US-20260129016-A1 - EMAIL INTERFACE WITH DYNAMIC HEADERS

US20260129016A1US 20260129016 A1US20260129016 A1US 20260129016A1US-20260129016-A1

Abstract

The technology creates dynamic headers to organize electronic messages in a message client software application on a user device. The technology involves configuring criteria for headers to dynamically separate messages into groups based on metadata such as time parameters, sender, recipients, and urgency. Headers are generated and inserted into the user interface to separate messages that meet the criteria from those that do not. The criteria can be reconfigured, causing the headers and associated messages to be dynamically repositioned. The technology can reconfigure headers to dynamically modify display of the messages. The technology supports user input for criteria configuration and utilizes generative AI models to process metadata and generate headers, enhancing the organization and presentation of electronic messages.

Inventors

Mark Lambert

Assignees

Mark Lambert

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241105

Claims (20)

1 . A method for creating dynamic headers configured to organize electronic messages presented in a message client software application at a user device, the method comprising: configuring criteria for one or more headers that are configured to dynamically separate electronic messages in groups on an interface displayed on the user device, wherein the electronic messages are separated based on whether they satisfy the criteria; generating a first header of the one or more headers in accordance with the criteria, wherein the first header has a first value for a time parameter of a criterion; processing metadata of the electronic messages, including: first metadata of a first electronic message sent to a recipient associated with the user device, second metadata of a second electronic message sent to the recipient, and third metadata of a third electronic message sent to the recipient, wherein the first metadata and the second metadata satisfy the criterion and the third metadata does not satisfy the criterion; dynamically inserting the first header in the interface displayed on the user device to separate the third electronic message from the first and second electronic messages; reconfiguring the criteria for the one or more headers to have a second value of the time parameter, the second value being different from the first value, wherein the first metadata and the third metadata satisfy the criterion and the second metadata does not satisfy the criterion; and in response to the reconfigured criteria, dynamically modify a location of the first header or associated electronic messages to separate the first and third electronic messages from the second electronic messages.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein configuring the criteria for the one or more headers comprises: receiving user input at the user device; and in response to the user input, configuring the criteria of the one or more headers.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the criteria include different values for the time parameter, the method comprising: generating a second header in addition to the first header of the one or more headers, the second header having a third value for the time parameter of the criterion; determining that: the first metadata of the first electronic message satisfies the first value but not the second value, the second metadata of the second electronic message satisfies the second value but not the first value, and the third metadata of the third electronic message does not satisfy the first and the second value of the criterion; and inserting the second header between the third and first electronic messages and inserting the first header between the first and second electronic messages.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein configuring the criteria for the one or more headers comprises: setting a target value for the time parameter to a point in time or a period; and setting a display format for the time parameter in the first header using a combination of day, month, and/or year or a reference relative to a current date.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the electronic messages are represented as message tiles that are stacked on the user interface, and wherein inserting the first header in the interface displayed on the user device comprises: dynamically repositioning the first, second, or third electronic messages to insert the first header between the third electronic message and the first or second electronic message.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein configuring the criteria for the one or more headers comprises: configuring multiple headers having the criteria and at least one value that differs for a particular criterion, wherein the criteria include a timestamp when an electronic message is communicated, a source of the electronic message, and an urgency of the electronic message.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein graphical objects representing the electronic messages are presented as a list on a user interface of the user device, the method further comprising: inserting multiple headers in multiple groups of the graphical objects, wherein each electronic message of a corresponding graphical object belongs to one of the multiple groups where a corresponding header of the group has criteria that match metadata of the electronic message.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein processing the metadata of the electronic messages comprises: extracting, from each electronic message, values corresponding to: one or more recipients of the electronic message; a sender of the electronic message; one or more carbon copy recipients; a subject of the electronic message; a date and time the electronic message was sent and received; or an indication of urgency of the electronic message; comparing values of the criteria for multiple headers to the extracted values of the electronic messages; and assigning groups of electronic messages to respective headers having values for the criteria with matching metadata values.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein graphical objects representing the electronic messages are presented as a list on a user interface of the user device, and wherein dynamically inserting the first header in the interface comprises: causing an animation to embed the first header in the list of electronic messages, wherein the electronic messages are divided into at least two groups including a first group that satisfies the criteria and a second group does not.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein to dynamically modify the location of the first header comprises: dynamically moving the first header from a first position that separates the third electronic message from the first and second electronic messages to a second position that separates the second electronic message from the first electronic message and the third electronic message.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein to dynamically modify the associated electronic messages comprises: dynamically reorganize the electronic messages while keeping a position of the first header static.
12 . A server system comprising: at least one hardware processor; and at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one hardware processor, cause the server system to: configure criteria of a header to dynamically separate graphical objects representing electronic messages, the graphical objects being displayed as a list on an interface, wherein the header has a first target value for a time parameter of a criterion; extract metadata of the electronic messages including a first value for the time parameter of a first electronic message, wherein the first value matches the first target value; dynamically position the header in the list of the graphical objects to place a graphical representation for the electronic message in association with a group of electronic messages that matches the first target value, wherein the header is designated for the group; reconfigure the criteria for the header to have a second target value for the time parameter, the second target value being different from the first target value, wherein the first value of the time parameter for the electronic message does not match the second target value; and in response to the reconfigured criteria, dynamically modify a location of the header such that the electronic message in the list is located outside of the group of the header.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the criteria is configured and reconfigured in response to user input at a user device on which the interface is displayed.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the header is a first header and, wherein the system is further caused to: generate a second header having a third target value for the time parameter of the criterion; determine that the first value of the electronic message matches the third target value; and add the electronic message to a third group associated with the second header.
15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein configuring the criteria for the header comprises causing the system to: set the target value to a point in time or period; and set a display format of the time parameter in the header using a combination of day, month, and/or year or a reference relative to a current date.
16 . A user device comprising: a display device; at least one hardware processor; and at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one hardware processor, cause the user device to: cause display of graphical objects in a list on the display device, wherein the graphical objects represent electronic messages; set criteria for a header to dynamically separate the graphical objects in the list on a user interface presented on the display device, wherein the criteria include a criterion corresponding to a time parameter; dynamically position a first graphical representation for a first electronic message in a group having the header, wherein a first value for the time parameter of a first electronic message matches a first target value of the header; reconfigure the criteria for the header to have a second target value for the time parameter, the second target value being different from the first target value, wherein the first value of the time parameter for the electronic message does not match the second target value; and in response to the reconfigured criteria, dynamically modify a location of the header or the electronic message to exclude the electronic message from the group associated with the header.
17 . The user device of claim 16 , wherein to set the criteria for the header comprises: process metadata or content of the electronic messages with a generative artificial intelligence model, wherein the metadata includes sources of the electronic messages or dates when the electronic messages were sent or received; and dynamically generate multiple headers using the generative artificial intelligence model to organize the electronic messages into groups having specific parameter values.
18 . The user device of claim 17 , wherein the metadata of the electronic messages comprise values for fields of each electronic message corresponding to: To: one or more recipients of the electronic message; From: sender of the electronic message; Cc: carbon copy recipients; Subject: subject of the electronic message; Date sent: date and time the electronic message was sent or received; or Urgent: indication of urgency of the electronic message.
19 . The user device of claim 16 corresponding to a head mounted display (HMD), wherein the graphical objects are presented in a mixed reality system including the user interface presented via the HMD device, and being further caused to: animate multiple headers being inserted in the list of electronic messages to form multiple groups of the graphical objects, wherein the groups of graphical objects represent groups of electronic messages associated with respective headers with criteria that matches metadata of the groups of electronic messages.
20 . The user device of claim 16 , wherein to dynamically modify the location of the header comprises: dynamically move the header from a first position to a second position that excludes the electronic message.

Description

BACKGROUND An email client is a software application that is installed on a user's device (e.g., mobile phone, desktop computer, laptop computer). Depending on the email client provider (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo), the graphical user interface (GUI) may look and feel different. However, many email graphical user interfaces function similarly. For example, email clients have a GUI that enables users to read, compose, and organize emails. The GUI includes the inbox, message pane, and compose pane. A mailbox such as an inbox serves as the primary interface for viewing and managing received emails. Each email entry in the inbox is displayed with the sender's name, the message subject, and the date of receipt. Emails contain metadata that enables the GUI to accurately display detailed information about the sender's address, subject line, and timestamp, which facilitate proper organization of emails. For example, a user can quickly identify and prioritize emails from important contacts by recognizing the sender's address, sort emails by subject line to group related conversations, and use the timestamp to manage and respond to urgent messages first. Upon selecting an email in the inbox, the message opens in the message pane, allowing the user to read the content and respond using various available commands. By selecting the Compose or New button from the inbox, the user can open the compose pane to create an email message. In this pane, the user must enter the recipient's email address and enter the subject. The user has the option to upload attachments, such as photos and documents, and apply formatting to the message. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show example embodiments of the present application, and in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a graphical user interface (GUI) of a mobile device 100 displaying a list of email messages or related graphical objects. FIG. 2A illustrates a GUI of a user device displaying an email mailbox integrated with the dynamic header system depicting one dynamic header. FIG. 2B illustrates a GUI of a user device displaying an email mailbox integrated with the dynamic header system depicting two dynamic headers. FIG. 2C illustrates a GUI of a user device displaying an email mailbox integrated with the dynamic header system depicting four dynamic headers. FIG. 3 illustrates multiple variations of a dynamic header, each with modified components to change the text presented on the header. FIG. 4 illustrates a GUI of a user device displaying an email mailbox integrated depicting a calendar view for modifying a component of a header. FIG. 5 illustrates a GUI of a user device that displays one or more headers with areas that can be customized through colors. FIG. 6 is a diagram that depicts structures and processes of the dynamic header system. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for modifying components of dynamic headers configured to organize electronic messages presented in a message client software application at a user device. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process for creating dynamic headers configured presented in a message client software application at a user device. FIG. 9 is a block diagram that illustrates a user engaged with an email application using the disclosed technology through a mixed reality system. FIG. 10 is a block diagram that illustrates technology stacks of a mixed reality platform that can administer a session of the disclosed technology on a near-to-eye display system. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a transformer neural network, which can be used in examples of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a block diagram that illustrates an example of a computer system in which at least some operations described herein can be implemented. The technologies described herein will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by studying the Detailed Description in conjunction with the drawings. Embodiments or implementations describing aspects of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and the same references can indicate similar elements. While the drawings depict various implementations for the purpose of illustration, those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative implementations can be employed without departing from the principles of the present technologies. Accordingly, while specific implementations are shown in the drawings, the technology is amenable to various modifications. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The disclosed technology includes a system that can organize electronic messages (e.g., email) based on their content or metadata (e.g., sender's name, the message subject, and the date of receipt) in a mailbox with dynamic headers. The dynamic headers are headlines generated by a message header system that can organize and categorize electronic messages in a mailbox based on specific calendar periods, such as day of the week, month, year, date of the day