WO2005055534A1

WO2005055534A1 - Remote electronic mail-processing support method

Info

Publication number: WO2005055534A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/053297
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Jordan; Olivier Saudan
Original assignee: Familymail Inc.
Priority date: 2003-12-08
Filing date: 2004-12-06
Publication date: 2005-06-16

Abstract

The invention relates to a remote electronic mail-processing support method which aims to optimise the user-friendliness of a system used to receive and send e-mail. The invention eliminates human intervention for the most part by automating commands and anticipating the needs of users. Moreover, the invention substantially eliminates the inconveniences and faults associated with said systems and devices. The aforementioned aim is achieved using a remote electronic mail-processing support method comprising the following steps, namely: receipt of an electronic message; extraction of a portion of the message corresponding to the possible location of a code; comparison of the contents of said location with a pre-defined code value; transmission of the message for standard processing if there is no code in said location; and, if the code is present, transmission of the message to a command interpretation module and configuration of the electronic message system using the commands contained in the message.

Description

REMOTE ASSISTANCE METHOD FOR EMAIL PROCESSING

Technical area

The generalization of data transmission networks in the world, linked to the costs of acquiring communication terminals (for example, a personal computer) and access services to said networks (for example, a provider of access to the Internet). 'Internet) which are decreasing, has not reduced the digital divide, which strikes first of all the populations for whom the costs are still too high, and the access methods, the user interfaces and the terminals of transmission and reception too complex, all this constituting real barriers to use.

Increasing the user-friendliness of technologies has become the asset of companies offering products targeting the general public, in order to convert as many people as possible and make new customers. Ergonomics thus tries to simplify complex technologies in order to make them available to everyone, in particular people who are not or little users of communication technologies, and in particular intended for the most excluded populations, such as seniors, the disabled, the unemployed, etc.

A number of companies have attempted to improve the usability of their products and technological systems, by proposing processes aimed at simplifying their use or concentrating a single application on a single product. In the context that interests us, methods of sending and receiving e-mails (which we will call "communication methods") as well as methods of displaying e-mails including attachments of any form including photos, some devices and systems dedicated to this task thus only offer the reception, storage and sending of e-mails according to a simplified process, limiting the possibilities of extension to other uses of products and services. But the compromise often turns out to be unfavorable to the performance of products, which lose in technical capacity what they have gained in user-friendliness, or whose costs prove prohibitive when technical performance is maintained. For example, the Ceiva electronic mail device (US patent 6,442,573) produces an electronic frame in which images previously downloaded via a data communication network are displayed at regular intervals. However, the process of depositing images for transmitters is complex and cannot be done from a traditional communication terminal. In addition, the product only allows the reception ("pull") of mail and electronic images and not the sending ("push"), which limits the spectrum of possibilities offered by a machine using a communication network. In addition, to the purchase of the product is added the monthly payment for a particular Internet service which is essential for at least one of the issuers, which makes the possible purchasers and users of the system even more hesitant, whose knows the propensities to closely monitor this kind of exceptional spending.

A Lander Mailbug-type electronic mail device (US Patent 6,446,118) offers a product that focuses in part on receiving and sending electronic messages, and thereby reduces the risks of complexity inherent in overly sophisticated machines with too many applications. However, the small screen only allows the display of “text” electronic messages and prohibits the display of electronic photos, which limits the extent of interpersonal communication, which increasingly involves sending and receiving personal photos. In addition, the small keys and the display in small characters impose on the user a precise handling resulting from a previous acquisition process, which effectively removes populations not aware of computers, not counting those who suffer multiple small physical handicaps (for example, reduction with age of visual acuity, memorization, motor skills and precision of arms and hands, etc.).

Electronic photo album systems, as well as data processing systems for receiving and sending electronic messages, have sought to simplify their selection and execution process, by offering main menus followed by multiple choices. and represented by generic family names, icons, interactive windows, buttons, etc. If they are often associated with electronic communication systems allowing the optimization of technical performance (for example, through a display on the monitor of a personal computer, which overcomes the drawbacks mentioned for e-mail machines), however, they require numerous manual commands via an input device (keyboard, mouse, webcam, electronic tablet, touch screen, etc. ), that is to say an effort to reflect in order to respond to any interactive messages posed by the electronic communication terminal to the user, a memory capacity to remember the path accomplished in order to achieve the desired result , the selection of the right option whose user must perceive the representation symbolized by an icon in the program interface, etc. However, it is proven that the wealth of options and commands, associated with a symbolic and technical language unsuitable and inexpressive for the populations concerned, very often produce insurmountable obstacles with populations not or badly initiated with the electronic communication terminals. In addition, the acquisition of ordering processes requires more time for these populations who are not very receptive to these new technologies, and poses an additional obstacle to them. In addition, the handling of the input devices requires for the most part both physical (linked for example to the precision of a movement in order to select an option), as well as intellectual (the technical term used turns out to be confusing to say the least) for the neophyte, and even more for an elderly population). Finally, the logic of use often requires long learning, and in fact constitutes a real barrier to use for populations who often feel a new training as a humiliation, or who simply do not wish or cannot devote time to it. .

Electronic photo album systems now offer automatic photo viewing modes. In this sense, the display is ergonomic and allows non-users of electronic communication terminals to be able to view photos without prior training. But these albums are not associated with simple automatic messaging systems, and therefore the user of an electronic communication terminal is condemned not to be able to use them to display new electronic photos for lack of a procedure of simplified reception linked directly to a simplified electronic photo display procedure, unless you have to ask an outside person to do the following: receive their added e-mail an attachment (in this case, a photo) via e-mail, save these electronic photos on the storage medium of the communication terminal, then open the photos from the electronic photo album system. It is a complex procedure for the target population, which is unlikely to succeed.

Launching a communication system to receive and send email or an electronic photo album system to display electronic photos requires an input device (for example, a mouse or keyboard) which points to the corresponding option generally represented by an icon or a command line indicating the name of said system, select it, and activate it manually.

Connecting electronic mail to a communication network requires launching the connection according to the process described above.

Receiving an email requires launching this command according to the process described above.

The display of said email requires the launch of this command according to the process described above.

The display of an attachment in turn requires its launch according to the process described above, and often also the obligation to respond to an interactive message posed by the receiving terminal to the user and condemning the latter to failure of the operation in the event of an inappropriate response.

Displaying the next email or returning to email requires closing or minimizing open windows, by pointing to the corresponding option using an input device, selecting it, and activating it. manual

E-mail management requires manual deletion by following a process requiring the activation of a deletion option and which we manage to select after navigation in a multiple-choice menu, or the activation of an automatic deletion process requiring navigation in a multiple choice menu and selection of the corresponding option through an input device.

The shutdown of the electronic communication terminal sometimes requires the launch of this command according to the process described above, or even to go through a “start” menu in order to choose the shutdown option.

Communication systems to receive and send e-mail or electronic photo album systems to display electronic photos always require more storage capacity and computing performance. This is a problem, especially since communication terminals are becoming more obsolete, and users are forced to regularly spend money in order to bring their equipment up to market standards. It is often noted that the inflation in the performance of communication terminals and pre-installed data processing systems will only marginally benefit the individual user and in particular by the populations concerned, most often interested in basic applications ( for example, email).

Communication systems for receiving and sending electronic mail or electronic photo album systems for displaying electronic photos also require considerable abstraction on the part of the user in order to understand communication systems. messaging reproducing little or not at all the reality of postal mail, envelopes, and paper photos, as well as manual or reading display systems.

Detailed description of the invention Figure 1 schematically describes the flow of data in an electronic message reception system. A distinction is made between the different states which correspond to processing modules.

The present invention proposes a compromise making it possible to optimize the user-friendliness of an e-mail reception and sending system (for example, an e-mail messaging system) as well as the user-friendliness of a display system. e-mails, whether or not accompanied by attachments (for example, electronic photos), guaranteeing any user the success of the operation with reduced prior training, and guaranteeing the main performance of the product or communication system and display. Thus, the present invention eliminates the major part of human intervention, thanks to the automation of orders and the anticipation of user needs. Finally, the present invention substantially eliminates the drawbacks and defects of the systems and apparatuses described above.

This object is achieved by a method of remote assistance for processing electronic mail comprising the following steps:

- receipt of an electronic message,

- extraction of a portion of said message corresponding to the possible location of a code,

- comparison of the content of this location with a predefined code value,

- if this code is absent in said location, transmission of the message for conventional processing,

- if this code is present, transmission of the message to a command interpretation module, and configuration of electronic messaging according to the commands contained in said message.

In this case, the aim of this invention is to produce a method of systematic and autonomous management of errors, warnings and information of all kinds announced by the communication terminal without having to resort to an interactive or unidirectional display procedure requiring a user response or intervention. Thanks to an automatic processing module, the invention guarantees the user at all times the continuation of his display or data transmission operation via a communication network, without making visible the messages generated by the communication terminal.

Furthermore, said system stores all the messages and decisions made by said system (specifying the date and time of occurrences, as well as the conditions) in a location intended for viewing by the system administrator.

Another object of this invention is to produce a simplified reading method making it possible to provide visual comfort and to guarantee readability. Thus, emails are displayed in large characters, and photos are automatically resized and centered to optimize the size of the screen as well as integrated into a graphic environment favorable to contrasts.

Another object of the invention is to propose a method facilitating control by the user, this method of remote assistance for assisted processing of electronic mail comprising the following steps:

a step for receiving messages, a step for presenting and processing messages, characterized in that the step for presenting and processing messages comprises a plurality of states and - receiving an electronic message,

- comparison of the content of this location with a predefined code value,

- if this code is present, transmission of the message to a command interpretation module, and configuration of electronic messaging according to the commands contained in said message, in that a control device controlled by the user causes a change in the current state to the next state, according to a specific function assigned to said control device for said current state.

The control device can take several forms, either the keyboard key, for example the CTRL key, or one of the buttons of the mouse, or even the two buttons, or a simple movement of the mouse. This latter solution will be filtered to eliminate vibrations or other accidental movements. The system of the invention functions as a state machine, that is to say that it can take several states such as "reading, writing, erasing, archiving, printing". In each of these states, a different function is assigned to the control device so that the same device is used as the single device. According to the method of the invention, each state therefore corresponds to an assignment of a functionality to this device.

In addition, the traditional fields included in an email (for example, those indicating the origin of the sender, the date, the subject) and / or their respective contents are automatically displayed as text in the display window of the text, in order to ensure the readability of the whole and to avoid important information being excluded from the user's vision. In order to extend the metaphor of postal mail on an electronic communication medium, the fields and / or their contents are graphically located at the places where they are found on traditional postal mail, so as to remind the user of an already known medium. . For example, the date could be located on the right of the reading document. In the same spirit, automatic margins located on the right, on the left, at the top and bottom of the viewing window, enclose the electronic mail in order to recall a postal mail and simplify the display.

In addition, the fields are automatically formatted so as to avoid any contraction of words or superfluous data for the user, generating misunderstandings or reading difficulties. For example, the "date" field contains a date whose day and month are written in full, and whose time and reference to other time standards (for example, GMT or PST) have been previously processed by the system and erased. Another example of formatting allows the reading of complete pages thanks to an automatic resizing of e-mails, by authorizing the automatic reduction or increase of the font sizes of e-mails. This especially avoids pages of text composed of only a few words.

In addition, the texts of the electronic messages received are displayed taking into account the exact line breaks of the original message, improving reading comfort. Finally, the texts displayed and corresponding to the e-mails received, to the fields and to the information completing them, to the instructions of said communication system which indicate the procedure to follow, as well as those corresponding to the writing of an e-mail are differentiated simply by the use of different colors, fonts, and text formatting (use of bold or simple or italic fonts or capital letters or different spaces, use of underline or not, use of different paragraphs and certain texts preceded by periods, etc.). This allows reading comfort for the user, allowing him to have a single display window in which all the information is concentrated. In the same spirit, emails differ from each other by the automatic use of different colors for fonts and / or for wallpapers, and / or by the use of different fonts. It can also be assigned to certain identified issuers with specific colors and / or fonts so that they can be visually differentiated in a simplified and immediate manner.

Another object of this invention is to produce an immediate and automatic method of displaying emails and electronic photos, and requiring neither memorization of commands beforehand nor use of input devices. As soon as the communication terminal is switched on, the system activates its display module immediately and as a priority on all the other application systems of the terminal, which allows the user to be able to view a first electronic mail or a first electronic photo, or all emails and photos, without any manual activation of commands.

Furthermore, the automatic display can be customized so that the duration takes into account the number of characters or the number of words making up the displayed page.

Another object of this invention is to produce a method of automatic and immediate connection to a communication network, as soon as the reception terminal is switched on. Another object of this invention is to produce a method of automatic disconnection from the communication network, for example as soon as the reception of electronic mails has ended or from the previously configured duration reached.

Another object of this invention includes the possibility of using an input device by diverting its real object in favor of the automatic execution of a previously programmed command of the system. This allows in particular the execution of the display command without recourse to a prior reflection of the user, or to a prior memorization, or to a prior action requiring a certain physical address or a particular learning.

In this case, the successive display of e-mails and electronic photos can be generated using a pre-defined keyboard key, or a pre-defined group of keys, or all of the pre-defined keys, without the need to resort to complex combinations of particular keys. By extension, another object of this invention is to be able to use the modification of the generation of the command coming from the activation of a keyboard key, depending on whether the latter is pressed or released.

The successive display of e-mails and electronic photos can also be generated using one, several, or all the buttons of a mouse, in order to successively display e-mails and electronic photos, without the need for recourse or pointing on the corresponding display option, neither to its selection nor to its manual activation.

The successive display of e-mails and electronic photos can also be generated by using the movement of a mouse, whatever it is, in order to successively display e-mails and electronic photos, without the need for recourse or pointing using an input device on the corresponding display option, neither to its selection nor to its manual activation.

The successive display of e-mails and electronic photos can also be generated using a web camera: the display is activated by simple motion detection in front of the web camera. The successive display of e-mails and electronic photos can also be generated using any electronic writing medium, and by associating an entry (for example: a line) with this command.

Another object of this invention is to eliminate the intermediate operations required by other systems and products in order to respond to an electronic message or photo or to compose an electronic message, by allowing access to the writing mode of a message (be it a new message or a reply) by simply pressing or selecting the character keys on the keyboard (approximately corresponding to the keys of a typewriter). Thus, the response to an email is done immediately, by typing the response directly at the time of display: the keys pressed (and which have not been assigned to another command) directly activate the response mode or the creation mode e-mail messages. This allows in particular to avoid complex processes of order selection, navigation in a multiple choice interface, and activation.

Furthermore, another object of this invention is to facilitate the writing of said electronic message by automatically launching a writing module suggesting to the user the following words, texts or letters, in particular using the principle of deduction linked to letters previously typed by the user, to the identification of the type of word, to the context of the text, to the probabilities, etc.

Another object of this invention is to combine an input from an input device to associate it with two separate operations, thereby eliminating the need to learn two particular inputs. In particular, the command to successively display electronic mails and photos can be combined with the command to send an electronic message. For example, the special key on a keyboard (for example, "Ctrl" or "Shift" or "Alt" or "Fn") or a cursor key (for example, the right arrow) or a function key (for example, "F12") can be used to display emails and photos in succession and to send emails.

Furthermore, the invention provides the possibility of deciding which inputs are assigned to multiple commands, thanks to the availability of a configuration menu. Another object of this invention is to take into account the duration of an input from an input device. For example, in the case of a keyboard connected to the communication terminal, this makes it possible to assign the same key to two different operations, without increasing the learning associated with knowing the location of this key. This also makes it possible to ensure the validity of a sensitive order (for example in the case of the deletion of a mail and / or an electronic photo), by obliging the user to maintain the pressure during a certain time. Thus, one can use the space bar by pressing it sequentially in a traditional mode of writing a text in order to create spaces, and also use the same space bar under the same conditions while maintaining the pressure during one longer duration in order to associate it automatically with another command, such as the command to send an electronic message.

Furthermore, the same principle of varying the duration of pressing a key can be assigned to traditional commands, so as to allow the populations of users concerned to press the key longer in order to activate the command, without however generate usage errors.

Another object of this invention is to produce an automatic or manual method of managing electronic mails and photos and taking account of the capacities of the recording media of the communication terminal or of the criteria specified beforehand by the user.

Thus, emails and electronic photos are always saved, unless erasure criteria have been specified beforehand, in which case the emails will be automatically erased as soon as the criteria are satisfied. For example, the erasure criteria can be linked to the overall or individual size of the emails and electronic photos stored on the storage device of the communication terminal, or linked to the maximum number of emails and electronic photos displayed, or linked to the age of e-mails and photos, etc.

In addition, the system provides for manual deletion or concealment of an email and / or its attachments (for example, an electronic photo), through the direct activation of an order, without requiring any process intermediary adding to the operation such as the launch of this command via its pointing using an input device, its selection, and its manual activation. For example, pressing the “back space” function key while viewing an email and / or an attachment allows you to delete or hide the email and / or an attachment.

Another object of this invention is to produce a method making it possible to directly control a certain number of operations to be carried out by the communication terminal, thanks to the recognition of keywords entered via an input device. For example, writing the word "print" during the display of an electronic mail with or without an attachment, will control the automatic printing of said file by prior recognition of the keyword. This device makes it possible in particular to avoid the cumbersome operation, consisting in launching this command via its pointing using an input device, its selection, and its manual activation.

Another object of this invention is to produce a storage method aimed at optimizing the computing performance and the capacities of the recording media of the communication terminal. For example, to deal with the case where the memory used within the device for processing the transmission and display of electronic mails does not have a free location having a memory or storage capacity large enough to be able to store the electronic mail there. with or without attachments, then said system systematically provides for the automatic compression of the electronic mail files (containing or not attachments). This method is particularly useful, since the communication terminals used can be old and therefore have reduced performance.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of configuring said communication system, so that only an authorized administrator can modify the configuration parameters and options.

In addition, the administrator can modify the configuration parameters remotely, by simply indicating the new parameters in an electronic message sent to the user of said system. The parameters are thus identified by the communication system, and automatically reconfigure said system. This allows in particular a person living far from being able to modify the options of use, without forcing him to move. This guarantees the user to be able to continue these transmission and display operations, saving him from trying to modify by himself options requiring expertise, training, address, and experience. For example, the administrator will be able to modify the colors and types of fonts, text sizes, instructions, duration of display of certain electronic messages or photos, etc. as well as having access to files storing messages from the terminal to the user and making decisions accordingly.

Furthermore, the administrator can authorize remotely or directly from said system the addresses of the transmitters whose e-mails will be received and displayed by the communication system. This in particular ensures that unwanted emails and photos are not displayed. For example, an administrator sending an email to the communication system and copying other recipients of the same mail (either direct sending, or sending by carbon copy "Ce", or by carbon blind copy "Bec"), will see these the latter automatically authorized to send e-mails to said system.

If an e-mail is sent by an unauthorized sender, the said system automatically generates the sending of an information e-mail to the administrator, in order to indicate the address of the transmitter. The administrator is then free to grant this sender authorization or not to send e-mails to said system. Messages temporarily stored in quarantine and not displayed can then be reactivated and accessible by the user.

A specific configuration message is sent by the administrator, this message including a recognition code. This code can either be simply the address of the sender, or in the subject of the message, or in the message itself. This message is then directed to a remote interpreter and will not be displayed to the user. Initially, the administrator will be able to configure the user's program in order to receive copies of the messages sent (blind copy) in order to ensure that the user is in good control. Once reassured about this, the administrator will send a configuration message to deactivate this copy function.

Once the configuration message has been correctly interpreted by the user's machine, a message is sent back to the administrator for verification.

This is to the advantage of not using any particular channel for the remote configuration of the message reception program, such as VPN or the opening of a remote access session.

Another object of this invention is to produce a method of automatically shutting down said system as soon as a previously defined period of time has been exceeded, during which the system has not been the subject of any user command.

Another object of this invention is to produce a program interface whose graphical metaphor clearly recalls a received postal envelope, an open postal envelope, a paper mail taken out of the envelope, a paper mail placed on a reading surface (for example, a wooden desk), a paper mailer which can be made up of several pages and which can be turned, a paper mailer which can be stored in a drawer or placed on a reading surface, and a paper mailer which can be discarded .

Claims

1. Remote assistance method for processing electronic mail for a user, comprising the following steps:

- receipt of an electronic message,

- comparison of the content of this location with a predefined code value,

- if this code is present, transmission of the message to a command interpretation module, and configuration of electronic messaging according to the command or commands contained in said message.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the formation and the sending of a confirmation message, once the configuration command or commands have been carried out.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the command message comprises the email address or addresses of the message senders authorized for said user.

4. Method according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the code is placed in the subject of the message.

5. Method according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the code consists of the address of the sender.