Patent ID: 8543655

Claim:
A method for generating an e-mail filter using a filter visual display, the method comprising: receiving an indication of a selection of a first simple filter icon, wherein the first simple filter icon represents a first filter criterion; receiving an indication of a placement of the first simple filter icon within a display area, wherein the display area displays a filter visual display comprising a visual representation of a collection of e-mail filters corresponding to the user; receiving an indication of a selection of a first action icon, wherein the first action icon represents a first action to be performed with respect to an e-mail message; receiving an indication of a placement of the first action icon within the filter display area with respect to the first simple filter icon, wherein the placement of the first action icon with respect to the first simple filter icon represents a connection of the first action icon with the first simple filter icon; identifying a value assigned to the first simple filter icon, wherein the value defines the output of the first simple filter icon as one of an e-mail message satisfying the first filter criterion or an e-mail message failing the first filter criterion; generating a first e-mail filter comprising one or more filter criteria including the first filter criterion in response to receiving the indication of the placement of the first action icon, wherein the generating the first e-mail filter comprises generating the first e-mail filter based at least in part on the value assigned to the first simple filter icon; and assigning the first action to the first e-mail filter.