US20100318924A1 - Method and System for Improved Electronic Task Flagging and Management - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved method and system are provided for creating tasks and for inputting information associated with created tasks according to an electronic task management application or system. Electronic correspondence items may be flagged as tasks. Upon flagging an individual electronic correspondence item, a corresponding task is created for the flagged item, and the created task is then populated into and exposed by one or more applications used for displaying tasks such as a tasks application, calendar application, or electronic to-do list application. Properties such as task start dates and task categories may be applied to the created task, as desired.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/955,232 entitled “Method and System for Improved Electronic Task Flagging and Management” filed Sep. 30, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
• With the advent of the computer age, computer and software users have grown accustomed to user-friendly software applications that help them write, calculate, organize, prepare presentations, send and receive electronic mail, make music, and the like. For example, electronic mail systems allow users to send, receive, respond to and store a variety of mail messages and related information. Electronic calendar systems allow users to store, organize and view meeting dates, appointments and tasks. Electronic task management applications allow users to store, organize and view a variety of tasks that a use must complete or that a user desires to complete according to various time schedules.
• However, even with the available functionality of such systems, many users of modern electronic calendar and task management applications still resort to paper task or “to-do” lists on which they write tasks they need to perform or upcoming events, such as appointments or meetings. One reason users resort to such manual systems is because of a real or perceived difficulty associated with inputting tasks and related information into an electronic task management application. For example, typical electronic task management applications require users to launch a task input user interface followed by input of information associated with a task or upcoming event.
• Accordingly, there is a need for an improved task input and management method and system that allows users to easily create tasks and input information associated with created tasks. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present invention has been made.
SUMMARY
• Embodiments of the present invention solve the above and other problems by providing an improved method and system for identifying data items as task items and for inputting information associated such task items according to an electronic task management application or system. Generally described, according to aspects of the invention, any data item may be annotated (flagged) with information that causes the data item to be recognized as a task item by applications that aggregate, display or otherwise use task and task-like items. Upon flagging an individual data item, the flagged data item is then populated into and exposed by one or more applications used for displaying tasks such as a tasks application, calendar application, or electronic to-do list application.
• According to aspects of the invention, a quick flag box is displayed adjacent to every electronic correspondence item that may be flagged as a task. Upon selection of the quick flag box for any electronic correspondence item, a property is set for the item that causes the item to be populated into and displayed by applications that display tasks, such as calendar applications, tasks applications, or electronic to-do lists applications. According to other aspects, additional properties may be applied to a flagged item including start dates and task categories. Additional properties may be applied to a flagged item from a launched menu of task properties that is contextually related to the selected flagged item. In addition, properties may be applied to individual task items from top-level actions menus and mail inspector applications.
• These and other features and advantages, which characterize the present invention, will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a personal computer that provides an illustrative operating environment for embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is illustrates a computer screen display showing an electronic mail application user interface according to embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a computer screen display showing a context menu for applying one or more properties to individual data items so that other applications will recognize the data items as task items according to embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a context menu for applying one or more properties to individual data items so that other applications will recognize the data items as task items according to embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a computer screen display showing an electronic mail viewer user interface and an associated context menu for applying one or more properties to one or more data items so that other applications will recognize the data items as task items according to embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a computer screen display for setting a specific date and time for a data item marked as a task according to embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a computer screen display of a menu for setting default behavior associated with data items marked as task items according to embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• As briefly described above, embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved task input and management method and system that allows users to easily mark data items as tasks and input information associated with marked data items. In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrations specific embodiments or examples. These embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
• Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements through the several figures, aspects of the present invention and the exemplary operating environment will be described.FIG. 1 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment in which the invention may be implemented. While the invention will be described in the general context of program modules that execute in conjunction with an application program that runs on an operating system on a personal computer, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may also be implemented in combination with other program modules.
• Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types of structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
• Turning now toFIG. 1, an illustrative computer architecture for apersonal computer2 for practicing the various embodiments of the invention will be described. The computer architecture shown inFIG. 1 illustrates a conventional personal computer, including a central processing unit4 (“CPU”), asystem memory6, including a random access memory8 (“RAM”) and a read-only memory (“ROM”)10, and asystem bus12 that couples the memory to theCPU4. A basic input/output system containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer, such as during startup, is stored in theROM10. Thepersonal computer2 further includes amass storage device14 for storing anoperating system16, application programs, such as the application program205, and data.
• Themass storage device14 is connected to theCPU4 through a mass storage controller (not shown) connected to thebus12. Themass storage device14 and its associated computer-readable media, provide non-volatile storage for thepersonal computer2. Although the description of computer-readable media contained herein refers to a mass storage device, such as a hard disk or CD-ROM drive, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by thepersonal computer2.
• By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer.
• According to various embodiments of the invention, thepersonal computer2 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to remote computers through a TCP/IP network18, such as the Internet. Thepersonal computer2 may connect to the TCP/IP network18 through anetwork interface unit20 connected to thebus12. It should be appreciated that thenetwork interface unit20 may also be utilized to connect to other types of networks and remote computer systems. Thepersonal computer2 may also include an input/output controller22 for receiving and processing input from a number of devices, including a keyboard or mouse (not shown). Similarly, an input/output controller22 may provide output to a display screen, a printer, or other type of output device.
• As mentioned briefly above, a number of program modules and data files may be stored in themass storage device14 andRAM8 of thepersonal computer2, including anoperating system16 suitable for controlling the operation of a networked personal computer, such as the WINDOWS operating systems from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. Themass storage device14 andRAM8 may also store one or more application programs. In particular, themass storage device14 andRAM8 may store anapplication105 for providing a variety of functionalities to a user. For instance, theapplication105 may comprise many types of programs such as a word processing application program, a spreadsheet application, a desktop publishing, and the like. According to an embodiment of the present invention, theapplication105 comprises a multiple functionality software application for providing a user calendar functionality, electronic tasks functionality, electronic mail functionality, contacts information functionality, electronic notes functionality, electronic journal functionality and the like. Some of the individual program modules comprising themultiple functionality application105 include acalendar application125, anelectronic mail application130, acontacts application135, atasks application140, anotes application145 and a journal application (not shown). An example of such amultiple functionality application105 is OUTLOOK.RTM. manufactured by Microsoft Corporation.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a computer screen display of an electronic mail application user interface according to embodiments of the present invention. Theuser interface200 is illustrative of anelectronic mail application130 user interface for displaying electronic data items received, sent or stored in a variety of storage folders. An example electronic mail application user interface illustrated inFIG. 2 is provided by OUTLOOK.RTM. manufactured and marketed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.
• Theuser interface200 illustrated inFIG. 2 includes aninbox210 with which the user may view a listing of electronic data items that have been received by the user, that have been sent by the user, or which have been stored in one or more user-established storage folders. As illustrated inFIG. 2, a number of electronic data items are listed in theinbox pane210. To the right of theinbox210, a view orpreview pane230 is illustrated for displaying the contents of a selected data item. As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, if the user has activated a preview, the user may receive a preview of the contents of a selected data item by focusing on the data item in theinbox210.
• Along the lower left-hand corner of theuser interface200 is anapplication selection pane225 containing selectable functionality controls for selecting other types of functionality provided by the multiple functionality software application105 (described above) through which the user's electronic mail application is provided. For example, the display of the electronicmail user interface200 is in response to selection of the “Mail” control. If the user wishes to launch a user interface associated with atasks application140, the user may select the “Tasks” control to launch the functionality of thetasks application140 including presentation of auser interface200 associated with the tasks application. Likewise, the user may select the “Contacts” control to launch the functionality of acontacts application135 and an associateduser interface200 for displaying information and functionality for acontacts application135.
• Referring still toFIG. 2, a To Dobar240 is illustrated. According to embodiments of the invention, functionality of the To-Do bar240 is provided by themultiple functionality application105. As described below, according to one displayed embodiment of the present invention, the To-Do bar240 includes a date picker control, an appointments/meetings view, a task input panel, and a task list. According to embodiments of the present invention, the To-Do bar240 is always displayed in theuser interface200 so that a user has a quick and easy view of upcoming meetings, appointments and tasks without the need to launch specific applications, for example, calendar applications and tasks applications, for obtaining that information. For a detailed description of the To-Do bar240, see U.S. patent application having Ser. No. 10/955,928, entitled “Improved User Interface For Providing Task Management and Calendar Information,” which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set out herein.
• Referring still toFIG. 2, according to embodiments of the present invention, data items may be marked for recognition by other applications as tasks or task-like items. Marking such data items for recognition as task items may include flagging the data items with task properties such as task start dates and/or task categories. Any number of data items may be marked for recognition as task items, such as electronic correspondence items, including electronic mail items, meeting requests, meeting responses, task requests and task responses. Other data items that may be marked for recognition as task items include text selections, spreadsheet data, contacts information and the like. For purposes of example, operation of embodiments of the present invention is described herein in the context of marking or flagging electronic data items for recognition as task items. But, as should be appreciated, the functionality of the present invention is equally applicable to other data items as set forth above.
• A pop-upcontext menu265 is illustrated for applying one or more properties, for example, task start dates and task categories, to a selected data item so that the flagged data item becomes a task item bearing the applied properties. Once a data item is flagged as a task, according to embodiments of the present invention, the properties applied to the data item, for example, start date and task category, will dictate the position of the corresponding task item in a task list provided by atasks application140 or provided by a task list contained in a To-Do bar240. For example, if a given data item is flagged with a start date property of “today” and a category of “work project,” a corresponding task may be displayed in a user's task list along with other tasks having a start date of “today,” and the task will bear a category icon indicating that the task is associated with the “work project” category. Thus, the user is able to automatically mark a data item as a task without the need for launching a user interface, completing a task entry form, and submitting the form to atasks application140 for creation and storage of the desired task item.
• Individual data items are flagged as tasks using a task flagging control (hereinafter referred to as a “quick flag box”) that is displayed to the right of every data item that may be flagged according to embodiments of the present invention. Referring still toFIG. 2, the quick flag box is comprised of two components. Theflag icon255 represents whether an item has been flagged as a task. If an item has a flag icon showing in the quick flag box, the item has been flagged as a task and will appear in any user interface that displays tasks such as is provided by thetasks application140, and as is displayed in the To-Do bar240. According to embodiments of the present invention, a triple-flag icon indicates a start date that matches or precedes the current date. Or, the triple-flag icon may be used to indicate a start date of today. Referring toFIG. 2, a triple-flag icon255 is illustrated next to a data item in theinbox210. A double-flag icon, as illustrated in thecontext menu265, indicates tasks having a start date matching a next work-day, or a task item having a start date within the current week other than today. A single-flag icon275 indicates tasks having a start date past the current week. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the flag icon for a given task changes at midnight, as necessary. That is, if a task item bears a double-flag icon indicating a start date of “Tomorrow,” at midnight, the flag icon will be changed to a triple-flag icon indicating that the task has a start date of “Today.” As should be appreciated, the flagging icons described above are by way of example. A number of different icons may be used to indicate different task start dates or due dates.
• A second property that may be applied to a created task is a category for the created task. A number of task categories that are system-defined or user-defined may be applied to individual tasks. For example, a user may define a first task category associated with a given work project. A second task category may be assigned to a second given work project. A third task category may be assigned to a personal project. A fourth task category may be assigned to a vacation project, and so on. As should be appreciated, the example task categories described herein are not limiting of the great variety of task categories that may be designed by a user or that may be system designed. According to embodiments of the present invention, a task color is assigned to each task category to distinguish one category from another. Accordingly, in addition to applying a timing property to a selected data item, a category property may also be applied to the selected data item to categorize the corresponding task item.
• As illustrated inFIG. 2, a variety of task flagging combinations may be applied to a given data item. For example, theflag icon255 has been applied to an associated data item in theinbox210, but no category color has been applied to the quick flag box containing theflag icon255. Thus, the corresponding task item has a selected start date associated with theflag icon255, but the task item has not been categorized by the user. Thequick flag box275 illustrates the application of a single flag icon indicating a start date past the current week, and the quick flag box has been colored light green to indicate a particular task category. For example, as shown in thecontext menu265, the light green coloring is associated with a task category of “IT upgrade.” Referring to the bottom portion of theinbox210, thequick flag box250 is illustrated that has been colored blue according to an associated task category. However, thequick flag box250 does not include a flag icon indicating that no start date or due date has been set for the corresponding task item. Beneath thequick flag box250 is aquick flag box270 that has not been selected for creation of a task. That is, thequick flag box270 has not been colored according to a given task category, and no flag icon has been applied to the corresponding data item. Thus, no task has been created for the corresponding data item.
• According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tool-tip box may be provided that may deploy when a user hovers a mouse cursor over a givenquick flag box250,270,275. The tool-tip box may provide information to a user as to how to utilize the quick flag box. For example, a tool tip may instruct a user to right-click on a given quick flag box to launch acontext menu265 for applying one or more task flagging properties to a task created from the associated data item. According to an embodiment of the present invention, if a given data item bears other informational icons, for example reminder icons, a corresponding task item will also bear the additional informational icons.
• As briefly described above, according to embodiments of the present invention, any items that appear in a mail folder of anelectronic mail application130 may be flagged for creation of a task. Such data items include electronic mail messages, meeting requests, meeting responses, task requests, and task responses. Flagging a data item for creation of a task causes themultiple functionality application105 or the individualelectronic mail application130 to set special properties on the flagged data item. Setting properties on the flagged data item will cause a data item to appear in atasks application140 user interface for showing task items or in the To-Do bar240 illustrated inFIG. 2. Additionally, flagged data items may appear in a calendar user interface provided by acalendar application125 via a search folder. Properties set on a selected data item include a task subject to allow the task item to have a title without requiring changes to the subject line of the corresponding data item. A due date and time, a start date, a date completed and any selected menu items applied to the flagged item are properties applied to a data item according to embodiments of the present invention. Properties may be set on data items for ordering corresponding task items relative to other displayed task items. According to embodiments of the present invention, when a user flags a task request contained in a mail folder, properties of an embedded task contained in the task request are not affected by properties set for the associated data item for creating a task.
• Having described the task flagging functionality according to embodiments of the present invention with respect toFIG. 2 above,FIGS. 3 through 7 and the associated description below, describe methods for applying a flag to an individual data item to create a corresponding task item for use and display by acalendar application125, atasks application140, or for inclusion in a task list in a To-Do bar240. As briefly described above, data items may be flagged as new tasks by selecting the quick flag boxes associated with displayed data items and by applying task flagging properties through acontext menu265, a radial menu (not shown), a mail inspector application, or from a top-level actions menu.
• Referring back toFIG. 2, when a user performs a single selection action, such as a primary left mouse click, on aquick flag box250,270,275 associated with a given data item, the item will automatically be identified or marked as a corresponding task item that is scheduled with a default start date of today. The item then appears below the current day on a calendar application user interface and in the “Today” group of a task list such as the task list illustrated in the To-Do bar240, or in a task list provided by thetasks application140. By default, selecting the item's quick flag box does not assign any task category to the item. However, if desired, a default task category may be set, as described below, which will be automatically applied to a flagged data item for the corresponding task item.
• Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, when a user performs a secondary selection action, for example, a right mouse click, on thequick flag box250,270,275 for a given data item, thecontext menu265 is deployed. As described below, thecontext menu265 may also be deployed from the top-level actions menu selectable from a top-level tool bar associated with the givensoftware application125,130,140. Once thecontext menu265 is deployed, a user may select specific timing properties (e.g., start date, due date, etc.), task category properties, and other properties including reminder properties and task complete properties. As set forth above, basic selection of a given data item for marking a corresponding task item sets a default start date of today and sets no category for the created task.
• With thecontext menu265, a user may customize start date or due date properties and category properties for the created task. For example, if a user desires a start date of this week, the user may select the “This Week”control330 from thecontext menu265 to apply the associated start date property to the new task. Selection of the “This Week”control330 also populates the quick flag box with an associatedsingle flag icon320 as illustrated for thequick flag box275.
• If the user desires to assign a particular task category to the created task item, the user may select one of the category controls, for example, the “Smith Project”control340, the “London Trip”control345, or the “IT Upgrade” category. The bottom portion of thecontext menu265 shows the top five most frequently used category names in order of frequency of use with the associated color controls340,345. In addition, a user may assign multiple categories to a selected item. For example, the category “Carson project” illustrated in thecontext menu265 is associated with multiple categories, and accordingly, the color applied to the quick flag box upon application of the “Carson project” category is comprised of multiple colors associated with the multiple categories assigned to the associated data item and new task item. As should be understood, the example task categories illustrated in thecontext menu265 are for purposes of example only and are not restrictive of the many different task categories that may be system-defined or that may be defined by an individual user. In order to review additional task categories, the “All Categories”control350 may be selected to cause a fly-out menu to be displayed showing all additional task categories that may be applied to a given task item.
• Additional properties that may be applied to a task item include the “Show Reminder”property335 and a “Flag Complete” property. Additionally, as set forth above, a “Set Defaults”control360 is provided in thecontext menu265 to set certain default properties that will be applied to a task item automatically upon selection of the quick flag box associated with a given data item. For example, a default task category may be set which will then be automatically applied upon initial selection of a quick flag box for creation of a task item. However, a user may always change the default task category to a different task category by selection of a desired task category from thecontext menu265. Similarly, a default start date or due date property may be selected for all created task items, but may be modified if desired. A “Clear Flag” property may also be set on a data item to clear the data item of previously set task properties such that the data item will no longer be recognized as a task item.
• For application of two properties to a selected data item and corresponding task item with a single user action (e.g., mouse click), a radial context menu may be provided to allow the user to select a desired start date or due date and task category simultaneously by selecting a given location in the radial context menu. For a detailed description of a radial context menu for use in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, see U.S. patent application, Attorney/Agent No. 60001.0418US01, Applicant Matter No. 309465.01, entitled “Two-dimensional Radial User Interface For Computer Software Applications,” which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set out herein.
• In addition to the foregoing, properties may also be applied to a selected data item and corresponding new task item by selecting a top-level actions menu associated with the software application user interface in use by the user. For example, theuser interface200 illustrated inFIG. 2 is a user interface associated with anelectronic mail application130. According to embodiments of the present invention, upon selection of a given data item for flagging the data item as a new task, the user may select a top level actions control to deploy anactions menu400 illustrated inFIG. 4. The user may then deploy one or more fly-outmenus410 for applying particular properties to the selected new task item. For example, selection of the “Follow-Up”control405 causes deployment of the fly-outmenu410 with which the user may apply a start date property to the selected item. For example, a start date property of “Today” and a correspondingtriple flag icon310 may be applied to a selected data item for application to the corresponding new task item. Additional controls, such as the “Show Reminder”control335 may be selected for applying other properties to the selected item. As described above for thecontext menu265, a “Set Defaults”control360 is provided for setting certain default properties to any selected item. According to one embodiment, the properties contained in the fly-outmenu410 of theactions menu400 comprise a subset of the properties available in thecontext menu265, illustrated and described above. In order to apply a task category to the selected data item, the “Categories” control may be selected to deploy a different fly-outmenu410 containing category selection controls. As described above for thecontext menu265, selection of a given category control from the fly-outmenu410 causes the selected category property to be applied to the data item and corresponding new task item.
• Referring toFIG. 5, a mail inspectorapplication user interface500 is illustrated. If an electronic data item contained in the mail inspector application is flagged for follow-up, the flagged data item automatically creates a task item, as described herein. In order to apply particular properties to the flagged data item, a drop-down menu410 is deployed from which the user may select one or more properties for application to the flagged data item and corresponding task item. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 5, selection of the flag icon in the tool bar of theuser interface500 causes a deployment of themenu410 from which the user may select start date properties and other timing and default properties, as described above forFIG. 4.
• Referring still toFIG. 5, a task category may be applied to the flagged data item and corresponding task item by selecting the category icon from the tool bar illustrated in theuser interface500. In response, amenu410 will be deployed similar to themenu410 illustrated inFIG. 5, but containing one or more system-defined or user-defined task categories. Selection of one of the available task categories causes application of the selected task category property to the selected data item and corresponding new task item.
• According to an embodiment of the invention, a given data item may also be flagged as a new task item by dragging the data item to the task list or date picker control contained in the To-Do bar240, illustrated inFIG. 2. For example, if a given data item is dragged from theinbox210 to the “Today” section of the task list in the To-Do bar240, the user action will cause the creation of a new task item in the “Today” section of thetask list240. If the user desires to add a category property to the task list, the user may select the created task item and deploy thecontext menu265 for application of a desired category. In addition, an electronic data item may be dragged to a particular date in the date picker control at the top of the To-Do bar240 to cause the data item to be flagged as a task item with a start date associated with the date in the date picker control on which the data item is dropped. Again, if the user desires to add additional properties to the created task item, the user may launch acontext menu265 for application of additional properties.
• According to embodiments of the present invention, a user may re-flag an item previously flagged as a task item. If the user applies a flag to an item and then flags the item again, all relevant properties, for example, start date and task category, are reset according to the second flagging of the item unless the user has selected a “Specific Date And Time” option. If the user has selected a “Specific Date And Time” option, then re-flagging a previously flagged item only changes the start date of the flagged item according to the date on which the item is re-flagged.
• Referring toFIG. 6, if the user selects a “Specific Date And Time” option from thecontext menu265, adialog box600 may be displayed. With thedialog box600, the user may complete thedate field610 to set a specific start date for a task. By default, thestart date field610 will show the start date that is presently set for the item. If the item has no start date, the field will show “No Date.” Thedeadline box620 is unchecked by default. If desired, a due date may be set for the task by clicking the deadline box and populating the deadline fields with a specific deadline date. In addition, a specific deadline time may also be selected for a given task item. Thereminder box630 is unchecked by default. The reminder control allows a user to set a date and time when the user wishes a reminder to be made to the user regarding the associated task item. A “Clear Flag” button is provided to allow all previously set flag properties to be cleared as described above.
• As described above, with reference toFIG. 3, default task item start dates and default task item categories may be set by a user for automatic application to all selected data items. For example, if a user desires to automatically apply a start date of “Tomorrow” and a category of “Work Project” to all selected data items by default, the user may establish such a default setting by selecting the “Set Defaults”control360 from thecontext menu265. In response to selecting the “Set Defaults” control, a dialog box ormenu700, illustrated inFIG. 7, is displayed to allow the setting of default behavior applied to selected data items. As illustrated inFIG. 7, a default flag, such as the “Today”flag710 or the “Tomorrow”flag720 may be selected. If the “No Flag” control is selected, then no start date flag is applied to the associated task item, but a default category may nonetheless be selected for application to selected data items and associated task items. In the bottom portion of thedialog box700, a default category may be selected. Selection of thecombination box730 provides a listing of all available categories for application to selected items as default categories.
• As described herein, methods and systems provide for automatically marking data items as for recognition as task items by selection of a quick flag box associated with individual data items. By applying one or more task properties to individual data items according to embodiments of the present invention, a user is able to create a task item by “touching” on a selected data item. Thus, the user avoids the potentially cumbersome and time-consuming process of launching a task item creation user interface to complete information associated with a desired task item. Through the use of quickly and efficiently deployed context menus associated with selected data items, a user may apply important information such as start times and task categories to selected data items and corresponding task item. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein.

Claims (20)

1. A method for marking a mail item for recognition as a task item, comprising:

associating a task flagging control with a mail item;

receiving a selection of the task flagging control; and

in response to receiving a selection of the task flagging control, automatically applying at least one property to the mail item, wherein applying the at least one property to the mail item comprises making the mail item available to at least one of the following: a calendar application and a task application.

2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising storing the task item in a list of task items.

3. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising displaying the list of task items in a task list user interface.

4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein automatically applying at least one property to the mail item comprises applying a start date property to the mail item.

5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein applying a start date property to the task item includes applying the start date property from a context menu at least one start date property.

6. The method ofclaim 4, further comprising populating the task flagging control with a visual icon for identifying the start date property applied to the task item.

7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising automatically applying a default start date property to the mail item.

8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein automatically applying at least one property to the mail item comprises applying a task category property to the mail item.

9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein applying a task category property to the mail item includes applying the task category property from a context menu containing at least one task category property.

10. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising populating the task flagging control with a visual identifier for identifying the task category property applied to the mail item.

11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein populating the task flagging control with a visual identifier for identifying the task category property applied to the mail item includes populating the task flagging control with a unique color associated with the task category property applied to the task item.

12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein automatically applying at least one property to the mail item comprises applying a default task category property to the mail item.

13. A computer-readable medium having a set of instructions which when executed by a computer perform a method for marking a mail item for recognition as a task item, the method executed by the set of instructions comprising:

associating a task flagging control with a mail item;

receiving a selection of the task flagging control, wherein receiving the selection of the task flagging control comprises receiving the selection from the context menu accessed via a quick flag box adjacent to the mail item; and

in response to receiving a selection of the task flagging control, automatically applying at least one property to the mail.

14. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 13, wherein applying the at least one property to the mail item comprises making the mail item available to at least one of the following: a calendar application and a task application.

15. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 13, wherein applying the at least one property to the mail item comprises applying at least one user-customized property to the mail item.

16. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 13, wherein automatically applying the at least one property to the mail item comprises applying at least one of the following: a default start date property, a default task category, and a default due date to the mail item.

17. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 13, further comprising storing the task item in a list of task items.

18. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 13, further comprising displaying the list of task items in a task list user interface.

19. A system for marking a mail item for recognition as a task item, the system comprising:

a memory storage; and

a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, wherein the processing unit is configured to:

associate a task flagging control with the mail item displayed in a user interface, wherein the task flagging control comprises a context menu displaying selection options for customizing the mail item as the task item;

receive a selection of the task flagging control from the context menu accessed via a quick flag box adjacent to the mail item; and

apply, in response to receiving the selection of the task flagging control, at least one property to the mail item, wherein applying the at least one property to the mail item comprises:

making the mail item available to at least one of the following: a calendar application and a task application, and

adding the mail item to a tasks list.

20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the processing unit being configured to applying the at least one property to the mail item comprises the processing unit being configured to configure the mail item with at least one of the following: a calendar application and a task application.

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