DE102004032500A1 - Method and message system for creating an appointment element in a message system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a message system for creating an appointment element (TE) in a message system, wherein the appointment item (TE) creates and parameter parameters (TO2, TK2, TLN) of the appointment item (TE) appointment parameters (A1, abcdef, A2, A3 , A4). In a first step, an electronic message (EN) containing information fields (TO, TK, ABS, PR, CC) is opened by a user, in a second step the user initiates the creation of the appointment element (TE) in a third step at least one of the information fields (TO, TK, ABS, PR, CC) of the electronic message (EN) is used for at least one message parameter (A1, abcdef, A2) usable for at least one parameter field (TO2, TK2, TLN) of the appointment element (TE). HIGH, A3, A4) and the at least one message parameter found (A1, abcdef, A2, HIGH, A3, A4) is buffered, and in a fourth step the at least one cached message parameter (A1, abcdef, A2, HIGH, A3 , A4) entered as an appointment parameter (A1, abcdef, A2, A3, A4) in an associated parameter field (TO2, TK2, TLN) of the appointment element (TE).

Description

The The invention relates to a method for creating an appointment item according to the preamble of claim 1 and a message system according to the preamble of claim 8.

to easy and fast communication between individual users or entire user groups are often electronic means of communication used, such as electronic messages ("e-mail").

The Electronic messages are from a communication terminal of a Sender - that is usually a computer or other device with computer-like Properties, such as a mobile phone - sent to a recipient, where the electronic message from a message system associated with the receiver received and stored. In the case of e-mails, for example an e-mail server or a so-called unified messaging system, which electronic messages of various services (e-mail, fax, voice messages) managed by a common user interface.

Next the pure storage and management of electronic messages Such messaging systems offer more features, being a very known of these functions is the appointment management. The functionality of a Such appointment management goes far beyond a normal "alarm function", in which one specified time an optical and / or acoustic signal is spent out. Leave with a modern appointment management Meetings with an almost unlimited number of participants plan, taking the personal schedules the individual participants are coordinated with each other and the single participant using electronic messages over the scheduled meeting. Such a planned event becomes similar within the news systems like an electronic one Message stored and managed, this in the form of so-called. Appointment elements (also called C & S element, "Calendaring and Scheduling") happens. Such an appointment item typically has several parameter fields on (e.g., date, time, location of the event, participant, subject, etc.), each with the appropriate parameters (date parameter) filled become. If then a newly created appointment element with the appropriate Date parameters is provided and is released, the in the parameter fields defined participant ("receiver") over the Event informed.

to Operation of the message systems uses a user each a user interface ("user interface"), often on Computers an application program to access electronic messages ("Email Client"). Likewise is common either in addition or alternatively an access via a so-called "web interface" to the message system possible, being over a data network (for example, the Internet) using any Computers with a standardized viewer ("web browser") on the functions of the Message system is accessed. Leave many messaging systems also about a "telephone interface" of any Operate the phone; This interface is also known as TUI ("Telephony User Interface"). there become the most text-based electronic messages the accessing user by means of a synthetically generated voice read aloud. When the messaging system through a Unified Messaging system can be formed of course, too the voice messages present therein via the TUI interface too be transmitted to the user.

at the known message systems and their user interfaces has proven to be disadvantageous in the creation of a Appointment element a variety of appointment parameters in the corresponding Parameter fields of the appointment element must be inserted. Frequently a new appointment element in response to a present electronic message, for example an incoming e-mail message created. Then you can with a graphical user interface, So for example, a corresponding e-mail client program, matching Content parts of the electronic message copied out and into corresponding parameter fields of the appointment element are copied in ("copy and paste"). However, this process is all the more complicated the more information fields of the electronic message or parameter fields of the appointment item must be processed in this way. Especially when using user interfaces with limited operating options, for example, in mobile phones with small display devices and small keyboards or especially with the TUI's is copying the contents of information fields and then inserting the copied content in parameter fields only limited or not at all possible, so in these cases the creation of a new appointment element and the filling of this Appointment element associated parameter fields is time consuming and error prone.

Of the The present invention is therefore the object of the preparation of appointment items in messaging systems.

The Task is for the method by the features of claim 1 and for the message system solved by the features of claim 8.

The solution The task provides a method for creating an appointment item in a messaging system, where the appointment item is created and entered in parameter fields of the terminal element date parameter become. In the first step, an information field is created containing electronic message opened by a user, in a second step by the user creating the appointment item fires in a third step, at least one of the information fields the electronic message according to at least one for at least a parameter field of the appointment element usable message parameters searched and the at least one found message parameter cached, and in a fourth step of at least a cached message parameter as an appointment parameter entered in an assigned parameter field of the appointment item. This procedure is eliminated the manual and thus time-consuming acceptance of the message parameters for the corresponding parameter fields of the appointment element. Unless the original electronic message all for the planned event (appointment element, C & S element) contains necessary information, let yourself order the appointment item by entering a single command or at least very few commands complete.

The solution the task further sees a message system to carry out a the inventive method before, wherein the message system for receiving electronic messages and for managing appointment items and having a user interface to display an electronic message and to create and is equipped for processing an appointment element. The message system is for Reading out message parameters from the electronic message and for entering the read out message parameters as an appointment parameter formed in the appointment element. By such a message system can in a simple way the parameters for an appointment element from a taken over electronic message which makes the creation and completion of the appointment item less is complex and prevents incorrect information or at least reduced become.

The Method is by the features of the dependent claims 2 to 7 advantageously further formed, with their features and advantages mutatis mutandis, for the message system according to the invention be valid.

The Procedure leaves to be particularly advantageous when the message system through the user a telephone-based user interface ("TUI") is served, wherein in the first step the opened one electronic message to the user through a synthetically generated Voice transmitted becomes. Execution of operating steps, for example the input of addresses, is via acoustic (Telephone-based) user interfaces particularly complex, with the reduction given by the process the operating steps a particularly high time advantage and an increase in the Ease of use brings with it. The operation of the telephone-supported user interface is especially easy, if in the second step the creation of the appointment item by entering a command via a keystroke on a Telephone terminal or triggered by speaking a command in the telephone terminal.

faulty created appointment items are recognized or corrected by entering a fifth Step the item of appointment controlled by the user and / or is reworked. It will be advantageous way with the help of the method, in particular the automatically adopted date parameters presented to the user for control.

A size Number of standard use cases is covered by the procedure if in the third step as Message parameter a recipient address, a sender address, a subject line, and / or a priority the electronic message evaluated and as an appointment parameter is used. Because these details in the electronic messages often in separate, predefined fields can be the takeover This message parameter is particularly simple and reliable realize.

In electronic messages, important information is often stored in text form in the so-called text body of the electronic message. This unstructured information can be further processed automatically if the electronic message has a body of information and in the third step the body is searched for strings that represent location information, address information and / or time information, with the strings found during the search being buffered as message parameters , These cached message parameters are then entered in the corresponding fields (parameter fields) of the appointment element. Many information can be extracted from the body of the text using keywords or special characters. For example, electronic addresses ("e-mail addresses") can be identified by the "@" symbol. Also times (date, time) or Internet addresses ("URL's") often have a characteristic form mat and can thus be easily interpreted, extracted and inserted into the corresponding parameter fields of the appointment element.

A Saving of operating steps, especially when using functionally limited user interfaces results yourself by taking the third and fourth steps automatically through the Message system to be executed after the second step. So if an electronic message is open (displayed / read is) is enough thus, ideally, the input of a single command to a new one Create appointment element and its parameter fields with appointment parameters to fill, that come from the electronic message.

The Message system is advantageously operated via a telephone-based user interface, wherein preferably the message system for transmitting the opened electronic message via synthetically generated voice to one User is formed, and the user interface means for a User dialogue guided by acoustic outputs and wherein the user dialogue is for the control of the read-out and entering the message parameters. The representation the open one electronic message about an "acoustic Channel "opens such message system from almost any location, provided that a telephone connection can be established. Here are the Inputs of the user advantageous either via keystrokes ("DTMF dialing") or over the Speech performed by predefined words ("keywords").

The Message system is particularly flexible if it is a Analysis device for evaluating at least one information field of electronic message, wherein the analysis device for searching the at least one information field for character strings is set up, the location information, address information and / or Represent time information, and the message system to register the retrieved strings as appointment parameters in the appointment element is trained.

embodiments the method according to the invention will be explained below with reference to the drawing, the same time Explanation of embodiments inventive message systems serve.

there the sole figure shows a schematic representation of an electronic Message with multiple information fields that make up message parameters taken as a date parameter in parameter fields of a likewise Diagram element shown schematically.

In The figure is an electronic message EN and an appointment element TE shown schematically, wherein the electronic message EN with information fields TO, TK, ABS, PR, CC and the appointment element is equipped or linked with parameter fields TO2, TK2, TLN. The information fields and parameter fields displayed here represent an exemplary selection; Of course, the electronic message even with a different amount of information fields linked or be equipped, as well as the appointment element other than the may have parameter fields shown here. The electronic Message and the appointment item are from a (not shown) Managed message system. Examples of such a message system is the "Exchange Server" of the company Microsoft or the software "Domino / Notes" from Lotus. The electronic message EN is in this case an e-mail message, while the appointment item TE is associated with a scheduled meeting Calendar entry ("C & S element", "task document").

In the electronic message EN contains the information field TO as the message parameter a recipient address A1, so in the present case the e-mail address of the recipient the message. The information field TK comprises the body of the text E-mail message, where the message parameter abcdef the actual Represents (text) message. The information field ABS contains as a message parameter the e-mail address A2 of the sender of the electronic message. The message parameters A3, A4 in the information field CC ("Carbon Copy") are the addresses of other users, who have received this electronic message EN in copy. The Information field PR (priority) is an example of one often optional message parameter HIGH (= "high priority").

in the It is assumed below that a user, namely the recipient of the electronic message EN, to the message system via a telephone-based user interface (TUI) accesses, wherein from the message system, the present electronic Message EN by means of a synthetically generated voice ("text-to-speech") transmitted to the user. The information fields TO, TK, ABS, PR, CC of the electronic message EN acoustically output. After Output of the last information field - in this case, the information field TK with the text of the electronic message EN issued last - does that work Message system in a so-called. Waiting state ("idle mode") via and waits for a command input from the user.

Of course, alternatively or to In addition, the message system is accessed via another user interface, such as a computer screen with a keyboard and a computer mouse.

Of the User enters the key combination "* 8" at his communication terminal (telephone), which is the case with the present message system, the generation of the new appointment element TE causes, with the parameter fields TO2, TK2, TLN of the appointment element TE are not yet filled with appointment parameters. Alternatively to the Entering a key combination is also the pronunciation of a keyword possible. That of the communication terminal the user outgoing acoustic signal (voice data stream) is from the messaging system or its telephone-based user interface both with regard to the keystrokes (e.g., tone selection signals "DTMF"), as well as with respect to on natural-language Inputs examined using a voice analysis device becomes.

A by an operating software formed analysis device of the message system now examines the electronic message EN or the electronic Linked message EN Information fields with regard to usable as date parameters Message parameters and first analyzes the information field TO (Recipient of electronic message EN), and carries the found e-mail address A1 in the Parameter field TO2 of the appointment element TE, where in the parameter TO2 stored date parameters A1 the creator ("Organizer") of the with the Terminele ment TE linked Event designates. The text message, that is the message parameter abcdef becomes unchanged from the information field TK in the parameter field TK2 taken over, so that the user affected by the event has the context be informed of the event. The message system is like this preprogrammed that both the sender (information field ABS) as well as the co-informed users (information field CC) of the electronic message EN as participant (parameter field TLN) the Appointment element are assigned and thus the message parameters A2, A3, A4 adopted as date parameter become. Optionally, the recipient of the electronic message EN (message parameter A1) in addition to the Parameter field TLN.

The Transferring parameters is not limited to copying corresponding information, but may also include editing of the information. So can for example, from an e-mail address through automatic access to an address file ("Directory") the natural name of the addressee can be determined and entered, or vice versa. Furthermore, the message system is designed to distinguish between "internal" and "external" persons is, so that depending on pre-configuration, for example, only internal Attendees are invited to a meeting.

After this the automatic parameter transfer is completed, the message system prompts the user synthesized speech output, via the keyboard of his terminal the Time element, such as date, start time, end time, enter. After entering these times, the appointment item is TE completed and will be sent to all e-mail addresses in are listed in the parameter field TLN.

optional can now also the message system on the in the message system available schedules of the planned Participants are accessed, with term clashes are revealed and alternative times may be suggested to the user.

alternative can the input of time information or other required parameters also done so automatically by the message system the information field TK (text body) or the message parameters stored in it abcdef, that is the text the e-mail message, searching for the information you need. After entering an appropriate command of the user will then the text (message parameter abcdef) after such strings searches the formally missing information (time, date, address information, etc.) correspond. After the creation of the appointment element TE, in particular after the string analysis of the information field TK, the message system returns the parameter fields of the appointment element TE by a synthetic generated speech over the communication terminal of User so that the user has the opportunity to confirm or Correction of date parameters receives. If the user has a Mobile phone number is assigned, the appointment parameters can also in text form, for example as SMS, to be communicated to the user. After release of the appointment element TE, the participants (parameter field TLN) of the event inform the event by the message system giving them a special electronic message, a so-called appointment message delivered.

Claims (11)

Method for creating an appointment element (TE) in a message system, wherein the appointment element (TE) is created and entered into parameter fields (TO2, TK2, TLN) of the appointment element (TE) appointment parameters (A1, abcdef, A2, A3, A4), characterized in that - in a first step, an information field (TO, TK, ABS, PR, CC) containing electronic message (EN) is opened by a user, - triggered in a second step by the user, the creation of the appointment element (TE) is - in a third step, at least one of the information fields (TO, TK, ABS, PR, CC) of the electronic message (EN) according to at least one for at least one parameter field (TO2, TK2, TLN) of the appointment element (TE) usable message parameters ( A1, abcdef, A2, HIGH, A3, A4) is searched and the at least one detected message parameter (A1, abcdef, A2, HIGH, A3, A4) is buffered, and - in a fourth step the at least one buffered message parameter (A1, abcdef, A2, HIGH, A3, A4) is entered as an appointment parameter (A1, abcdef, A2, A3, A4) in an assigned parameter field (TO2, TK2, TLN) of the appointment element (TE). Method according to claim 1, characterized that the message system operated by the user via a telephone-based user interface is, wherein in the first step, the opened electronic message To the user through a synthesized voice becomes. Method according to claim 2, characterized that in the second step the creation of the appointment element (TE) by entering a command via pressing a button on a telephone terminal or by speaking a Command in the telephone terminal triggered becomes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that in a fifth Step control the appointment item (TE) by the user and / or is reworked. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that in the third step as a message parameter (A1, abcdef, A2, HIGH, A3, A4) a recipient address, a sender address, a subject line, and / or a priority of the electronic Message (EN) evaluated and as an appointment parameter (A1, abcdef, A2, A3, A4) is used. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic message (EN) is used as an information field (TO, TK, ABS, PR, CC) a body text (TK) and in the third step the text body (TK) for strings is searched, the location information, address information and / or time information represent the strings found in the search as message parameters (A1, abcdef, A2, HIGH, A3, A4) become. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the third and fourth steps are performed automatically the message system will be executed after the second step. Message system for performing any of the method according to Patent claims 1 - 7, in which the message system for receiving electronic messages (EN) and for managing appointment elements (TE), With a user interface to represent an electronic message (EN) and to create and for processing an appointment element (TE), characterized, that the message system for reading message parameters (A1, abcdef, A2, HIGH, A3, A4) from an electronic message (EN) and for entering the read message parameters (A1, abcdef, A2, HIGH, A3, A4) as an appointment parameter (A1, abcdef, A2, A3, A4) in the appointment element (TE) is formed. Message system according to claim 8, characterized in that the message system can be operated via a telephone-supported user interface is. Message system according to claim 9, characterized marked that the messaging system for transmission the open one electronic message (EN) by synthetically generated voice a user is trained, and the user interface means for one guided by acoustic issues User dialog, where the user dialog to the controller the reading out and the entry of the message parameters (A1, abcdef, A2, HIGH, A3, A4) is set up. Message system according to one of the claims 8 - 10, characterized marked that the message system an analyzer for the evaluation of at least one information field (TO, TK, ABS, PR, CC) of the electronic message (EN), wherein the analysis means for searching the at least one information field (TO, TK, ABS, PR, CC) is arranged according to character strings, the location data, Represent address information and / or times, and the Message system for entering the found strings as appointment parameter (A1, abcdef, A2, A3, A4) in the appointment element (TE) is formed.