Task completion across devices using a shared work space

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10248279-B2
Application number	US-201414489022-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 17, 2014
Priority date	Sep 17, 2014
Publication date	Apr 2, 2019
Grant date	Apr 2, 2019

Abstract

A shared work space application provides a work space that is commonly accessible across devices and applications so that a user can select and drop items into the shared work space and then pick them up again later using the same or different devices and applications. The shared work space application can use available inputs and data to surface contextually-relevant reminders to the user that there are items in the shared work space that he or she has not finished using. A task or project can be completed from within a variety of different applications and devices using the shared work space and items can be combined into a single object for sharing with one or more of the user's contacts. The shared work space application can also provide a convenient launch point into other communication applications and sharing experiences.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. One or more computer-readable memory devices not consisting of waves, signals, propagated signals, or other intangible communication media storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors disposed in a device having communications capabilities over a network, implement a method for enabling a user to drop an item into a shared work space, comprising:
exposing a user interface (UI) that displays an in-use application and the shared work space, the shared work space being configured for access by one or more different devices using one or more different applications;
receiving a selection of the item associated with a task or project within the in-use application to be dropped into the shared work space, the item being one or more of content, data, or a link, wherein the shared work space is configured to display items based on particular types of tasks to be performed for the respective item including tasks to be undertaken, and tasks that are uncompleted, and a section of the shared work space is configured to automatically populate with one or more applications for use or completion of an uncompleted task or project;
dynamically selecting the one or more applications for automated population, the selecting being dependent on a current distribution of items to be undertaken and items that remain uncompleted in the shared work space, in which each of the selected one or more applications identifies a launching point within the application so that continuity of user experiences is maintained across shared work space sessions;
displaying the selected one or more applications on the UI, wherein the items within the shared work space are combinable into a single object that is shareable with other devices and enables re-creation of experiences associated with each of the combined items;
collecting contextual data pertaining to the device or the user, wherein the contextual data includes the user's location or a time of day;
identifying characteristics of the item selected and dropped by the user into the shared work space that is accessible by one or more devices using one or more applications;
determining applicability of one or more pieces of collected contextual data to the identified characteristics;
generating a contextually-relevant time to present a reminder based on the determination; and
enabling the user to work on the task or project using the displayed one or more applications and the item in the shared work space.

2. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 1 further comprising generating the reminder using contextual data that includes one or more of stored contacts, device user behavior, links to the device user's social graph, call history, messaging history, browser history, device characteristics, communications network type, mobile data plans, mobile data plan restrictions, enterprise policies, job-related policies, user preferences, time/date, language, or appointments.

3. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 1 further including enabling the user to launch an application to complete a task or project using the item from the shared work space.

4. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 1 further including presenting applications for launch that are contextually-related to one or more items in the shared work space.

5. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 4 further including exposing an application programming interface to the launchable-applications.

6. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 1 further including sharing the single object over the network.

7. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 1 further including enabling the selection and dropping to be performed using one or more touch-based gestures.

8. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 1 further including interacting with a remote shared work space service.

9. The one or more computer-readable memory devices of claim 1 further including configuring the reminder as a notification that is displayed on the device's UI.

10. A system, comprising:
one or more processors;
a display that supports a user interface (UI) for interacting with a device user; a touch-based input sub-system; and
a memory storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, perform a method for working on a task or project across devices and applications, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a facility for the user to select and drop an item associated with the task or project for later handling into a shared work space, the item being one or more of content, data, or a link, wherein the shared workspace is configured to display items based on particular types of tasks to be performed for the respective item including tasks to be undertaken, and tasks that are uncompleted, the selection and dropping being performed using a gesture on the touch-based input sub-system, the facility being exposed within experiences supported on the device outside the shared work space, and the shared work space is configured to display items based on particular types of tasks to be performed for the respective item including tasks to be undertaken, and tasks that are uncompleted;
dynamically selecting one or more applications for automated population, the selecting being dependent on a current distribution of items to be undertaken and items that remain uncompleted in the shared work space, in which each of the selected one or more applications identifies a launching point within the application so that continuity of user experiences is maintained across shared work space sessions;
displaying the selected one or more applications on the UI, wherein the items within the shared work space are combinable into a single object that is shareable with other devices and enables re-creation of experiences associated with each of the combined items;
collecting contextual data pertaining to the device or the user, wherein the contextual data includes the user's location or a time of day;
identifying characteristics of the item selected and dropped by the user into the shared work space that is accessible by one or more devices using one or more applications;
determining applicability of one or more pieces of collected contextual data to the identified characteristics;
generating a contextually-relevant time to present a reminder based on the determination; and
enabling the user to work on the task or project using the displayed one or more applications and the item in the shared work space.

11. The system of claim 10 in which the shared work space is invoked from within the applications.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising configuring the UI to support a user experience supported by the applications.

13. A method for generating a reminder of an unfinished task or project that is presented on a device employed by a user, the method comprising the steps of:
responsive to a user request, exposing a menu on a user interface (UI) within an in-use application;
exposing a launch icon located within the menu displayed within the in-use application, the launch icon being configured to direct the user to a shared work space upon selection of the launch icon;
receiving a first selection of the launch icon to open the shared work space;
after opening the shared work space, receiving a second selection of an item to be dropped into the shared work space, wherein the shared work space is configured to display items based on particular types of tasks to be performed for the respective item including tasks to

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Forster Rowan
• Chory Susan
• Nelson Jason

Classifications

• G06Q10/103

  Workflow collaboration or project management · CPC title

• G06F3/0481 Primary

  based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance · CPC title

• H04L51/04

  Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM] · CPC title

• G06Q10/101 Primary

  Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services · CPC title

• G06F3/0488

  using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures · CPC title