System and method for mode-neutral communications with a widget-based communications metaphor

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for managing communications mode neutrally using widgets. The method includes presenting via a graphical user interface (GUI) a set of connected graphical elements representing a communication session comprising at least two communicating users, wherein each graphical element representing a user further comprises at least one graphical sub-element indicating user communication details, receiving user input associated with the set of connected graphical elements, the user input having an action associated with the communication session, and performing the action based on the received user input. The graphical sub-elements can indicate a communication mode through which an associated user connects to the communication session and/or available communication modes for an associated user. The graphical sub-elements can include a telephone, mobile phone, instant message, camera, video camera, microphone, text-message, document, headset, or email icon.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 presenting, via a graphical user interface controlled by a processor, a set of connected graphical elements, wherein each connected graphical element represents a respective user of a set of users participating in a communication session, and wherein each connected graphical element is unique to the respective user;   overlaying, in the graphical user interface, a graphical sub-element on top of each connected graphical element, the graphical sub-element indicating a respective current communication modality of the associated user;   receiving user input directed to the set of connected graphical elements, the user input specifying an action associated with the communication session; and   performing the action according to the respective current communication modality.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical sub-element indicates an additional communication modality through which the respective user can communicate during the communication session. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the graphical sub-element further indicates an availability of the additional communication modality. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical sub-element comprises one of a telephone icon, a mobile phone icon, an instant message icon, a camera icon, a video camera icon, a microphone icon, a text message icon, a document icon, a headset icon, a social media icon, and an email icon. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of connected graphical elements are connected in the graphical user interface by one of a line, a shape, proximity, a common shape, a common color, and a common appearance. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving changed communication details for one of the set of users;   identifying a connected graphical element corresponding to the respective user; and   updating a corresponding graphical sub-element for the connected graphical element based on the changed communication details.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical sub-element is a communications widget. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 receiving a first user input indicating a specific graphical sub-element;   displaying a menu of options based on the specific graphical sub-element and a respective associated user;   receiving a second user input selecting an option in the menu of options; and   manipulating the communication session based on the second user input.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein manipulating the communication session comprises creating a separate communication session separate from the communication session. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface accepts input via one of a mode-neutral user control, a mode neutral button, and a mode neutral gesture. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a processor; and   a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 presenting, via a graphical user interface, a set of connected graphical elements, wherein each connected graphical element represents a respective user of a set of users participating in a communication session, and wherein each connected graphical element is unique to the respective user; 
 overlaying, in the graphical user interface, a graphical sub-element on top of each connected graphical element, the graphical sub-element indicating a respective current communication modality of the associated user; 
 receiving user input directed to the set of connected graphical elements, the user input specifying an action associated with the communication session; and 
   performing the action according to the respective current communication modality.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the graphical sub-element indicates an additional communication modality through which the respective user can communicate during the communication session. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the graphical sub-element further indicates an availability of the additional communication modality. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the graphical sub-element comprises one of a telephone icon, a mobile phone icon, an instant message icon, a camera icon, a video camera icon, a microphone icon, a text message icon, a document icon, a headset icon, a social media icon, and an email icon. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the set of connected graphical elements are connected in the graphical user interface by one of a line, a shape, proximity, a common shape, a common color, and a common appearance. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:
 receiving changed communication details for one of the set of users;   identifying a connected graphical element corresponding to the respective user; and   updating a corresponding graphical sub-element for the connected graphical element based on the changed communication details.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the graphical sub-element is a communications widget. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:
 receiving a first user input indicating a specific graphical sub-element;   displaying a menu of options based on the specific graphical sub-element and a respective associated user;   receiving a second user input selecting an option in the menu of options; and   manipulating the communication session based on the second user input.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein manipulating the communication session comprises creating a separate communication session separate from the communication session. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage device storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 presenting, via a graphical user interface, a set of connected graphical elements, wherein each connected graphical element represents a respective user of a set of users participating in a communication session, and wherein each connected graphical element is unique to the respective user;   overlaying, in the graphical user interface, a graphical sub-element on top of each connected graphical element, the graphical sub-element indicating a respective current communication modality of the associated user;   receiving user input directed to the set of connected graphical elements, the user input specifying an action associated with the communication session; and   performing the action according to the respective current communication modality.