RU2640638C2 - Method and electronic device for e-mail message processing based on interaction with user - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technology.

SUBSTANCE: method is implemented by receiving from the user a first indication of the user performing the first dragging action associated with the message element, displaying to the user on the electronic device screen a corresponding action item associated with one of a plurality of predetermined directions. The action item is located in a specific location, visually at a distance from the message in one of a plurality of predetermined directions corresponding action item indicates the appropriate action to the user, obtaining from the user the second indication of the action of lowering a message item to the corresponding action, and, in response to the second action, the execution of appropriate action with e-mail message.

EFFECT: saving battery power of the mobile electronic device when the mail application is running.

22 cl, 9 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present technical solution relates to the field of electronic communication through a data transmission network as a whole, and more particularly, to a method and system for processing electronic messages based on user interaction.

State of the art

[0002] Existing developments in the field of telecommunication networks provide the average user with a choice of data transfer applications for exchanging information with other users over the telecommunication network. The average user can choose a specific way of exchanging information over the telecommunication network, which may depend on the personal preferences of the average user, or on the type of information that he wants to exchange, or both.

[0003] For example, a user may select and send an email using a mail client or webmail application. Both the email client and the webmail application allow the user to send an electronic message that includes a variety of data types (for example, text and attachments - such as images, financial tables, multimedia presentations, audio files, video files, and so on). Electronic messages provide the user with the opportunity to choose almost any length of electronic message and any number of attachments (this depends only on the size limitations of the electronic message that are potentially imposed by the electronic message service provider, the services of which the user decided to contact).

[0004] FIG. 1 is an example screenshot of a conventional webmail page illustrating a prior art webmail page. The webmail page 100 can be viewed on an electronic device when accessing the webmail service using a browser or email application. Webmail page 100 may be called a “summary screen." In general, the webmail service summary screen is a page that provides a list of electronic messages, as opposed to a “message page” that displays the contents of a particular electronic message. The summary screen may be an incoming screen (as in FIG. 1), which represents incoming electronic messages intended for a user who has subscribed to a webmail service. The summary screen can be a sent screen, a deleted screen, and one of the screens of a folder that is defined by the user (for example, Messages of 2013, Messages of 2014, Messages of 2015, and so on).

[0005] The webmail page 100 displays a plurality of lines 102 that together form a list of the last email messages addressed to the email recipient (ie, incoming messages, both read and unread). Each line 102 provides information about a particular electronic message. More specifically, each line 102 displays the name 104 of the sender of the electronic message, the header 106 of the electronic message and the date and / or time 108 when the electronic message was sent by the sender. An avatar 114 (small image) may also be displayed, representing the sender if the avatar is available (otherwise, a placeholder image may be displayed). The first few words 110 of the text of the electronic message content (or a compiled overview of the electronic message) can also be displayed.

[0006] On each line 102, an email 112 may be selected by the email recipient to perform the desired action, selected by clicking on the command associated with the email message. Line 1021 contains an icon 120, typically a paper clip, which indicates that the particular email associated with line 1021 contains one or more attachments. The content of this line 102 is displayed in bold if the email was not previously opened by the recipient of the email. The content of this line 102 is not displayed in bold if the email has already been opened by the email recipient. The first two lines 102 are displayed in bold, indicating that the user associated with the webmail account received two new (i.e., unread) emails. Other visual characteristics are also known for separating read and unread electronic messages.

[0007] In the illustrated webmail page 100, to perform an action on a given electronic message, the user can select the message with which he wants to perform an action (for example, by clicking on the window 112 of this message) and then select the desired action - for example, by clicking the delete button 140 " "if the user wishes to delete the message. In other known solutions (especially those implemented on smartphones and other wireless electronic devices), the user can select the message with which he wants to perform an action by performing a "swipe" on the message, after which a number of pre-selected actions can be provided to the user for with a message (for example, deletion, marked read, redirection, etc.) The user can then select the action that he wants to carry out.

Disclosure of invention

[0008] The objective of the proposed technical solution is to eliminate at least some of the disadvantages inherent in the prior art.

[0009] The authors of this technical solution have developed options for its implementation on the basis of their observation that there is at least one technical problem associated with solutions of the prior art processing electronic messages displayed on the combined screen of incoming or other types of composite screens. The authors believe that the methods for processing messages on incoming summary screens (and other summary screens) that are currently available are not entirely satisfactory. For example, methods for processing and managing electronic messages that have been described with reference to FIG. 1 require the user to perform several actions (for example, selecting messages, selecting the desired action, and so on). Not only can this be considered uncomfortable by some users, but it can also drain the battery of an electronic device (which can be a significant problem on some smartphones and other wireless and / or portable devices).

[0010] Using the above-described solution, which is related to smartphones, the selection of action items presented after swiping is usually displayed in close proximity to the message. This placement, in addition to a small screen (and thus displaying on an available screen space), leads to the possibility of the user pressing the wrong button (i.e., unintentionally choosing the wrong action) and, therefore, the need to cancel the action and re-select the desired action. And this can lead to user dissatisfaction and unnecessary waste of battery power.

[0011] A first aspect of the present technical solution is a method for processing an electronic message. The email message is displayed on the summary screen of the electronic device screen. The electronic device is connected to the user. The method is performed by an electronic device. The method comprises: displaying to a user on a screen of an electronic device a message element associated with an electronic message; receiving from the user a first indication of the user performing the first drag and drop action associated with the message element and in response to the first drag and drop action carried out in one of a plurality of predetermined directions, each of the plurality of predetermined directions associated with a corresponding action element of the plurality of action elements, each the corresponding action element is associated with the corresponding action performed with the electronic message, which is one of many actions; displaying to the user on the screen of the electronic device the corresponding action element associated with one of the many predefined directions, the action element being located at a predetermined location, visually at a distance from the message element in one of the many predefined directions, the corresponding action element indicates to the user the corresponding action ; receiving from the user a second indication of the action of lowering the message element to the corresponding action element; In response to the second instruction, the corresponding action is performed with the electronic message.

[0012] In some embodiments of the method, the electronic message is one of many electronic messages displayed on the summary screen.

[0013] In some embodiments of the method, the summary screen is one of the following screens: inbox screen, sent message screen, spam screen, outbox screen, and user-defined folder screen.

[0014] In some embodiments of the method, the predetermined location is visually spaced from at least some of the plurality of message elements, at least some of the plurality of message elements include a message element.

[0015] In some embodiments of the method, at least some of the plurality of message elements include the entire plurality of message elements.

[0016] In some embodiments of the method, in response to (i) receiving from the user a third indication that the user is not performing the action of lowering the message item to the corresponding action item; and then (ii) receiving from the user a fourth indication of a second drag action performed in a different direction from a plurality of predetermined directions, the method further comprises: stopping displaying the corresponding action element; displaying to the user on the screen of the electronic device another corresponding action element from the set of action elements, the other corresponding action element being connected to another predetermined action from the set of actions and located at another predetermined location, visually at a distance from the message element in the direction of the second drag and drop action, another relevant action element indicates another predefined action; receiving from the user a fifth indication of another action of lowering the message element to another corresponding action element; in response to the fifth instruction, the execution of another predetermined action with the electronic message.

[0017] In some embodiments of the method, each of the plurality of action elements is associated with a corresponding unique background texture.

[0018] In some embodiments of the method, displaying a corresponding action item on a screen of an electronic device to a user comprises displaying an interface element that overlaps part of a summary screen so that the corresponding action item is clearly visible to the user.

[0019] In some embodiments of the method, the corresponding action element contains either a graphic part or a text part indicating the corresponding action.

[0020] In some embodiments of the method, the method further comprises displaying to the user an action indicator that indicates a corresponding action associated with one of the plurality of predetermined directions, and which is provided to the user before receiving from the user a first indication of the user's first drag and drop action.

[0021] In some embodiments of the method, the action indicator visually differs from the corresponding action element.

[0022] In some embodiments of the method, an action indicator is displayed at a predetermined location.

[0023] In some embodiments of the method, displaying to the user on the electronic device screen the corresponding action element comprises replacing the action indicator with the corresponding action element.

[0024] In some embodiments of the method, in response to (i) receiving from the user a third indication that the user is not performing the action of lowering the message item to the corresponding action item; and then (ii) receiving from the user a fourth indication of a second drag action performed in a different direction from a plurality of predetermined directions, the method further comprises: replacing the corresponding action element with an action indicator.

[0025] In some embodiments of the method, the method further comprises displaying to the user a plurality of action pointers, each of the plurality of action pointers being associated with a corresponding one direction from a plurality of predetermined directions and indicating an associated action; a plurality of action pointers is provided to the user before receiving from the user a first indication of the user's first drag and drop action.

[0026] Another object of the present technical solution is an electronic device. The electronic device comprises: a user I / O interface for receiving user inputs and providing at least either visual output or audio output; network communication interface for two-way data transmission through a data network; and a processor connected to the I / O user interface and the network communication interface, the processor is configured to have access to computer readable instructions, the execution of which initiates the display of the electronic message by the processor in the I / O user interface, the electronic message being displayed on a summary screen; machine-readable instructions are executed with an additional opportunity to initiate execution by the processor: displaying a message element associated with the electronic message to the user in the input / output interface; receiving from the user the first indication of the user performing the first drag and drop action performed in one of the many predefined directions, each of the many predefined directions being associated with a corresponding action element from the set of action elements, each corresponding action element is associated with a corresponding action, which is one from many actions; displaying to the user in the input / output interface the corresponding action element associated with one of the many predefined directions, the action element being located at a predetermined location, visually at a distance from the message element in one of the many predefined directions, the corresponding action element points to the user act; receiving from the user a second indication of the action of lowering the message element to the corresponding action element; In response to the second instruction, the corresponding action is performed with the electronic message.

[0027] In some embodiments of the electronic device, the electronic message is one of many electronic messages displayed on a summary screen.

[0028] In some embodiments of the electronic device, the summary screen is one of the following screens: inbox screen, sent message screen, spam screen, outbox screen and user-defined folder screen.

[0029] In some embodiments of the electronic device, the predetermined location is visually located at a distance from at least some of the plurality of message elements, at least some of the plurality of message elements include a message element.

[0030] In some embodiments of the electronic device, at least some of the plurality of message elements include all of the plurality of message elements.

[0031] In some embodiments of the electronic device, in response to receiving from the user a third indication that the user is not performing the action of lowering the message element to the corresponding action element; and then, receiving from the user a fourth indication of a second drag action performed in a different direction from a plurality of predetermined directions, the processor is further configured to: stop displaying the corresponding action element in the input / output interface; displaying to the user in the input / output interface another corresponding action element from the set of action elements, the other corresponding action element being associated with another predetermined action from the set of actions and located in another predetermined location, visually at a distance from the message element in the direction of the second drag and drop action, wherein another corresponding action element indicates another predetermined action; receiving from the user a fifth indication of another action of lowering the message element to another corresponding action element; in response to the fifth instruction, the execution of another predetermined action with the electronic message.

[0032] In some embodiments of an electronic device, each of the plurality of action elements is associated with a corresponding unique background texture.

[0033] In some embodiments of an electronic device for presenting a corresponding action item to a user in an I / O interface, the processor is configured to present an interface item that overlaps part of the summary screen so that the corresponding action item is clearly visible to the user.

[0034] In some embodiments of the electronic device, the corresponding action element comprises either a graphic part or a text part indicating a corresponding action.

[0035] In some embodiments of the electronic device, the processor is further configured to present the user with an action indicator that indicates a corresponding action associated with one of the plurality of predetermined directions, and which is provided to the user before receiving from the user a first indication of the user's first drag and drop action .

[0036] In some embodiments of the electronic device, the action indicator is different in appearance from the corresponding action element.

[0037] In some embodiments of the electronic device, an action indicator is displayed at a predetermined location.

[0038] In some embodiments of an electronic device for presenting a corresponding action item to a user in an I / O interface, a processor is configured to replace the action pointer with a corresponding action item.

[0039] In some embodiments of the electronic device, in response to receiving from the user a third indication that the user is not performing the action of lowering the message element to the corresponding action element; and then, receiving from the user a fourth indication of a second drag action performed in a different direction from a plurality of predetermined directions, the processor is configured to: replace the corresponding action element with an action pointer.

[0040] In some embodiments of the electronic device, the processor is further configured to present a plurality of action pointers to a user, each of the plurality of action pointers being associated with a corresponding one direction from a plurality of predetermined directions and indicating an associated action; a plurality of action pointers is provided to the user before receiving from the user a first indication of the user's first drag and drop action.

[0041] In the context of the present description, "server" means a computer program running on the appropriate equipment, which is able to receive requests (for example, from client devices) over the network and execute these requests or initiate the execution of these requests. The equipment may be one physical computer or one physical computer system, but neither one nor the other is mandatory for this technical solution. In the context of this technical solution, the use of the expression “server” does not mean that each task (for example, received commands or requests) or any specific task will be received, completed or initiated to be executed by the same server (that is, by the same software and / or hardware); this means that any number of software elements or hardware devices can be involved in receiving / transmitting, executing or initiating the execution of any request or the consequences of any request associated with the client device, and all this software and hardware can be one server or several servers , both options are included in the expression “at least one server”.

[0042] In the context of the present description, unless specifically indicated otherwise, "client device" means a hardware device capable of working with software suitable for solving the corresponding problem. Thus, examples of client devices (among other things) include personal computers (desktop computers, laptops, netbooks, etc.) smartphones, tablets, as well as network equipment such as routers, switches, and gateways. It should be borne in mind that a device behaving as a client device in the present context may behave like a server in relation to other client devices. The use of the expression “client device” does not exclude the possibility of using multiple client devices to receive / send, execute, or initiate the execution of any task or request, or the consequences of any task or request, or the steps of any of the above methods.

[0043] In the context of the present description, unless specifically indicated otherwise, the term "database" means any structured data set that is independent of the specific structure, database management software, hardware of the computer on which the data is stored, used or otherwise are available for use. The database may reside on the same hardware that runs the process that stores or uses the information stored in the database, or it may reside on separate hardware, such as a dedicated server or multiple servers.

[0044] In the context of the present description, unless specifically indicated otherwise, "information" includes any information of any type that can be stored in a database. Thus, information includes, among other things, audiovisual works (images, videos, sound recordings, presentations, etc.), data (location data, digital data, etc.), text (opinions, comments, questions , messages, etc.), documents, tables, etc.

[0045] In the context of the present description, unless specifically indicated otherwise, a “component” means software (appropriate to a particular hardware context) that is necessary and sufficient to perform the specific specified function (s).

[0046] In the context of the present description, unless specifically indicated otherwise, the term "computer-based storage medium for computer information" means a medium of absolutely any type and nature, including RAM, ROM, disks (CDs, DVDs, floppy disks, hard drives etc.), USB flash drives, solid state drives, tape drives, etc.

[0047] In the context of the present description, unless specifically indicated otherwise, the words "first", "second", "third", etc. used in the form of adjectives solely to distinguish the nouns to which they relate from each other, and not for the purpose of describing any specific relationship between these nouns. So, for example, it should be borne in mind that the use of the terms “first server” and “third server” does not imply any order, assignment to a certain type, history, hierarchy or ranking (for example) of servers / between servers, as well as their use (in itself) does not imply that a certain "second server" must exist in a given situation. Hereinafter, as indicated here in other contexts, reference to the “first” element and the “second” element does not exclude the possibility that it is one and the same actual real element. So, for example, in some cases, the “first” server and the “second” server can be the same software and / or hardware, and in other cases they can be different software and / or hardware.

[0048] Each embodiment of the present technical solution pursues at least one of the aforementioned objectives and / or objects, but all are not required. It should be borne in mind that some of the objects of this technical solution, obtained as a result of attempts to achieve the aforementioned goal, can satisfy other goals that are not separately indicated here.

[0049] Additional and / or alternative characteristics and advantages of embodiments of the present technical solution will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the accompanying claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0050] For a better understanding of the present technical solution, as well as its other characteristic features, reference is made to the following description, which should be used in combination with the accompanying drawings, where:

[0051] FIG. 1 is an example of a screen shot of a conventional webmail page displaying a summary screen of inbox and made in accordance with the prior art.

[0052] FIG. 2 is an example of a screen shot of a webmail page displaying an inbox summary screen and made in accordance with non-limiting embodiments of the present technical solution, the webmail page being shown before action items are displayed on it.

[0053] FIG. 3 is an example screenshot of the webmail page shown in FIG. 2, displaying an inbound summary screen, and made in accordance with non-limiting embodiments of the present technical solution, the webmail page displaying the first action item.

[0054] FIG. 4 is an example screenshot of the webmail page shown in FIG. 2, which displays an inbound summary screen and is made in accordance with non-limiting embodiments of the present technical solution, the webmail page displaying a second action item in the first configuration.

[0055] FIG. 5 is an example screenshot of the webmail page shown in FIG. 2, which displays an inbound summary screen and is made in accordance with non-limiting embodiments of the present technical solution, the webmail page displaying a second action item in a second configuration.

[0056] In FIG. 6 shows a diagram of a system suitable for implementing non-limiting embodiments of the present technical solution.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the electronic device shown in FIG. 6, wherein the electronic device is implemented in accordance with embodiments of the present technical solution, not limiting its scope.

[0058] In FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method executed in accordance with embodiments of the present technical solution, not limiting its scope.

[0059] In FIG. 9 is another example of a screenshot depicting some non-limiting optimization options for some non-limiting embodiments of the present technical solution.

The implementation of the invention

[0060] All examples and conditional constructions used here are intended primarily to help the reader understand the principles of this technical solution, and not to establish the boundaries of its scope. It should also be noted that specialists in the art can develop various schemes that are not separately described and not shown here, but which, nevertheless, embody the principles of this technical solution and are within its scope.

[0061] Furthermore, for clarity of understanding, the following description relates to fairly simplified embodiments of the present technical solution. As will be clear to a person skilled in the art, many embodiments of the present technical solution will have much greater complexity.

[0062] Some useful examples of modifications of the present technical solution may also be covered by the following description. The purpose of this is also solely assistance in understanding, and not determining the scope and boundaries of this technical solution. These modifications are not an exhaustive list, and specialists in the art can create other modifications that remain within the scope of this technical solution. In addition, those cases in which examples of modifications were not presented should not be interpreted as the fact that no modifications are possible, and / or that what has been described is the only embodiment of this element of the present technical solution.

[0063] Moreover, all the principles and embodiments of the present technical solution claimed here, as well as their specific examples, are intended to indicate their structural and functional foundations. Thus, for example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the block diagrams presented here are conceptual illustrative diagrams that reflect the principles of the present technical solution. Similarly, any flowcharts, diagrams, pseudo-codes, etc. are various processes that can be represented on a computer-readable medium and thus be used by a computer or processor, regardless of whether a clearly similar computer or processor is shown or not.

[0064] The functions of various elements shown in the figures, including a function block designated as a "processor" or "graphics processor", can be provided using specialized hardware or hardware capable of using suitable software. When it comes to a processor, functions can be provided by one specialized processor, one common processor or many individual processors, some of which may be shared. In some embodiments of the present technical solution, the processor may be a universal processor, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), or a processor specialized for a specific purpose, for example, a graphic processor (GPU). Moreover, the use of the term “processor” or “controller” should not imply exclusively hardware capable of supporting the operation of the software, and may include, without limitation, a digital signal processor (DSP), a network processor, a special purpose integrated circuit ( ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), read-only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory minal device. Other hardware may also be included, conventional and / or special.

[0065] Software modules or simply modules representing software that can be used here in combination with flowchart elements or other elements that indicate the execution of process steps and / or text description. Such modules may be implemented on hardware shown directly or indirectly.

[0066] Subject to these notes, some non-limiting embodiments of the present technical solution will be discussed below.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a system 600 made in accordance with embodiments of the present technical solution, not limiting its scope. It is important to keep in mind that the following description of system 600 is a description of representative embodiments of the present technical solution. Thus, the entire following description is presented only as a description of a representative example of this technical solution. This description is not intended to determine the scope or boundaries of this technical solution. Some useful examples of modifications to system 600 may also be covered by the following description. The purpose of this is also solely assistance in understanding, and not determining the scope and boundaries of this technical solution. These modifications are not an exhaustive list, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other modifications are possible. In addition, this should not be interpreted so that where it has not yet been done, i.e. where examples of modifications have not been set forth, no modifications are possible, and / or that what is described is the only embodiment of this element of the present technical solution. As will be clear to a person skilled in the art, this is most likely not the case. In addition, it should be borne in mind that the system 600 is, in some specific manifestations, a fairly simple embodiment of the present technical solution, and in such cases it is presented here in order to facilitate understanding. As will be clear to a person skilled in the art, many embodiments of the present technical solution will have much greater complexity.

[0068] The system 600 includes an electronic device 602. The electronic device 602 is typically associated with a user (not shown) and thus may sometimes be referred to as a “client device”. It should be noted that the fact that the electronic device 602 is associated with the user does not imply any particular mode of operation, nor does it require a login, registration, or the like.

[0069] The options for electronic device 602 are not particularly limited, but personal computers (desktop computers, laptops, netbooks, etc.), a wireless electronic device (mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, and the like) can be used as an example of electronic device 602. .), as well as network equipment (routers, switches or gateways). For illustrative purposes only, it should be assumed that the electronic device 602 is implemented as a laptop, for example, such as the LENOVO ™ THINKPAD ™ X220 with the WINDOWS ™ operating system.

[0070] As indicated above, embodiments of the electronic device 602 are not particularly limited. In a specific embodiment, with a brief reference to FIG. 7, a schematic diagram of an electronic device 602 will be described. An electronic device 602 may include a processor 703. In a specific embodiment of the present technical solution, the processor 703 may include one or more processors and / or one or more microcontrollers configured to execute instructions for performing operations associated with the operation of the electronic device 602. In various embodiments of the present technical solution, the processor 703 can be implemented as a single true, multi-chip and / or containing other electrical parts, including one or more integrated circuits and printed circuit boards. Processor 703 may optionally include a cache (not shown) for temporary local storage of instructions, data, or email addresses. For example, processor 703 may include one or more processors or one or more controllers related to the specific tasks of the electronic device 602 or a single multifunction processor or controller.

[0071] A processor 703 is operatively coupled to a memory module 704. The memory module 704 may include one or more media and, in general, provide a place to store machine code (eg, software and / or firmware). As an example, the memory module 704 may include a variety of tangible computer-readable media, including read-only memory (ROM) and / or random access memory (RAM). As is widely known in the art, ROM transmits data and instructions unidirectionally to a processor 703, and RAM is typically used to transmit data and instructions bi-directionally. The memory module 704 may also include one or more stationary storage devices, in the form of, among other suitable forms of memory, for example, hard disks (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), flash memory cards (for example, secure digital cards or SD cards , embedded multimedia cards or EMMS cards) connected bi-directionally to the processor 703. The information may also be located on one or more removable media loaded or installed in the electronic device 602, when necessary. By way of example, any number of suitable memory cards (eg, SD cards) may be installed in the electronic device 602 on a temporary or permanent basis.

[0072] The memory module 704 may store, among other things, a series of machine-readable instructions, the execution of which allows the processor 703 (as well as other components of the electronic device 602) to perform various operations described herein.

[0073] The electronic device 602 further comprises an input / output module 706 (also sometimes referred to as a display, screen, or monitor). An input / output module 706 may include one or more input / output devices operatively coupled to a processor 703. For example, an input / output module 706 may include a keyboard, a mouse, one or more buttons, a wheel and / or a display (e.g., a liquid crystal display ( LCD), an LED display (LED), an interferometric modulation (IMOD) display, or a display based on any other suitable technology). In general, input devices are configured to transmit data, commands, and responses from the outside world to an electronic device 602. A display is generally configured to display a graphical user interface (GUI) that provides an easy-to-use graphical interface between a user of an electronic device 602 and the operating system or application (s) installed on the electronic device 602. In general, a graphical user interface (GUI) represents programs, files, and an operating s options with graphical images. During the operation, the user can select and activate a variety of graphic images displayed on the display to initiate functions and tasks associated with them. The input / output module 706 may also include touch devices, such as a touch panel and touch screen. The touch panel is an input device including a surface that defines input based on user touch. Similarly, a touch screen is a screen that determines the presence and location of user touches. The input / output module 706 may also include a screen or panel of a multi-touch or dual touch model that can determine the presence, location and movement of more than one touch input, such as, for example, touching with two or three fingers. In a specific embodiment of the electronic device 602, which is implemented as a laptop, the input / output module 706 may be implemented as a keyboard and screen. In alternative embodiments of the present technical solution, the input / output module 706 may be implemented as a touch screen.

[0074] In a specific embodiment of the present technical solution, the electronic device 602 may further comprise an audio module 708, a video module 710, a wireless data transmission module 712, a sensor module 714, and / or a wired data transmission module 716, all of which are functionally connected to a processor 703 to provide a variety of functions of the electronic device 602.

[0075] For example, a video module 710, including an optical sensor (eg, a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) video sensor), can be used to provide photo and video functions, such as photo and video shooting. For example, the wired data transmission module 716 may include a USB (universal serial bus) port for file transfer, or an Ethernet port for communication with a LAN (local area network). Additionally, the electronic device 602 may be powered by a power supply module 718, which may be implemented as a battery or the like.

[0076] In some embodiments of the present technical solution, the wireless data transmission module 712 may be configured to control one or more wireless networks, such as a personal wireless network (WPAN) (such as, for example, BLUETOOTH WPAN or infrared personal area network (PAN) ), a WI-FI network (such as, for example, an 802.11a / b / g / n WI-FI network, a 802.11s multi-connection network), a WI-MAX microwave broadband network, and a cellular network (such as, for example, Global Mobile Data System (GSM) network a network with the development of the GSM standard with an increased data rate (EDGE), a network of a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) and / or a network of a long-term development standard (LTE)). Additionally, the wireless data transmission module 712 may include storage protocols, whereby the electronic device 602 may be configured to become a base station for other wireless data transmission devices.

[0077] The sensor module 714 may include one or more sensors to provide additional input and simplify many functions of the electronic device 602. Some examples of embodiments of the sensor module 714 may include one or more options from the list: GPS global navigation module, module GLONASS global navigation system, accelerometer, device for measuring ambient temperature, device for measuring gravity, gyroscope, device for measuring illumination, device for measuring the acceleration force, a device for measuring the geomagnetic field, a device for measuring the degree of rotation, a device for measuring atmospheric pressure, a device for measuring relative humidity, a device for measuring the orientation of the device, and so on. It should be noted that some of these devices may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0078] In various embodiments of the present technical solution, various components of the electronic device 602 may be operatively connected to one or more buses (including software and / or hardware). By way of non-limiting example, one or more of the buses may include: an accelerated graphic port (AGP) or another graphic data bus, an advanced standard industrial architecture (EISA) bus, an external bus (FSB), a high-performance HyperTransport (HYPERTRANSPORT (NT) bus )), a standard industrial architecture bus (ISA), a high-speed INFINIBAND switched serial bus, a small number of contact bus (LPC), a storage bus, a microchannel architecture standard bus (MCA), a local soy bus peripheral devices (PCI), local bus for connecting peripheral devices Express (PCI-X), bus for organizing access to hard drives in portable computers (SATA), local bus of VESA standard (VLB), universal asynchronous interface (UART), bus interconnects integrated circuits (I ² C), serial peripheral interface bus (SPI), SD memory interface, MMS memory interface, flash memory card interface, secure digital input-output (SDIO) interface, multi-channel buffered serial port (McBSP) bus , university serial bus (USB), standard storage bus (GPMC), controller bus SDRAM (SDRC), standard input / output bus (GPIO), two-component video signal bus (S-Video), serial display interface bus (DSI), microcontroller extended bus architecture bus (AMBA), or another suitable bus or a combination of two or more buses.

[0079] Returning to the description of FIG. 6: the first electronic device 602 includes hardware and / or application software and / or system software (or a combination thereof) for executing a web browser 604. In general, the task of the web browser 604 is to display to a user (not shown) the ability to access one or more network resources over a data network 608, including a webmail service available on a server 610, which is also connected to a data network 608.

[0080] The implementation of the web browser 604 is not particularly limited. For example, the web browser 604 may be implemented as a Yandex browser (Yandex ™). Alternatively, the web browser 604 may be implemented as a GOOGLE CHROME ™ browser, OPERA ™ browser, and so on.

[0081] Using the web browser 604, the user of the electronic device 602 is able to access the webmail service provided by the server 610 by dialing a single resource indicator (URL) of the web portal or webpage that stores the webmail service, for example, mail .yandex.ru, gmail.com, etc. To access the service, a user can click on a link from a document, select a bookmark, select a link to a favorite site, etc. How exactly the user gets access, registers, logs in to the webmail service account and leaves it, is generally known in the art, and therefore will not be described here.

[0082] Furthermore, although the description presented here below will use an example of a web browser 604 that is used to access the webmail service, the materials presented here should not be construed as limiting. In other embodiments of the present technical solution, the electronic device 602 may execute other applications (such as a mail application or a messaging application), and the materials provided herein may equally well be applied to these other applications executed by the electronic device 602. Access may be made to another type of messaging service using a 604 web browser or specialized application.

[0083] In some non-limiting embodiments of the present technical solution, the data network 608 may be the Internet. In other embodiments of the present technical solution, the data network 608 can be implemented differently - in the form of a global data network, local data network, private data network, etc. An electronic device 602 is connected to a data network 608 via a data line 612. The implementation of the data link 612 is not limited, and will depend on which electronic device 602 is used.

[0084] Given that the electronic device 602 is, in this example, a laptop, the first data link 612 can be either wireless (Wireless Internet Fidelity or WiFi®, Bluetooth®, etc.) or wired ( Ethernet ™ network based connection). In other embodiments of the present technical solution, the data link 612 can be either wireless (Wireless Internet Wireless Fidelity or shortly WiFi®, Bluetooth®, etc.) and mobile (such as 3G, LTE, etc.).

[0085] It is important to keep in mind that embodiments of electronic device 602, data lines 612 and data networks 608 are for illustrative purposes only. Thus, those skilled in the art will be able to understand the details of other specific embodiments of the electronic device 602, data line 612, and data network 608. That is, the examples presented here do not limit the scope of this technical solution.

[0086] Server 610 may be a conventional computer server. In an example embodiment of the present technical solution, the server 610 may be a Dell ™ PowerEdge ™ server that uses the Microsoft ™ Windows Server ™ operating system. Needless to say, server 610 may be any other suitable hardware and / or application software and / or system software, or a combination thereof. In the presented embodiment of the present technical solution, not limiting its scope, server 610 is a single server. In other embodiments of the present technical solution, not limiting its scope, the functionality of the server 610 can be divided, and can be performed using multiple servers.

[0087] The server 610 comprises hardware and / or application software and / or system software (or a combination thereof) to implement a mail service, as is generally known in the art. As described above, the mail service of the server 610 can be performed using a web browser 604 or a specialized mail client. In other embodiments of the present technical solution, the server 610 is configured to run another type of messaging application, such as an instant messaging application, short message application, and the like. Examples of such applications include (but are not limited to): SKYPE ™ instant messaging application, WHATS APP ™ instant messaging application, and so on.

[0088] Server 610 contains or has access to a data store 614, which is used by server 610 to store incoming and outgoing messages for subscribers of the mail service stored by server 610. Server 610 can use data store 614 to store subscribers profiles, authorization information, payment information and so on. The term “subscriber” does not carry any specific meaning and, accordingly, in the context of this technical solution is applicable to both “free” and “paid” subscriptions to mail services.

[0089] When the user accesses the mail service stored by the server 610, the user is provided in the input / output module 706 with a so-called “service transition page”, also known as a “summary screen”. In FIG. 2 is a screenshot 200 of an example of such a composite screen, which, in the embodiment of FIG. 2 is depicted as an inbound summary screen.

[0090] The screen shot 200 displays several elements, and some of these elements are known to those skilled in the art, so the screen shot 200 will only be described in detail regarding the embodiments of the present technical solution.

[0091] The screenshot 200 depicts a message area 204 that is configured to display one or more electronic messages to a user. Message area 204 will be described immediately below. The screenshot 200 also includes a view control panel 206. The viewing control panel 206 allows the user to select a particular screen from the many possible summary screens that the user wishes to use. Various summary screens that a user can select using the viewing control panel 206 include, but are not limited to: an inbox screen, a sent message screen, a spam screen, an outbox screen, and a user-defined message folder screen. An example of a screen of a user-defined message folder depicted in FIG. 2 includes: Feedback folder, Jira folder, and so on. It should be understood that the materials provided herein with respect to the inbound screen are applicable, with necessary amendments, to other types of summary screens.

[0092] The message area 204 displays a plurality of lines 220 that together form a list of electronic messages addressed to the email recipient or sent by the email sender (ie, incoming messages, both read and unread). Each line 220 (such as the first line 212, the second line 214, and so on) provides information about a particular electronic message. More specifically, each line 220 displays the name 224 of the sender of the electronic message, the header 226 of the electronic message, and the date and / or time 228 when the electronic message was sent by the sender. An avatar 230 (small image) may also be displayed, representing the sender if the avatar is available (otherwise, a placeholder image may be displayed). The first few words of the text content of the electronic message (or a compiled overview of the electronic message) may also be displayed.

[0093] Each of the plurality of lines 220 (or part thereof) may be considered as a “message element”. As used herein, a “message element” is any visual element that indicates a particular electronic message (or any other applicable type of electronic message, as the case may be in other embodiments of the present technical solution) within the message area 204.

[0094] Similar to the description of the solution of the prior art in FIG. 1, each line 220 has a field 234 that can be selected by the recipient of the electronic message to perform the action selected by clicking on the command associated with the electronic message using the message command control panel 210. In the illustrated embodiment of the present technology, the message command control panel 210 allows the user to select one of the message commands. These commands include, for example (without limitation): commands (not individually numbered) New, Refresh, Forward, Delete, Spam! (This is spam!), Mark Read, Tag, and Move.

[0095] In alternative embodiments of the present technical solution, the field 234 and the message command control panel 210 may not be displayed.

[0096] It should be noted that the electronic messaging service may have other services, not only mail, for example: cloud storage, contact list, calendar, etc. Therefore, the screenshot 200 also includes a service control panel 208. The service control panel 208 allows the user to switch between different services available in connection with the mail service stored on the server 610. In some embodiments of the present technical solution, the user needs to be authorized on the service (s), and an indication of an authorization pointer 280 may be provided.

[0097] In accordance with some embodiments of the present technical solution, the web browser 604 allows the user to control the electronic messages displayed in the message area 204 by the “drag and drop” action. In this regard, cursor 216 is provided. In the depicted embodiment, cursor 216 is a hand with a pointing finger. However, the shape of the cursor 216 may be implemented differently. In some embodiments of the present technical solution, cursor 216 may not be displayed. This specifically applies (without limitation) to those embodiments of the present technical solution in which the input / output module 706 is implemented as a touch screen.

[0098] In accordance with embodiments of the present technical solution, if the user wants to perform this action with this electronic message 218, the user can select this electronic message 218 either by hovering the cursor 216 on this electronic message 218 or by left-clicking on this electronic message 218 , or by right-clicking on this email message 218 and so on. In some embodiments of the present technical solution, the selected e-mail message 218 may be highlighted, for example, in different colors. This electronic message 218 may include a plurality of electronic message data. If the user wants to perform this action with a variety of electronic messages, the user can select the set of electronic message data either by activating the corresponding fields 234, or by dragging a finger over the set of electronic message data.

[0099] A user may perform a drag action in a predetermined direction with the selected data by electronic messages 218. The drag action may be performed, for example, by using the mouse, holding the left or right mouse button and moving the mouse. Alternatively, the drag and drop action can be performed by a user who holds his finger on the selected given electronic message 218 and moves his finger across the screen in one of the predefined directions. The latter is particularly suitable in cases where the input / output module 706 is implemented as a touch screen. Alternatively, the drag and drop action can be performed by a user performing a specific action using the touchpad (trackpad), for example, holding with two or three fingers.

[00100] The predefined direction may be one of four predefined directions: up, down, left, and right. Alternatively, the predetermined direction may be one of eight predefined directions: up, down, left, and right, toward the upper left corner, toward the upper right corner, toward the lower right corner, and toward the lower left corner. Other combinations of these and other directions are possible.

[00101] In FIG. 3 is a screenshot 200 of a user moving a selected given electronic message 218 in the upward direction 304, which is one of the predefined directions. Within the illustrated embodiment of the present technical solution, and only as an example, the upward direction 304 is associated with the “Forward” action.

[00102] In some embodiments of the present technical solution, when a user drags a selected given electronic message 218, the web browser 604 can perform an animation providing a view of the selected given electronic message 218 moving in one of the predetermined directions. In some embodiments of the present technical solution, the message element associated with the selected electronic message 218 may "remain" in its original position (as is the case with the example in Fig. 3). In other words, what is being dragged is a copy of the message item. In other embodiments of the present technical solution, the original message element associated with the selected given electronic message 218 can be moved, and therefore what is being "dragged" is the original message element.

[00103] Therefore, in accordance with embodiments of the present technical solution, when the user starts to move the selected given electronic message 218 in the 304 direction up, the web browser 604 displays the first action element 306. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the first action element 306 is visually located at a predetermined location that is visually located at a distance from the selected given electronic message 218 (or, more specifically, from its initial position before the user began to move it - in other words, the location depicted in Fig. 2).

[00104] Also in FIG. 3, it can be seen that the predetermined location is located at a distance from the selected given electronic message 218 in the upward direction 304 (i.e., in the direction of the drag action). In FIG. 3, a predetermined location is located at the very top of the screen shot 200. Therefore, it can be said that the predetermined location is located at a distance from all message items displayed in the message area 204. However, this is not a necessary condition in each embodiment of the present technical solution. Therefore, in alternative embodiments of the present technical solution, the predetermined location may overlap some message elements displayed in the message area, while some message elements differ from the selected given electronic message 218.

[00105] As can be seen in the example of FIG. 3, the first action element 306 includes an indication 308 of the action that provides the user with the ability to determine the associated action. In the depicted embodiment of the present technical solution, the indication 308 on the action includes a graphic element in the form of an envelope, which is associated with the action "Forward". In alternative embodiments of the present technical solution, the first action element 306 may include various types of action instructions 308, for example, executed as a text part, an alphanumeric part and a combination of text and graphic elements, and the like.

[00106] The first action element 306 may also be associated with a background texture 310, which may be made in different colors, with different patterns, etc. The background texture 310 of the first action element 306 may be unique, different from the background texture 310 of all other action elements potentially present in the screen shot 200.

[00107] In general, it can be said that at least some or all of the items on the list: the size of the first action element 306, the action indication 308, the background texture 310 and the placement of the first action element 306 are at a predetermined location that makes the first element 306 actions clearly visible to the user, despite the fact that he covers part of the screenshot 200 of the screen.

[00108] Then, as the user continues to drag the selected given electronic message 218 to the first action element 306, the user can move the selected given electronic message 218 over the area of the first action element 306 and then finally “drop” the selected given electronic message 218 to the first action element 306. Lowering the selected given electronic message 218 to the first action element 306 can be performed, for example, by releasing the left or right mouse button that was pressed while dragging the selected given electronic message 218 to the area of the first action element 306.

[00109] In response to the receipt by the web browser 604 from the “drag and drop” pointer of the selected given electronic message 218 to the first action element 306, the web browser 604 may perform a related action with the selected given electronic message 218. In this case, the web browser 604 may Perform the Forward action. Thus, the web browser 604 can open a new mail window with “cited” text and other information from the selected given electronic message 218.

[00110] On the other hand, the user may change his mind about forwarding the selected given electronic message 218 and start dragging the selected given electronic message 218 in the other direction from a plurality of predetermined directions.

[00111] In FIG. 4 is a screenshot 200 of a user moving a selected given electronic message 218 in a direction 404 to the right, which is one of the predefined directions. In the embodiment of the present technical solution depicted in FIG. 4, the direction to the right 404 is associated with five actions. In the illustrated embodiment of the present technical solution (by way of example only), the direction 404 to the right is associated with the five actions “Set alarm”, “Set timer”, “Schedule appointment”, “Set reminder” and “Add to address book”. Direction 404 to the right is also associated with the Settings function.

[00112] In other words, when comparing the illustrations with FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it should be apparent that a given direction from predefined directions may be associated with one or more actions.

[00113] Therefore, in accordance with embodiments of the present technical solution, at the beginning of the user moving the selected given electronic message 218 in the direction 404 to the right, the web browser 604 displays the second action element 406. The web browser 604 also stops displaying the first action element 306. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the second action element 406 is visually located at another predetermined location (i.e., different from the predetermined location of the first action element 306). Another predefined location is visually at a distance from the selected given electronic message 218 (or, more precisely, its initial position before the user began to move it).

[00114] Also in FIG. 4, it can be seen that the predetermined location is located at a distance from the starting position of the selected given electronic message 218 in the direction 404 to the right. In FIG. 4, a predetermined location is located in the rightmost part of the screen shot 200. Therefore, it can be said that the predetermined location is located at a distance from virtually all message items displayed in the message area 204. However, this is not a necessary condition in each embodiment of the present technical solution. Therefore, in alternative embodiments of the present technical solution, a predetermined location may overlap some message elements displayed in the message area, while some message elements do not include the selected electronic message 218.

[00115] As can be seen in the illustration of FIG. 4, the second action element 406 contains an indication 408 of the action. In the depicted embodiment of the present technical solution, an indication 408 of an action contains indications of several actions. Namely, an indication of action 408, among other indicators, includes a first action indicator 410 and a second action indicator 412. In the depicted embodiment of the present technical solution, the action indicator 410 includes a graphical element in the form of a clock that is associated with the “Make an appointment” action. In the depicted embodiment of the present technical solution, the action indicator 412 includes a graphic element in the form of a stopwatch, which is associated with the "Set Timer" action. In the depicted embodiment of the present technical solution, the first action indicator 410 is selected (larger in size than the second action indicator 412 and the remaining action indicators). The fact that the first action indicator 410 is selected can be represented by other visual means, for example, by changing the color, size, color and size; and so on. It should be remembered that the direction 404 to the right is also associated with the "Settings" function. In this regard, the 414 settings icon is displayed. Activating the settings icon 414 allows the user to customize the processing of electronic messages using the drag and drop actions described here.

[00116] In alternative embodiments of the present technical solution, the second action element 406 may include various types of action indications, for example, executed as a text part, an alphanumeric part, and a combination of text and graphic elements. The second action element 406 may also be associated with a background texture 440, which may be made using various colors, patterns, etc.

[00117] In some embodiments of the present technical solution, the background texture 440 is the same as the background texture 310. In other embodiments of the present technical solution, the background texture 440 is different from the background texture 310. In other embodiments of the present technical solution, each background texture (for example, background texture 310, background texture 440) is selected as unique among all background textures, respectively associated with different action pointers (for example, the first action pointer 306 , second action pointer 406, etc.)

[00118] The user can select either the first action pointer 410 or the second action pointer 412 by “moving” the cursor (or the back of the selected given electronic message 218) at the desired either the first action pointer 410 or the second action pointer 412. There are other ways to highlight this pointer - either the first action pointer 410 or the second action pointer 412.

[00119] To switch between the first action pointer 410 and the second action pointer 412, the user can move the cursor 216 (or the back of the selected given electronic message 218) to another pointer of the possible options — the first action pointer 410 or the second action pointer 412 (the movement may be performed by pressing either the left or right mouse buttons to continue dragging and dropping the selected given electronic message 218).

[00120] If the user wants to perform an action associated with the second action pointer 412, the user can move the cursor 216 to the second action pointer 412, which will successfully lead to the situation recorded in the screenshot 200 of FIG. 5, where the second action pointer 4121 is active (i.e., selected), and the first action pointer 4101 is no longer selected.

[00121] Given the architecture described above, and also using the various examples above, it is possible to execute a method for processing an electronic message (for example, the selected given electronic message 218, etc.). The electronic message is displayed on a summary screen displayed in the input / output module 706. electronic device 602. The electronic device 602 is associated with a user (not shown). In FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method 800 implemented in accordance with embodiments of the present technical solution that does not limit its scope. The method 800 may be executed by the processor 703 of the electronic device 602. In this regard, the memory module 704 may store computer instructions, the execution of which will cause the processor 703 to execute the method 800.

[00122] Step 802 - displaying a message item associated with an electronic message to a user on an electronic device screen

[00123] The method 800 begins at block 802, when the processor 703 initiates the display by the input / output unit 706 to the user of the message element associated with the electronic message. As illustrated above, the processor 703 may cause a message area 204 to be displayed showing a plurality of lines 220 that together form a list of email messages addressed to the email recipient (i.e., incoming messages, and read and unread messages; outgoing messages; deleted messages; Messages placed in user-defined folders and so on).

[00124] On each line 220, some or all of the items on the list may be displayed: name of the sender of the electronic message 224, header 226 of the electronic message and the date and / or time 228 when the electronic message was sent by the sender. An avatar 230 (small image) may also be displayed, representing the sender if the avatar is available (otherwise, a placeholder image may be displayed). The first few words of the text content of the electronic message (or a compiled overview of the electronic message) may also be displayed.

[00125] In some embodiments of the present technical solution, in response to authorization or other user access to a mail service (or other type of messaging service) provided to server 610, step 802 may be performed.

[00126] In some embodiments of the present technical solution, the electronic message is one of a plurality of electronic messages displayed on a summary screen. In some embodiments of the method, the summary screen is one of the following screens: inbox screen, sent message screen, spam screen, outbox screen, and user-defined folder screen.

[00127] Method 800 then proceeds to step 804.

[00128] Step 804, receiving from the user a first indication of a user's first drag and drop action associated with a message item

[00129] At block 804, the processor 703 receives a first indication from the user that the user has performed the first drag and drop action associated with the message item. For example, this instruction can be obtained in response to a user performing a drag action in a predetermined direction associated with the selected email message 218. A drag action can be performed, for example, by using the mouse, holding the left (or right) mouse button and moving the mouse . Alternatively, the drag and drop action can be performed by a user who holds his finger on the selected given electronic message 218 and moves his finger across the screen in one of the predefined directions.

[00130] Method 800 then proceeds to step 806.

[00131] Step 806, in response to a user performing a first drag action performed in one of a plurality of predetermined directions, each of the plurality of predetermined directions being associated with a corresponding action element of the plurality of action elements, each corresponding action element is associated with a corresponding action, which is one of many actions, displaying to the user on the screen of the electronic device the corresponding action element, connected with one of the many predetermined directions, the action element being located at a predetermined location, visually at a distance from the message element in one of the many predefined directions, the corresponding action element indicates to the user the corresponding action

[00132] In step 806, in response to the first drag and drop action performed in one of the many predefined directions, the processor 703 initiates the user input / output module 706 to display the corresponding action element associated with one of the many predefined directions. As described above, when the user begins to move the selected given electronic message 218 in the upward direction 304 (as an example of one of a plurality of predetermined directions), the processor 703 initiates the display by the input / output unit 706 of the first action element 306. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the first action element 306 is visually located at a predetermined location that is visually located at a distance from the selected given electronic message 218 (from its initial position before the user began to move it). As mentioned above, the first action element 306 has an indication to the user of the corresponding action

[00133] In some embodiments of the method, the predetermined location is visually located at a distance from at least some of the plurality of electronic messages, wherein at least some of the plurality of electronic messages include an electronic message. In some embodiments of the method, at least some of the plurality of electronic messages include all of the plurality of electronic messages.

[00134] Method 800 then proceeds to step 808.

[00135] Step 808 - receiving, from the user, a second indication of the action of lowering the message item to the corresponding action item

[00136] At step 808, the processor 703 receives from the user a second indication of the action of lowering the message element to the corresponding action element. The processor 703 may receive a second indication in response to the user continuing to drag the selected given electronic message 218 to the first action element 306 and drag the selected given electronic message 218 over the region of the first action element 306 and then finally “lower” the selected given electronic message 218 on the first action element 306. Lowering the selected given electronic message 218 to the first action element 306 can be performed, for example, by releasing the left or right mouse button that was pressed while dragging the selected given electronic message 218 to the area of the first action element 306.

[00137] Method 800 then proceeds to step 810.

[00138] Step 810 - in response to the second indication, the execution of the corresponding action with the electronic message

[00139] Next, at 810, in response to the second indication, the processor 703 initiates the execution of the corresponding action with the electronic message. In some embodiments of the present technical solution, the processor 703 may store and maintain a table (not shown) in the memory module 704 indicating what actions need to be performed in connection with a certain direction from a plurality of predefined directions and pointers to related procedures for performing related actions .

[00140] In some embodiments of method 800, in response to receiving from the user a third indication that the user is not performing the action of lowering the selected given message 218 to the first action element 306; and then receiving from the user a fourth indication of a second drag action performed in a different direction from a plurality of predetermined directions, the method 800 also comprises: stopping the display of the first action element 306; displaying to the user in the input / output module 706 another corresponding action element (for example, the second action element 406) from the plurality of action elements, the other corresponding action element being associated with another predetermined action from the plurality of actions and located at another predetermined location visually at a distance from the selected given message 218 (or, more specifically, its initial position) in the direction of the second drag and drop action. Another relevant action element indicates another predefined action. Further, method 800 also includes receiving from the user a fifth indication of another action of lowering the selected given message 218 to another corresponding action element; and in response to the fifth indication, method 800 also performs another predetermined action with the selected message 218.

[00141] In some embodiments of the method, each of the plurality of action elements that could potentially be displayed in the I / O module 706 is associated with a corresponding unique background texture, from the rest of the plurality of action elements.

[00142] In some embodiments of the method 800, displaying to the user in the input / output unit 706 the corresponding action element comprises displaying an interface element that overlaps part of the summary screen so that the corresponding action element is clearly visible to the user.

[00143] In some embodiments of the method 800, the action element (eg, the first action element 306) contains either a graphic part or a text part indicating a corresponding action (eg, an indication of action 308).

[00144] Method 800 may then terminate. Or, the method returns to steps 802 or 804.

[00145] Possible Optimization

[00146] In some embodiments of method 800, method 800 also includes displaying an action indicator to the user. In order to illustrate possible optimization, FIG. 9, which depicts a screen shot 200 before performing step 802. In this illustration, at a point in time before the user performs the drag and drop action described above, the screen shot 200 displays a first action pointer 902, a second action pointer 904, a third an action indicator 906 and a fourth action indicator 908.

[00147] An action indicator (for example, a corresponding indicator of a possible first action indicator 902, second action indicator 904, third action indicator 906 and fourth action indicator 908) indicates a corresponding action associated with one of a plurality of predetermined directions. An action pointer (for example, a corresponding pointer from a possible first action pointer 902, second action pointer 904, third action pointer 906 and fourth action pointer 908) may be presented to the user before receiving step 802 from the user that the user is performing the first drag and drop action . In some embodiments of the method 800, the action indicator (for example, a corresponding indicator of a possible first action indicator 902, second action indicator 904, third action indicator 906 and fourth action indicator 908) is different in appearance from the associated action element. In some embodiments of the method 800, an action indicator (for example, a corresponding indicator of a possible first action indicator 902, second action indicator 904, third action indicator 906 and fourth action indicator 908) is displayed at the same predetermined location as the associated action element.

[00148] In the framework of these embodiments of the present technical solution, the corresponding indicator of the possible first action indicator 902, second action indicator 904, third action indicator 906 and fourth action indicator 908 is associated with a corresponding location from predetermined locations. In some embodiments of the present technical solution, the corresponding location from the predetermined locations may be the same as the predetermined position of the associated action item. The corresponding pointer from the possible first action indicator 902, second action indicator 904, third action indicator 906 and fourth action indicator 908 can be used to indicate in which direction the selected given email message 218 will be dragged when the user wants to take action.

[00149] In some embodiments of the present technical solution, a first action indicator 902, a second action indicator 904, a third action indicator 906 and a fourth action indicator 908 may be displayed as long as the summary screen is displayed. In other embodiments of the present technical solution, a first action indicator 902, a second action indicator 904, a third action indicator 906 and a fourth action indicator 908 can be displayed after a user performs a predetermined action, for example, pressing a predefined key, key combination, performing a predefined action on the touch screen and so on.

[00150] In some embodiments of the present technical solution, a first action indicator 902, a second action indicator 904, a third action indicator 906 and a fourth action indicator 908 may be partially overlapping other content of the screen shot 200. In other embodiments of the present technical solution, a first action indicator 902, a second action indicator 904, a third action indicator 906 and a fourth action indicator 908 may be displayed in a dedicated space that does not contain other content of the screen shot 200.

[00151] The second action indicator 904 may be associated with an additional action indicator 910, which indicates additional actions available in the corresponding direction (for example, those shown in Figs. 4 and 5).

[00152] Thus, within the framework of the embodiments of the present technical solution, the step of presenting to the user the input / output module 706 of the corresponding action element (for example, the first action element 306) comprises replacing the action indicator (for example, the first action indicator 902) with the corresponding action element (for example, first action element 306).

[00153] In some embodiments of the method 800, in response to receiving from the user a third indication that the user is not performing the action of lowering this electronic message 218 to the corresponding action element (for example, the first action element 306); and then receiving from the user a fourth indication of a second drag action performed in a different direction (e.g., in a second direction 404) from a plurality of predetermined directions, the method 800 further comprises: replacing the corresponding action item (e.g., the first action item 306) with an action pointer (e.g. , the first action indicator 902).

[00154] In some embodiments of method 800, method 800 also includes displaying to the user a plurality of action pointers (all pointers: a first action indicator 902, a second action indicator 904, a third action indicator 906 and a fourth action indicator 908), each indicator of a plurality of action indicators (all pointers: the first action pointer 902, the second action pointer 904, the third action pointer 906, the fourth action pointer 908) are associated with the corresponding direction from the set of preliminaries of specific directions, as well as each pointer from a set of action pointers (all pointers: first action pointer 902, second action pointer 904, third action pointer 906, fourth action pointer 908) indicates a related action, as well as many action pointers (all pointers : the first action pointer 902, the second action pointer 904, the third action pointer 906, the fourth action pointer 908) are displayed to the user before executing receipt 802 from the user of the first specified This means that the user performs the first drag and drop action.

[00155] Those skilled in the art will understand that in the present description, the expression “receiving data” from a user means receiving by the electronic device data from the user in the form of an electronic (or other) signal. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that displaying data to a user via a graphical user interface (e.g., an electronic device screen and the like) may include transmitting a signal to the graphical user interface, this signal contains data that can be processed, and at least a portion of this data may be displayed to the user via a graphical user interface.

[00156] Some of these steps, as well as signal transmission-reception, are well known in the art and therefore, have been omitted in specific parts of this description for simplicity. Signals can be transmitted-received using optical means (for example, fiber optic connection), electronic means (for example, wired or wireless connection) and mechanical means (for example, based on pressure, temperature or other suitable parameter).

[00157] Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present technical solution will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is provided as an example only and is not subject to any restrictions. Thus, the scope of the present technical solution is limited only by the scope of the attached claims.

[00158] Accordingly, some of the characteristics of this technical solution can be summarized in the paragraphs below.

[00159] [Claim 1] A method (800) for processing an electronic message displayed on a summary screen (204) and on a screen (703) of an electronic device (602) that is associated with a user; method (800) is performed on an electronic device (602); the method contains:

[00160] displaying (802) the user on the screen (703) of the electronic device (602) a message element (212, 214, 218) associated with the electronic message;

[00161] receiving (804) from the user the first indication of the user performing the first drag and drop action associated with the message element (212, 214, 218);

[00162] in response to a first drag action performed in one of a plurality of predetermined directions (304, 404), each of the plurality of predetermined directions (304, 404) associated with a corresponding action element (306, 406) from the plurality (306 , 406) action elements, each corresponding action element (306, 406) is associated with a corresponding action, which is one of many actions;

[00163] displaying (806) to the user on the screen (706) of the electronic device (602) the corresponding action element (306, 406) associated with one of the plurality of predefined directions (304, 404), the action element being located at a predetermined location, visually at a distance from the message element (212, 214, 218) in one of the many predefined directions (304, 404), the corresponding action element (306, 406) indicates to the user the corresponding action;

[00164] receiving (808) from the user a second indication of the action of lowering the message item (212, 214, 218) to the corresponding action item (306, 406);

[00165] in response to the second indication, the execution (810) of the corresponding action with the electronic message.

[00166] [Clause 2] The method (800) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic message is one of a plurality of electronic messages displayed on the summary screen (204).

[00167] [Claim 3] The method (800) according to any one of paragraphs. 1 and 2, in which the summary screen (204) is one of the following screens: an inbox screen, a screen for sent messages, a spam screen, an outbox screen, and a user-defined folder screen.

[00168] [Clause 4] The method (800) according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, in which a predetermined direction is visually at a distance from at least some message elements from the plurality of message elements (212, 214, 218), at least some of the plurality of message elements (212, 214, 218) include (212, 214, 218) messages.

[00169] [Claim 5] The method (800) according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the message elements from the plurality of message elements (212, 214, 218) include all the plurality of message elements (212, 214, 218).

[00170] [Clause 6] The method (800) according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, in which in response to receiving from the user a third indication that the user does not perform the action of lowering the element (212, 214, 218) of the message to the corresponding element (306, 408) of the action; and then receiving from the user a fourth indication of a second drag action performed in a different direction (404) from a plurality of predetermined directions, the method (800) further comprises:

[00171] stop displaying the corresponding action item (306);

[00172] displaying to the user on the screen (706) of the electronic device (602) another corresponding action element (406) from the plurality of action elements (306, 406), wherein another corresponding action element (406) is associated with another predetermined action from the plurality of actions and located at another predetermined location, visually at a distance from the message element (218) in the direction of the second drag action, and another corresponding action element (406) indicates another pre-defined edelennoe action;

[00173] receiving from the user a fifth indication of another action of lowering the message element (218) to another corresponding action element (406);

[00174] in response to the fifth indication, performing another predetermined action with the electronic message.

[00175] [Claim 7] The method (800) according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, in which each of the plurality of action elements (306, 406) is associated with a corresponding unique background texture (310, 440).

[00176] [Claim 8] The method (800) according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, in which the display on the screen (706) of the electronic device (602) of the corresponding action element (306, 406) of the user comprises a display of an interface element that overlaps part of the view of the summary screen so that the corresponding action element (306, 406) is clearly visible to the user.

[00177] [Claim 9] The method (800) according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, in which the corresponding element (306, 406) of the action contains either a graphic part or a text part indicating the corresponding action.

[00178] [Clause 10] The method (800) according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, in which the method further comprises displaying to the user a pointer (902, 904, 906, 908) of the action, which indicates the corresponding action associated with one of the many predefined directions, and which is provided to the user before receiving (802) from the user the first instructions for the user to perform the first drag and drop action.

[00179] [Clause 11] The method (800) according to claim 10, wherein the action indicator (902, 904, 906, 908) differs in appearance from the corresponding action element (306, 406).

[00180] [Claim 12] The method (800) of claim 10, wherein the action indicator (902, 904, 906, 908) is displayed in a predetermined direction.

[00181] [Clause 13] The method (800) according to claim 12, wherein displaying to the user on the electronic device screen the corresponding action element (306, 406) comprises replacing the action pointer (902, 904, 906, 908) with the corresponding action element (306) , 406).

[00182] [Claim 14] The method (800) of claim 13, wherein, in response to receiving from the user a third indication that the user is not performing the action of lowering the message item (218) to the corresponding action item (306, 406); and then receiving from the user a fourth indication of a second drag action performed in a different direction from a plurality of predetermined directions, the method (800) further comprises:

[00183] replacing the corresponding action item (306, 406) with the action pointer (902, 904, 906, 908).

[00184] [Claim 15] The method (800) according to any one of paragraphs. 1-14, in which the method further comprises displaying to the user a plurality of action pointers (902, 904, 906, 908), each of the plurality of action pointers (902, 904, 906, 908) associated with a corresponding one direction from a plurality of predetermined directions and indicates an action associated with it; a plurality of action pointers (902, 904, 906, 908) are provided to the user before receiving (802) from the user the first indication of the user's first drag and drop action.

[00185] [Claim 16] An electronic device (602) configured to perform the method (800) according to any one of claims. 1-15.

Claims (43)

1. A method of processing an electronic message, performed on an electronic device and including: display on the summary screen of the electronic device display of an electronic message element associated with the electronic message; receiving a first indication of a user's first drag-and-drop action associated with a message element in one of a plurality of predefined directions, each direction associated with a corresponding indication of an action regarding a message from a plurality of indications of action regarding a message; in response to the first indication, displaying on the electronic device display a corresponding indication of action with respect to the message, the indication of action being located at a predetermined location visually at a distance from the message element in one of a plurality of predetermined directions; receiving a second instruction for the user to take the action of releasing the message element to the corresponding indication of the action in relation to the message; In response to the second instruction, the corresponding action is performed with the electronic message. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic message item is one of a plurality of electronic message items displayed on a summary screen. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the summary screen is one of the following screens: an inbox screen, a screen for sent messages, a spam screen, an outbox screen and a screen of a user-defined folder. 4. The method according to claim 1, in which in response to receiving from the user a third indication that the user is not performing the action of releasing the message element to the appropriate indication of the action regarding the message, and then receiving from the user the fourth indication of the second drag and drop action, made in another direction from a variety of predefined directions, additionally perform: stop displaying the corresponding indication of action in relation to the message; displaying to the user on the display of the electronic device another relevant indication of the action from the set of instructions for action with respect to the message, and another corresponding indication of the action with respect to the message is associated with another predetermined action from the set of actions and is located in another predetermined location visually at a distance from Messages in the direction of the second drag and drop action; receiving from the user a fifth indication of another action of releasing the message element to another appropriate indication of action with respect to the message; in response to the fifth instruction, the execution of another predetermined action with the electronic message. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of indications of an action is associated with a corresponding unique background texture. 6. The method according to p. 1, in which when the user is shown on the electronic device display a corresponding indication of the action with respect to the message, an interface element is displayed that overlaps part of the view of the summary screen. 7. The method according to claim 1, in which the corresponding indication of the action in relation to the message contains a graphic part or a text part indicating the corresponding action. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying an action indicator that indicates a corresponding action associated with one of the plurality of predetermined directions, and which is provided before the user receives the first indication of the user's first drag and drop action. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a plurality of action pointers, each of the plurality of action pointers being associated with a corresponding one direction from a plurality of predetermined directions, and indicating an action associated with it; a plurality of action pointers is provided before receiving the first indication of the user performing the first drag and drop action. 10. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined location is visually spaced from at least some of the plurality of message elements, wherein at least some of the plurality of message elements include a message element. 11. The method according to p. 8, in which the action pointer differs in appearance from the corresponding indication of action in relation to the message. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the action indicator is displayed at a predetermined location. 13. The method according to p. 8, in which a third indication is received that the user does not perform the action of releasing the message element to the corresponding indication of the action with respect to the message, a fourth indication of the second drag action performed in the other direction from a plurality of predetermined directions , and additionally perform: Substitution of an appropriate indication of action in relation to the message with an action pointer. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein at least some of the plurality of message elements include all of the plurality of message elements. 15. The method according to p. 13, in which the display on the electronic device of the corresponding indication of the action in relation to the message contains the replacement of the action pointer with a corresponding indication of the action in relation to the message. 16. An electronic device for processing electronic messages, containing: I / O user interface for receiving user inputs and providing at least visual output or audio output; network communication interface for two-way data transmission over a data network; and a processor connected to a user I / O interface and a network communication interface and configured to access machine-readable instructions, the execution of which initiates the display on the summary screen of an electronic message element in the user-input-output interface, and machine-readable instructions are executed with the additional ability to initiate the execution of the processor: receiving a first indication of a user's first drag-and-drop action associated with a message element in one of a plurality of predefined directions, each direction associated with a corresponding indication of an action regarding a message from a plurality of indications of action regarding a message; in response to the first indication, displaying in the user input / output interface a corresponding indication of the action regarding the message, the indication of the action being located at a predetermined location visually at a distance from the message element in one of a plurality of predetermined directions; receiving a second instruction for the user to take the action of releasing the message element to the corresponding indication of the action in relation to the message; In response to the second instruction, the corresponding action is performed with the electronic message. 17. The electronic device according to p. 16, in which the processor is made with the additional ability: Stop displaying an appropriate action indication on the message in the I / O interface; display in the I / O interface another relevant indication of an action regarding a message from a plurality of indications of an action regarding a message, wherein another corresponding indication of an action regarding a message is associated with another predefined action with a message from a plurality of actions with a message and is located in another previously a specific location visually at a distance from the message element in the direction of the second drag and drop action; receive a fifth indication of another action of releasing the message element on another relevant indication of action with respect to the message; in response to the fifth instruction, perform another predetermined action with the electronic message. 18. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein, for presenting in the input / output interface a corresponding indication of action with respect to the message, the processor is configured to initiate the display of an interface element that overlaps part of the view of the summary screen. 19. The electronic device according to p. 16, in which the processor is configured to initiate the display of an action pointer that indicates a corresponding action associated with one of the many predefined directions, and which is provided before the first indication of the user performing the first drag and drop action. 20. The electronic device according to p. 16, in which for the presentation in the I / O interface of the appropriate indication of the action in relation to the message, the processor is configured to initiate the replacement of the action pointer with a corresponding indication of the action in relation to the message. 21. The electronic device according to claim 16, in which the processor is configured to initiate the display of a plurality of action pointers, each of the plurality of action pointers being associated with a corresponding one direction from a plurality of predetermined directions and indicates an associated action. 22. The electronic device according to p. 20, in which in response to receiving a third indication that the user does not perform the actions of lowering the message element to the corresponding indication of the action in relation to the message, and then receiving the fourth indication of the second drag and drop action performed in another direction from a plurality of predetermined directions, the processor is made with the additional opportunity to initiate the substitution of the corresponding indication of action in relation to the message with an action indicator.

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