Selective sending of portions of electronic content

Abstract

A user of a handheld communication device selects in a foreground process portions of an electronic document. In a background process a new document is prepared that comprises the selected portions. The user selects the address for forwarding the new document, and the new document gets sent in a background process.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A software application for enabling a user to operate on an electronic document, wherein: 
 the application enables the user in a foreground process to select a portion of information content of the document;    the application prepares in a background process a new electronic document based on the selected portion;    the application enables the user in a foreground process to specify a processing of the new document; and    the application processes the new document in a background process as specified by the user.    
     
     
         2 . The application of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the document comprises an email message;    the new document comprises a new email message; and    the processing comprises sending the new email message.    
     
     
         3 . The application of  claim 2 , wherein the user has an option of adding an annotation to the new email message before the sending.  
     
     
         4 . The application of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the electronic document comprises a Web page; and    the new electronic document comprises a file with an identification of the selected portion.    
     
     
         5 . The application of  claim 4 , wherein the processing comprises sending an email message that enables a receiver to perceive the Web page wherein the selected portion is distinguished.  
     
     
         6 . The application of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the application enables the user to add an annotation to the new document; and    the annotation gets rendered when a pointer is positioned within a predetermined area of the Web page when rendered under control of the file.    
     
     
         7 . A data processing device comprising a software application for enabling a user to operate on an electronic document, wherein: 
 the application enables the user in a foreground process to select a portion of information content of the document;    the application prepares in a background process a new electronic document based on the selected portion;    the application enables the user in a foreground process to specify a processing of the new document; and    the application processes the new document in a background process as specified by the user.    
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the document comprises an email message;    the new document comprises a new email message; and    the processing comprises sending the new email message.    
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the user has an option of adding an annotation to the new email message before the sending.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , comprising a browser, and wherein: 
 the electronic document comprises a Web page; and    the new electronic document comprises a file with an identification of the selected portion.    
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the processing comprises sending an email message that enables a receiver to perceive the Web page wherein the selected portion is distinguished.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the application enables the user to add an annotation to the new document; and    the annotation gets rendered when a pointer is positioned within a predetermined area of the Web page when rendered under control of the file.