WO2009007944A2 - Email information and activity manager - Google Patents

Email information and activity manager Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009007944A2
WO2009007944A2 PCT/IL2007/000855 IL2007000855W WO2009007944A2 WO 2009007944 A2 WO2009007944 A2 WO 2009007944A2 IL 2007000855 W IL2007000855 W IL 2007000855W WO 2009007944 A2 WO2009007944 A2 WO 2009007944A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
package
packages
operable
tool
activity
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2007/000855
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2009007944A3 (en
Inventor
Arie Kogan
Uval Blumenfeld
Original Assignee
Prolify Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Prolify Ltd. filed Critical Prolify Ltd.
Priority to PCT/IL2007/000855 priority Critical patent/WO2009007944A2/en
Publication of WO2009007944A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009007944A2/en
Publication of WO2009007944A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009007944A3/en

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/10Office automation; Time management
    • G06Q10/107Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Definitions

  • the invention relates to methods of managing information and activities generated and/or communicated by electronic communications, and in particular by email.
  • Various computerized information and activity management tools are used by organizations and individuals for managing a wide variety of projects. These management tools may for example, support projects such as product development, manufacturing and even coordination of social events.
  • Conventional project management tools for managing related information and activities can generally assist in managing several aspects of projects. For instance, these tools may enable "breaking up” of large projects into smaller tasks doable by individual people. In addition, they often support management of budgets for projects, and commonly provide monitoring of timelines and progress of projects.
  • An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to providing an activity management system that provides tools for transmitting and managing information, and generating and configuring a communication network that connects senders and receivers of the information.
  • the tools provide the communication network at least by nesting transmitted information.
  • the information may be transmitted using any convenient information transmission protocol such as by way of example, soap/http, FTP and/or email.
  • An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to providing an activity management system for generating, delegating, integrating and monitoring a plurality of related tasks.
  • activity includes and may refer not only to an action to be undertaken but also to receiving and processing information.
  • An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to providing an activity package for generating, delegating, integrating and monitoring tasks that nests delegated tasks within other tasks.
  • a first activity package defining a first task is operable to generate a second activity package defining a second task related to the first task.
  • the second activity package is electronically transmittable to an assignee of the second task and remains as an activity package nested in the first activity package.
  • the first nesting activity package comprises the second nested package, and, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, all the information in the second nested activity package is available via the first nesting package.
  • an activity package comprises a bundle of tools operable to configure the activity package to define a task and perform functions related to the task, such as defining and enabling a plurality of related tasks, delegating tasks of the related tasks and monitoring delegated tasks.
  • the bundle comprises "defining tools" for providing a task with, for example, a title, due dates, documents and/or contacts that can be accessed to support performance of the task and a person or entity responsible for performing the task.
  • the bundle comprises "operating tools", that can be operated and manipulated t ⁇ ) support performance of the task, such as a budget, scratch pad for recording and generating notes and documents related to the tasks, and a content management tool for, by way of example, importing, storing task related data, for example documents or other electronic files.
  • the content management tool is used to support collaboration in generating and processing documents and/or other electronic files, hi an embodiment of the invention, the bundle comprises "monitoring tools" used for monitoring performance and progress of a task, for example, a task do-list, an hour-log and a milestone time line function.
  • monitoring tools used for monitoring performance and progress of a task, for example, a task do-list, an hour-log and a milestone time line function.
  • the bundle of a given activity package comprises, a "nesting tool” (NT), operable to generate, configure and display an activity package that nests in the given activity package.
  • NT networking tool
  • a nested package comprises a same bundle of tools as the nesting activity package in which it nests.
  • a delegated task is generated by operating a first activity package NT to generate a "new" second activity package that nests in the first activity package.
  • Tools in the bundles of tools comprised in the first and/or second activity ⁇ ackage(s) are used to configure the second package to define and enable the delegated task.
  • the nested and configured second package is then transmitted to an appropriate assignee for performance of the delegated task.
  • An activity package may be configured, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, to be transmitted to an assignee using any convenient communication method. For example, an activity package may be transmitted as an attachment to an email, as a soap/http transmission or as a file using a file transfer protocol.
  • an activity package is itself a type of email that may be sent to an addressee similarly to the way in which a conventional email is communicated.
  • the second package when the NT of a first activity package is used to generate a second nested activity package, the second package, after optionally being configured as desired, is emailed to the assignee, optionally, by simply pressing on a "send" button in the first activity package.
  • the second package propagates to the assignee as an email comprising, for example, a configured task and tool bundle for performance of the task and use by the assignee.
  • a hierarchy of nested activity packages in some embodiments of the invention may therefore be considered a hierarchy of nested emails.
  • An assignee of a task defined by a given activity package may also be referred to as an "operator" of the activity package and the task it defines.
  • a nested package can itself also be a nesting package if, when it is configured, it is enabled to generate nested packages and it has been used to generate a delegated task.
  • a nested activity package may also be referred to as a "delegated activity package”.
  • a task residing in an activity package that was not delegated from the package is referred to as a "resident task” with respect to the package in which it is resident.
  • a resident task in a first package may also be a delegated task with respect to a second activity package, if it was generated by operation of the NT in the second package.
  • a "first" activity package that is not generated by operation of a NT of another activity package, and from which at least one task-package "descends" is referred to as a "progenitor" activity package.
  • Activity packages generated directly from the progenitor activity package are referred to as "first generation” activity packages, which in turn may be operated to create second generation packages, which in turn generate third generation activity packages, and so on.
  • a task configured in a progenitor activity package but not in an activity package nested in the progenitor activity package may be referred to as a "progenitor task” and similarly, a delegated task may be referred to as an "N th generation task” if it is configured in an N th generation activity package.
  • a set of nested activity packages comprising at least one progenitor activity package and a nested activity package is referred to as a project".
  • the bundle comprised in an activity package comprises at least one communication tool, which enables and defines communication channels that are available for use by the operator of the activity package for communicating with other activity packages and their operators and accessing information in other activity packages.
  • the communication channels established and/or enabled by the communication tools comprised in activity packages of a project define a project communication network.
  • the at least one communication tool of a given activity package comprises messaging tools for transmitting messages between the activity package and other activity packages and a "periscope".
  • the periscope in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, defines how much and what type of information is available to the given activity package from other activity packages.
  • the periscope optionally, by default, enables an operator of the given package to access all information in activity packages that nest in the given activity package or nest in an activity package nested in a package that nests in the given activity package.
  • the periscope thereby enables the operator for the given activity package to mom ' tor and supervise tasks he or she delegates to others.
  • a periscope in a given package may be configured to selectively permit access to information in other activity packages.
  • the periscope of a given package may provide an operator of the package with access to information only in activity packages the operator generates from the given activity package.
  • the periscope may be configured to provide access to information in all or only some activity packages, in its own activity package generation and/or in all activity package generations after its own generation, and/or in previous generations.
  • the periscope may be provided with a "filter", which selects types of information available to the given package from another package. For example, a filter may block access to task monitors in another package.
  • a filter may block access to task monitors in another package.
  • an activity package transmits information but, optionally, does not define an explicit task.
  • a project comprising a plurality of such nested activity packages may have communication channels configured by their communication tools so that different operators of the packages have access to different amounts and types of data generated and transmitted in the project.
  • a progenitor in the project may, optionally, view all activity packages in the project and thereby view all the ways in which communication "threads" are generated and used by operators of the project.
  • an operator of a given delegated activity package may only be able to observe communication threads that are generated between activity packages that nest in his or her own activity package.
  • a package of computer tools useable to generate a plurality of nested packages of computer tools comprising at least one package which nests in another, the package comprising: at least one tool for producing and/or receiving information; at least one nesting tool operable to generate at least one additional package of computer tools that nests in the package so that information produced or received using a tool in the additional package is available to the package in which it nests; and at least one transmission tool operable to electronically transmit the at least one additional package to a recipient; wherein the package is operable to provide an additional package of the at least one additional package with similar nesting and transmission tools.
  • the at least one additional package is configured as an email.
  • the at least one tool operable to electronically transmit the at least one additional package comprises a tool operable to transmit the additional package to a recipient as an email.
  • the transmission tool is operable to transmit the at least one additional package using a soap/http protocol.
  • the transmission tool is operable to transmit the at least one additional package using an FTP protocol.
  • the package comprises at least one communication tool operable to configure and/or enable communication between packages of the plurality of nested packages.
  • the at least one communication tool is operable to provide a package with a public chat board that provides access to any information generated using the chat board to all packages comprising the chat board.
  • the at least one communication tool is optionally operable to provide a package with a private chat board that provides access to information generated using the chat board only to a selected packages of the plurality of packages.
  • the at least one communication tool is optionally operable to provide a package with a messaging tool operable to send private messages to and receive private messages from any other of the packages of the plurality of packages.
  • the at least one communication tool is operable to selectively block or enable access of a first suit of the plurality of packages to information in a second package of the plurality of packages.
  • the at least one communication tool is operable to enable the first package access only to information in packages that nest in the first package directly, or indirectly by being nested in a package that directly nests in the first package.
  • the at least one communication tool is optionally operable to enable the first package to access information in a package in which the first package nests , directly or indirectly.
  • the at least one communication tool is operable to enable the fist package access to information in at least one package in at least one generation of nested packages different from its own generation.
  • the packages in the at least one different generation comprise all the packages in a generation of the least one different generation.
  • the at least one different generation optionally comprises a generation earlier than the generation of the first package.
  • the at least one different generation comprises a generation later than the generation of the first package, hi some embodiments of the invention, the at least one communication tool is operable to enable the fist package access to information in at least one other package in a same generation as that of the first package.
  • the packages in the at least one same generation comprise all the packages in the same generation.
  • the at least one communication tool is operable to determine what types of information a first package of the plurality of packages can access from a second package of the plurality of packages. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one communication tool is operable to determine how much information a first package of the plurality of packages can access from a second package of the plurality of packages. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one communication tool is operable to determine when a first package of the plurality of packages can access information from a second package of the plurality of packages.
  • the package comprises a graphical user interface tool operable to provide a graphical display of relationships between packages of the plurality of packages.
  • the relationships are nesting relationships. Additionally or alternatively, the relationships are optionally communication relationships.
  • the package comprises a defining tool operable to define a task associated with an additional package of the at least one additional package to be performed by a recipient of the additional package.
  • the package comprises at least one tool operable to monitor performance of the task.
  • a computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for a general ' purpose computer having a user interface comprising a visual display and user operable accessory for interacting with the display, the set of instruction comprising: a set of instructions that implement a package of computer tools in accordance with the invention; a set of instructions for providing an interface on the screen for accessing the package; a set of instruction for providing icons selectable by operation of the accessory to enable a user to selectively choose and operate tools comprised in the package; and a set of instructions for executing choices and manipulations indicated by user operation of the accessory.
  • a method of managing a plurality of related tasks comprising: using a package of computer tools according to claim 25 or 26 to generate an additional package of tools; using the defining tool to define a task of the related tasks and associate the defined task with the additional package; and using the transmission tool to transmit the additional package to a recipient to be responsible for accomplishing the task associated with the additional package.
  • a method of managing information comprising: using a package of computer tools according to an embodiment of the invention to generate an additional package of tools; using the transmission tool to transmit the additional package to a recipient; and accessing information in the additional package that is produced or received using a tool comprised in the additional package of tools.
  • Fig. 1 schematically shows an activity package comprising a bundle of task management functions and tools in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 schematically shows a nesting tool ("NT") being used by a task owner to generate and delegate tasks in a project, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 3 schematically shows activity packages being used to manage a project in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic graphical illustration of an exemplary activity package 100 provided by an activity management system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Package 100 is usable for generating, delegating and/or monitoring related tasks.
  • Package 100 optionally includes a bundle 102 of tools 106 and/or tools 136 for defining and enabling a plurality of related tasks, delegating tasks of the related tasks and/or monitoring tasks of the related tasks.
  • Tools 106 optionally include defining tools 108, operating tools 114, and/or monitoring tools 124, while tools 136 optionally include a nesting tool ("NT") 138 and/or communication tools 142.
  • NT nesting tool
  • Defining tools 108 comprise by way of example tools usable for defining a resident task, such as by giving it a title 110, and/or due dates 112 and/or assigning a task an operator 113 responsible for the task.
  • defining tools comprise tools for defining a task venues and/or dependence of a task on performance of other tasks.
  • Operating tools 114 comprise, by way of example, tools usable for providing, generating and/or coupling the task with various types of auxiliary information useful for performing the task.
  • operating tools 114 optionally include a content management tool 116 operable by way of example, for importing, storing, managing and supporting collaboration in generating and processing task related data such as enabling embedding of one or more computer files to the task, and/or one or more references to hard-copy documents, and/or embedding a content placeholder indicating a requirement of content to be provided by the package operator.
  • Operating tools 114 optionally further include a contact tool 118, allowing for attachment of contact information comprising a list of at least one person and/or entity that can advantageously be accessed to aid in performing the task.
  • operating tools 114 optionally include a budget 120 and/or a scratch pad 122 for recording notes related to the task.
  • Monitoring tools 124 are usable for monitoring the progress of the task.
  • monitoring tools 124 optionally include a "do list" 126 for listing assignments related to the task and indicating completion of the assignments, an hour log 128 for logging time spent on performance of the task, and/or a milestone timeline 130 for defining and tracking milestones of the task.
  • at least one graphical user interface (GUI) (not shown) receives data from one or more monitoring functions 124 and is operable to display the data visually.
  • the GUI may receive time data from hour log 128 and display various graphs, graphic indicators and/or textual indicators responsive to the hours spent on performance of the task.
  • NT 138 is operable to generate, configure and/or display activity packages that nest in activity package 100.
  • Activity packages 140 comprise tasks, i.e. delegated task, defined by an operator (not shown) of activity package 100 that are delegated by the operator to various assignees (not shown) and nest in activity package 100.
  • Li Fig. 1, NT 138 is schematically shown having been used to produce four different nested and "delegated" activity packages 140.
  • each nested activity package 140 comprises a same bundle of tools that is comprised in activity package 100, but which the operator of activity package 100 configured to define and enable the delegated tasks that nested packages 140 comprise.
  • Activity package 100 and activity packages 140 define related tasks that are comprised in a "project".
  • activity package 100 is a progenitor activity package and packages 140 are first generation descendent activity packages. Projects, their creation and features are illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and are discussed below.
  • Communication tools 142 optionally comprise messaging tools 152 and a periscope 144 that establishes, enables and/or defines communication channels between activity packages, such as for example between activity package 100 and nested activity packages 140 and/or between one activity package 140 and another activity package 140.
  • Messaging tools 152 optionally comprise a public chat board 154, a private chat board 156 and/or a messaging "transceiver" 158 for sending and receiving private, optionally, task related messages between operators of activity paekages.
  • public chat board 154 is "visible" to all the operators of activity packages 100 and 140 having the chat board.
  • Private chat board 158 is configured to be commonly available and visible only to selected packages of activity packages 100 and 140.
  • Private messaging tool 158 in a given activity package 100 or 140 is operable by an operator of the activity package to communicate selectively with any other operator of an activity package 100 and 140.
  • Periscope 144 in a given activity package of activity packages 100 and 140 optionally defines what information from other activity packages is accessible to the given activity package.
  • the operator of activity package 100 has access to all information in its nested activity packages 140.
  • tools 102 are not limited to the tools shown in Fig. 1 and discussed above and the tools may comprise more or less than the tools noted and tools different from those noted.
  • Fig. 2 schematically illustrates use of activity packages, such as activity packages described above, to manage, by way of example a new product release "PR Event" of a firm, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • the PR Event is assumed an initiative of the firm's sales manager represented by an ellipse label "I" who has decided that an appropriate way to introduce the firm's new product line is to hold a PR Event that includes dinner and entertainment.
  • sales manager I accesses an activity management system operable to generate activity packages, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Sales manager I operates the system to create a progenitor activity package 200, optionally similar to package 100 shown in Fig. 1.
  • Manager I uses tools in activity package 200 to configure the package and define parameters of the PR Event.
  • sales manager I may operate tools to provide the PR Event with a project title, a time frame and basic requirements such as, by way of example, requirements for providing a venue, lodging dinner and/or, entertainment.
  • the PR Event project is relatively complicated and I cannot organize it by himself.
  • I therefore operates NT 138 of package 200 to generate different nested activity packages 201, 202, 203, and 204 configured to comprise tasks related to the PR Event and delegate the tasks to be accomplished by other people in the firm.
  • a task may be referred to by a same numeral that labels the activity package 201, 202, 203, or 204 that comprises the task.
  • I optionally defines package tasks entitled “New Product Management” (NPM), "Guest Liaison” (GL) 5 “Event Services” (ES) and “Observer” (OBS) respectively in activity packages 201, 202, 203, and 204, and assigns delegate the activity packages respectively to Jl, J2, J3 and J4.
  • NPM New Product Management
  • GL Guiest Liaison
  • ES Event Services
  • OBS Observer
  • nested activity packages 201, 202, 203, and 204 are automatically formatted as emails.
  • a task that a nested activity package 201, 202, 203, or 204 is configured to contain is delegated to its intended assignee Jl, J2, J3 or J4 by emailing the activity package as an email to the assignee.
  • Any method known in the art to send emails to addressees may be used to send an activity package to its assignee.
  • an activity package 201, 202, 203, and 204 email may be delegated to an assignee by using a mouse to operate a "send" icon comprised in the activity package or by depressing "control" and "enter” keys on a keyboard.
  • a dashed line between an icon representing a nested package 201, 202, 203 or 204 in activity package 200 operated by I and the nested package in the circle representing its assignee Jl, J2, J3 or J4 respectively, represents, optionally emailing, the activity package to its delegated operator.
  • Each dashed line is labeled with the letters "NT" subscripted with the letter representing the "source", operator I, of the delegated activity package the letter Jl, J2, J3 or J4 representing its destination assignee.
  • New Product Management task comprised in activity package 201 may for example require that Jl prepare samples of new products and associated presentation material for the PR event.
  • Operating tools 118 of activity package 201 may be used (by I) to provide Jl with a list of key R&D people in the firm responsible for development of the new products, past PR documents and a budget operating tool for forecasting and monitoring expenses for preparing and presenting product samples and presentation material.
  • Monitoring tools 124 are optionally configured to provide a milestone tool for indicating completion of various components of the New Product Management task. Such components may comprise for example ordering printed PR material and completing new product display samples.
  • Defining tools 108 in package 202 may be operated to define that the Guest Liaison task defined in package 202 and delegated to J2 require performing a survey of prospective clients of the firm to determine a convenient date and venue for the PR event and generating a guest list of invitees.
  • Operating tools 114 may provide relevant documents provided in the past for similar PR events.
  • Defining tools 108 in delegated activity package 203 are optionally used to define Event Services instructing J3 to provide for a venue for the PR Event, food and beverages and guest accommodations and entertainment.
  • the Observer task comprised in delegated activity platorm 204 is assigned by way of example to the CEO.
  • the observer task optionally does not require the CEO to perform any task related to the PR event but allows him to access and view all information and monitor progress in progenitor task 200 and delegated tasks 201, 202, 203 nested in the progenitor task.
  • an observer status for a particular task such as the New Product Management task in activity package 201 can readily be assigned to any person by simply "cc-ing" a copy of the package to the other person.
  • the other person who becomes an "operator" of the copied package optionally has access to information in the package and changes therein, hi general, it is expected that a cc-d operator of an activity package will not be responsible for execution of the task in the package and will not be enabled to use tools in the package to interfere with processing of the task.
  • different levels of "interference” may be permitted a cc-d operator.
  • Communication tools 142 in progenitor activity package 200 and its "offspring" delegated activity packages 201, 202, 203 and 204 are configured to provide a project communication network for operators (I, Jl, 32, J3 and J4) of the packages characterized by desired communication channels.
  • all activity packages 200 - 204 optionally have a public chat board
  • Periscope 144 in each activity package 200 - 204 defines what information the operator of the package may access in other packages.
  • an operator of a given activity package such as operator I of package 200 has access to all information in nested activity packages that the operator generates from his or her package or that are nested in the nested packages.
  • the operator may be said to have, optionally, by default, an "all seeing" periscope.
  • the operator can configure periscopes with "selective" vision.
  • the operator can optionally enable a given periscope in a nested activity package to view all or selective information in other nested packages generated by the operator.
  • the operator can optionally configure a periscope of a particular nested activity package to be only "forward looking” and be able to view only information in activity packages generated from the particular nested activity package.
  • the operator can, if desired, endow a nested package periscope with "backward vision", which enables the operator of the nested package to view information in the activity package from which the nested package was generated.
  • a given periscope may have a filter, so that even if the periscope provides access to information in another activity package, the filter may enable only certain types of information comprised in the other package to be viewed.
  • Various ways of configuring an activity package periscope, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, to provide an operator of an activity package with selective information from other activity packages will readily occur to a person of the art.
  • periscopes 144 and Fs periscope 144 have been configured by I to enable I and the CEO to access and view all information comprised in any of activity package 200, 201, 202, 203 and 204.
  • I and J4 can monitor performance of all the delegated tasks, identify problems and new project needs as they develop and participate in responding to the problems and needs.
  • periscopes 144 of other activity packages optionally, none have been configured to be able to access information in either Ps progenitor activity package 200 or J4's package 204.
  • periscope 144 of activity package 203 configured for "short range" viewing and has access to information only in J2's package.
  • the periscope of activity package 203 is also filtered so that only guest information comprised in package 202 is available to operator J3.
  • Periscopes 144 and private messaging functions of activity package 201 and 202 are optionally similarly configured by I using progenitor activity package 200 according to various information needs of the operators of the packages that I considers relevant or desirable.
  • Second generation nested packages nest in the respective first generation nested packages 201, 202, 203 and 204 that created them and indirectly, through the second generation packages, in progenitor package 200.
  • Fig. 3 schematically represents a possible branching out of tasks 201-204 that results from operators Jl -J4 using their respective packages to delegate tasks related to their own tasks resident in their respective activity packages and generate second generation packages.
  • operator Jl who is responsible for New Product Management defined in activity package 201, operates NT 138 (Fig. 2) comprised in activity package 201 to generate a second generation nested activity package 301 emailed to an R&D employee Kl that delegates a task of providing New Product Samples to Kl.
  • Jl also delegates to an employee K2, a task of Providing PR material for the new products by emailing an activity package 302, to K2.
  • J2 configures periscopes 144 of activity packages 301 and 302 so that all data in both activity packages is available to both Kl and K2.
  • K2 in turn operates activity package NT 138 (Fig. 2) in his activity package 302 to email third generation activity packages 401 and 402 to Ll an L2 respectively.
  • Activity package 401 delegates a task of assembling and drafting written PR material to Ll.
  • Activity package 402 delegates a task of providing photos of new products for the PR material to L2.
  • Periscope 144 in the package is configured to be "blind”.
  • L2 does require relatively frequent access to information that can be provided by Kl and package 402 is equipped with a private chat board 156 (Fig. 1) that enables relatively quick and easy real time communication with Kl.
  • J3 who is responsible for providing Event Services operates NT 138 of package 203 to delegate by email a task of providing food and beverages for the event to person K3.
  • K3 is a relatively high ranking and trusted employee and the job of providing food and beverages can be made easier if K3 can easily access information in J3's and J2's activity packages 203 and 202.
  • J3 therefore configures periscope 144 of package 303 to provide K3 with "backward and lateral vision" to enable K3 to see what's going on in activity packages 202 and 203.
  • a task operator in a project may operate his or her activity package to provide various methods and formats for viewing other related activity package in the project to which the activity package is connected.
  • a task operator may call up different maps of activity packages in the project to which his or her activity package has access for information according to the types of information and access available to his or her activity package.
  • the task operator may operate his or her activity package to display a map of activity packages to which the periscope provide access.
  • the map provides graphical indications as to what type of information is available from each package connected to the operator's activity package.
  • a task operator may call up a map of activity packages to which he or she has access via the public chat board or various private chat boards.
  • the operator may click on an icon in the map representing a given activity package of the project to display a relatively detailed image of the given activity package and information therein to which the operator has access.
  • the operator may simply click on an icon representing available information to access the information.
  • activity packages are optionally used to establish projects that are used substantially only for communicating and observing information and not for delegating and managing tasks.
  • Activity packages in such "information projects" optionally comprise configured periscopes and messaging tools, but not such tools as do-lists, hour logs and budgets.
  • periscopes comprised in progenitor packages may be configured to couple the progenitor packages with any type of communication channels available to nested activity packages.
  • the described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention.

Abstract

A package of computer tools useable to generate a plurality of nested packages of computer tools comprising at least one package which nests in another, the package comprising: at least one tool for producing and/or receiving information; at least one nesting tool operable to generate at least one additional package of computer tools that nests in the package so that information produced or received using a tool in the additional package is available to the package in which it nests; and at least one transmission tool operable to electronically transmit the at least one additional package to a recipient; wherein the package is operable to provide an additional package of the at least one additional package with similar nesting and transmission tools.

Description

EMAIL INFORMATION AND ACTIVITY MANAGER FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The invention relates to methods of managing information and activities generated and/or communicated by electronic communications, and in particular by email.
BACKGROUND
Various computerized information and activity management tools are used by organizations and individuals for managing a wide variety of projects. These management tools may for example, support projects such as product development, manufacturing and even coordination of social events.
Conventional project management tools for managing related information and activities can generally assist in managing several aspects of projects. For instance, these tools may enable "breaking up" of large projects into smaller tasks doable by individual people. In addition, they often support management of budgets for projects, and commonly provide monitoring of timelines and progress of projects.
US patent 7,089,287 describes a message based system having embedded information management capabilities.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE An aspect of some embodiments of the invention, relates to providing an activity management system that provides tools for transmitting and managing information, and generating and configuring a communication network that connects senders and receivers of the information.
According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, the tools provide the communication network at least by nesting transmitted information.
The information may be transmitted using any convenient information transmission protocol such as by way of example, soap/http, FTP and/or email.
An aspect of some embodiments of the invention, relates to providing an activity management system for generating, delegating, integrating and monitoring a plurality of related tasks. For convenience of presentation, "activity" as used hereinafter includes and may refer not only to an action to be undertaken but also to receiving and processing information. An aspect of some embodiments of the invention, relates to providing an activity package for generating, delegating, integrating and monitoring tasks that nests delegated tasks within other tasks.
According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention a first activity package defining a first task is operable to generate a second activity package defining a second task related to the first task. The second activity package is electronically transmittable to an assignee of the second task and remains as an activity package nested in the first activity package. The first nesting activity package comprises the second nested package, and, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, all the information in the second nested activity package is available via the first nesting package. hi accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an activity package comprises a bundle of tools operable to configure the activity package to define a task and perform functions related to the task, such as defining and enabling a plurality of related tasks, delegating tasks of the related tasks and monitoring delegated tasks.
In an embodiment of the invention, the bundle comprises "defining tools" for providing a task with, for example, a title, due dates, documents and/or contacts that can be accessed to support performance of the task and a person or entity responsible for performing the task. Optionally, the bundle comprises "operating tools", that can be operated and manipulated tθ) support performance of the task, such as a budget, scratch pad for recording and generating notes and documents related to the tasks, and a content management tool for, by way of example, importing, storing task related data, for example documents or other electronic files. Optionally the content management tool is used to support collaboration in generating and processing documents and/or other electronic files, hi an embodiment of the invention, the bundle comprises "monitoring tools" used for monitoring performance and progress of a task, for example, a task do-list, an hour-log and a milestone time line function.
According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, the bundle of a given activity package comprises, a "nesting tool" (NT), operable to generate, configure and display an activity package that nests in the given activity package.
Optionally, a nested package comprises a same bundle of tools as the nesting activity package in which it nests. hi accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a delegated task is generated by operating a first activity package NT to generate a "new" second activity package that nests in the first activity package. Tools in the bundles of tools comprised in the first and/or second activity ρackage(s) are used to configure the second package to define and enable the delegated task. The nested and configured second package is then transmitted to an appropriate assignee for performance of the delegated task. An activity package may be configured, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, to be transmitted to an assignee using any convenient communication method. For example, an activity package may be transmitted as an attachment to an email, as a soap/http transmission or as a file using a file transfer protocol.
According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, an activity package is itself a type of email that may be sent to an addressee similarly to the way in which a conventional email is communicated.
For example, when the NT of a first activity package is used to generate a second nested activity package, the second package, after optionally being configured as desired, is emailed to the assignee, optionally, by simply pressing on a "send" button in the first activity package. The second package propagates to the assignee as an email comprising, for example, a configured task and tool bundle for performance of the task and use by the assignee. A hierarchy of nested activity packages in some embodiments of the invention may therefore be considered a hierarchy of nested emails. An assignee of a task defined by a given activity package may also be referred to as an "operator" of the activity package and the task it defines.
It is noted that a nested package can itself also be a nesting package if, when it is configured, it is enabled to generate nested packages and it has been used to generate a delegated task. For convenience of presentation, a nested activity package may also be referred to as a "delegated activity package". A task residing in an activity package that was not delegated from the package is referred to as a "resident task" with respect to the package in which it is resident. A resident task in a first package may also be a delegated task with respect to a second activity package, if it was generated by operation of the NT in the second package. A "first" activity package that is not generated by operation of a NT of another activity package, and from which at least one task-package "descends" is referred to as a "progenitor" activity package.
Activity packages generated directly from the progenitor activity package are referred to as "first generation" activity packages, which in turn may be operated to create second generation packages, which in turn generate third generation activity packages, and so on. A task configured in a progenitor activity package but not in an activity package nested in the progenitor activity package may be referred to as a "progenitor task" and similarly, a delegated task may be referred to as an "Nth generation task" if it is configured in an Nth generation activity package. A set of nested activity packages comprising at least one progenitor activity package and a nested activity package is referred to as a project".
According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, the bundle comprised in an activity package comprises at least one communication tool, which enables and defines communication channels that are available for use by the operator of the activity package for communicating with other activity packages and their operators and accessing information in other activity packages. The communication channels established and/or enabled by the communication tools comprised in activity packages of a project define a project communication network.
In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one communication tool of a given activity package comprises messaging tools for transmitting messages between the activity package and other activity packages and a "periscope". The periscope, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, defines how much and what type of information is available to the given activity package from other activity packages. The periscope, optionally, by default, enables an operator of the given package to access all information in activity packages that nest in the given activity package or nest in an activity package nested in a package that nests in the given activity package. The periscope thereby enables the operator for the given activity package to mom'tor and supervise tasks he or she delegates to others.
In accordance with an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, a periscope in a given package may be configured to selectively permit access to information in other activity packages.
For example, the periscope of a given package may provide an operator of the package with access to information only in activity packages the operator generates from the given activity package. Optionally, the periscope may be configured to provide access to information in all or only some activity packages, in its own activity package generation and/or in all activity package generations after its own generation, and/or in previous generations. The periscope may be provided with a "filter", which selects types of information available to the given package from another package. For example, a filter may block access to task monitors in another package. Various examples of ways in which an activity package periscope may be configured are provided in the description below.
In some embodiments of the invention, an activity package transmits information but, optionally, does not define an explicit task. As in the case of activity packages that define tasks as described above, a project comprising a plurality of such nested activity packages may have communication channels configured by their communication tools so that different operators of the packages have access to different amounts and types of data generated and transmitted in the project. For example, a progenitor in the project may, optionally, view all activity packages in the project and thereby view all the ways in which communication "threads" are generated and used by operators of the project. On the other hand, an operator of a given delegated activity package may only be able to observe communication threads that are generated between activity packages that nest in his or her own activity package.
There is therefore provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a package of computer tools useable to generate a plurality of nested packages of computer tools comprising at least one package which nests in another, the package comprising: at least one tool for producing and/or receiving information; at least one nesting tool operable to generate at least one additional package of computer tools that nests in the package so that information produced or received using a tool in the additional package is available to the package in which it nests; and at least one transmission tool operable to electronically transmit the at least one additional package to a recipient; wherein the package is operable to provide an additional package of the at least one additional package with similar nesting and transmission tools.
Optionally, the at least one additional package is configured as an email. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one tool operable to electronically transmit the at least one additional package comprises a tool operable to transmit the additional package to a recipient as an email. Optionally, the transmission tool is operable to transmit the at least one additional package using a soap/http protocol. Optionally, the transmission tool is operable to transmit the at least one additional package using an FTP protocol.
In some embodiments of the invention, the package comprises at least one communication tool operable to configure and/or enable communication between packages of the plurality of nested packages. Optionally, the at least one communication tool is operable to provide a package with a public chat board that provides access to any information generated using the chat board to all packages comprising the chat board. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one communication tool is optionally operable to provide a package with a private chat board that provides access to information generated using the chat board only to a selected packages of the plurality of packages. Additionally or alternatively the at least one communication tool is optionally operable to provide a package with a messaging tool operable to send private messages to and receive private messages from any other of the packages of the plurality of packages.
In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one communication tool is operable to selectively block or enable access of a first suit of the plurality of packages to information in a second package of the plurality of packages. Optionally, the at least one communication tool is operable to enable the first package access only to information in packages that nest in the first package directly, or indirectly by being nested in a package that directly nests in the first package. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one communication tool is optionally operable to enable the first package to access information in a package in which the first package nests , directly or indirectly.
In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one communication tool is operable to enable the fist package access to information in at least one package in at least one generation of nested packages different from its own generation. Optionally, the packages in the at least one different generation comprise all the packages in a generation of the least one different generation. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one different generation optionally comprises a generation earlier than the generation of the first package. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one different generation comprises a generation later than the generation of the first package, hi some embodiments of the invention, the at least one communication tool is operable to enable the fist package access to information in at least one other package in a same generation as that of the first package. Optionally, the packages in the at least one same generation comprise all the packages in the same generation. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one communication tool is operable to determine what types of information a first package of the plurality of packages can access from a second package of the plurality of packages. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one communication tool is operable to determine how much information a first package of the plurality of packages can access from a second package of the plurality of packages. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one communication tool is operable to determine when a first package of the plurality of packages can access information from a second package of the plurality of packages. In some embodiments of the invention, the package comprises a graphical user interface tool operable to provide a graphical display of relationships between packages of the plurality of packages. Optionally, the relationships are nesting relationships. Additionally or alternatively, the relationships are optionally communication relationships. hi some embodiments of the invention, the package comprises a defining tool operable to define a task associated with an additional package of the at least one additional package to be performed by a recipient of the additional package. Optionally, the package comprises at least one tool operable to monitor performance of the task. There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for a general ' purpose computer having a user interface comprising a visual display and user operable accessory for interacting with the display, the set of instruction comprising: a set of instructions that implement a package of computer tools in accordance with the invention; a set of instructions for providing an interface on the screen for accessing the package; a set of instruction for providing icons selectable by operation of the accessory to enable a user to selectively choose and operate tools comprised in the package; and a set of instructions for executing choices and manipulations indicated by user operation of the accessory. There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method of managing a plurality of related tasks comprising: using a package of computer tools according to claim 25 or 26 to generate an additional package of tools; using the defining tool to define a task of the related tasks and associate the defined task with the additional package; and using the transmission tool to transmit the additional package to a recipient to be responsible for accomplishing the task associated with the additional package.
There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method of managing information, the method comprising: using a package of computer tools according to an embodiment of the invention to generate an additional package of tools; using the transmission tool to transmit the additional package to a recipient; and accessing information in the additional package that is produced or received using a tool comprised in the additional package of tools.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Examples illustrative of embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to figures attached hereto. In the figures, identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with a same numeral in all the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. The figures are listed below.
Fig. 1 schematically shows an activity package comprising a bundle of task management functions and tools in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 schematically shows a nesting tool ("NT") being used by a task owner to generate and delegate tasks in a project, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 3 schematically shows activity packages being used to manage a project in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 shows a schematic graphical illustration of an exemplary activity package 100 provided by an activity management system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Package 100 is usable for generating, delegating and/or monitoring related tasks. Package 100 optionally includes a bundle 102 of tools 106 and/or tools 136 for defining and enabling a plurality of related tasks, delegating tasks of the related tasks and/or monitoring tasks of the related tasks. Tools 106 optionally include defining tools 108, operating tools 114, and/or monitoring tools 124, while tools 136 optionally include a nesting tool ("NT") 138 and/or communication tools 142. Defining tools 108 comprise by way of example tools usable for defining a resident task, such as by giving it a title 110, and/or due dates 112 and/or assigning a task an operator 113 responsible for the task. Optionally, defining tools comprise tools for defining a task venues and/or dependence of a task on performance of other tasks. Operating tools 114 comprise, by way of example, tools usable for providing, generating and/or coupling the task with various types of auxiliary information useful for performing the task. For example, operating tools 114 optionally include a content management tool 116 operable by way of example, for importing, storing, managing and supporting collaboration in generating and processing task related data such as enabling embedding of one or more computer files to the task, and/or one or more references to hard-copy documents, and/or embedding a content placeholder indicating a requirement of content to be provided by the package operator. Operating tools 114 optionally further include a contact tool 118, allowing for attachment of contact information comprising a list of at least one person and/or entity that can advantageously be accessed to aid in performing the task. In addition, operating tools 114 optionally include a budget 120 and/or a scratch pad 122 for recording notes related to the task.
Monitoring tools 124 are usable for monitoring the progress of the task. For example, monitoring tools 124 optionally include a "do list" 126 for listing assignments related to the task and indicating completion of the assignments, an hour log 128 for logging time spent on performance of the task, and/or a milestone timeline 130 for defining and tracking milestones of the task. Optionally, at least one graphical user interface (GUI) (not shown) receives data from one or more monitoring functions 124 and is operable to display the data visually. For example, the GUI may receive time data from hour log 128 and display various graphs, graphic indicators and/or textual indicators responsive to the hours spent on performance of the task.
In an embodiment of the invention, NT 138 is operable to generate, configure and/or display activity packages that nest in activity package 100. Activity packages 140 comprise tasks, i.e. delegated task, defined by an operator (not shown) of activity package 100 that are delegated by the operator to various assignees (not shown) and nest in activity package 100. Li Fig. 1, NT 138 is schematically shown having been used to produce four different nested and "delegated" activity packages 140. Optionally, each nested activity package 140 comprises a same bundle of tools that is comprised in activity package 100, but which the operator of activity package 100 configured to define and enable the delegated tasks that nested packages 140 comprise. Activity package 100 and activity packages 140 define related tasks that are comprised in a "project". Optionally, activity package 100 is a progenitor activity package and packages 140 are first generation descendent activity packages. Projects, their creation and features are illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and are discussed below. Communication tools 142 optionally comprise messaging tools 152 and a periscope 144 that establishes, enables and/or defines communication channels between activity packages, such as for example between activity package 100 and nested activity packages 140 and/or between one activity package 140 and another activity package 140. Messaging tools 152 optionally comprise a public chat board 154, a private chat board 156 and/or a messaging "transceiver" 158 for sending and receiving private, optionally, task related messages between operators of activity paekages. Optionally, public chat board 154 is "visible" to all the operators of activity packages 100 and 140 having the chat board. Private chat board 158 is configured to be commonly available and visible only to selected packages of activity packages 100 and 140. Private messaging tool 158 in a given activity package 100 or 140 is operable by an operator of the activity package to communicate selectively with any other operator of an activity package 100 and 140. Periscope 144 in a given activity package of activity packages 100 and 140 optionally defines what information from other activity packages is accessible to the given activity package. Optionally, by default, the operator of activity package 100 has access to all information in its nested activity packages 140.
It is noted that tools 102 are not limited to the tools shown in Fig. 1 and discussed above and the tools may comprise more or less than the tools noted and tools different from those noted.
Fig. 2 schematically illustrates use of activity packages, such as activity packages described above, to manage, by way of example a new product release "PR Event" of a firm, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The PR Event is assumed an initiative of the firm's sales manager represented by an ellipse label "I" who has decided that an appropriate way to introduce the firm's new product line is to hold a PR Event that includes dinner and entertainment.
To manage the event, sales manager I accesses an activity management system operable to generate activity packages, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Sales manager I operates the system to create a progenitor activity package 200, optionally similar to package 100 shown in Fig. 1. Manager I uses tools in activity package 200 to configure the package and define parameters of the PR Event. For example sales manager I may operate tools to provide the PR Event with a project title, a time frame and basic requirements such as, by way of example, requirements for providing a venue, lodging dinner and/or, entertainment. The PR Event project is relatively complicated and I cannot organize it by himself. I therefore operates NT 138 of package 200 to generate different nested activity packages 201, 202, 203, and 204 configured to comprise tasks related to the PR Event and delegate the tasks to be accomplished by other people in the firm. Circles labeled for convenience of presentation by identifying indices Jl - J4, indicate the other people. For brevity of presentation, a task may be referred to by a same numeral that labels the activity package 201, 202, 203, or 204 that comprises the task. By way of example, I optionally defines package tasks entitled "New Product Management" (NPM), "Guest Liaison" (GL)5 "Event Services" (ES) and "Observer" (OBS) respectively in activity packages 201, 202, 203, and 204, and assigns delegate the activity packages respectively to Jl, J2, J3 and J4.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, nested activity packages 201, 202, 203, and 204 are automatically formatted as emails. A task that a nested activity package 201, 202, 203, or 204 is configured to contain is delegated to its intended assignee Jl, J2, J3 or J4 by emailing the activity package as an email to the assignee. Any method known in the art to send emails to addressees may be used to send an activity package to its assignee. For example, an activity package 201, 202, 203, and 204 email may be delegated to an assignee by using a mouse to operate a "send" icon comprised in the activity package or by depressing "control" and "enter" keys on a keyboard.
In Fig. 2, a dashed line between an icon representing a nested package 201, 202, 203 or 204 in activity package 200 operated by I and the nested package in the circle representing its assignee Jl, J2, J3 or J4 respectively, represents, optionally emailing, the activity package to its delegated operator. Each dashed line is labeled with the letters "NT" subscripted with the letter representing the "source", operator I, of the delegated activity package the letter Jl, J2, J3 or J4 representing its destination assignee.
New Product Management task comprised in activity package 201 may for example require that Jl prepare samples of new products and associated presentation material for the PR event. Operating tools 118 of activity package 201 may be used (by I) to provide Jl with a list of key R&D people in the firm responsible for development of the new products, past PR documents and a budget operating tool for forecasting and monitoring expenses for preparing and presenting product samples and presentation material. Monitoring tools 124 are optionally configured to provide a milestone tool for indicating completion of various components of the New Product Management task. Such components may comprise for example ordering printed PR material and completing new product display samples.
Defining tools 108 in package 202 may be operated to define that the Guest Liaison task defined in package 202 and delegated to J2 require performing a survey of prospective clients of the firm to determine a convenient date and venue for the PR event and generating a guest list of invitees. Operating tools 114 may provide relevant documents provided in the past for similar PR events.
Defining tools 108 in delegated activity package 203 are optionally used to define Event Services instructing J3 to provide for a venue for the PR Event, food and beverages and guest accommodations and entertainment.
The Observer task comprised in delegated activity platorm 204 is assigned by way of example to the CEO. The observer task optionally does not require the CEO to perform any task related to the PR event but allows him to access and view all information and monitor progress in progenitor task 200 and delegated tasks 201, 202, 203 nested in the progenitor task.
It is noted that an observer status for a particular task such as the New Product Management task in activity package 201 can readily be assigned to any person by simply "cc-ing" a copy of the package to the other person. The other person who becomes an "operator" of the copied package optionally has access to information in the package and changes therein, hi general, it is expected that a cc-d operator of an activity package will not be responsible for execution of the task in the package and will not be enabled to use tools in the package to interfere with processing of the task. However, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, different levels of "interference" may be permitted a cc-d operator.
Communication tools 142 in progenitor activity package 200 and its "offspring" delegated activity packages 201, 202, 203 and 204 are configured to provide a project communication network for operators (I, Jl, 32, J3 and J4) of the packages characterized by desired communication channels. For example, all activity packages 200 - 204 optionally have a public chat board
154 enabled by operator I of progenitor package 200 so that every operator I, Jl, J2, J3 and J4, can use his or her public chat board to provide and record messages relevant to the PR Event project that are viewable by all the other operators. In addition, I has configured nested activity package 204 delegated to J4, the CEO, to enable private chat board 156 for private chats between him and the CEO.
Periscope 144, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in each activity package 200 - 204 defines what information the operator of the package may access in other packages. By default, optionally, an operator of a given activity package, such as operator I of package 200 has access to all information in nested activity packages that the operator generates from his or her package or that are nested in the nested packages. With respect to the nested tasks that the operator generates and their nested progeny, the operator may be said to have, optionally, by default, an "all seeing" periscope.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, with respect to nested activity packages that an operator generates from a given activity package, the operator can configure periscopes with "selective" vision. For example, the operator can optionally enable a given periscope in a nested activity package to view all or selective information in other nested packages generated by the operator. The operator can optionally configure a periscope of a particular nested activity package to be only "forward looking" and be able to view only information in activity packages generated from the particular nested activity package. The operator can, if desired, endow a nested package periscope with "backward vision", which enables the operator of the nested package to view information in the activity package from which the nested package was generated. And, as noted above, a given periscope may have a filter, so that even if the periscope provides access to information in another activity package, the filter may enable only certain types of information comprised in the other package to be viewed. Various ways of configuring an activity package periscope, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, to provide an operator of an activity package with selective information from other activity packages will readily occur to a person of the art.
By way of example, it is assumed that in Fig 2 the CEOs (J4) periscope 144 and Fs periscope 144 have been configured by I to enable I and the CEO to access and view all information comprised in any of activity package 200, 201, 202, 203 and 204. As a result, as the PR Event project develops, I and J4 can monitor performance of all the delegated tasks, identify problems and new project needs as they develop and participate in responding to the problems and needs. With respect to periscopes 144 of other activity packages, optionally, none have been configured to be able to access information in either Ps progenitor activity package 200 or J4's package 204. J3, who is the operator of activity package 203 and is responsible for providing the Event Services defined in the package has periscope 144 of activity package 203 configured for "short range" viewing and has access to information only in J2's package. The periscope of activity package 203 is also filtered so that only guest information comprised in package 202 is available to operator J3. Periscopes 144 and private messaging functions of activity package 201 and 202 are optionally similarly configured by I using progenitor activity package 200 according to various information needs of the operators of the packages that I considers relevant or desirable.
Following creation and delegation of nested activity packages 201-204, some of operators Jl -J4 have decided that they need assistance in carrying out their assigned tasks and have in turn operated their task nesting tools NT 138 to generate and delegate portions of their assigned tasks as delegated tasks. If the delegated nested packages 201, 202, 203 and 204 generated by I using progenitor activity package 200 are referred to as "first generation" nested activity packages, the activity packages generated by operators J1-J4 are referred to as "second generation" nested packages. Second generation nested packages nest in the respective first generation nested packages 201, 202, 203 and 204 that created them and indirectly, through the second generation packages, in progenitor package 200.
It is noted that in Fig. 2, none of first generation activity packages 201, 202, 203 and 204 are shown having nested package, because for the status of the PR Event project corresponding to Fig. 2, it is assumed that no second generation activity packages and their tasks had yet been created.
Fig. 3 schematically represents a possible branching out of tasks 201-204 that results from operators Jl -J4 using their respective packages to delegate tasks related to their own tasks resident in their respective activity packages and generate second generation packages. For example, operator Jl, who is responsible for New Product Management defined in activity package 201, operates NT 138 (Fig. 2) comprised in activity package 201 to generate a second generation nested activity package 301 emailed to an R&D employee Kl that delegates a task of providing New Product Samples to Kl. Jl also delegates to an employee K2, a task of Providing PR material for the new products by emailing an activity package 302, to K2. J2 configures periscopes 144 of activity packages 301 and 302 so that all data in both activity packages is available to both Kl and K2.
K2 in turn operates activity package NT 138 (Fig. 2) in his activity package 302 to email third generation activity packages 401 and 402 to Ll an L2 respectively. Activity package 401 delegates a task of assembling and drafting written PR material to Ll. Activity package 402 delegates a task of providing photos of new products for the PR material to L2. For security reasons, L2's activity package does not enable L2 to access any information in other activity packages. Periscope 144 in the package is configured to be "blind". However, L2 does require relatively frequent access to information that can be provided by Kl and package 402 is equipped with a private chat board 156 (Fig. 1) that enables relatively quick and easy real time communication with Kl. J3, who is responsible for providing Event Services operates NT 138 of package 203 to delegate by email a task of providing food and beverages for the event to person K3. K3 is a relatively high ranking and trusted employee and the job of providing food and beverages can be made easier if K3 can easily access information in J3's and J2's activity packages 203 and 202. J3 therefore configures periscope 144 of package 303 to provide K3 with "backward and lateral vision" to enable K3 to see what's going on in activity packages 202 and 203. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a task operator in a project may operate his or her activity package to provide various methods and formats for viewing other related activity package in the project to which the activity package is connected. Optionally, the various methods and formats are available through a GUI function (not shown) comprised in Communication Tools 142 (Fig. 1). In some embodiments of the invention, a task operator may call up different maps of activity packages in the project to which his or her activity package has access for information according to the types of information and access available to his or her activity package.
For example, the task operator may operate his or her activity package to display a map of activity packages to which the periscope provide access. Optionally, the map provides graphical indications as to what type of information is available from each package connected to the operator's activity package. Optionally, a task operator may call up a map of activity packages to which he or she has access via the public chat board or various private chat boards. Once a map is displayed, optionally the operator may click on an icon in the map representing a given activity package of the project to display a relatively detailed image of the given activity package and information therein to which the operator has access. Optionally, the operator may simply click on an icon representing available information to access the information. In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs,
"comprise" "include" and "have", and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily an exhaustive listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
The invention has been described with reference to embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, whereas the above examples describe nesting tasks in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, activity packages are optionally used to establish projects that are used substantially only for communicating and observing information and not for delegating and managing tasks. Activity packages in such "information projects" optionally comprise configured periscopes and messaging tools, but not such tools as do-lists, hour logs and budgets. By way of another example, periscopes comprised in progenitor packages may be configured to couple the progenitor packages with any type of communication channels available to nested activity packages. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the invention utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the described invention and embodiments of the invention comprising different combinations of features than those noted in the described embodiments will occur to persons of the art. The scope of the invention is limited only by the following claims

Claims

1. A package of computer tools useable to generate a plurality of nested packages of computer tools comprising at least one package which nests in another, the package comprising: at least one tool for producing and/or receiving information; at least one nesting tool operable to generate at least one additional package of computer tools that nests in the package so that information produced or received using a tool in the additional package is available to the package in which it nests; and at least one transmission tool operable to electronically transmit the at least one additional package to a recipient; wherein the package is operable to provide an additional package of the at least one additional package with similar nesting and transmission tools.
2. A package according to claim 1 wherein the at least one additional package is configured as an email.
3. A package according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the at least one tool operable to electronically transmit the at least one additional package comprises a tool operable to transmit the additional package to a recipient as an email.
4. A package according to claim 1 wherein the transmission tool is operable to transmit the at least one additional package using a soap/http protocol.
5. A package according to claim 1 wherein the transmission tool is operable to transmit the at least one additional package using an FTP protocol.
6. A package according to any of claims 1-5 and comprising at least one communication tool operable to configure and/or enable communication between packages of the plurality of nested packages.
7. A package according to claim 6 wherein the at least one communication tool is operable to provide a package with a public chat board that provides access to any information generated using the chat board to all packages comprising the chat board.
8. A package according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the at least one communication tool is operable to provide a package with a private chat board that provides access to information generated using the chat board only to a selected packages of the plurality of packages.
9. A package according to any of claims 6-8 wherein the at least one communication tool is operable to provide a package with a messaging tool operable to send private messages to and receive private messages from any other of the packages of the plurality of packages.
10. A package according to any of claims 6-9 wherein the at least one communication tool is operable to selectively block or enable access of a first suit of the plurality of packages to information in a second package of the plurality of packages.
11. A package according to claim 10 wherein the at least one communication tool is operable to enable the first package access only to information in packages that nest in the first package directly, or indirectly by being nested in a package that directly nests in the first package.
12. A package according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the at least one communication tool is operable to enable the first package to access information in a package in which the first package nests directly or indirectly.
13. A package according to any of claims 10-12 wherein the at least one communication tool is operable to enable the fist package access to information in at least one package in at least one generation of nested packages different from its own generation.
14. A package according to claim 13 wherein the packages in the at least one different generation comprise all the packages in a generation of the least one different generation.
15. A package according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the at least one different generation comprises a generation earlier than the generation of the first package.
16. A package according to any of claims 13-15 wherein the at least one different generation comprises a generation later than the generation of the first package.
17. A package according to any of claims 13-16 wherein the at least one communication tool is operable to enable the fist package access to information in at least one other package in a same generation as that of the first package.
18. A package according to claim 17 wherein the packages in the at least one same generation comprise all the packages in the same generation.
19. A package according to any of claims 6-18 wherein the at least one communication tool is operable to determine what types of information a first package of the plurality of packages can access from a second package of the plurality of packages.
20. A package according to any of claims 6-19 wherein the at least one communication tool is operable to determine how much information a first package of the plurality of packages can access from a second package of the plurality of packages.
21. A package according to any of claims 6-20 wherein the at least one communication tool is operable to determine when a first package of the plurality of packages can access information from a second package of the plurality of packages.
22. A package according to any of the preceding claims and comprising a graphical user interface tool operable to provide a graphical display of relationships between packages of the plurality of packages.
23. A package according to claim 22 wherein the relationships are nesting relationships.
24. A package according to claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the relationships are communication relationships.
25. A package according to any of the preceding claims and comprising a defining tool operable to define a task associated with an additional package of the at least one additional package to be performed by a recipient of the additional package.
26. A package according to claim 25 and comprising at least one tool operable to monitor performance of the task.
27. A computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for a general purpose computer having a user interface comprising a visual display and user operable accessory for interacting with the display, the set of instruction comprising: a set of instructions that implement a package of computer tools in accordance with any of claims 1-26; a set of instructions for providing an interface on the screen for accessing the package; a set of instructions for providing icons selectable by operation of the accessory to enable a user to selectively choose and operate tools comprised in the package; and a set of instructions for executing choices and manipulations indicated by user operation of the accessory.
28. A method of managing a plurality of related tasks comprising: using a package of computer tools according to claim 25 or 26 to generate an additional package of tools; using the defining tool to define a task of the related tasks and associate the defined task with the additional package; and using the transmission tool to transmit the additional package to a recipient to be responsible for accomplishing the task associated with the additional package.
29. A method of managing information, the method comprising: using a package of computer tools according to any of claims 1-26 to generate an additional package of tools; using the transmission tool to transmit the additional package to a recipient; and accessing information in the additional package that is produced or received using a tool comprised in the additional package of tools.
PCT/IL2007/000855 2007-07-08 2007-07-08 Email information and activity manager WO2009007944A2 (en)

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Citations (3)

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US5721913A (en) * 1994-05-05 1998-02-24 Lucent Technologies Inc. Integrated activity management system
US20050120353A1 (en) * 2003-12-02 2005-06-02 Liang-Jie Zhang Method and apparatus of adaptive integration activity management for business application integration
US20050182773A1 (en) * 2004-02-18 2005-08-18 Feinsmith Jason B. Machine-implemented activity management system using asynchronously shared activity data objects and journal data items

Patent Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5721913A (en) * 1994-05-05 1998-02-24 Lucent Technologies Inc. Integrated activity management system
US20050120353A1 (en) * 2003-12-02 2005-06-02 Liang-Jie Zhang Method and apparatus of adaptive integration activity management for business application integration
US20050182773A1 (en) * 2004-02-18 2005-08-18 Feinsmith Jason B. Machine-implemented activity management system using asynchronously shared activity data objects and journal data items

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