USOO7620902B2
(12) Ulllted States Patent (10) Patent N0.: US 7,620,902 B2 Manion et a]. (45) Date of Patent: Nov. 17, 2009
(54) COLLABORATION SPACES 6,636,889 B1 10/2003 Estrada et a1. 6,658,568 B1 12/2003 Ginter et al. (75) Inventors: Todd R. Manion, Redmond, WA (US); 6,675,205 B2 1/2004 Meadway 6131, Aaron W- Cunninghams Redmond, WA 6,701,344 B1 3/2004 116116131. (Us); Noah Horton, Sammamish, WA 6,714,966 B1 3/2004 116116131. (Us); Gumbaran s-_51dh“> S?att1e> WA 6,728,753 B1 4/2004 Parasnis 61 al. (US); sandeeP K- Slnghal’ K1rk1and> 6,745,178 B1 6/2004 Emens 61 al. WA (Us) 6,791,582 B2 9/2004 Linsey et al. (73) Assignee: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (Us) (Continued) ( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS U.S.C. 154(b) by 128 days. GB 2 378 268 A 200% (21) Appl.No.: 11/110,622 (22) Filed: Apr. 20, 2005 (Continued) (65) Prior Publication Data OTHER PUBLICATIONS US 2006/0242581A1 Oct. 26, 2006 “Connecting and Extending Peer-to-Peer Networks,” Lion Share White Paper, dated Oct. 2004, 32 pages, http://li0nshare.its.psu.edu/ (51) Int, Cl, main/info/docspresentation/LionshareWdef. G06F 3/048 (2006.01) C t. d (52) us. Cl...... 715/758; 715/751; 715/752; ( on “me ) 715/753; 715/757; 715/759; 715/769; 709/204 Primary Examineristephen S Hong (58) Field of Classi?cation Search ...... 715/7514753; Assistant ExamineriSajeda Muhebbullah 715/7574759, 769; 709/204 (74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiMarshall, Gerstein & Borun See application ?le for complete search history. LLP (56) References Cited (57) ABSTRACT U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 5,854,898 A 12/ 1998 Riddle A computer implemented method and system enable users to 5,917,480 A 6/1999 Tafoya et al~ create a social network providing access to other users. By 59871376 A 11/1999 Olson et al~ providing access to such networks via a visual presentation, 6,078,948 A 60000 Poclgomy et 31~ the system renders content available for access by other net 61108’687 A 8/2000 Cralg workmembers.Accessis sometimes providedthroughpropa 2’1 2; i 1231136 gation ofmetadata or other uniquely identifying indicia asso 6’216’1 10 B1 4/2001 Sizergrg ciated with the social network to all or at least certain other 6,237,025 B1 5/2001 Ludwig 61 a1. network members 6,363,352 B1 3/2002 Bailey et a1. 6,526,411 B1 2/2003 Ward 20 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
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U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS Castro et al., “Secure Routing For Structured Peer-to-Peer Overlay Networks,” UseniX, OSDI ’02 Paper (OSDI ’02 Tech Program Index) 6,801,604 B2 10/2004 Maes et al. pp. 299-314 of the Proceedings, Fifth Symposium on Operating 6,968,179 B1 11/2005 DeVries Systems Design and Implementation (OSDI 2002) 33 pages, http:// 7,124,164 B1* 10/2006 Chemtob ...... 709/204 www.useniX.org/events/osdi02/tech/fullipapers/castro/ 7,130,884 B2* 10/2006 Maehiro . castroihtml/ . Castro et al., “Topology-Aware Routing In Structured Peer-to-Peer 7,250,9557,234,117 B1*B2* 7/20076/2007 ZanerBeeman et etal. al...... 345/592 Overlay Networks,” Technical Report MSR-TR-2002-82, Microsoft 2001/0035976 A1 11/2001 Poon Research, Microsoft Corporation, http://www.research.microsoft. 2001/0053213 A1 12/2001 Truong et al. com. 2002/0073204 A1 6/2002 Dutta et al. Cheung, “ Chatopus for Palm OS, Using IM Bots for Jabber,” 2002/0097267 A1 7/2002 Dinan et al. 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Ellison, C., et al., Simple Public Key Certi?cate, (Internet Draft 2003/0088570 A1* 5/2003 Hilbert et al...... 707/100 1999), at http://www.world.std.com/~cme/spki.b Research,” in Proceedings of Second International Conference on Kollock, “The Economies of Online Cooperation: Gifts and Public Virtual Worlds (VW 2000), pp. l-2 (Paris, France, Jul. 5-7, 2000). Goods in Cyberspace,” in Communities in Cyberspace, (Smith et al., http://research.microsoft.com/scg/papers/hutchvw2000.pdf. eds.), pp. l-l7 (Routledge, London, UK, 1999). http://www.sscnet. Cugola et al., “Peer-to-Peer for Collaborative Applications,” in Pro ucla.edu/soc/faculty/kollock/papers/economies.htrn. ceedings of the 22'“! International Conference on Distributed Com Kollock et al., “Managing The Virtual Commons: Cooperation and puting Systems Workshops (ICDCS’02), pp. 359-364 (Vienna, Aus Con?ict in Computer Communities,” in Computer-Mediated Com tria, Jul. 2-5, 2002). munication.‘ Linguistic, Social, and Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Dorohonceanu et al., “A Desktop Design for Synchronous Collabo (Herring, ed.), pp. 109-128 (John Benjamins, Amsterdam, Nether ration,” in Proceedings of the Graphics Interface ’99 (GI’99), pp. lands, l996) http://research.microsoft.com/scg/papers/Kol 27-35 (Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Jun. 1999). lockCommons.htm. Duhr, “Ober?achenelemente in interaktiven und kooperativen Lee et al., “Supporting Multi-User, Multi-Applet Workspaces in anwendungen,” Universitat Oldenburg, Department of Information CBE,” In Proceedings of the ACM 1996 Conference on Computer Systems Thesis (Aug. 2000). Supported Cooperative Work, pp. 344-353 (Cambridge, MA, 1996). Schmidt et al., “A Generic System for Web-Based Group Interac Farnham et al., “Supporting Sociability In A Shared Browser,” In tion,” in Proceedings of the Thirty-First Hawaii International Con Proceedings ofInteract Conference (Tokyo, Japan, Jul. 2001). http:// ference on System Sciences, vol. I, pp. 545-554 (Kohala Coast, HI, research.micro soft.com/scg/papers/sharedbrowsinginteract.pdf, pp. Jan. 6-9, 1998). 1-8. Smith et al., “The Social Life of Small Graphical Chat Spaces,” in Garcia et al., “Extending a Collaborative Architecture to Support Proceedings of the SI GCHI Conference on Human Factors in Com Emotional Awareness,” EBAA ’99iWorkshop on Emotion-Based puting Systems, pp. 462-469 (The Hague, Netherlands, Mar. 2000). AgentArchitectures, pp. 46-52 (May 2, 1999). http://research.microsoft.com/scg/papers/vchatchi2000.pdf. Greenberg et al., “Using a Room Metaphor to Ease Transitions in Smith et al., “What Do People Do in Virtual Worlds? An Analysis of Groupware,” University of Calgary, Department of Computer Sci V-Chat Log File Data,” Microsoft Corporation Report (Apr. 1, 1998). ence, Research Report 98/611/02, 31 pages (1998). http://research.microsoft.com/scg/papers/kollockv-chat.pdf. Greenberg, “Collaborative Interfaces for the Web,” in Human Factors “IBM Lotus Instant Messaging and Web Conferencing,” IBM and Web Development, (Forsythe et al., eds.) Chapter 18, pp. 241 SoftwareiIBM Lotus Instant Messaging and Web Conferencing 253, LEA Press, (1997). homepage (3 pgs.). Gutwin, “Workspace Awareness in Real-Time Distributed “Design Explorations,” IBM Research: Social Computing Group (4 Groupware,” The University of Calgary, Department of Computer pgS-)~ Science, Ph.D. Thesis, 270 pages (Dec. 1997). “At What Cost Pervasive? A Social Computing View of Mobile Kindberg, “Mushroom: A Framework for Collaboration and Interac Computing Systems,” IBM Research .' vol. 3 8, No. 4, 1999, Pervasive tion Across the Internet,” in Proceedings of the Fifth ERCIM Work Computing (28 pgs.). shop on CSCW and the Web (St. Augustin, Germany, Feb. 1996). * cited by examiner US. Patent Nov. 17, 2009 Sheet 1 0f 7 US 7,620,902 B2 FIG. 1 US. Patent Nov. 17, 2009 Sheet 2 0f7 US 7,620,902 B2 My Social Networks Compuxe: b MySodalNeIwoms p @ file Edi! \_/iew ngorites Iools ?elp [a apSQarch @Folders m— p~ 2 0 6 /__\ Q Laundu Sodal Space 0. 2 O 8 /r g: Launch Ac?ny... 3 items Q Invite new memberm in this folder ' 2 1 0 mama ‘ 2 1 2 V'ptse;y on some. Friend! /—~.\ Corporate Directory Local Computer Accounts Soccer Buds Well-Known Prindpals T5 ‘ My Ito-Workers 214/~ Name more ' FIG. 3 A g @ Y K302 1:46 PM, Feb 21 3 04 A My Social Networks College Friends 306 /'\§?%0 (3,8) /_\ m Soccer Buds 5 s. : (1/6) US. Patent Nov. 17, 2009 Sheet 3 0f7 US 7,620,902 B2 FIG. 4A 408) 400 Options ‘ / 406A "College Friends" has started 402 II-d" \C'3,". K\1 | chatting.... l \ l 404‘ / Click here to join. 418 FIG. 4B ) Opticns‘ )0 416A 00 F7? _ "College Friends" has started 412 1"? II "Halo"... 414 ;/ Click here to join. FIG. 4C 428) Options‘ ‘920 426A Q / Click here to view. US. Patent Nov. 17, 2009 Sheet 4 0f7 US 7,620,902 B2 500 5 50's 508 College Friends Social Space My Social Networks ) College Friends Social Space file gun \[iew ngomes Iools tlelp B pSearch @Folaels m' ’0' College Friends Today - August 5. 2005 My sums Online . ReuenrAc?viry Members, add a member Andy has added a new ?le 'Crad Dinnerjpg'm Andy (Online) Bred has posted a new emry in “Brad's Bing"... :end(oonhlr'e) Two members are 'Chalrirvg'm Mm“a ((0 n"rm"; me 50 2 \';’/,_"‘—> 5 new messages 506 /' . Acrivirles: 5 2 2 ___./ Calendarthw Album I College Friend's Calendar | I Must:I CDs lo 5an‘ Value Char Vldea Cha' Monday 5 - 15 - 2°05 - The Daisies - Here we 0 g‘f 9:30am - 11:00am Pick up Brad at Airport (Todd) . Magneto Five . Rgck 0,? ".312 _ - Bluegrass Trio - Live 31 lexin 5:00pm - 7:00pm Eel dinner {Todd & Brad) v Chicago B s - Driving a red ene 52 O J - 56 Band - unning new Code . - Romslyne - Du Kannsr Lists: Tuesday 8 - 17 - 2005 more... Muslc CD5 10 Brlng 11:30am - 1:00pm Pick up Ben. Andyv and Man / Place [0 go...v 52 4 we Halo lfilgh Scoree (Todd 8| Brad) 533$“ we” 5"“ 7pm - Midnight Ear dinner at Daniels (All) 5 1 2 SundayNoon-3:00pm 8 - 22 - 2005Gomeirporr(A|l) / "mam MattBen -- 123234 KillsKills 51 O / - Andy— 456 Kills Recently Added Files ' Brad » 5 lqllsr _— ' Todd - 349 Kllls 5 1 4 /' - Katie and | (JPEG)~ Andy on $52005 Pu" meakumm - Trip llinera (Doc) » Todd on 844005 ~ Ben's Town ome (JPEG)~ Ben 7-31’2005 more... Customize View 526 US. Patent Nov. 17, 2009 Sheet 5 0f 7 US 7,620,902 B2 FIG. 6 College Friends Social Space My Soda! Nam p (200ng Film: Sodal Space file gun \_Ilew ngolites Q pSQargfi @Foldnrs mv ,OvT?l 602" College Friends Today ~ August 5. 2005 My Slams 0mm 2| Racam Activin Andy has added I new ?le ‘Crad Dinmllpg'“. Bvad has pcsmed a nun entry In ‘Bmd's 5409‘". Two member: are ‘Chaning'm Collage Friend's Cdendar 605 - Activities: Calendav Photo Album Monday 8 ~16 - 2005 Voicq Chat 9:30am - 1l1003m Pick up Brad 8‘ Airpon (Todd) 622/“ Video Chat lM 5:009m - 7:00pm Eat dinner (Todd 5 Brad) Blog mom.“ 620/7 Tuesday 8 - I7 » 2005 11.305m - t??pm Pick up Ben, Andy, and Man Lists: (Todd 5 Brad) Music CD: :0 Bring \ Place to 90.... 7pm - Mldnlgm Eat uinnar s1 Daniels (All) 624/ Halo High Scores Favorites Web Sites Sunday 8 ~ 22 ~ 2005 le‘E.“ Noon - 3:00pm Go 0! aimon (All) r“ 612/ more“. Halo High Scores » by RoxSofl - 610/ I l I Man - 234 Kills - Ben - 123 Kills A — 456 Kills 618 ' Br -6 Kills Crab Dinner Brad‘s Trip I Todd - 349 Kills Full unknown.“ Customi\ze View 626 US. Patent Nov. 17, 2009 Sheet 6 0f7 US 7,620,902 B2 FIG. 7 700 706 708 / J704 My Status Online I ‘_| . .4. , i Andy Ben Q 5 new messages FIG. 8 Activities: 802 .7 Calendar Photo Album Voice Chat 800 Video Chat / IM Blog more... Lists: 804 Music CDs to Bring Place to 90.... Halo High Scores Favorites Web Sites more... US. Patent Nov. 17, 2009 Sheet70f7 US 7,620,902 B2 FIG. 9 % College Friend's Calendar ‘ n Music CDs to Bring . v Monday 8 - 16 - 2005 A“ 5&3J \ 5:00pm9:30am - 7:00pm11:00am EatPick dinner up Brad (Todd at Airpon 8 Brad) (Todd) @é@§@ g I \I' /"\ 9 Tuesggy8_1062005P B A d d M b I A 11: am-1: pm (Toddickup a Brad)en. n y.an att /—\g {> "‘(1 7pm - Midnight Eat dinner at Daniels (All) Sunday a - 22 - 2005 '“°'e'" Noon - 3:00pm Go 0t airpon (All) ‘\ more--- Recently Added Files . E ’5 /—\ I i -Halo Matt High - 234Scores Kills - by RoxSo? ‘ _ _ ,v In K E \ - Ben -123 Kills I, ‘ 908/— 2 Q2? .‘giIIu'Q'I'S Crab Dinner Brad‘s Trip (Io-Browser - Todd - 349 Kills Screenshot Full breakdown... more... FIG. 10 Customize( Social Space Social Pans Space... used ‘1 1000 E Shared Calendar 1 0 ’ I" db Shared Music List g Recently Added Files ( Social Space Pans available ‘\ Photo Story ~ Grapevine 1006”“\ i Halo High Scores - by RoxSoft ( Advanced ‘\ E Create custom list 1008/’“‘ |:] Import Social Spaoe Pan US 7,620,902 B2 1 2 COLLABORATION SPACES agement tasks and items. Such action includes various opera tions that are performed with respect to group activities TECHNICAL FIELD within the network, among other things. Upon creation of the social network, other users can access and/or receive noti? This invention relates to communication and interaction cations concerning group activities, and perform other social over a computer network. More particularly, the invention is interactions such as join in interactive sessions or collaborate directed to a system and method for de?ning a social network on shared data ?les. This provides a clear sense of user opera user interface to facilitate interactions and data availability tions that are available for group activities, to thereby create among de?ned groups of two or more communicating enti an ease of use of group spaces. ties. With the use of a browser interface, items within a social network may be managed quickly and effectively. In this way, BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION other applications can readily access content within the social networks de?ned by the user. The popularity of the Internet and other networks has caused a migration of various interactions and tasks from the BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS physical world to the digital world. For example, documents and ?les that would in years past have been shared by sharing FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary physical copies to other members in a group are now often network environment for communications in an embodiment handled electronically and transmitted digitally over a net of the invention; work. In such exchanges between members of a group, it is 20 FIG. 2 is a display screen of a social network browser important to maintain a degree of control over access by various group members, particularly when the group is col window according to an embodiment of the invention; laborating with each other. FIG. 3 is display screen of a social network sidebar user With the coming of the digital age, one activity that has not interface element that provides an appearance of group infor mation ?ltered according to a given set of criteria according to migrated strongly from the physical world to the digital one 25 has been group interaction. In our daily lives, we interact with an embodiment of the present invention; people on a regular basis, and form social groups that we FIG. 4 illustrates display screen representations of various engage with on a variety of activities over time. However, noti?cations provided by applications running in the social within any social group, information is sometimes shared network environment according to an embodiment of the with less than all of the group members or even maintained in 30 present invention; private. Everyone in the social group knows about every one FIG. 5 is a display screen representation of a social network else, and these groups grow and change over time. This meta display window according to an embodiment of the present phor that exists in our daily lives has not translated into the invention; digital world. FIG. 6 is another display screen representation of a social While a number of mechanisms and forums for digital 35 network display window; communication between remote parties now exist, none of FIG. 7 is a display screen representation of a presence these has provided a compelling solution that can lead to section of the display window of FIG. 6; widespread use. The existing communications mechanisms FIG. 8 is a display screen representation of a launch section fail to now provide a user interface that is intuitive and easy to of the display window of FIG. 6; use. For example, these technologies do not provide a true 40 group space within which group members may readily know FIG. 9 is a display screen representation of a parts section whether other group members are present, access shared ?les of the display window of FIG. 6; and and engage in other group activities. Instead, many existing FIG. 10 is a display screen representation of a Tools menu technologies tend to focus on a single activity or endeavor, dialog for creating or adding parts or other items to a social such as gaming or ?le sharing, rather than on the group and its 45 network according to an embodiment of the invention. activities and communication. Other technologies allow group chatting, but have no true sense of groups, requiring DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION setup of the group each time a group chat is attempted, and providing no mechanism for transitioning the group to an Generally, the present invention relates to a shared social activity other than pure chatting without again manually set 50 network that enables secure interactions among de?ned ting the group up at the next activity. members in a group. In one aspect, the invention provides a Accordingly, there remains a need to facilitate group inter user interface that exposes entry points to other applications action through which a desired group of users can interact to permit, among other things, instant text, voice and/or with each other in a secured environment, and through which audio-visual communication, shared ?le system operations, users can access, and maintain control with respect to ?les 55 or noti?cation of a change in status of group members or shared in their shared relationships with one another. activities. The invention permits enhanced functionality with respect to the formation and maintenance of relationships SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION within the social network. An embodiment of the invention is described below in the The present invention is directed to a method and system 60 context of a social network or shared space comprising mul for presenting a social network to a user through a graphical tiple individual users that communicate via a computer net interface. The invention presents group activities associated work. Typically, such users may forrn a Social Network in a with the social network that may be implemented across social environment or a shared work environment. However, network topologies to facilitate group interaction within the the invention is not so limited. To the contrary, a Social social network. 65 Network or Shared Space may refer to a device space, such as The invention provides a system and method for visually a home network. Also, a Social Network or Shared Space may presenting a social network such that user may activate man refer to a personal space, such as an individual user that US 7,620,902 B2 3 4 de?nes a Social Network (or Shared Space) to enable access from one another, the invention is also useful where groups to shared data, resources or other items from multiple devices are collaborating, which of course, may occur within a con and/ or locations. ference room or the like. Although it is not required for practicing the invention, the One or more user machines used in the illustrated environ invention is described as it is implemented by computer ment of an embodiment of the invention are implemented as the computing devices described in the applications referred executable instructions, such as program modules or objects, to above, although there is no such limitation inherent in the executable by a computing device. Generally, program mod invention. The invention may additionally or alternatively be ules or objects may be implemented as routines, programs, used with any of a number of other communication device components, data structures and the like that perform particu types, including but not limited to wearable communication lar tasks or implement particular abstract data types. devices, cell phones, and PDAs. The invention may be implemented in various computing In accordance with the invention, a social network is pre device con?gurations. For example, the invention may be sented through a graphical user interface with the look and realized in hand-held devices, mobile phones, multi-proces feel of existing operating system user interface features. For sor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable con example, the invention may use browser window that allows sumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe the user to browse the social network or networks to which computers and the like, wearable computing or communica they belong. In one embodiment, the invention is imple tion devices, and any other device capable of both visual mented by presenting iconic representations of the social display and direct or indirect communication with another networks in a social space portion of the window. The browser device. The invention may also be practiced in distributed 20 enables various applications and other items to be accessed computing environments, where tasks are performed by with respect to data residing in the social network. remote processing devices that are linked through a commu For facilitating interaction and communication among nications network. In a distributed computing environment, group members, an embodiment of the invention utilizes existing operating system infrastructure that allows for a large program modules may be located in both local and remote number of applications and/or scenarios to be delivered in a memory storage devices. Thus it will be understood that the distributed environment. Such infrastructure may provide invention is preferably incorporated into many types of com functionality including, without limitation, distributed con puting environments as suggested above. Exemplary comput nectivity, name resolution, ef?cient multipoint communica ing environments in which the invention may operate are tion and collaboration, secure groups and distributed data described in the identi?ed patent application Ser. No. 10/692, 30 management, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 501 (entitled “System And Method For File Sharing In Peer While it may be done in many ways, one embodiment of To-Peer Group Shared Spaces”) and Ser. No. 10/693,228 the invention is implemented as part of a collaboration archi (entitled “Group Shared Spaces”), both of which were ?led in tecture that includes various collaboration objects, described the Patent and Trademark Of?ce on Oct. 24, 2003, and are in greater detail below. These collaboration objects generally incorporated herein by reference. 35 de?ne various elements in a user interface. In a preferred In the description that follows, the invention will be embodiment, they are included in a presentation layer that described with reference to acts and symbolic representations accesses appropriate collaboration services and controls of operations that are performed by one or more computing through de?ned application programming interfaces. devices, unless indicated otherwise. Such acts and operations, Preferably, the presentation layer accesses controls which are referred to as being computer-executed, include the 40 exposed through a framework of collaboration controls. By manipulation by the processing unit of the computing device way of example, the framework may include real time com of electrical signals representing data in a structured form. munication controls that provide access to time sensitive This manipulation transforms the data or maintains it at loca activities such as instant messaging or text activity, voice tions in the memory system of the computing device, which communication activity and video communication activity. recon?gures or otherwise alters the operation of the comput 45 Other controls permit collaborative editing and creation, as ing device in a manner well understood by those skilled in the well as access to other shared activities. In a preferred art. The data structures are physical locations of memory with embodiment, an infrastructure layer provides an abstraction particular properties de?ned by the format of the data. How to collaboration services accessible through one or more ever, while the invention is being described in the foregoing de?ned interfaces. For example, interfaces may be de?ned to context, it is not meant to be limiting. Those of skill in the art 50 permit applications and members to negotiate what activities will appreciate that various acts and operations described other members can engage in, and provide a structured herein may also be implemented in hardware. mechanism for starting, accessing and/or synchronizing FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network environment activities. In addition, various transport interfaces and inter within which an embodiment of the invention may be imple faces to connectivity services enable communication, either mented. In particular, a plurality of user computing devices 55 through a single or a multi-party communication channel. 102, 104, 106, and 108 are illustrated as being communicably A social network explorer is represented by graphical user linked via a network 110. Each user device will typically be interface presentations and controls that may be included as used by or associated with a different user. The exact number part of an operating system, or at least an intuitive extension of user devices so linked is not important for the present of operating system operations. Much like the real-world, a invention, although a network communication will typically 60 social network is created in order to form a relationship involve at least two users. Furthermore, while the type of among one or more entities. The social networks created or network 110 is not critical, it may be a peer-to-peer network used by the same entity are preferably displayed in a single that allows an exchange of information, directly or indirectly, shell folder that de?nes a social space. The browser provides between two or more user machines. Via the network 110, a an entry point for applications and other items that can be communication from one user may be transmitted to another 65 utilized in coordination with the social network. user or users (via their respective user devices). While the user In an illustrated embodiment, various activities that are machines 102, 104, 106, 108 may be geographically remote accessible by members in a Social Network are implemented US 7,620,902 B2 5 6 as activity objects. Such objects typically provide a user inter Due to the limited real estate provided to the Side Bar 302, face having a description of an associated activity and an in most cases not all Social Networks may be presented to the entry point to the associated activity. Informational activity user at a given time. For limiting the number of presented objects are used to present an overview of current persistent Social Networks, the invention may permit user con?guration and transient activities being conducted within a particular for displaying what Social Networks are shown. Alternatively Social Network. Persistent activity objects present activities or in addition, the system may provide intelligent ?lters to with associated data that does not change over time and that is show Social Networks based on a given set of criteria. Thus, relevant to members in the Social Network. Transient activity the list of networks presented in the Side Bar 302 may be objects present activities and associated data that is being static, such as user con?gured, or it may be dynamic based on conducted at a given point in time. an active ?lter. In yet another alternative, the presented list Because interactions in a social network in the real world may be a combination. For example, the user may “pin” a are both synchronous and asynchronous, the activities like subset of the available Social Networks to the Side Bar part wise may support synchronous and asynchronous interac 304 while other Social Network icons are changed dynami tions. For example, some interactions may only involve one cally based on activity. individual or involve instances where the presence of an indi vidual is not revealed to other members. For providing information concerning changes in activity One overall user interface presentation according to an or other status changes in a Social Network, one feature of a embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2. A screen preferred embodiment presents various noti?cations to the display for a “My Social Networks” browser window 202 user. For example, the user could receive noti?cations when comprises one or more of a number of elements, designed to 20 new members come online in a given Social Network. Such ease the ability to access, create and manage a social network. noti?cations may be presented only when the user is engaged The browser window 202 has an intuitive layout with various in activities in a Social Network. Alternatively, the noti?ca sections such as a folder area 204 within which one or more tions may be presented whenever the user is operating his or social networks reside. In addition, the window 202 includes her computing device. a top section 206 that presents a list 208 of certain actions that 25 FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate examples of noti?cations. are selectable by the user. In FIG. 4A, the screen display presents a noti?cation message By way of example, the folder 204 presents one or more box 400 including a noti?cation 402 providing information items identifying the social networks available to the user. In concerning a change in status or other action. In this instance, this case, a “College Friends” icon 210 provides a link to a the noti?cation indicates that group members in a “College Social Space associated with the de?ned Social Network 30 Friends” group have begun a chat session. The noti?cation including on or more college friends of the user. Other icons message box 400 also includes an entry point 404 to instan corresponding to other social networks created by the user are tiate an application, such as an instant messaging application also contained in the folder space 204. enabling the user to join the group chat session. In addition, The folder space 204 has other sections such as an “Other the message box 400 includes an iconic representation 406 of 35 Contact Places” list 212 that includes data associated with the the particular Social Network related to the noti?cation. Social Networks presented in the folder display area 204. Other informational items may be included in the message Also, a “Filter By” menu 214 permits the user to search for box such as an expandable Options menu 408 to provide social network items based on various search criteria. information concerning other actions. FIG. 4B illustrates a message box 410 including a noti? A particular user may have more than one group to which 40 he or she belongs, and each member of a group may belong to cation 412 of another type of change in activity status, a group or groups to which one or more other members do not namely, that other group members have begun playing a video belong. Thus, although the relevant Social Network icon 210 game. In this example, an entry point 414 enables the user to appears to each group member, and appears identically on join the game through activation thereof. The iconic repre sentation 416 and Options menu 418 are the same as in FIG. each machine, there may be portions of a Social Space cor 45 responding to the icon 210 that are not shared with other 4A. Similarly, FIG. 4C illustrates a message box 420 with a group members. noti?cation 422 of the addition of an item that is available to the Social Network. In this example, one of the “College In one embodiment, a social network status is provided to the user in a Side Bar user interface part such as may be Friends” members added a new picture. As with the previ ously described noti?cations, the message box 420 includes displayed on a Windows Shell. FIG. 3 illustrates an exem 50 plary implementation of a Side Bar 302 for presenting infor an entry point 424 to access the new content, an iconic rep mation concerning the status of social networks. For repre resentation 426 of the Social Network and optionally other senting a hub of information at a user’s ?ngertips, the Side informational items such as an Options menu 428. Bar 302 includes a Social Network Side Bar part 304 that is FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate exemplary screen displays of a preferably accessible through common dialogs that are used 55 Social Space window. In FIG. 5, a Social Space 500 provides in conjunction with the Side Bar 302. In the illustrated an aggregated data view of items associated with a particular embodiment, one or more user selectable icons 306, 308 Social Network. In this way, the Social Space 500 provides present information concerning the status of associated instant access to information concerning the activity within Social Networks. For example, three of the eight group mem the Social Network. bers are presently active in the “College Friends” network, 60 In a preferred embodiment, the Social Space 500 layout is while one of the six group members is active in the “Soccer divided into sections with constituent parts. A ?rst section Buds” network. Also, when the user hovers over an icon, it 502 displays an overview of recent activity and status changes may show the presence of active members in the Social Net of the group. By obtaining information provided by Activity work. In this way, information conceming the activities and Objects associated with the Social Network, the overview status of the Social Network conveniently appears to the user 65 section 502 creates an overall sense of recent changes in the without navigating to the browser window shown in FIG. 2 or Social Network. The overview section 502 includes a Meta to a Social Space, as described below. information subsection 504 that provides information to US 7,620,902 B2 7 8 assist the user in associating the Social Space. The Meta when the user clicks or otherwise activates an item in the information subsection 504 displays a user tile, the name of Launch area 522, an invitation is automatically sent to other the space and the date. active members inviting them to participate in the activity. For providing recent activity and status information, the The Launch section 520 also presents a List Launch area 524 Activity Objects aggregated and displayed in the overview that displays a preset number of recently used lists. When the section 502 are primarily transient activity objects. For user activates an entry in the List Launch area 524, the asso example, a Recent Activity subsection 505 provides a quick ciated list is launched for the user. While the presentation of overview of new activities that have occurred with respect to graphical and control elements shown in FIG. 5 is represen the Social Network. Recent activities are decided by events tative for the illustrated Shared Space 500, those skilled in the that occur with respect to the Social Space. The Recent art will appreciate that the layout and informational items by Activities subsection 505 subscribes to updates to other parts be altered and/ or extended without departing from the inven and activities in the Social Network and displays the three tion. most recent activities that have been launched together with FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 in that it also illustrates a layout participating members or the latest updates to parts of the for a Social Space 600. However, in FIG. 6, certain user Social Space. interface elements are presented in a “picture” view rather Other features in the overview section 502 include a Mes than in a text view. As with the screen display shown in FIG. sage Board 506 that provides information about new mes 5, the Social Space 600 layout is divided into sections. A ?rst sages that have been received. In addition, the Message Board overview section 602 displays an overview of recent activity 506 provides a launch point for an associated email applica and status changes of the group. The overview section 602 has tion program to enable the user to view the messages. The 20 a Meta-information subsection 604 that includes a picture of overview section 502 further displays a Members or Presence the relevant group. As with the embodiment of FIG. 5, the subsection 508 providing a dynamic list of current group overview section 602 also displays a Recent Activity subsec members and their respective status. tion 605 and a Message Board subsection 606. Likewise, the The Social Space 500 includes a parts section 510 that overview section displays a Presence subsection 608, which provides a canvas on which persistent activity objects may be 25 in this case displays a picture view of the group members. presented. The “parts” that are included in section 510 are The Social Space 600 also includes a customizable “parts” implemented as miniature windows that a user can arrange, section 610. In the illustrated embodiment, a Social Calendar resize, and position on the parts section 510. For example, the Update part 612 presents the user a view of the calendar of the user may select and move a corner or edge of the miniature group for a user-speci?ed amount of time. Other graphical window via a mouse, stylus, or other user input device. The 30 elements included in the parts section 610 include a Recently “parts” provide a high level overview and entry point to an Added Files part 614, and graphical presentations of lists 616 associated shared application or ?le system item collection. and 618. These parts are reordered as compared to the parts In the illustrated embodiment, the “parts” can also be maxi section 510 shown in FIG. 5. They also include pictorial and mized (in which the part is displayed on the entire viewable graphic elements for enhanced identi?cation by the user. “parts” area) or minimized (in which the part is only dis 35 Finally, a Launch section 620 provides an Activity Launch played in the title bar of parts) by the user. As shown, a Social area 622 and a List Launch area 624. Calendar Updates part 512 presents a customized miniature FIG. 7 illustrates the Presence subsection shown in FIG. 6 window of the calendar of the group for a user-speci?ed in greater detail. As shown, a Presence subsection 700 pro amount of time. The following information is displayed for vides information concerning the current status of group various calendar entries in the illustrated embodiment: day of 40 members. While it may be presented in a text list view, the appointment; time span of appointment; title of appointment; subsection 700 is shown in a picture view. The Presence and location of appointment. subsection 700 includes a user tile 702 associated with the Another graphical window included in the presentation of user as well as a menu 704 permitting the user to set his or her the parts section 510 is a Recently Added Files part 514. This presence for the group. In this way, presence may be estab part 514 presents a view of recently added ?les together with 45 lished by the user on a per space basis. Once it is established, an entry point to the shared ?les associated with the displayed the user status is propagated to a “presence” list in an associ entries. In an embodiment, the Recently Added Files part 514 ated person object for the user. The presence information is may be persistent and includes the following information: ?le thus obtained via a “Presences” object from the person that is name; ?le type; owner or individual who added the ?le; and conveyed to other group members. Such information is aggre the date in which the ?le was added. Of course, the presenta 50 gated and conveyed through user tiles for the group members. tion may alternatively be implemented in a customizable ?le In the illustrated picture view, when a group member is experience such as a Photo Album Activity Object. present, his or her tile is fully visible as shown by the group Additional parts displayed in the section 510 illustrated in member tile 706. On the other hand, the group member tile is FIG. 5 are various List Updates parts 516 and 518. Preferably, displayed as semi-transparent when the member is absent, the lists of information presented to the user are customizable 55 such as shown by group member tile 708. and extensible. Accordingly, the List Update parts may be FIG. 8 shows a Launch section 800 in greater detail. As con?gured to only display lists that have changed. This explained above, the Launch section 800 permits the user to enables the user to navigate to the relevant list and view any launch activities with other members. The Launch section changes. These lists may have both graphical and control 800 includes and Activity Launch area 802 that displays a elements as well. That is, as with the otherparts described, the 60 preset number of recently used activities and provides asso parts 516 and 518 provide entry points to applications and/or ciated entry points. A List Launch area 804 displays a preset data associated with the part. number of recently used lists that may be activated upon user Another section shown in the Shared Space 500 is a Launch selection. section 520. The Launch section 520 permits the user to FIG. 9 illustrates a Parts section 900 in greater detail. As launch activities with members of the Shared Space 500. The 65 explained above, the constituent parts in the section 900 may Launch section 520 includes and Activity Launch area 522 be moved, resized or otherwise con?gured as desired. A that displays a preset number of recently used activities. Thus, Shared Calendar part 902 presents the user a view of the US 7,620,902 B2 9 10 calendar of the group for a user-speci?ed amount of time. provide interaction among different computing devices, such Other graphical elements included in the parts section 900 as in a home network. Due to the topology independence of a include a Recently Added Files part 904, and graphical pre shared space, a user may alternatively de?ne a Social Net sentations of lists 906 and 908. Each of these parts preferably work as a personal space to enable access to shared data, includes a “more” option as shown by numeral 910. When the resources or other items from different computing devices “more” option is activated, the part 902 is maximized to and/ or locations. In this example, the Social Network remains display the full collaboration part application within the Parts constant despite the changes in network topology. section 900. Alternatively, an associated application will be Various activities may occur in the group space. Such launched, such as a shared calendar launching Outlook in this activities may include ?le sharing, chatting either by text example. and/or audio visual, gaming, white boarding, message board Having described the details of the various parts of a social ing, content distribution, distribution of software and patches. space graphical interface, the details of customization of the Indeed, the invention may be used to perform distributed shared space are now described. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a computing tasks such as, for example, working together to dialog box 1000 may be presented to the user to aid in cus solve complex real world problems such as weather forecast tomization of a Social Space. The illustrated dialog may be ing, complex biological problems, like mapping DNA, astro launched by selecting a “CustomizeView” link (elements 526 nomical process analysis, or searching within group content and 626 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively). The dialog box for basic research tasks. Alternatively, the invention may sim 1000 includes a Social Space tile or textual information iden ply be used to keep other family members informed of new tifying the relevant space. In addition, the dialog box 1000 activities. presents a list 1004 of Social Space Parts currently being used 20 It will be appreciated that a novel application architecture and a list 1006 of available parts. For most cases, a new part and interface for group interaction over a network have been may be moved to the Parts section through a “drag and drop” described. In view of the many possible embodiments to operation or by importing the relevant part through an appro which the principles of this invention may be applied, it priate con?guration operation. In the illustrated embodiment, should be recognized that the embodiments described herein the dialog box 1000 also presents an Advanced options list 25 with respect to the drawing ?gures are illustrative and should 1008 that may be used to permit the user to create a custom list not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. For part from a query builder or import a part from a ?le acces example, those skilled in the art will recognize that elements sible by the system. In this way, the Parts section of a Social of the illustrated embodiments shown in speci?c software Space may be customized according to user preference. implementations may be implemented in many different In this way, the invention enables interactions among group 30 ways and that the illustrated embodiments can be modi?ed in members according to real world scenarios. For example, a arrangement and detail without departing from the spirit of user may take voluminous pictures and some video of his or the invention. Also, the invention has been described prima her children. Because sharing such content, especially the rily with reference to personal computers and their associated video content, is particular dif?cult, the user may simply displays and desktops. However, the invention does not create a Family social network to use in order to exchange 35 require a PC or a traditional desktop. That is, the invention can these and other ?les with his or her relatives. In addition, the also be implemented on other devices that support a visual user may access shared calendar information to determine display function. Accordingly, the invention as described plans for other group members, i.e. family members in this herein contemplates all such embodiments as may come example, at any given time. Also, the user can choose to within the scope of the following claims and equivalents receive noti?cations of changes or updates in the group. 40 thereof. In another real world example, a user may schedule a We claim: meeting with several members of her business team and a few 1. A computing device comprising a processing unit con partners she has met at a tradeshow. Because she plans to ?gured according to computer executable instructions, a share some information with other meeting participants, the memory, and a group interaction application comprising the user creates a group social network for the meeting and uses 45 computer executable instructions maintained in the memory the list of people “near” her to add her team members and the and executed on the processor to present a graphical user partners to the group. The user also may pre-populate the interface to enable interaction among de?ned members in social network with the presentation and other materials as social networks, comprising: desired. As attendees arrive to the meeting and power on their a ?rst display area having: computing systems in preparation for the meeting, they are 50 a ?rst section including at least one action icon select noti?ed that a social network has been created, join the social able by a ?rst member, the at least one action icon network and access the documents. In addition, such attend including a launch social space icon, a launch group ees can readily add other materials concerning the meeting. activity icon, and an invite new member icon, and When the meeting concludes, the user and or other attendees a second section including: at least one social space icon, may delete the social network or maintain it for on-going 55 each at least one social space icon corresponding to a collaboration. For example, by using workspace tools, the social network to which the ?rst member belongs and user may initiate a review process of documents generated in providing a link to a social space corresponding to the the group setting, and incorporate feedback from other group at least one social space icon, the link to the social members to prepare ?nal document drafts. Other team mem space comprising a link to a social space window; bers, such as a sales force in this example, may have shared 60 a second display area including a side bar for providing spaces con?gured to receive noti?cation of the ?nal docu social network status, the side bar having a user-select ment drafts for processing. able icon corresponding to each at least one social space As noted above, the invention is not limited to Social Net icon, the user-selectable icon presenting status informa works that include a plurality of group members who interact tion of the each at least one social space icon including a with each other via a computer network. For example, a user 65 numerical indication of a fraction of total group mem may de?ne a Social Network as a device space to enable data bers active in the each at least one social space, wherein access among devices. That is, a shared space may be used to if the ?rst member hovers a cursor over the user-select US 7,620,902 B2 11 12 able icon, a presence indication of active group members including a list of most recently added ?les, an entry point for in the each at least one social space is provided; and each most recently added ?le on the list of most recently a third display area for providing a noti?cation of a change added ?les, and ?le information for each most recently added associated with one of the at least one social space, the ?le on the list of most recently added ?les, the ?le information noti?cation including: 5 including a ?le name, a ?le type, an identi?cation of a user an iconic representation of the one of the at least one who added the ?le, and a date on which the ?le was added. social space, 14. The computing device as in claim 1, wherein the social a textual description of the change, space window further includes a noti?cation display area an user selectable entry point to an activity or a ?le including: associated with the change, and 10 a noti?cation message area for displaying a noti?cation an expandable options menu, message related to a change corresponding to at least wherein: one changed activity associated with the social network, the second display area is visible independent of a vis the change initiated by a speci?c member of the social ible presence of the ?rst or the third display areas, and network, and the third display area is visible when the change associ 15 an iconic representation of an entry point for the at least one ated with the one of the at least one social space occurs changed activity, wherein the entry point may be acti and one of: a new member of the one of the at least vated to launch an application associated with the at least social space activates, the ?rst member is active in the changed one activity. one of the at least one social space, or the ?rst member 15. The computing device as in claim 1, wherein the social is operating a computing device for accessing the one 2 O space window includes a persistent activity display including: of the at least one social space. a set of screen portions of the persistent activity display, 2. The computing device as in claim 1, wherein the launch wherein each screen portion: activity icon may be activated to launch an application asso ciated with at least one group activity. is enabled to be at least one of arranged, positioned or 3. The computing device as in claim 2, wherein the at least 25 sized by a user, one group activity is a synchronous interaction with at least corresponds to a persistent activity, and one other member in the social network. includes a visible indicator of the persistent activity, the 4. The computing device as in claim 2, wherein the at least visible indicator of the persistent activity being a link one group activity is an asynchronous interaction with respect to a shared application or a ?le system item corre to at least one other member in the social network. 30 sponding to the persistent activity, 5. The computing device as in claim 1, wherein the social wherein the persistent activity is associated with data that network to which the member belongs was created by the does not change over time. member. 16. A computing device comprising a processing unit con 6. The computing device as in claim 1 wherein a set of ?gured according to computer executable instructions, a visible user-selectable icons included in side bar is deter 35 memory and a group interaction application comprising the mined by at least one of: a user-con?gurable ?lter or an active computer executable instructions maintained in the memory system ?lter. and executed on the processing unit to present a graphical 7. The computing device as in claim 1 wherein at least one user interface for enabling navigation among one or more other member in the social network is automatically shown a social networks created to facilitate group interaction among result of operations performed with respect to selection of the 40 a ?rst online member of a group and at least one other online at least one action icon. member of the group over a computer network comprising: 8. The computing device as in claim 1 wherein the mem a browser window; and bers in the social network comprise users of computing a folder display area located within the browser window devices that are connected together via a computer network. displaying at least one visible presence indicator identi 9. The computing device as in claim 1 wherein the social 45 fying a social network to which the user belongs and space comprises a device space. 10. The computing device in as in claim 1 wherein the providing a link to a social space associated with the social space comprises a personal space for enabling access to social network, the social space comprising at least one of: a device space de?ned by only the ?rst online mem resources from multiple devices or locations. ber or a personal space de?ned by only the ?rst online 11. The computing device as in claim 1, wherein the second 50 member for enabling access to resources from multiple section of the ?rst display area further includes: an other contact places list including data associated with devices or locations, the at least one social space icon, and wherein a set of unique, visible presence indicators shown a ?lter menu enabling the ?rst member to search for items on the folder display area is determined by at least one in the social network based on criteria. 55 of: a user-con?gurable ?lter accessible via the browser 12. The computing device as in claim 1, wherein the social window or an active system ?lter, and space window includes a recent activity display area for dis wherein the social space is represented on a second display playing: area that acts as a drop target for displaying at least one a list of most recently launched activities in the social activity indicator identifying an activity in which the network and participating group members for each most 60 social space participates, the at least one activity indica recently launched activity on the list of most recently tor dragged by a particular online member of the group launched activities, the list of most recently launched into the second display area. activities having a total number of entries less than a total 17. The computing device as in claim 16, further including number of launched activities, and an iconic representation of an entry point for at least one updates to one or more parts of the social space. activity associated with the social network located within the 13. The computing device as in claim 1, wherein the social browser window, wherein the entry point may be activated to space window includes a recently added ?les display area launch an application associated with the at least one activity. US 7,620,902 B2 13 14 18. The computing device as in claim 17, wherein the at a noti?cation display area including: least one activity is a synchronous interaction with at least one a noti?cation message area for displaying a noti?cation other group member. message related to a change corresponding to at least 19. The computing device as in claim 17, wherein the at one changed activity associated with the social network, least one activity is an asynchronous interaction with respect the change corresponding to at least one changed activ to at least one other group member. ity initiated by a member of the group, and 20. The computing device as in claim 16, wherein the link an iconic representation of an entry point for the at least one to the social space includes a link to a social space window changed activity, wherein the entry point may be acti including at least one selected from: vated to launch an application associated with the at least a recent activity display area for displaying: one changed activity; and a list of most recently launched activities in the social a persistent activity display including: network and participating group members for each a set of screen portions on the persistent activity display, most recently launched activity on the list of most wherein each screen portion: recently launched activities, the list of most recently is enabled to be at least one of arranged, positioned or launched activities having a total number of entries sized by a user, less than a total number of launched activities, and updates to one or more parts of the social space; corresponds to a persistent activity, and a recently added ?les display area including a list of most includes a visible indicator of the persistent activity, the recently added ?les, an entry point for each most visible indicator of the persistent activity being a link recently added ?le on the list of most recently added 20 to a shared application or a ?le system item corre ?les, and ?le information for the each most recently sponding to the persistent activity, added ?le on the list of most recently added ?les, the ?le wherein the persistent activity is associated with data that information including a ?le name, a ?le type, an identi does not change over time. ?cation of a user who added the ?le, and a date on which the ?le was added; UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. : 7,620,902 B2 Page 1 of 1 APPLICATION NO. : 11/110622 DATED : November 17, 2009 INVENTOR(S) : Manion et a1. It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below: On the Title Page: The ?rst or sole Notice should read - Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 15 4(b) by 135 days. Signed and Sealed this Fourteenth Day of December, 2010 David J. Kappos Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Oj?ce