Patent ID: 6507845
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A method implemented on a computer for improving awareness of a status of a task, the method comprising:storing a first set of data representing a plurality of users involved in the task and a second set of data representing a plurality of data objects involved in the task; receiving task-related data representing activities performed by each of the plurality of users involved in the task on the plurality of data objects involved in the task; at a first time displaying in a first region of a screen display of the at least one of the users involved in the task a list of the plurality of users in association with an activity performed by each of the users at or most recently to the first time; and allowing each user to initiate through the list of users one or more first collaboration tools with one or more users selected by such user, the first collaboration tools being selected from a group consisting of a synchronous communication tool, an asynchronous communication tool, and a tool for simultaneous use of a data object; at the first time displaying in a second region of the screen display of the at least one of the users a list of the plurality of data objects in association with an activity performed upon each of the plurality of data objects at or most recently to the first time; and allowing each user to initiate through the list of data objects one or more second collaboration tools relating to a data object selected by such user, the second collaboration tools being selected from the group consisting of a tool for viewing a history of activities relating to the selected data object, a tool for generating a work flow relating to the selected data object, and a tool for simultaneous use of a data object with one or more other users selected by such user.