: The disclosed technique analyzes the source of the query and the query itself, to automatically determine the results view presented to the user. This view can be inferred or authored. Before the query is displayed, the query and the source can be analyzed, the results of which are then passed as view control information to the view control component. In addition, analysis can be performed on the type of items in the result set, number of items in the result set, and/or previously selected views of the user and/or from a community of users. For example, if the results are all images, the view is for images, and if the result set is very large, the results can be shown in a grouped view. The user can be provided the option to override the default view.

Abstract: Architecture for replicating and sharing of data (e.g., different types) by analyzing the type and source of the data, analyzing the recipient entities (e.g., users, other devices or systems) that will receive the data, setting access to the data, and configuring rules and defaults for replication and security/access controls. For example, a user can share data with recipient entities such as another user or group of users or another system. The data can be uploaded to a server for access and sharing by the intended recipients or made accessible directly from the recipient computing system. Thus, the intended recipient can access the data directly without being required to register, for example. The architecture automatically and transparently makes the data accessible to the intended recipients based on a number of criteria.

Abstract: A metadata management architecture. The architecture includes a property component that lists one or more properties related to a file, and a viewing component that present files having one or more of the related properties. A synchronization component provides immediate synchronization between property editing fields of the property component and a view in the property-based browser component, providing both instantaneous feedback on property changes and an ability to manipulate properties graphically. Thus, a change in the property pane is immediately reflected in the view component, and a change in the view component is immediately reflected in the property pane.

Abstract: Described is a collection of search-related references authored from a set of search results, in which the collection may be persisted. Search results may be obtained via a federated search of multiple data sources (e.g., local files, the Internet, a corporate network/database). Search results may be presented as individual reference items or grouped into dynamic collection query reference sets, which may be added to the collection. A collection may also embed one or more other collections. Upon opening a collection, search results may be automatically updated by re-running any dynamic collection queries. The user authors the collection by selecting items from a search results interface and dropping or pasting the item reference into a collection interface, and/or by activating an item collection affordance associated with the item. Manual or automatic layout of collection item references is provided, such as to provide a tabular layout or a two-dimensional layout.

Abstract: A metadata management architecture. The architecture includes a property component that lists one or more properties related to a file, and a viewing component that present files having one or more of the related properties. A synchronization component provides immediate synchronization between property editing fields of the property component and a view in the property-based browser component, providing both instantaneous feedback on property changes and an ability to manipulate properties graphically. Thus, a change in the property pane is immediately reflected in the view component, and a change in the view component is immediately reflected in the property pane.

Abstract: A metadata management architecture. The architecture includes a property component that lists one or more properties related to a file, and a viewing component that present files having one or more of the related properties. A synchronization component provides immediate synchronization between property editing fields of the property component and a view in the property-based browser component, providing both instantaneous feedback on property changes and an ability to manipulate properties graphically. Thus, a change in the property pane is immediately reflected in the view component, and a change in the view component is immediately reflected in the property pane.